Investment Product and Service Launches

Allianz Life Introduces New Features for Allianz Index Advantage+ Variable Annuities

Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America introduced significant enhancements to its Allianz Index Advantage suite of registered index-linked annuities.

• The Allianz Index Advantage+ Variable Annuity now includes enhanced performance lock flexibility and additional simple crediting method terminology;
• The Allianz Index Advantage + Income Variable Annuity’s income multiplier benefit allows investors to withdraw up to twice their annual maximum income payment; and
• The Allianz Index Advantage+ NF Variable Annuity, with the index performance strategy, gives clients long-term growth potential and participation rates that allow the potential for a higher performance credit than the index return.

“Clients are looking for growth potential with a flexible level of protection on the downside,” said Corey Walther, Allianz Life Financial Services LLC’s president, in a statement. “Our Index Advantage+ series offers all of that combined with enhanced flexibility and simplicity.”

Brighthouse Financial Enhances Shield Level Annuities Product Suite

Brighthouse Financial Inc. announced it has introduced new enhancements to its Shield Level Annuities Product Suite.

“For many people preparing for retirement, market volatility remains a top concern,” said Myles Lambert, chief distribution and marketing officer at Brighthouse Financial, in a statement. “That is why we are pleased to introduce Shield Options with Step Rate Edge, which are designed to provide clients with the potential for growth in certain down markets and help them better meet their retirement goals.”

The enhancements include the launch of Shield Options with Step Rate Edge, with Brighthouse Shield Level Annuities and Brighthouse Shield Level Pay Plus Annuities for one-year and two-year terms with 10% and 15% Shield Rate.

Touchstone Investments Launches Climate-Focused Fund

Touchstone Investments announced the launch of the Touchstone Climate Transition ETF.

The actively managed exchange-traded fund seeks to invest in companies that develop solutions to climate change. The ETF, Touchstone’s fifth active ETF and first thematic ETF offering, will be sub-advised by Lombard Odier Investment Managers and begins trading on May 2.

“Touchstone is focused on providing access to world-class, Distinctly Active institutional asset management strategies through our mutual fund and ETF offerings,” said Blake Moore, Touchstone Investments’ president and CEO, in a statement. “With interest in both thematic and sustainable investing on the rise, the Climate Transition ETF seeks to provide advisers and the investors they serve with an opportunity to better position investment portfolios and meet long-term goals.”

AmeriFlex Group Launches Financial Planning Solution

The AmeriFlex Group announced the launch of AmeriFlex Premier+ financial planning solution to help clients envision the outcome of their planning goals.

The solution generates a series of “what-if” scenarios reflecting transitional situations clients face throughout their lives: retirement; purchase or sale of a home or business; divorce; or loss of a loved one. It offers advisers the ability to provide customized service without the expense and complexities of maintaining a transitional wealth planning platform on their own.

“AmeriFlex Premier+ is an innovation that answers a real need,” said Thomas Goodson, AmeriFlex’s CEO and founder, in a statement. “For advisers, it’s a cost-effective and scalable solution that drives personalized planning guidance across a diverse client base. For clients, we’ve built a ‘bridge’ to easily envision the outcome of their planning goals.”

J.P. Morgan Asset Management Adds Index Strategies to Tax-Smart Platform

J.P. Morgan Asset Management announced the expansion of its Tax-Smart Platform, powered by 55ip, with the addition of two new index strategies delivering portfolio customization:

• Tax Smart—U.S. All Cap Index Strategy invests in a subset of the Russell 3000 index, providing broad exposure to U.S.-traded stocks in a tax-smart manner.
• Tax Smart—U.S. Carbon Transition Index Strategy invests in a subset of the JPMAM Carbon Transition U.S. Equity Index. It provides exposure to U.S.-traded stocks of companies positioned to benefit from a transition to a lower-carbon economy in a tax-smart manner.

“The J.P. Morgan Tax-Smart platform gives investors access to a unique combination of customization and scalability, and we are pleased to offer clients access to two new index strategies,” said Steve Kaplan, head of customized managed account solutions at J.P. Morgan Asset Management, in a statement.