Integrity Marketing Agrees to Acquire $7B per Year Annuity Designer

Integrity Marketing Agrees to Acquire $7B per Year Annuity Designer

By Allison Bell

Annexus has helped create the U.S. nonvariable indexed annuity and indexed universal life markets.

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Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign Notes: Preparing for Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Resources Available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

Preparing for Unwinding and Returning to Regular Operations after the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency: Resources Available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services The expiration of the continuous coverage requirement authorized by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) presents the single largest health coverage transition event since the first open enrollment period of the Affordable Care Act. As a condition of receiving a temporary 6.2 percentage point Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) increase under the FFCRA, states have been required to maintain enrollment of nearly all Medicaid enrollees. After the Public Health Emergency (PHE) ends, states will resume normal operations, including restarting full Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) eligibility renewals and ending coverage for individuals no longer eligible for Medicaid or CHIP. Unwinding processes will vary by state, but states will have up to 12 months to start an eligibility renewal for every individual enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP. Explore key resources for unwinding: To prepare for the unwinding, CMS has released the “Medicaid and CHIP Continuous Enrollment Unwinding” toolkit in collaboration with states and other stakeholders. The toolkit offers resources for states and partners to encourage beneficiaries to update contact information, monitor the mail for important communications, and complete renewal forms, if necessary. Materials, available in both English and Spanish, include social media posts, sample communications copy, email templates, and a drop-in article.  CMS continues to share outreach resources to connect eligible families and children to Medicaid and CHIP and is working to ensure that fewer interruptions in health coverage occur during the unwinding period. Resources for returning to regular operations after the PHE has ended are available at Medicaid.gov/unwinding. CMS will continue to update the page as additional tools and resources are released. The Back-to-School season continues to be an important time to reach parents and enroll children who are eligible for Medicaid and CHIP so they are covered to fully participate in classroom and after-school activities. The Campaign has also created a 2022 Back-to-School Toolkit and graphics to highlight Unwinding messaging to emphasize the need for families who currently have Medicaid or CHIP to update their address with their state Medicaid office to maintain coverage. Current & Upcoming Observances: National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month (July) National Immunization Awareness Month (August) Children’s Eye Health & Safety Month (August) National Health Center Week (August 7 – 13) Children’s Health Day (August 13) Stay Connected with the Campaign  Share our Campaign materials. Our ever-growing, multi-lingual Outreach Tool Library features a variety of targeted resources to use in your outreach and enrollment efforts, available in multiple formats. Contact us. To get more involved with the Campaign, contact us via email at ConnectingKids@cms.hhs.gov. Follow the Campaign on Twitter. Remember to re-tweet or share our messages from @IKNGov with your social network and be sure to use our #Enroll365 and #KidsEnroll hashtags in your posts. Subscribe to the “Campaign Notes” eNewsletter The Connecting Kids to Coverage National Campaign eNewsletter “Campaign Notes” is distributed throughout the year and provides updates on Campaign activities. If a friend or colleague forwarded this email to you, we invite you to sign up to receive this eNewsletter directly to your inbox.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) To contact CMS, please visit our contact us page.

In Case You Missed It -- July 19 CMS Administrator’s National Stakeholder Call Recording and Transcript Now Available

 

Thanks again to all those who attended the National Stakeholder Call with the CMS Administrator on July 19.  In case you missed it, here’s the link to the call recording and transcript: CMS National Stakeholder Calls. The call featured CMS Administrator Chiquita Brooks-LaSure and her leadership team, who provided updates on CMS’ recent actions and how CMS cross-cutting initiatives (CMS Strategic Plan) are improving quality of care and expanding access to health coverage. Guest speaker Tom Coderre, Deputy Assistant Secretary from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), reviewed SAMHSA’s Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the new 988 dialing code. CMS serves the public as a trusted partner and steward dedicated to advancing health equity, expanding coverage, and improving health outcomes as we engage the communities we serve throughout the policymaking and implementation process. We hope you can join us for the next National Stakeholder Call in the Fall.

 

 

CMS Office of Minority Health  |  Working to Achieve Health Equity Paid for by the US Department of Health and Human Services

Integrity Marketing Group acquires Annexus in ‘game-changer’ move

Integrity Marketing Group acquires Annexus in ‘game-changer’ move

In its latest aggressive expansion move, Integrity Marketing Group is acquiring Annexus Group in what one industry analyst is calling "a game-changer."

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Annexus and Integrity Join Forces to Transform Annuity and Life Insurance Product Design and Distribution

Annexus and Integrity Join Forces to Transform Annuity and Life Insurance Product Design and Distribution     Historic partnership between innovative market leaders will empower agents and advisors to deliver expanded holistic life, health and wealth solutions to American consumers   DALLAS – JULY 27, 2022 – Integrity Marketing Group, LLC (“Integrity”), a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of wealth management and retirement planning solutions, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Annexus, the foremost independent insurance and financial product design and distribution company. As part of the transaction, Ron Shurts, Co-Founder and CEO of Annexus, will become a Managing Partner in Integrity. Previous Annexus investors, including funds managed by Blackstone, will sell their interests as part of the transaction. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.    Annexus is an influential industry pioneer that develops financial and insurance products — including fixed indexed annuities (FIA) and indexed universal life insurance policies (IUL) — for leading insurance companies. In addition to product development, Annexus provides a full range of marketing, technology and illustration systems to its distribution partners. The company’s innovative FIA and IUL products are designed to help Americans make the most of their retirement assets. They are developed with extensive input from carriers, as well as leading actuaries and asset managers, and they are distributed through an elite group of advisors and financial professionals. As former financial advisors and life-long industry innovators, Annexus Co-Founders Ron Shurts and Don Dady bring a specialized understanding of client needs and expectations to their product design. Since its founding in 2006, Annexus has served over half a million Americans with their retirement needs. In 2022, Annexus expects to place approximately $7 billion in annuity premium and $150 million in target life insurance premium.   Watch the Video   “At Integrity, we are passionate about holistically serving the life, health and wealth needs of Americans to ensure they have the best solutions and coverage for every stage of life, including retirement,” shared Bryan W. Adams, Co-Founder and CEO of Integrity. “Since its founding, Annexus has been the market leader in developing annuity and life insurance products with the highest level of service in the industry. Joining the Integrity platform will provide the experienced team at Annexus with a comprehensive suite of technology, resources and support to layer on top of their already exceptional systems and processes. The partnership will give Integrity access to Annexus’ deep product development and distribution partnership expertise, which will greatly enhance our mission to help more Americans prepare for the good days ahead. It’s an ideal match that will elevate the way insurance and financial planning products are developed and distributed — we can’t wait to get started!”   “We created Annexus around a unique vision to revolutionize product development and delivery in the annuity and life insurance space and provide better solutions to our stakeholders. Likewise, Integrity has transformed insurance distribution, wealth management and retirement planning by assembling an unsurpassed network of industry leaders and legends who are innovating every part of the industry,” said Ron Shurts, Co-Founder and CEO of Annexus. “By leveraging our respective strengths, we see unbelievable growth potential for both of our companies. Carriers, advisors and clients need the products and services we provide more than ever. When it comes to improving lives, there is no finish line. We’re committed to helping every American enjoy a safer and more secure retirement, and partnering with Integrity will help us amplify and accelerate toward that goal.”   Visionary companies across multiple industries are choosing to align their expansive success with Integrity. The Integrity platform creates unprecedented opportunities for collaboration where leaders are thoughtfully innovating every aspect of life, health and wealth protection.   “When two innovators of this magnitude come together with a common goal, everyone wins,” explained Tom Dempsey, Chief Distribution Officer at Integrity. “Ron Shurts has always been one of the hardest working, most respected leaders in the industry. Every move he makes is with the intention of improving lives — those of his coworkers, his carrier and financial services provider partners, and ultimately, the consumers who receive better outcomes from the products Annexus designs. With Annexus at our side, Integrity will be able to provide an even wider range of retirement solutions to meet the essential needs of the rapidly growing senior market. This partnership reinforces Integrity’s commitment to improve retirement planning for all Americans.”    Through Integrity’s best-in-class platform, Annexus will gain access to a breadth and depth of proprietary technology and resources. These include industry-leading real-time quoting and enrollment systems, customer relationship management software and ongoing product development. Integrity partners are supported by a substantial infrastructure that streamlines business services and administration. Services include areas such as People & Culture, Technology & Innovation, legal and compliance, and access to Integrity’s world-class advertising and marketing firm.    Enhancing all these benefits is the opportunity for Annexus employees to enjoy meaningful company ownership through Integrity’s impactful Employee Ownership Plan.    “Connecting Integrity’s vast scope and scale with the expansive products we’re developing is very exciting — equally important is the alignment of cultures,” explained Don Dady, Co-Founder of Annexus. “Annexus and Integrity both value hard work, creativity and putting people first. Integrity’s Employee Ownership Plan was an important aspect of this partnership. Our talented and hardworking employees are key to our success, and the chance to own a piece of a dynamic and forward-thinking company like Integrity unlocks untold potential value for all our team members. We’re incredibly excited about what the future holds with this partnership — it’s a win-win for everyone.”    “Our mission has always been to help consumers make the most of what life brings in a more holistic way, and to do so, we’ve partnered with some of the most trusted and respected names in the business,” said Steve Young, Chairman of Integrity’s Board of Directors. “The Annexus team have been pioneers in designing industry-leading retirement planning products and services for decades. By bringing their expertise into our Integrity family, we’ll help more Americans save and retire with greater independence and security. This partnership signifies a new era not just for Integrity and Annexus, but for the industry itself. I believe it’s a moment we’ll look back on as transformative in the years to come.”   For more information about Annexus’ partnership with Integrity, view a video at www.integritymarketing.com/Annexus.     About Integrity Marketing Group  Integrity, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is a leading distributor of life and health insurance, and provider of innovative solutions for wealth management and retirement planning. Through its partner network, Integrity helps millions of Americans protect their life, health and wealth with a commitment to meet them wherever they are — in person, over the phone and online. Integrity’s cutting-edge technology helps streamline the insurance and financial planning experience for all stakeholders. In addition, Integrity develops products with carrier partners and markets them through its distribution network of agencies, brokerages and RIAs throughout the nation. Integrity’s nearly 6,000 employees work with almost 500,000 agents and advisors who serve more than 11 million clients annually. In 2022, Integrity will help carriers place nearly $20 billion in new sales and oversee more than $20 billion of assets under management and advisement through its RIA and broker-dealer platforms. For more information, visit www.integritymarketing.com.   About Annexus  As the leading independent product design and distribution company in America, Annexus designs solutions to help Americans grow and protect their retirement savings. Since 2006, Annexus has developed the industry’s best-performing fixed indexed annuities and indexed universal life insurance policies, and they are leading the charge in the development of in-plan lifetime income solutions with plan sponsors. Annexus is recognized as a thought leader across the industry, winning multiple awards including Barron’s Best Product for Seniors and most recently, the Annuity Innovator of the Year award from EQDerivatives.  For more information, visit www.annexus.com.   Media Contact: Rachel Aird, Public Relations Director Integrity Marketing Group  press@integritymarketing.com  801-706-7005      Partnership Inquiries:  Eric Pederson, Vice President of Business Development  Integrity Marketing Group  partnership@integritymarketing.com  866-650-1857

 

Integrity Marketing Group, 1445 Ross Avenue, 22nd Floor, Dallas, TX 75202, 866-650-1857

NDVA Newsletter - July 2022

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Call for Art: “Celebrating Their Service” Traveling Women Veteran Artist Exhibition

The Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs, in conjunction with New Century Art Guild and Uniting Us, announces a call for women veteran artists of Nebraska to submit artwork to the “Celebrating Their Service” traveling women veteran artist exhibition. All mediums are welcome, with three submissions allowed per veteran. Submissions are due by August 30, 2022. The art exhibition’s starting point will be at the Nebraska Women Veterans Symposium at the Holiday Inn in Kearney on September 24-25, after which it will travel the state (future locations to be announced). A submission form and additional details are available at veterans.nebraska.gov/womenveterans. For questions about the exhibition or submitting artwork, please contact Erin Colson at Erin.Colson@va.gov or Troy Muller at TMuller@newcenturyartguild.org.

Learn More About the Call for Art

Registration Still Open for the Nebraska Women Veterans Symposium!

Nearly half of the 200 spots available for the free, two-day symposium for Nebraska women veterans have been filled. Registration is available at veterans.nebraska.gov/womenveterans and is open until the date of the event or when all spots are filled. Past National Commander of the American Legion Denise Rohan, who was the first woman to be elected to the top position of the American Legion, will be the keynote speaker. Leaders in the women veterans and military community will take part in a panel discussion titled “Celebrating Who I Was and Who I’ve Become,” about the struggles women veterans face both while serving in the Armed Forces and while transitioning out of the service. Additional presenters include:

Nebraska/Western Iowa Women Veterans Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Women Veterans Program Manager for the Nebraska/Western Iowa VA Healthcare System Homeless Veteran Coordinator Veteran Readiness and Employment (VRE) Vet Center VFW Nebraska American Legion Nebraska HETRA Hearts for Healing New Century Art Guild Uniting Us Wounded Warrior Family Support Wounded Warrior Project

Learn More About the Symposium and Register

Korean War Veterans Armistice Day

Today is Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. Forty-nine years ago, the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed, ending the Korean War. Decades later, we continue to honor the Americans who served bravely during the war. Governor Ricketts issued a proclamation recognizing today as Korean War Veterans Armistice Day. You can read and download the proclamation by clicking the link below.

View the Korean War Veterans Armistice Day Proclamation

Veterans Crisis Line - New Number, Same Support

There’s a new, easy-to-remember way to reach the Veterans Crisis Line - Dial 988 then Press 1. Millions of Veterans have called when they need crisis support. We’re here if you need us. For more information, visit VeteransCrisisLine.net. After activation, you can still call the original Veterans Crisis Line number - 1-800-273-8255 and Press 1 - to reach responders.

Learn More at the Veterans Crisis Line Website

Now Hiring: Master Social Worker at the Western Nebraska Veterans’ Home

The Western Nebraska Veterans’ Home is looking to add a Master Social Worker to their team! Interested in serving Nebraska’s veterans? Learn more about the position by clicking the link below. Please note: Interested applicants must have a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

Learn More and Apply

Military Appreciation Night with Wounded Warrior Family Support and the Omaha Storm Chasers

Join Wounded Warrior Family Support and the Omaha Storm Chasers for Military Appreciation Night on Thursday, August 4th. Free tickets are available for Veteran and Active Duty families. To reserve your tickets, call 402-932-7036.

NDVA Calendar of Events

Every month, NDVA will be sending out a calendar of events that the agency will be hosting or attending. Below are some upcoming events.

July

July 28-30 - Winnebago Veteran Homecoming - Winnebago July 30 - VA Omaha Car Show - VA Omaha

August

August 4 - Veterans’ Homes Board Meeting - NDVA Central Office, Lincoln August 12-13 - Vietnam Veterans Reunion - Kearney August 12-13 - Pinnacle Bank Championship - Omaha August 27 - Tunnel to Towers 5k - Lincoln August 28 - Veteran Golf Scramble - Scottsbluff August 30 - Veteran Appreciation Day State Fair - Grand Island

September

September 7 - Welcome Home Picnic - Governor’s Residence, Lincoln September 11 - 9/11 Car Show at SCC Lincoln for Veterans - SCC Lincoln September 13-15 - Husker Harvest Days - Grand Island September 23-25 - NDVA Women Veterans Symposium - Kearney September 27 - Project Connect Lincoln (Homeless Stand Down) - Lincoln

October

October 20 - Veterans’ Advisory Commission Meeting - NDVA Central Office, Lincoln October 27 - Project Connect (Homeless Stand Down) - Grand Island October 28 - Veterans’ Homes Board Meeting - Norfolk Veterans’ Home, Norfolk October 29 - Irreverent Warriors Silkies Hike - Lincoln

Copyright (C) 2022 Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs. All rights reserved.  Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs 301 Centennial Mall South 4th Floor Lincoln, NE 68508-2529