Cove Insight: BMO Announces 2026 Bonus Rate (for Whole Life Policies)

BMO Insurance has announced a 2026 Performance Bonus Rate of 6.00% for its participating whole life policies — an increase of 0.25% from last year. The new rate is effective May 1, 2026 through April 30, 2027 and applies across BMO’s core whole life lineup.

This increase marks a continued upward move after a number of years in the mid-5% range, showing improving performance and stability within BMO’s participating account. For more information, please see the 2026 Performance Bonus Rate fact sheet.

The increase to 6.00% reflects broader trends we’re seeing across participating life products, where insurers are benefiting from improved fixed income yields while maintaining disciplined portfolio construction.

BMO’s continued emphasis on low-volatility equity exposure and smoothing mechanisms positions their products well for clients prioritizing consistency over short-term performance swings.

If you have questions, thoughts, or want to talk more about this topic with one of our advisors, you can book a meeting with us.