Allianz Life Taps Ben Thomason to Drive Growth in Defined Contribution Market

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota, June 5 -- Allianz Life Insurance Co. of North America (Allianz Life), a provider of retirement solutions, including fixed and variable annuities and life insurance for individuals, issued the following news release on June 4, 2024:

As Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America (Allianz Life) continues its growth in guaranteed income for defined contribution plans, the company announced today that it has hired Ben Thomason to lead its expanding Defined Contribution Distribution team.

Thomason will be responsible for the distribution strategy, business development and distributor relationships of the company's defined contribution business. Allianz Life entered into the market for employer-sponsored retirement plans like 401(k)s with its Allianz Lifetime Income+(R) Annuity in November 2022. Allianz Lifetime Income+(R) is a fixed index annuity that offers innovative design features including growth potential, protection from market loss, and guaranteed lifetime income through the Lifetime Income Benefit.

"The demand for in-plan guaranteed income continues to increase and building out our distribution is key to helping us bring our solution to more people to help them attain their retirement goals," said Matt Gray, head of employer markets, Allianz Life. "Ben will play a pivotal role in helping us build on our momentum and make our solution more widely available in employer-sponsored retirement plans."

Most recently, Thomason led sales at iJoin, which provides recordkeepers an integrated experience to support the enrollment, education, financial planning and advice needs of the plans and participants they serve. There, he worked with industry partners to use iJoin's platform, managed account, participant engagement, and analytics capabilities. Allianz Lifetime Income+(R) is available through iJoin's network of recordkeepers.

Prior to iJoin, Thomason was at Vestwell Holdings and Goldman Sachs. He also has experience in defined contribution and workplace retirement revenue at Securian Financial Group, J.P. Morgan, and Fidelity Investments.

"Allianz Life offers an innovative product that draws on the company's depth of retirement income experience," said Thomason. "I'm excited to join the team to help meet the need so many Americans have for reliable income to help them manage risks in retirement."

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

Annuities are issued by Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America. (C64712-MVA) This content does not apply in the state of New York.

* * *

About Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America

Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America, one of the Ethisphere World's Most Ethical Companies(R), has been trusted since 1896 to help millions of Americans prepare for financial uncertainties and retirement with a variety of innovative risk management solutions. In 2023, Allianz Life provided additional value to its policyholders via distributions of more than $13.73 billion. As a leading provider of fixed index annuities, registered index-linked annuities, and fixed index universal life insurance, Allianz Life is part of Allianz SE, a global leader in the financial services industry with approximately 157,000 employees in more than 70 countries. Allianz Life is a proud sponsor of Allianz Field(R) in St. Paul, Minnesota, home of Major League Soccer's Minnesota United.

* * *

Original text here: https://www.allianzlife.com/about/newsroom/2024-Press-Releases/Allianz-Life-Taps-Ben-Thomason-to-Drive-Growth-in-Defined-Contribution-Market