2025 Financial Professional’s Guide to Indexed Universal Life

Innovation designed to deliver.

Diversification designed to perform.

Strategies designed to lead.

Discover how Allianz is reshaping the IUL marketplace and how you can benefit.

Proudly sponsored by

Visit our new “one-stop shop” for important information you need (and need to know) to help business owners plan for an ownership transfer of their business – and how life insurance can play a role in a smooth transition. And watch for more turnkey programs coming soon.

→ Scan the QR code, or visit → www.allianzlife.com/turnkey-programs (Secure site login required)

Leading with Innovation. Delivering with Purpose.

Actionable insights, innovative strategies, and exclusive tools to help you serve clients better and grow your business.

The indexed universal life (IUL) space is rapidly evolving—and Allianz is proud to be helping lead the way. As client expectations shift, economic conditions fluctuate, and the regulatory environment grows more complex, one thing is clear: innovation is essential. That’s why we created this IUL guide: to give you relevant insights, real-world strategies, and powerful tools to help you grow your business and better serve your clients.

At Allianz, innovation is about solving real challenges your clients are facing and building long-term value. That means developing innovative product features, leveraging proprietary platforms like our in-house affiliate’s hedging desk1 to help influence product design, and ensuring that every advancement works as hard for your clients as you do. From lockable index allocations to an interactive illustration experience, we offer tools designed to create long-term value. The value of these innovative features are in addition to the traditional benefit of life insurance, the financial protection of the death benefit.

This guide brings that innovation to life. Inside, you’ll find articles that explore:

• Diversifying within an IUL policy to help create more resilient, credible strategies—without sacrificing accumulation potential

information. It’s a resource you can put into action. Our goal is simple: to equip you with tools, insights, and solutions that deepen client trust and deliver long-

“From lockable index allocations to an interactive illustration experience, we offer tools designed to create long-term value.”

• Putting clients in greater control with features like Index Lock, designed to offer added flexibility in uncertain markets

• Leveraging the Life Advanced Markets turnkey program to engage small business owners in meaningful, action-oriented succession planning conversations using IUL

• Elevating your sales process with Ensight, an interactive digital platform that transforms complex IUL illustrations into simple, compelling client conversations

Whether you’re new to Allianz or a long-time partner, this guide is designed with your success in mind. It’s more than

term value no matter how the market shifts.

Thank you for your continued partnership and for the work you do to help your clients secure their futures. We’re honored to support you, and we’re excited about what we can achieve together as the IUL landscape continues to grow. •

Sincerely,

Jason Wellmann

Senior Vice President, Life Distribution Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

1 Allianz Investment Management U.S. LLC (AIM US), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, provides investment management and hedging services to the broader Allianz Group.

Indexed universal life insurance (IUL) provides a death benefit that is generally paid income tax-free to beneficiaries, as well as accumulation potential that can be used for various financial needs.

Indexed universal life insurance policies require qualification through health and financial underwriting.

Diversifying within a policy does not ensure that it will be credited with interest in any given year.

Because the index value locks at the end of the day, the value used to determine the index credit may be higher or lower than at the time of the request. Exercising an Index Lock may result in a credit higher or lower than if the Index Lock had not been exercised. We will not provide advice or notification regarding whether to exercise an Index Lock or the optimal time for doing so.

Guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

Products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297.

This content does not apply in the state of New York.

Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer.

For financial professional use only – not for use with the public.

A Smarter Path Forward: The Power of Diversification in IUL

In an increasingly unpredictable market, the old playbook of chasing past performance just doesn’t cut it anymore. Indexed universal life insurance (IUL) has long been a powerful tool for both protection and accumulation potential, but it’s time we rethink how we use it. Allianz believes the future of IUL lies in diversification —and they’ve built their strategy around making that future accessible, understandable, and effective for both financial professionals and clients.

Diversification Isn’t Just a Buzzword—It’s a Long-Term Strategy Diversification in the context of IUL doesn’t refer only to spreading assets across different types of financial vehicles within a portfolio. It’s about strategically allocating across multiple allocation options and bonus opportunities—so clients aren’t betting on a single choice. That can be important in any market environment, where economic shifts can throw even the most carefully crafted index off course. “Diversification in IUL is about more than just spreading allocations,” says Corey Luke, AVP, Head of Life Advanced Markets. “It’s about creating a policy strategy that’s built to weather different market environments—not just thrive in the perfect scenario.”

You don’t have to sacrifice competitiveness to diversify.

Leveling the Playing Field: Competitive Illustrations with Built-In Balance

One of the key challenges in the industry has been that diversified strategies are a good talking point but they don’t always illustrate well. Many carriers struggle to promote diversified approaches if

Lock In Gains, Lock Out Regret

Allianz also pioneered one of the most innovative product features in the IUL space: lockable indexes. Clients can manually lock in an index value (once during a policy year) or set automatic triggers that can potentially if an index value reaches a predefined threshold. It’s about giving clients more control without needing them to become market experts. “A client might see a 12% index

“Diversification can take the pressure off being ‘right’ about market direction. It’s about being prepared, not predictive. And that changes the whole conversation.”

Allianz IUL products offer up to 16 allocation options—built from five indexes, three bonus structures, non-bonus options, multiple crediting methods, and a fixed account—allowing financial professionals to tailor strategies to fit each client’s comfort level with risk and long-term goals. Luke explains, “Financial professionals have the flexibility to build truly customized strategies that align with each client’s goals and risk tolerance.” Whether someone leans aggressive or conservative, the tools are there to construct a thoughtful, balanced approach. And the best part?

they lead to less competitive illustrated scenarios. Illustrated rates are set by a complex set of regulations taking into account product design, historical lookback information, and bonus availability. Due to inefficient design or a lack of options, it’s not uncommon for competitor IULs to have only one index bonus combination that illustrates best.

Allianz takes a different approach “We focus on a combination of customer value and choice when designing our products,” says Luke. “We’ve been driving index innovation for years and have many options with established historical data. Our diversified strategies maintain competitiveness so financial professionals don’t have to choose between showing a strong illustration and doing what may be appropriate for the client long-term.” It’s a major win for credibility and for clients who want a smoother experience, not a rollercoaster.

value gain mid-year and wonder if they should hold or lock in,” Luke explained. “With lockable options, they don’t have to guess. They can act or set rules that act for them. It’s powerful, and it brings a sense of control and reassurance.”

Meet Ensight: The Future of IUL Illustrations

Of course, a strategy only works if it’s easy to understand. That’s where our partnership with Ensight, Allianz’s next-generation illustration system experience, comes in.

Ensight simplifies complex illustrations by making them visual, interactive, and intuitive. Financial professionals can show clients exactly how their policy is diversified, walk through “what-if” scenarios, and tailor recommendations based on risk profiles—without overwhelming them with charts and jargon. “Clients don’t want spreadsheets. They want clarity. Ensight lets us give them that.” shared Luke.

For financial professionals, it can mean fewer hours spent explaining why one index didn’t perform as expected. For

“Allianz IUL products offer up to 16 allocation options—built from five indexes, three bonus structures, non-bonus options, multiple crediting methods, and a fixed account— allowing financial professionals to tailor strategies to fit each client’s comfort level with risk and long-term goals.”

clients, it can mean reassurance. They can see for themselves that their policy is designed to absorb change, not react to it.

The Real Win: Happier Clients, Stronger Relationships

When clients understand their policy and aren’t second-guessing potential results, it can build trust. Financial professionals aren’t stuck in the cycle of defending index choices year after year and are able to start focusing on what matters: helping clients stay on track.

Diversification can relieve the pressure of being “right” about market direction. It can turn a volatile experience

into a smoother ride. Consistency—and results—over the longer term may be more important to the client than a single year of outsized performance.

Leading the Way—and Encouraging the Industry to Follow

Allianz was one of the first carriers to launch volatility-controlled indexes in IUL back in 2014. They have remained committed to innovation ever since—from developing lockable indexes to pushing the conversation around diversification forward.

“Allianz is not just innovating to stand out,” Luke says. “We’re innovating to push

the industry forward. Our goal is to help financial professionals deliver better outcomes and build deeper trust with their clients.” That’s why Allianz is out in the field, presenting, training, and partnering with FMOs and financial professionals to make these ideas actionable.

The future of IUL isn’t just about chasing performance. It’s about building resilient products designed to stand the test of time and seek to deliver results in any market. Allianz hopes other carriers will follow their lead in telling the diversification story and find a way to make diversification part of their product strategy. •

Diversifying within a policy does not ensure that it will be credited with interest in any given year. Bonused products may include higher surrender charges, longer surrender periods, lower rates, or other restrictions that are not included in similar products that don’t offer a bonus.

Although an external market index may affect your interest credited, your policy does not directly participate in any stock or equity or bond investments. You are not buying shares in any stock or index.

Exercising an Index Lock may result in a credit higher or lower than if the Index Lock had not been exercised. Guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. Products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297.

This content does not apply in the state of New York.

Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer. For financial professional use only – not for use with the public.

Innovation with Intention:

A New Era of Indexed Universal Life Insurance

As financial products grow more complex and customer expectations rapidly evolve, innovation must be more than a slogan—it’s a necessity. For Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz), innovation means building sustainable value, designing for real-world needs, and staying focused on the long-term benefit of policyholders.

“Allianz is often first to market with new ideas,” says Jakob Erickson, product actuary at Allianz. “But what really sets us apart is our commitment to innovation that’s backed by strong pricing discipline and thoughtful execution. We don’t just launch something because we can. We do it when we believe it will provide value over the long term.”

This deliberate approach has helped Allianz earn and maintain its position as a leading provider of indexed universal life (IUL) insurance in the U.S. for the past five years.1 It’s a leadership role built on innovation, integrity, and a time-tested ability to deliver value.

The Power of a Proprietary Platform

What truly differentiates Allianz in the IUL space is its use of a dynamic hedging platform through an in-house affiliate. While most carriers rely on third-party investment banks to manage their risk exposure, Allianz took a bold step in 2006 to build a dedicated hedging team in Allianz Investment Management U.S. LLC (AIM US), a wholly owned subsidiary of Allianz. The move has been instrumental in Allianz’s ability to innovate quickly and cost-effectively.

“Our use of the AIM US dynamic inhouse hedging platform allows us to execute what I call ‘instant innovation,” Erickson explains. “There’s no friction from working with external banks, no minimums, and no extra fees. That means we can experiment, iterate, and bring new ideas to market with speed.”

That agility has allowed Allianz to develop industry-first features like Index Lock , which enables customers the opportunity to lock in an index value one time per policy year. Offered at no additional cost, this feature has delivered real results: policyholders have locked in more than $100 million in gains, with an average locked interest credit of 9.8%.1

Track Record of Industry Firsts

Allianz has a long history of being first to market with game-changing features. It introduced volatility-controlled indexes to the IUL space as early as 2014—years before the broader industry began to follow suit. The company also pioneered crediting methods like monthly sum in 2005 and has continued evolving with newer methods like the Blended Index Strategy in 2008 and the Trigger Method in 2013.

comes the potential for larger swings.”

Allianz also takes a quality-over-quantity approach. Instead of overwhelming clients with dozens of options, the company offers a curated lineup of indexes, each rigorously tested and aligned with longterm policyholder needs.

“It’s not about offering the most options. It’s about offering the right ones,” Erickson adds. “Our lineup offers our customers the potential to earn credits regardless of the environment, whether that’s through a competitive fixed rate, an uncapped equity index or something in between. ”

Innovation Grounded in Customer Value

While technological innovation is a major driver, it’s customer value that ultimately guides Allianz’s product development. “My role is to take what’s technically possible and translate that into something that creates value for customers,” says Erickson. “We always ask, ‘How can this

Fast Facts: Allianz IUL Innovation

• Top 5 IUL and FIA carrier over the past 5 years1

• 1st to Market with volatility-controlled indexes

• Index Lock feature has enabled over $100M in locked gains with average credit of 9.8%2

• Since 2006, average index credit: 6.4% vs. fixed account: 3.75%3

• 4 lockable indexes available—currently more than any other IUL competitor...

Today, the company offers four lockable indexes, further empowering customers to take a level of control of their IUL policy results and giving financial professionals new tools to tailor strategies.

“Each of our index offerings is designed with a different return profile in mind,” Erickson notes. “Some use elements like volatility control to produce more predictable returns. Others have more exposure to the equity markets and with that

help someone achieve financial goals?’”

This philosophy shows up in multiple ways. Allianz’s IUL products allow policyholders to access available cash value through policy loans and withdrawals and allocate loans across different index allocations, tailoring their strategy during the accumulation or income phase of their contracts. Guaranteed bonuses, guaranteed loan rates, transparency in product design, and

client-friendly illustrations further reinforce Allianz’s customer-first philosophy.

“Flexibility, transparency, and guarantees in the right places—that’s what sets us apart,” says Erickson. “We’ve been guaranteeing our loan rate on our IUL products for over a decade. That stability can give customers a sense of reassurance.”

It’s also evident in the company’s investment in support tools, like Ensight , a digital illustration experience that helps financial professional visually communicate hypothetical results and potential outcomes.

“When financial professionals can show the potential value visually, it can help clients make more informed decisions—and strengthen that trust,” Erickson says.

Resilience in a Volatile World Innovation alone isn’t enough—it must be sustainable and resilient. Allianz’s approach to risk management is built on a solid foundation of actuarial soundness and financial strength. The insurance carrier’s conservative investment philosophy ensures that product promises are backed by strong reserves and a stable bond portfolio.

But it’s on the hedging side where things get exciting. The AIM US dynamic hedging team has weathered multiple market downturns, including the 2008 financial crisis and more recent volatility. While some competitors were forced to halt sales or reprice their indexed products during market disruptions, Allianz’s internally managed hedges continued to perform as designed.

Always Thinking Ahead

Allianz doesn’t just react to industry trends. It anticipates them. The company has been at the forefront of product evolution, from volatility-controlled indexes introduced in 2014 to the more recent expansion of lockable index features.

Allianz is also deeply involved in shaping regulatory discussions, with internal teams that actively adapt to changes without compromising value or compliance. “I’ve personally worked through five major regulatory updates,” Erickson says. “No matter the environment, we’ve always found a way to deliver value. That’s the power of being engaged and agile.”

Innovation at Allianz also stems from cross-functional collaboration, pulling ideas from product teams, the hedging team, financial professionals, and beyond. “Sometimes the best ideas come from a single conversation,” Erickson notes. “Index Lock came from a discussion about a new index. Someone from the hedging team said, ‘We can let customers lock this in for free.’ That became one of our most powerful features.”

Built to Deliver Long-Term Results

Ultimately, all this innovation is paying off for customers. Since 2006, policies using Allianz’s indexed strategies have averaged a 6.4% crediting rate, compared to 3.75% in fixed accounts.2 That 2.65% outperformance, year over year, can have a profound impact on long-term wealth accumulation.

Even if future index returns produce more conservative results, the added value can still be significant. “Even if we temper expectations and say 1.5% may be more realistic long-term, that’s still real,

consistent added value for the customer,” Erickson says.

A Legacy—and Future— of Leadership

With more than 20 years of leadership in indexed products, Allianz continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible. The company continues to evolve with the needs of clients and financial professionals, leveraging internal knowledge , advanced technology, and a deeply held commitment to innovation with integrity.

“We take pride in launching products that are built to last,” Erickson says. “We want clients to be satisfied not just in year one, but in year ten, year twenty, and beyond.” For financial professionals and their clients, that can mean reassurance, knowing that the strategies they choose are backed by strength, stability, and a company built for the long haul.

“We’re proud of what we’ve built,” says Erickson. “And we’re just getting started.” •

1 Q1 2020-Q4 2024 U S Retail Individual Life Insurance Sales BY CHANNEL with All Splits, based on annualized with excess premium, LIMRA.

2 Results based on 30,114 unique locks from 11/29/2019 – 12/31/2024. Potential interest will vary. Past results are not a guarantee of future results.

3 The average interest credited shows IUL insurance policy crediting history of Allianz® IUL policies from 3/1/2006 through 12/31/2024 and do not include policy fee and charges. We chose this time frame to ensure that we present the most complete 12-month data available for this study. Credits are based on actual caps, participation rates, and interest rates that have been applied to inforce policies. Products included in analysis include all IUL products sold since 2006. All products have not been available during the entire duration of the example shown.

Policy loans and withdrawals will reduce the available cash value and death benefit and may cause the policy to lapse, or affect guarantees against lapse. Withdrawals in excess of premiums paid will be subject to ordinary income tax. Additional premium payments may be required to keep the policy in force. In the event of a lapse, outstanding policy loans in excess of unrecovered cost basis will be subject to ordinary income tax. If a policy is a modified endowment contract (MEC), policy loans and withdrawals will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent there are earnings in the policy. If any of these features are exercised prior to age 59½ on a MEC, a 10% federal additional tax may be imposed. Tax laws are subject to change and you should consult a tax professional.

Bonused products may include higher surrender charges, longer surrender periods, lower rates, or other restrictions that are not included in similar products that don’t offer a bonus.

Although an external market index may affect your interest credited, your policy does not directly participate in any stock or equity or bond investments. You are not buying shares in any stock or index.

Because the index value locks at the end of the day, the value used to determine your index credit may be higher or lower than at the time of the request. Exercising an Index Lock may result in a credit higher or lower than if the Index Lock had not been exercised. We will not provide advice or notification regarding whether to exercise an Index Lock or the optimal time for doing so.

Allianz Investment Management U.S. LLC provides investment management and hedging services to the broader Allianz Group.

Guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

Products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297.

This content does not apply in the state of New York.

Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer.

For financial professional use only – not for use with the public.

Allianz Index Lock: Smart. Simple. Locked In.

Why wait when you can lock in?

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America leads the way with Index Lock, an industry-first indexed universal life (IUL) insurance feature that empowers clients to lock in an index value, once anytime during the crediting period — as long as the index change is positive. It’s smart, simple, and offered at no additional cost. Thousands of clients are locking in gains. Are yours?

$100+ Million Locked-In Gains

Clients are actively protecting their accumulation.

4 lockable indexes available Currently more than any other IUL competitor.

→ How it Works

• Lock manually during favorable conditions

• Set automatic triggers based on predefined targets

With Index Lock, your clients don’t need to time the market. They can have a level of control . 9.8% Average Locked Interest Rate Real results. Real returns.

30,114 Unique Locks Set That’s 30,114 moments of reassurance.

• Potentially capture gains and protect from market downturns —no guesswork required

Results based on 30,114 unique locks from 11/29/2019 – 12/31/2024. Potential interest will vary. Past results are not a guarantee of future results. Guarantees are backed solely by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer. This notice does not apply in the state of New York.

Products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. For financial professional use only – not for use with the public.

Unlocking Business Succession Opportunities:

How Allianz’s Life Advanced Markets Turnkey Program Equips Financial Professionals to Lead with IUL

For financial professionals working with business owners, navigating the intricacies of succession planning can be daunting. That’s why Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz) has launched the Life Advanced Markets turnkey program—a powerful and creative solution that helps financial professionals initiate and elevate business succession planning conversations with small business clients.

With a robust library of tools, sample legal documents, and integrated life insurance funding strategies like indexed universal life (IUL) insurance, this program helps position Allianz-appointed financial professionals as valuable partners in clients’ long-term business succession planning.

A Hands-On Resource for Financial Professionals and Business Owners

“The turnkey program is a set of tools and resources designed to equip financial professionals, their clients, and even clients’ professional advisors, like attorneys and CPAs, to create and maintain a plan for successful business succession, exit, and transition,” says Robert Richert, Advanced Markets Senior Director at Allianz.

Rooted in Real-World Experience

Richert’s inspiration for the program stems from his years of experience as a practicing attorney, formerly in private law practice, and later as a life insurance agent and wealth strategist in the upper Midwest.

Working with small business owners, farmers, and ranchers in rural communities, he noticed that while business owners wanted to plan for succession, their local legal counsel often lacked deep expertise in the field and in some cases the resources necessary to get started creating an effective succession plan.

“These attorneys were jacks-of-alltrades,” says Richert. “They might be handling a divorce case one day, a DUI defense the next, and didn’t always have the technical knowledge to create or finalize a plan or keep a business succession plan moving forward.”

The Allianz turnkey program was built to fill that gap—providing high-quality, attorney-authored documents that attorneys can easily tailor to fit their client’s specific needs and pairing those tools with proven life insurance solutions like IUL.

While the program does not offer legal or tax advice, it offers an extensive framework to help business owners and their team of professionals build momentum in succession planning. Financial professionals can lean on this support to confidently guide clients through initial planning conversations— while highlighting the strategic benefits of leveraging IUL insurance policies for funding buy-sell agreements or key person coverage.

Targeted, Scalable Support for Small Businesses

The program is geared toward Allianz-appointed life insurance agents and their small business clients. Richert defines a small business as typically having less than 100 employees and being closely held, commonly structured as either a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, or S Corp.

Whether the business has never created a succession plan (but recognizes the need to do so) or needs to revisit an outdated plan, the program offers a clear on-ramp to meaningful succession planning—backed by a flexible funding

strategy using life insurance. IUL is often an effective option due to its flexibility and its ability to provide death benefit protection along with potential for cash value accumulation that can be accessed for retirement or business needs.1

What’s Included: Tools That Drive Action

At the core of the program are practical, ready-to-use tools:

• Specimen documents: Including hybrid (“wait and see”) buy-sell agreements, promissory notes, spousal consents, corporate resolutions, and split-dollar agreements.

• Funding comparison grids: To evaluate cash, installment sales, life insurance, and disability insurance as funding options—highlighting the strengths of IUL for long-term business continuity planning.

• Valuation method charts: Comparing common valuation methods such as stated value, book value, appraised value, and more.

• Fact finder and discussion starters: Used to prompt initial conversations with clients. “Just asking, ‘What would happen to your business if you weren’t around tomorrow?’ can be a way to quickly capture a client’s attention,” Richert notes.

Built to Differentiate

While similar programs exist in the market, Richert believes Allianz’s offering stands apart due to the quality and depth of its documentation and the integration of customizable IUL funding strategies. “Our objective is to go above and beyond and truly be turnkey,” he says. “These documents are detailed, easy to understand, and address 80-85% of what a business will need.” They’re robust enough for

attorneys to work with them easily, without requiring tons of customization.

Starting Conversations, Deepening Relationships

For financial professionals, the turnkey program serves as both a door-opener and a business deepener. Richert suggests starting with one powerful question: “Have you completed a business succession plan?”

No matter the answer, the financial professional has a path forward. If the client says yes, the financial professional can offer a complimentary review of the insurance coverage built into the plan. If the client says no, the turnkey program provides materials to demonstrate why a

Expanding Influence Through Education

Beyond one-on-one client conversations, financial professionals can use the program to deliver workshops at trade conferences or continuing education events for CPAs and attorneys. “This is a great foundation for a breakout session,” says Richert. “The documents and discussion points resonate especially well with legal and tax professionals.”

Knowledgeable Support and Ongoing Evolution

The Life Advanced Markets team includes seasoned attorneys like Richert and his colleagues. Together, they support financial professionals with document reviews,

“We wanted to build something real, something helpful, something that could help move the conversation forward quickly. And that’s exactly what this program does.”

plan is important and how Allianz—and IUL solutions—can help get started.

Some of Richert’s largest insurance sales came from reviewing outdated buy-sell agreements where the value of the business had outgrown the existing coverage. IUL policies, with their longterm death benefit and flexible funding features, often proved to be the most compelling solution.

customized talking points, and case design support. With more than 30 years of legal and financial experience, Richert brings credibility and insight to every interaction—including how to effectively structure IUL policies to meet a client’s unique business needs.

The program is also designed to evolve. For instance, the recent US Supreme Court decision in Connelly v. United States

(June 2024) significantly impacted how life insurance is treated when valuing a deceased shareholder’s interest in a corporation for estate tax purposes. Richert and his team are already working to integrate guidance and updates to reflect the new legal landscape and its implications for IUL-funded arrangements.

Looking Ahead: A Growing Suite of Solutions

The turnkey business succession package is just the beginning. Allianz is already developing additional turnkey programs for advanced estate planning and executive benefits strategies, leveraging the flexibility and tax-advantaged nature of indexed IUL insurance. Richert describes it as a “program for the everyday professional”—intentionally crafted to be straightforward and accessible, aiming to empower financial professionals and their clients to take meaningful action.

“We wanted to build something real, something helpful, something that could help move the conversation forward quickly,” he says. “And that’s exactly what this program does.”

For financial professionals ready to strengthen their value proposition and help guide business owners with valuable resources, Allianz’s turnkey program delivers the clarity, tools, and knowledgeable support—powered by IUL—to lead with impact. •

1 Policy loans and withdrawals will reduce the available cash value and death benefit and may cause the policy to lapse, or affect guarantees against lapse. Withdrawals in excess of premiums paid will be subject to ordinary income tax. Additional premium payments may be required to keep the policy in force. In the event of a lapse, outstanding policy loans in excess of unrecovered cost basis will be subject to ordinary income tax. If a policy is a modified endowment contract (MEC), policy loans and withdrawals will be taxable as ordinary income to the extent there are earnings in the policy. If any of these features are exercised prior to age 59½ on a MEC, a 10% federal additional tax may be imposed. Tax laws are subject to change and you should consult a tax professional.

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and the Life Advanced Markets team do not provide advice or financial planning services. For financial professional use only – not for use with the public.

Indexed universal life insurance (IUL) provides a death benefit that is generally paid income tax-free to beneficiaries and requires qualification through health and financial underwriting.

This content is for general educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide fiduciary, tax, or legal advice and cannot be used to avoid tax penalties; nor is it intended to market, promote, or recommend any tax plan or arrangement. Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, its affiliates, and their employees and representatives do not give legal or tax advice. Customers are encouraged to consult with their own legal, tax, and financial professionals for specific advice or product recommendations.

Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer.

Guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims-paying ability of Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.

Products are issued solely by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, 5701 Golden Hills Drive, Minneapolis, MN 55416-1297. 800.950.1962. www.allianzlife.com

This content does not apply in the state of New York.