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Allianz

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Allianz

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) recently announced that its latest guaranteed income product, Allianz Lifetime Income+ Annuity with the Lifetime Income Benefit, is now available in defined contribution plans nationwide.

Lifetime Income+ puts Allianz Life’s depth of retirement income experience to work in a solution tailored for defined contribution plans. Allianz Lifetime Income+ is a fixed index annuity that offers innovative design features including growth potential, protection from market loss, and guaranteed lifetime income through the Lifetime Income Benefit. This benefit has the potential to increase annually for life to help address the effects of inflation.

The product is delivered with a seamless customer experience through coordination among recordkeepers, enrollers, managed account providers, middleware providers and other defined contribution plan partners.

Plans offering the product are already live within the LDI-MAP (d.b.a. iJoin) and IPX Retirement network of recordkeepers. Recordkeepers and advisors networks can offer the Allianz Lifetime Income+ Annuity with the Lifetime Income Benefit as a protected accumulation and decumulation option in 401(k)s and other defined contribution plans.

“We designed this new guaranteed lifetime income product to work for real people and the reality of retirement today,” said Matt Gray, head of employer markets, Allianz Life. “The Allianz Lifetime Income+ Annuity marks a new way to design in-plan annuities with a flexible product design, streamlined connections with plan partners, and increasing income potential.”

Allianz is expanding into the defined contribution market as Americans say they want guaranteed income options in their employer-sponsored plan. In a 2022 Allianz Life study,* a majority of respondents (60 percent) said they would consider adding an annuity to their employer-sponsored plan if it was available. The vast majority of respondents (80 percent) said they would be interested in a product that can serve as a supplemental source of guaranteed income along with Social Security. Nearly three in four Americans (74 percent) said having an option that allowed them to build a protected foundation for lifetime income would increase their loyalty to their employer.

*Allianz Life conducted an online survey, the 2022 Q2 Quarterly Market Perceptions Study in June 2022 with a nationally representative sample of 1,004 Respondents age 18+.
C-64712-MVA issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of the issuing company.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® and one of the Ethisphere World’s Most Ethical Companies,® has been keeping its promises since 1896 by helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuity and life insurance products. In 2021, Allianz Life provided additional value to its policyholders via distributions of more than $10.6 billion. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, registered index-linked annuities and fixed index universal life insurance, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with approximately 150,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Allianz Life is a proud sponsor of Allianz Field® in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United.

LIDMA

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LIDMA

The Life Insurance Direct Marketing Association (LIDMA) awarded Denis Clifford, senior vice president and chief distribution officer at The Savings Bank Mutual Life Insurance Company of Massachusetts (SBLI), the 2022 LIDMA Vision Award. The presentation took place at LIDMA’s 19th Annual Fall Meeting and Showcase in Manhattan Beach, CA.

The LIDMA Vision Award recognizes people and organizations that make substantial contributions to the advancement of the direct response segment of the life insurance industry. It is the highest honor that LIDMA can bestow on an individual or organization.

“Denis Clifford and his team at SBLI are pioneers in online insurance,” said Jan Pinney, immediate past president of LIDMA and 2021 Vision Award recipient. “Sixteen years ago, Denis and SBLI were among the first to use electronic policy delivery technology in the complicated insurance buying process, which today has been adopted by every major player in the direct to consumer space. Over the years Denis contributed to the LIDMA Board through his innovative ideas and by leading cutting edge panels to discuss new advances in thought and process. My favorite observation about Denis is ‘he makes insurance fun.’ It was an honor to present him the 2022 LIDMA Vision Award.”

The LIDMA Vision Award winner is selected based upon several criteria:

  • Innovation: Specifically in improving the process of how life insurance is delivered to middle America.
  • Dedication: To LIDMA and the mission to distribute more life insurance, enhance industry profitability and protect more American families.
  • Integrity: To combine a keen business sense with care for other people, kindness, and a passion for the benefits of life insurance.

According to Clifford, “I’m so appreciative of this recognition. The LIDMA Board along with the past recipients of this award exemplify the very best attributes of our industry in addition to being leaders in forward thinking and transparent collaboration. I am honored to be this year’s recipient and look forward to continuing to participate in the continued growth and relevance of this association.”

LIDMA is the premiere association dedicated to supporting businesses and professionals active in direct sales of life insurance products to consumers–the fastest growing sales segment in the life insurance industry. The not-for-profit organization is committed to helping members protect more families while boosting their revenues and reducing costs. For more information, or if you would like to become a member, please visit www.lidma.org.

Protective Life

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Protective Life

Protective Life Corporation, a wholly owned U.S. subsidiary of Dai‑ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750) recently announced the launch of its Protective® Aspirations Variable Annuity product, issued by its principal subsidiary Protective Life Insurance Company (“Protective”).

According to a 2022 consumer survey,1 the most important service consumers of all ages seek from a financial professional is “understand how much [they] can safely spend in retirement.” As clients prepare for retirement, they are planning for their retirement lifestyle goals and the legacy they would like to leave for loved ones.

“Whatever you aspire to achieve in retirement, it should be protected,” said Jim Wagner, chief distribution officer for Protective. “Whether you need protected lifetime income to cover the essentials during retirement or protection of market gains to help you get the most out of retirement, Protective Aspirations’ variable annuity income options can meet a variety of unique consumer needs.”

The Protective Aspirations variable annuity offers tax-deferred growth powered by quality investment options in a broad range of asset classes, along with multiple living and enhanced death benefit options so clients can protect what is most important to them.

Highlights of Protective Aspirations variable annuity includes its choice of two new optional protected lifetime benefits designed with clients’ unique needs in mind. These two optional benefits were developed to help customers either maximize their retirement income or investment growth potential. Both living benefits also include a feature that allows the customer to defer a portion of their annual withdrawal amount for use at a later time.

With an ultimate goal of protecting more customers, this solution allows Protective to build its variable annuity product suite and help more customers retire with more confidence.

Licensed financial professionals can learn more about Protective Aspirations variable annuity by visiting www.finpro.protective.com/retirement/variable-annuities/protective-aspirations.

  1. Browning, Guo, Cheng and Finke (2016). Spending in Retirement: Determining the Consumption Gap, Journal of Financial Planning, 29(2), 42-53.

Protective has helped people achieve protection and security in their lives for 115 years. Through its subsidiaries, Protective offers life insurance, annuity and asset protection solutions and is helping more than 12 million people protect what matters most. Variable products are distributed by affiliate Investment Distributor, Inc., a registered broker-dealer and principal underwriter for registered products issued by Protective Life Insurance Company. Protective’s more than 3,700 employees put people first and deliver on the company’s promises to customers, partners, colleagues and communities—because we’re all protectors. With a long term focus, financial stability and commitment to doing the right thing, Protective Life Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dai‑ichi Life Holdings, Inc. (TSE:8750), has grown to about $132 billion in assets, as of Dec. 31, 2021. Protective is headquartered in Birmingham, AL, and supported by both a robust virtual workforce and core sites in Cincinnati and St. Louis. For more information about Protective, visit www.protective.com.

Ash Brokerage

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Ash Brokerage

Ash Brokerage LLC (“Ash”), a leading distributor of life, long term care, disability and retirement solutions, announced the addition of Brian Lauber, CLU, ChFC, as senior vice president of Disability Insurance.

Jason Grover, president of Ash, expressed the opportunity to double down on helping advisors help their clients.

“As a leader in disability insurance, we’re never satisfied with good enough,” Grover said. “We know there are many more clients who need to protect their income. Looking at Ash’s position in the market, now was the time to make a strategic investment back in our DI business to help advisors tell the income protection story.”

In January, Ash retained Chris Carlson Brokerage Group to review Ash’s messaging and market opportunity. Following the conversations, Matt McAvoy, partner and divisional president of Ash, identified Brian as the right person to carry the torch.

“With a proven record for growing market share, Brian is a phenomenal asset to help us tap into additional resources,” McAvoy said. “Brian is well known and respected across the insurance industry.”

Brian has served at multiple insurance carriers as an advisor, wholesaler, district manager, regional VP, VP of independent distribution and chief marketing officer. Most recently he was regional director of IDI Sales for The Standard and regional managing director at Principal Financial Group, two of Ash’s key distribution partners for disability insurance.

Brian’s tenure will add to Ash’s existing team of DI specialists, including Tim Kukieza, VP of Disability, who has successfully grown Ash’s DI sales for more than a decade.

For more on Ash’s disability insurance offerings, visit www.ashbrokerage.com/plan/disability-insurance.

Founded over 50 years ago in Fort Wayne, IN, Ash Brokerage’s more than 400 employees are focused on helping financial professionals innovate through insurance solutions. In 2021, Ash protected almost 50,000 lives, helping place nearly $2 billion of premium. In 2022, Ash Brokerage joined the Integrity Marketing Group family of companies.

As a brokerage general agency, Ash leverages relationships with more than 80 top-rated insurance carriers to answer the needs of financial professionals nationwide. Ash has the tools—and the people—to bring solutions in every stage of life. Whatever the question. Whatever the need. Ash Answers.

Mutual of Omaha

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Mutual of Omaha

Employees enrolled in Mutual of Omaha’s Employee Assistance Program now have two ways to request EAP services. In addition to a 1-800 number, employees now have access to an Online Service Request Form on the EAP website to request services.

Once an employee submits a request for services, an EAP professional will respond in a timely manner. That means employees can spend less time worrying about the challenges in their lives and continue to be the productive workers that their employers know and trust.

For over 25 years, Mutual of Omaha’s in-house EAP has been staffed by licensed, master’s level counselors. Our exclusive provider network and personalized provider matching allow us to quickly get the help customers need. With increased mental health awareness, Employee Assistance Programs continue to grow in popularity and demand. Mutual of Omaha is continuously exploring additional resources for employers who want to help their employees personally and professionally.

“At Mutual of Omaha, we are continually working to improve our customers’ experience by listening to understand their needs,” said Kurtis Stewart, senior vice president of Underwriting, Workplace Solutions at Mutual of Omaha. “With the new ways to reach our EAP team, we’re responding to those needs with improvements that will make getting the help an employee needs simple and convenient.”

For more online EAP resources, visit http://www.mutualofomaha.com/eap.

LifeSecure

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LifeSecure

LifeSecure Insurance Company announced a strategic partnership with iptiQ to simplify the life insurance buying experience by launching simplified issue final expense and term life insurance products.* Available on August 1, the two products mark LifeSecure’s first expansion into the life market.

“Helping people plan for life’s unexpected events is at the heart of our mission, and we’re excited to extend that commitment to life insurance,” said Patrick J. Prichard, LifeSecure president and CEO. “The past year and a half has shown us all the importance of financial protection and preparing for the unexpected. Our partnership with iptiQ will help us and our distribution partners connect more families with straightforward, affordable coverage to protect what matters most.”

iptiQ was created in 2016 by Swiss Re, a leading wholesale provider of reinsurance and insurance headquartered in Zurich. Together, iptiQ and LifeSecure will deliver a best-in-class digital buying experience, simple application process, and easy to understand life solutions to individuals and families in the United States.

“LifeSecure and iptiQ share several company values, like using innovative solutions and technology to simplify the process of buying life insurance and creating a better future for our policyholders and their beneficiaries,” said Niels Keuker, chief marketing and sales officer of iptiQ Americas. “We’re excited to partner with LifeSecure in providing affordable insurance coverage and a streamlined digital journey to agents and customers.”

*The final expense and term life insurance products are both underwritten by iptiQ’s insurance carrier, Lumico Life Insurance Company. Both products will be available in Washington D.C. and in all states except New York. The final expense insurance product will not be available in Montana. Certain benefit riders will not be available in California.


Based in Brighton, Mich., LifeSecure Insurance Company is dedicated to its mission of delivering an exceptional insurance experience. The company offers supplemental health, long term care and life insurance products. LifeSecure is licensed in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Additional information is available at http://YourLifeSecure.com.


iptiQ is a division of Swiss Re, providing a cutting-edge digital insurance platform, world-class underwriting capabilities and high-value life and health insurance products. Its digital platform helps carriers and distribution partners accelerate access to new customers and products. iptiQ entered the U.S. market in 2016 to address the $26T insurance protection gap. To learn more, visit http://iptiQ.com.

Allianz Life

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Allianz Life

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) recently announced that it has renewed $300,000 in grants to Twin Cities nonprofits focused on improving economic inclusion and security among underserved communities. The funds support financial literacy programs that teach money management, provide asset-building initiatives, and offer financial resources for people of all ages and backgrounds.

“These grants are an important way to close gaps in financial literacy, and to help secure the future of people who have traditionally received little financial education,” said Walter White, president and CEO, Allianz Life. “By working with partners in the community, we can help address these disparities, which contribute so significantly to other inequities in our community.”

The following nonprofits received a 2021 Financial Literacy Grant:

  • CAPI USA—$15,000 to support their Economic Empowerment Program
  • CLIMB Theater—$30,000 to support their financial literacy plays
  • CLUES—$20,000 to support their Economic Vitality Services
  • College Possible—$30,000 to support their Financial Literacy Curriculum
  • Dress for Success Twin Cities—$15,000 to support their Professional Intelligence Program
  • Emerge Mother’s Academy—$15,000 to support their Financial Literacy Program
  • FamilyMeans—$25,000 to support their Financial Solutions Program
  • HIRED—$15,000 to support their Building Family Assets Program
  • Hmong American Partnership—$15,000 to support their Financial Literacy Expansion
  • Lutheran Social Services—$25,000 to support their Four Cornerstones of Financial Literacy Program
  • Minnesota Council on Economic Education—$25,000 to support their overall program
  • Prepare + Prosper—$25,000 to support their Financial Capability Program
  • Project For Pride In Living (PPL)—$20,000 to support their Career Training and Financial Empowerment Program
  • Twin Cities RISE!—$25,000 to support their Financial Education Program

In addition, the company has also contributed $75,000 each to Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest and BestPrep, two local organizations that provide business, entrepreneurial and financial literacy programs for students. As part of its Biz Town partnership, Junior Achievement of the Upper Midwest will receive another $25,000.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies to Work For® and one of the Ethisphere World’s Most Ethical Companies®, has been keeping its promises since 1896 by helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuity and life insurance products. In 2020, Allianz Life provided additional value to its policyholders via distributions of more than $10.1 billion. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with approximately 150,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Allianz Life is a proud sponsor of Allianz Field® in St. Paul, MN, home of Major League Soccer’s Minnesota United.

OneAmerica

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OneAmerica

OneAmerica®, a national provider of insurance and financial services, has promoted Kelley Gay to chief marketing officer (CMO).

With nearly 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, Gay has served OneAmerica in various leadership capacities for more than a decade. Since 2019, she has led the company’s enterprise marketing and communications strategy, driving exceptional brand experiences and positive results across the business.

Gay has played a key role in shifting OneAmerica to a customer-centric organization enabling the enterprise to meet and exceed the expectations of its stakeholders. In addition, her leadership has helped raise the company’s and business lines’ market visibility by aligning marketing, digital, communications and brand experiences to core strategic objectives—ultimately aiding in the growth of new business and retention.

“Kelley’s track record of high performance, combined with her deep industry expertise and strategic acumen, will be instrumental for OneAmerica as we take our brand to the next level,” said Karin Sarratt, executive vice president, OneAmerica. “With a career at OneAmerica highlighted by many successes, perhaps most important are her contributions toward helping us build a bright and thriving culture grounded in our relationships with each other and our stakeholders. I can’t think of a more exceptional executive than Kelley to lead us as we scale and further advance our market position.”

As head of enterprise marketing and communications, Gay oversees marketing, executive, internal and external communications, digital experiences, market visibility, brand management, customer relationship management, reputation management, custom marketing and financial wellness programming, marketing operations and portfolio strategy, and customer experience management. In previous appointments at OneAmerica, Gay held multiple marketing leadership positions for the enterprise as well as for the Individual Life and Financial Services and Retirement Services business lines.

“It’s rare to find a company with the people, culture and opportunity that OneAmerica has right now. I am proud to be a part of such an important point in OneAmerica’s growth trajectory,” said Gay. “My team is poised to help position the company for enduring success by delivering positive brand experience for our stakeholders and impactful outcomes for our business.”

Before joining OneAmerica, Gay held several marketing leadership roles at MassMutual Financial Group, focusing on building customer relationships with emerging consumer segments, career agency and independent brokerage marketing and product and services marketing. Earlier in her career, she worked with Phoenix Home Life and was a licensed financial advisor with Smith Barney.

Gay received her bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Connecticut, where she also earned Big East All-Academic Team awards as a member of the basketball team from 1994-1998.

OneAmerica is the marketing name for the companies of OneAmerica.

A national provider in the insurance and financial services marketplace for more than 140 years, the companies of OneAmerica help customers build and protect their financial futures. OneAmerica offers a variety of products and services to serve the financial needs of their policyholders and customers. These products include retirement plan products and recordkeeping services, individual life insurance, annuities, asset based long-term care solutions and employee benefit plan products. To learn more about the products, services and the companies of OneAmerica, visit http://OneAmerica.com/companies.

Ash Brokerage

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Ash Brokerage

Ash Brokerage, Ameritas and SCOR announce a new next-generation term life insurance product, Ash Instant term, issued by Ameritas Life Insurance Corp.

The predictive data modeling provides improved outcomes for clients, while making the process fast and simple.

This innovative digital product is available to Ash advisors through the Ash Term Express platform. Together, the product and platform are transforming the life insurance landscape.

“It’s not enough to keep up with industry changes. Ash leads the way as the first brokerage general agency to offer this exclusive and innovative design. We broke the mold and we stand alone,” says Tim Ash, CEO of Ash Brokerage.

“This product is a breakthrough for our industry,” adds Todd Ruplinger, Ash Brokerage’s chief innovation officer. “Our predictive data modeling has provided improved outcomes for clients and advisors, while making the process fast and simple. Advisors who viewed life insurance as an obstacle now have a simple solution for protection.”

Ash Instant term leverages modern technology to enable advisors and their clients to place a term life policy with ease, collaborating through a unique protection journey at their own pace and sequence. Based on more than 50 years of experience and data, Ash Instant term provides an online underwriting decision in seconds.

“Ash Instant term offers one of the best automation rates in the market while it maintains very competitive prices,” explains Richard De Sousa, senior vice president, deputy head of Growth and Development at SCOR. “Qualified applicants can confirm receipt of coverage within 15 minutes in either an agent-assisted or self-serve fully digital environment.”

“Ameritas is always focused on finding new ways to reach more customers,” says Bill Lester, Ameritas president and chief executive officer. “That’s part of our mission of fulfilling life through convenient, high-quality insurance and financial services. An instant-decision term life product accomplishes all that and more. A great collaboration.”

Ash Instant is underwritten by Ameritas and reinsured by SCOR. The combination of Ash’s proprietary submission platform, Ash Term Express, and the new Ash Instant term product makes obtaining term insurance easier than ever.

Ash Brokerage, www.ashbrokerage.com, is a brokerage general agency based in Fort Wayne, IN, answering the needs of financial professionals nationwide. For life insurance, annuities, long term care or disability income, Ash provides the tools and, more importantly, the people needed to get the job done right. For 50 years, the firm has built its success on strong, personal relationships with its clients and partners. Whatever the question. Whatever the need. Ash Answers.

Amalgamated Life

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Amalgamated Life

Amalgamated Life Insurance Company (www.amalgamatedbenefits.com), a leading provider of comprehensive insurance solutions, recently announced the appointment of Jeff Sammons as sales executive. Sammons, who is based in Las Vegas, NV, will be marketing Amalgamated Life’s full product line to businesses, unions, associations and other organizations across the western region. He brings over 19 years of experience and a proven track-record selling insurance products and employee benefits.

Amalgamated Life’s Executive Vice President, Sales and Marketing John Thornton commented, “Throughout his career, Jeff has demonstrated an ability to bring the best insurance solutions and employee benefits to a wide range of clients. He also brings a broad knowledge of health plans, regulations, and related technologies such as Employee Navigator. These attributes along with his strong working relationships with area brokers make him an ideal addition to the Amalgamated Life team.”

Sammons began his career as an independent insurance agent with Colonial Insurance and steadily advanced into senior-level roles. His positions have ranged from regional vice president, Northwest U.S. with Transamerica Employee Benefits and vice president of Sales and Technology Specialist with VBSEnroll/Bridgeport Benefits, to national sales advisor with HR Pro, among others. Most recently, he served as a benefit enrollment technologist specialist with LP Insurance Agency (Las Vegas, NV) where he was responsible for overseeing the implementation of online enrollment technology.

Sammons’s higher education includes studies at Northwest Technical College where he majored in business with a marketing focus.

Founded in 1943, Amalgamated Life Insurance Company has since grown into a leading provider of comprehensive insurance solutions operating in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The Company provides competitive group products including term life, medical stop loss, disability and specialty drug cost management, as well as a suite of voluntary products such as accident, accidental death and dismemberment, critical illness, dental, disability, hearing, ID theft, legal, portable term life and whole life, among others. Since 1975, Amalgamated Life Insurance Company has consistently earned the “A” (Excellent) Rating from A.M. Best Company attesting to its strong fiscal position. The Company is a member of the Amalgamated Family of Companies, which also includes: a third party administrator, Amalgamated Employee Benefits Administrators; Amalgamated Medical Care Management, a medical care management firm; Amalgamated Agency, a property and casualty broker; and AliGraphics, a printing firm.

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