Allianz is reinstating their Automatic Risk-Class Upgrade Program effective September 1, and for agents actively writing IUL, this is a meaningful development. Any client who qualifies at Standard or better through normal underwriting will automatically be offered a Preferred Plus risk class. No additional requirements. No re-underwriting. Just a better rate class and lower policy charges on an already competitive product.
For clients who have been on the fence about indexed universal life, this shifts the conversation. IUL is an accumulation story, and policy charges matter. A client who expected to come in at Standard and instead lands at Preferred Plus sees meaningfully better long-term projections. That’s a real, tangible improvement you can put in front of them with an illustration. The visual difference between Standard and Preferred Plus on a 20 or 30-year projection is often enough to move a hesitant prospect to application.
The program is back for a limited time, which means your timing matters. Pull your Quote&Apply pipeline and look for any active or recently quoted clients who are at or above Standard health. These are your best candidates. If you have someone sitting in a term policy who has shown interest in converting or adding permanent coverage, this is a compelling reason to reopen that conversation today.
Beyond the rate class upgrade, Allianz also has several high-net-worth focused launches coming, including an expansion of their Global Citizen Program, increased death benefit capacity, and new estate planning and business valuation tools. For agents working in that market, it’s worth staying close to what’s coming. In the meantime, the upgrade program is your most immediate opportunity.