The Power of Focus: A Smarter Approach to Annuities

By focusing on what matters—product, distribution, and process—Ibexis is delivering speed, simplicity, and value like never before.

In a marketplace full of new entrants and aging giants, Ibexis Life & Annuity Insurance Company^® has carved out a singular path to growth — one built on focus, purpose, and process.

Launched without legacy systems or back-office baggage, Ibexis is purpose-built for today’s accumulation-focused annuity market. The company has prioritized three strategic pillars since its inception: versatile product design, a tightly curated distribution model, and fully digital operations. That laser focus allows the company to remain nimble, responsive, and committed to long-term value for clients, agents, and distribution partners.

“We started with a blank slate,” said Nate Gemmiti, CEO of Ibexis. “That gave us the chance to design everything — from our digital systems to our product strategies — around the question: ‘What’s the best possible experience we can deliver?’”

Focused Products. Stronger Partnerships

At the core of Ibexis’ strategy is a selective product suite designed to meet the needs of accumulation-focused clients. Rather than offering dozens of variations, Ibexis has focused on refining a few best-in-class solutions — including its flagship FIA Plus™ and the recently launched WealthDefender™ Series— that offer clear value, smart optionality, and strong return potential.

John Hurley, Chief Distribution Officer, emphasized that this focus isn’t limiting — it’s empowering. “We’re not trying to be all things to all people. We’re here to be excellent in what we choose to do,” he said. “By zeroing in on the core of the annuity market — accumulation — we’ve been able to develop products that fit a need, clients trust, and that perform with integrity.”

That focus extends to how those products reach the market. Rather than building a sprawling distribution network, Ibexis works with a curated group of Independent Marketing Organizations (IMOs) that share the company’s growth mindset and values. Hurley calls this a “core club” — a small, select group of IMO partners aligned around service, vision, and trust.

“Annuities are a trust business,” he said. “We want to grow with people who share our values. That means taking feedback seriously, evolving together, and investing in long-term success on both sides.”

Megan Easton, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, agreed. “We’ve drawn a line in the sand,” she said. “We won’t dilute our relationships by distributing through conflicting channels or creating overlapping products. Our IMO partners know we are here to elevate them — not compete with them.”

Built for Speed: A Streamlined Digital Experience

Ibexis’ fully digital platform is a key differentiator — and one that translates directly into speed, efficiency, and satisfaction.

“We are 100% digital — no paper applications at all,” said Gemmiti. “That’s not just about convenience. It’s about getting things right the first time.”

The Ibexis system includes a wizard-based e-application process that guides advisors and clients step-by-step, ensuring applications are submitted in good order nearly 100% of the time. Once submitted, the system runs automated suitability checks and immediately routes the application for next steps.

The result? Speed. In the first quarter of 2025, Ibexis’ average turnaround time for transfer business — from the day an application is received to the day the policy is issued — was just 21 days, outperforming industry benchmarks. For new money business, the company averages just two days from submission to issue.

“Our tech build is strong and getting stronger,” said Hurley. “And the results show it. While many competitors are still processing paper or dealing with legacy systems, we’re scaling with speed and precision.”

That same technology also powers Ibexis’ commitment to transparency. The company tracks service metrics such as call center wait times (typically under 15 seconds) and
abandonment rates (less than 1%) daily. Ibexis shares monthly reports with distribution partners that include service benchmarks, transfer times, and other performance data.

“It’s not just about saying we’re great — it’s about proving it,” said Easton. “We want our partners to see exactly how we’re doing and to know they can count on us.”

Data, Tools, and Education: Adding Value Beyond the Product

Ibexis’ investment in digital systems has also created powerful data insights that help partners grow. By capturing every keystroke and interaction, the company has built a robust data warehouse that drives proactive reporting, operational transparency, and business intelligence.

“We give our IMO partners and advisors granular visibility into their own business with us,” said Gemmiti. “That’s another way we differentiate — not just throwing out a high rate, but offering real value.”

That value also comes in the form of tools and resources. “We’re not just product pushers — we want to be educators and thought leaders,” said Easton. “We offer tools that make it easy for advisors to market and sell our products, including educational collateral, calculators, and platforms like our WE Rise program to support women advisors.”

The company is also investing in thought leadership and social media to expand its brand presence, connect with advisors, and continue its growth momentum in a smart, deliberate way.

Growing Differently: Structure, Strength, and Service

Perhaps the most distinctive trait of Ibexis is its approach to growth—not through a “grow at all costs” mentality, but with structured, strategic expansion.

“We’re growing in a structured way. That means scaling while maintaining service excellence, financial stability, and pricing integrity,” Hurley shared.

That structure is paying off. It also holds an A- (Excellent) rating from AM Best, reflecting both its financial strength and operational discipline.

“We’re custodians of people’s sacred funds,” said Gemmiti. “Everything we do — our product design, our distribution choices, our service model — reflects the seriousness of that responsibility.”

Ibexis’ renewal rate philosophy further underscores that long-term commitment. The company prices its products with the assumption that renewal rates will remain flat through the surrender period. In the case of its WealthDefender™ FIA, guaranteed participation rates ensure consistency throughout the contract term.

A Culture of Purpose

What’s the secret sauce behind Ibexis’ rapid rise? The leadership team credits its people — a group of experienced professionals who have built successful insurance organizations before and know what it takes to do it right.

“We blend an entrepreneurial spirit with deep industry expertise,” said Gemmiti. “Our team has decades of experience, and that informs every decision we make.”

Company culture is grounded not just in financial results, but also in purpose and responsibility to advisors and clients planning for retirement with dignity. “We’re building something special — and we’re doing it with purpose,” said Hurley.

The Takeaway

Ibexis may be a relatively new name in the annuity world, but its strategy is far from experimental. With a clear focus on product, process, and partnership, the company is charting a different kind of growth — one that’s fast, focused, and built for the long haul.

“We want people to know us as smart, strategic, and deliberate,” said Easton. “Advisors are choosing Ibexis for what truly sets us apart: innovative product design, fast processing, and true strategic partnership.”

Call 888-717-1003 to get started with Ibexis.