FORT WAYNE, Ind., July 10, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- JourneyGuide, Inc., an innovative retirement income planning software for financial advisors with mass affluent clients, announced it has entered into a relationship with Ash Brokerage, the largest privately-held insurance brokerage general agency (BGA) in the United States.
Under the agreement, Ash Brokerage will promote and distribute JourneyGuide software as an important part of its retirement solutions platform, which is quickly approaching $2 billion in annuity deposits each year.
Ash Brokerage selected JourneyGuide after a comprehensive review of the leading financial planning tools using three criteria:
- Ability to improve client retirement outcomes
- Acceleration of an advisor's growth with existing customers and new client acquisitions
- Capability to create an easy-to-understand illustration of how annuities fit into a retirement plan.
"Everything we do centers on helping advisors grow their business. The JourneyGuide team shares that vision," said Tim Ash, CEO of Ash Brokerage. "JourneyGuide's capacity, speed, and moreover simplicity, are winning factors over traditional financial planning software. Advisors using JourneyGuide benefit from a significant increase in their annuity proposals and closed sales - with some financial professionals doubling their annuity sales."
Studies show the easy-to-use interface enables Advisors to develop an annuity-inclusive retirement plan, collaboratively with their clients, in under 15 minutes.
Tim Ash, CEO of Ash Brokerage, said both Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs) and independent financial advisors need to pay attention.
"Owning an annuity can be an important part of a secure retirement," he continued. "Across the industry, we see advisors struggling to show the value of additional income in retirement as a strategy to mitigate longevity concerns. They need a tool to use together with their clients, to illustrate how the annuity works in the clients' best interest. JourneyGuide's platform enables advisors to build a plan in real-time with their client, proposing more guaranteed income using annuities, and winning more business as a result."
The addition of JourneyGuide to Ash Brokerage's offering comes at a time when the insurance distribution model is beginning to change. Ash noted that efficient tools are what keep advisors coming back and are essential for firms like Ash Brokerage and other BGAs to remain relevant.
"We have a very clear vision for how annuities will be sold in the future," Ash said. "Client-centric tools will make it easy for an advisor to explain the role of an annuity in a retirement plan – and even easier for a client to visualize how an annuity will impact their lifelong retirement income. Together, we've started down the path of creating the largest dedicated retirement planning and brokerage marketplace for doing what's in the best interest of the client – often that means purchasing an annuity."
With acquisitions and strategic partnerships paving the way for online exchanges, there is growing concern that other tools on the market will bypass BGAs and independent marketing organizations (IMOs) altogether, going straight to the carrier and limiting customer options. JourneyGuide's operating model is to involve agencies as a crucial part of the insurance and annuity purchasing process.
Scott Fergusson, CEO of JourneyGuide, added his commitment to the business model.
"At a corporate level, JourneyGuide allows BGAs and other agencies to remain relevant and focused on the future. BGAs and IMOs like Ash Brokerage continue to deliver exceptional value to advisors," he said. "Our market strategy is to make available our 'Buy It Now' integrated product to other BGAs and IMOs so that they can continue to deliver their added value to advisors beyond a mere transaction."
Financial details of the relationship will not be disclosed because both firms are privately held.
About JourneyGuide
Headquartered in Fort Wayne, Ind., JourneyGuide helps advisors improve retirement outcomes for millions of people who rightfully worry about outliving their retirement assets. Designed with annuity sales in mind, the software provides an interactive retirement planning experience for advisors and clients to complete together. JourneyGuide improves advisor efficiency and increases client understanding and ownership of their retirement plan, leading to increased annuity sales. For more information, visit http://www.journeyguideplanning.com.
About Ash Brokerage
Ash Brokerage is a brokerage general agency answering the needs of financial professionals nationwide. For life insurance, annuities, long-term care or disability income, Ash provides the tools and, more importantly, the people needed to get the job done right. For more than 45 years, the firm has built its success on strong personal relationships with its clients and partners. Whatever the question. Whatever the need. Ash answers. For more information, visit http://www.ashbrokerage.com.
SOURCE JourneyGuide Planning Software
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