Allianz Life Launches Enhanced Index Allocations for Allianz PreferredSM Products
August 19, 2013 by N/A
MINNEAPOLIS — Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life), a leading provider of fixed index annuities (FIAs), today announced the launch of two enhanced index allocations offering additional choices for retirement accumulation. Available exclusively through the Allianz PreferredSM platform, the index allocations include the newly created Barclays US Dynamic Balance Index as well as the Russell 2000® Index, which is being offered as a stand-alone option for the first time. The enhancement, launching today in 44 states, gives Allianz Preferred FIA customers transparent, diverse, and dynamic indexing options for their retirement strategy.
“We remain competitive by enhancing our products and providing exceptional results for our customers,” said Allianz Life Senior Vice President of Sales, Eric J. Thomes. “Our product innovation efforts continue to raise the bar by making a positive impact on the accumulation potential of our Allianz Preferred products.”
FIAs offered through the Allianz Preferred platform are sold exclusively by insurance producers under Field Marketing Organizations (FMOs) and broker/dealers associated with Allianz Preferred. The enhancements are being added to the three exclusive Preferred FIAs: Allianz 222®, Allianz 360SM, and Allianz 365i®. Each index allocation helps meets unique customer needs.
Barclays US Dynamic Balance Index
The newly created Barclays US Dynamic Balance Index appeals to customers responding to the low-cap environment by offering an uncapped strategy with an annual spread. This index is exclusive to Allianz Life fixed index annuities; no other insurance carriers currently have access to the index. It strives to provide balance by shifting weight daily between the S&P 500®Index and the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (BCAG) based on realized market volatility. This option uses an annual point-to-point with a spread crediting method and annual reset to capture interest yearly. The Barclays index can be tracked on the market using Bloomberg ticker BXIIUDBI.
Russell 2000® Index
The Russell 2000 Index allocation measures the performance of small-cap companies to meet the needs of customers seeking to diversify1 their accumulation strategy. The crediting methods available on the Russell 2000 Index include monthly sum (with a monthly cap) and an annual point-to-point (with an annual cap). This index replaces the EUROSTOXX 50® Index that is currently available on Allianz Preferred FIAs.
“Adding these index allocations continue to give our products transparency so customers can track how their retirement accumulates,” added Thomes. “By enhancing our products, we offer our customers the opportunity for a stronger and more secure retirement.”
About the Allianz PreferredSM Platform
The Allianz Preferred sales platform is available to FMOs and financial professionals who meet specific criteria and are committed to quality, heightened regulatory oversight, and ongoing training from both Allianz Life and the industry. In exchange for these commitments, Allianz Preferred members are eligible to gain access to exclusive products and training opportunities. Currently, Allianz Life has more than 7,100 Preferred financial professionals and more than 30 Preferred FMOs.
1Interest, if any, will vary depending upon the allocation option chosen. Choosing several allocation options (“diversifying”) does not ensure that interest will be credited. No allocation option provides the most interest in all market scenarios.
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.
Product and feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer.
Russell 2000® Index is an equity index that measures the performance of the 2,000 smallest companies in the Russell 3000® Index, which is made up of 3,000 of the biggest U.S. stocks. The Russell 2000 is constructed to provide a comprehensive and unbiased small-cap barometer and is completely reconstituted annually to ensure larger stocks do not affect the performance and characteristics of the true small-cap index.
The Russell 2000® Index is a trademark of Russell Investments and has been licensed for use by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. The product is not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Russell Investments and Russell Investments makes no representation regarding the advisability of investing in the product.
The Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is comprised of U.S. investment-grade, fixed-rate bond market securities, including government agency, corporate, and mortgage-backed securities. The Barclays US Dynamic Balance Index is comprised of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and the S&P 500® and shifts weighting daily between them based on realized market volatility.
Allianz products are not sponsored, endorsed, sold, or promoted by Barclays Capital. Barclays Capital makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of Allianz products or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in Allianz products particularly or the ability of the Barclays Capital Indices, including without limitation, the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and Barclays US Dynamic Balance Index, to track general bond market performance. Barclays Capital’s only relationship to Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America and its affiliates (“Allianz”) is the licensing of the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and Barclays US Dynamic Balance Index which is determined, composed, and calculated by Barclays Capital without regard to Allianz or Allianz products. Barclays Capital has no obligation to take the needs of Allianz or the owners of Allianz products into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the Barclays Capital U.S. Aggregate Bond Index and Barclays US Dynamic Balance Index. Barclays Capital is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the timing of, prices of, or quantities of Allianz products to be issued or in the determination or calculation of the equation by which Allianz products are to be converted into cash. Barclays Capital has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing, or trading of Allianz products.
BARCLAYS CAPITAL DOES NOT GUARANTEE THE QUALITY, ACCURACY AND/OR THE COMPLETENESS OF THE BARCLAYS CAPITAL INDICES, OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN, OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED BY ALLIANZ, OWNERS OF ALLIANZ PRODUCTS, OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY FROM THE USE OF THE BARCLAYS CAPITAL INDICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE BARCLAYS CAPITAL U.S. AGGREGATE BOND INDEX AND BARCLAYS US DYNAMIC BALANCE INDEX, IN CONNECTION WITH THE RIGHTS LICENSED HEREUNDER OR FOR ANY OTHER USE. BARCLAYS CAPITAL MAKES NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE WITH RESPECT TO THE BARCLAYS CAPITAL INDICES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, THE BARCLAYS CAPITAL U.S. AGGREGATE BOND INDEX AND BARCLAYS US DYNAMIC BALANCE INDEX, OR ANY DATA INCLUDED THEREIN. WITHOUT LIMITING ANY OF THE FOREGOING, IN NO EVENT SHALL BARCLAYS CAPITAL HAVE ANY LIABILITY FOR ANY SPECIAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING LOST PROFITS), EVEN IF NOTIFIED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.
Contract C54370 (Allianz 222 Annuity), contract C54370 (Allianz 360 Annuity), and contract C52575 R95331 (Allianz 365i Annuity) are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. Product & feature availability may vary by state and broker/dealer.
About Allianz Life
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of FORTUNE’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2013, has been keeping its promises since 1896. Today, it carries on that tradition, helping Americans achieve their retirement income and protection goals with a variety of annuities and life insurance products. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with 142,000 employees worldwide. More than 78 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz knowledge, global reach, and capital strength to help them make the most of financial opportunities.
Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America offers insurance and annuities in all states except New York. In New York, products are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of New York.
