NEW YORK CITY—October 8, 2026—Flourish, a wealthtech platform that helps RIAs and broker-dealers deliver a private-bank-like experience to their clients, today announced an enterprise relationship with MassMutual and its network of financial professionals.
The relationship extends Flourish Cash to MassMutual’s network of more than 6,000 financial professionals across the nation. Through the relationship, financial professionals affiliated with MassMutual can offer clients access to Flourish Cash. Flourish Cash allows clients the ability to access a high-yield interest rate on their held-away cash, currently 9x the nationwide savings account average. Flourish Cash also provides elevated FDIC insurance coverage of up to $40 million for a two-person household through Flourish’s Program Banks.
“At MassMutual, we’re committed to equipping financial professionals with the tools and support they need to help their clients thrive,” said Vaughn Bowman, CFA, head of wealth management with MassMutual. “This is the perfect time to build on our relationship with Flourish by offering Flourish Cash to our advisor network.”
“Today’s financial advisors are expanding their services to help clients with their entire financial lives – not just the stock-and-bond portfolio. MassMutual can now offer customers a private-bank-like experience that drives both firm growth and client satisfaction,” said Max Lane, CEO of Flourish.
Regular meetings, consistent returns, a call when the market turns — these are things that matter, and clients are right to expect them. But they’re table stakes. Every advisor offers them. None of them is why a client stays for 20 years or sends their children to you when it’s their turn to seek advice.
Adam Sheer
What actually earns that kind of loyalty happens in moments that have nothing to do with performance or availability — moments most practices simply aren’t built to handle.
That’s the definition of good service: not reactive, but anticipatory. Ritz-Carlton built its reputation on exactly this. The hotel logs every guest’s preference—pillow firmness, a favorite table, how they like their coffee—into a shared profile, so by the time a guest checks into any property, staff already knows what they’ll want. Nothing must be requested twice.
Financial advice has its own version of this, even if it’s practiced less consistently: getting ahead of a deadline the advisor already knows is coming, instead of waiting for the client to call once it’s already a problem. Same instinct, just applied earlier.
The real test of anticipatory service isn’t whether an advisor is generally responsive or available — it’s whether they act on what they already know will happen, not just what might. A few moves that meet that bar:
Preparing clients for when the paychecks stop. Every working client will eventually trade a paycheck for a portfolio, and the adjustment is often more emotional than financial — even clients with more than enough money feel the loss of a regular deposit. Walking through that shift before the last paycheck arrives turns a jarring transition into an expected one.
Getting ahead of Medicare. Every client will age into Medicare on a known date, and premiums are based on income from two years earlier. The planning window opens years before most clients ever think about it.
Raising continuing care communities before they’re needed. Most require applicants to be healthy enough to live independently at admission, and some carry multiyear waitlists. Touring and applying at 70 keeps choices open that a health event at 80 would take off the table.
Helping a client plan for the one event every family will eventually face. Their own funeral.
That last one is worth dwelling on, because almost no advisor is doing it — which is exactly why it stands out.
Fewer than 1 in 5 people preplan their own funeral, according to the National Funeral Directors Association’s most recent consumer survey. That means most families are left making dozens of decisions — casket, service, cost, cemetery — during the worst week of their lives, when they should be free to grieve instead.
This is where an advisor is uniquely positioned to help, in a way almost no one else in a client’s life is. You already have the relationship, the trust and the context. You’re already having the hard conversations about aging, health and legacy that most people avoid. Raising preplanning is a natural extension of that conversation—not an intrusion.
It’s also simpler to offer than most advisors assume. Planning software now exists that walks a client through the decisions in their own words, checks local pricing so there are no surprises, and produces a letter to their heirs so the family knows exactly what was wanted — no guessing, no disagreement at the worst possible time. Funds can be set aside through an insurance policy, so the money is there when it’s needed, outside of probate. A junior member of your team can run the session with the client directly — it doesn’t have to be you, and it doesn’t require becoming a funeral expert or adding meaningfully to anyone’s workload.
What it does require is one conversation — bringing it up before a client needs it, not after. In a business where every advisor claims to go above and beyond, this is one of the few things that’s still genuinely rare.
BELLEVUE, Wash.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Symetra Life Insurance Company announced that Fortune and Great Place to Work® have recognized the company as one of the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance. This is Symetra’s fourth consecutive appearance on the list, coming in at No. 28 among organizations in the large workplaces category.
Symetra is No. 28 among the top 50 organizations in the large company category on the 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces in Financial Services & Insurance list.
A global authority on workplace culture, Great Place to Work has been surveying employees around the world about their workplace experiences for 30 years. The 2026 Fortune Best Workplaces for Financial Services & Insurance list was selected by analyzing confidential survey responses from more than 1.3 million employees, representing the experiences of 7.3 million employees in the U.S. in 2025 and 2026. Of those responses, more than 194,000 responses were received from employees at Great Place To Work Certified companies in the financial services and insurance industry, and the 2026 rankings are based on that feedback.
“We are very proud to once again be recognized as a Fortune Best Workplace in Financial Services and Insurance based on feedback from our employees,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Anne-Marie Diouf. “Building a culture and environment that make Symetra a great place to work is a top priority. This recognition would not be possible without every employee being invested in our vision to create a world where more people have access to financial freedom. I am inspired by the commitment and collaboration they bring to Symetra, our customers and our partners, every day.”
Ninety percent of Symetra’s surveyed employees say it is a great place to work compared to 57 percent of employees at a typical U.S.-based company, while 96 percent said you are made to feel welcome when you join the company and 94 percent feel good about the ways the company contributes to the community.
Symetra’s recent workplace awards and recognition also include Fortune Best Workplaces for Women (2025, 2024, 2023, 2022), Fortune Best Workplaces for Parents (2025, 2024), and Fortune Best Workplaces for Millennials (2024). The company has been Great Place to Work certified since 2022. To learn more about working at Symetra, its remote-first environment and current opportunities, visit https://www.symetra.com/careers/.
About Symetra
Symetra Life Insurance Company is a subsidiary of Symetra Financial Corporation, a diversified financial services company based in Bellevue, Washington. In business since 1957, Symetra provides employee benefits, annuities and life insurance through a national network of benefit consultants, financial institutions, and independent financial professionals and insurance producers. For more information, visit www.symetra.com.
Aflac Life Insurance and Legacy Planning Study highlights important planning gaps for the U.S. workforce
COLUMBUS, Ga., Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Preparing for the future can help families provide clarity and support during some of life’s most difficult moments. The Aflac Life Insurance and Legacy Planning Study1 conducted among 1,000 adult employees in the U.S., and published by Aflac, the leading provider of supplemental health insurance in the U.S.,2 finds that most American workers recognize the importance of having critical planning documents such as wills, powers of attorney and advance healthcare directives. That said, many have yet to take key steps to prepare, potentially leaving loved ones to manage the crucial emotional, financial and administrative challenges to be handled on their own. For those who’ve experienced the loss of a loved one and navigated the responsibilities that followed, the study found that nearly half (45%) say the emotional impact was the most overwhelming aspect of the experience, while 43% report difficulties handling financial matters. Also concerning is that 74% say the experience affected their productivity at work.
“No one can fully prepare for the emotional impact of losing a loved one, but this study shows that readiness is not simply about documents or finances; it’s about helping families navigate an already difficult period with greater clarity,” said Scott Beeman, divisional president, Aflac Premier. “Many people recognize the importance of planning but are unsure where to begin or feel overwhelmed by the process. At Aflac, we believe support should extend beyond insurance coverage alone. By planning ahead and providing access to meaningful support through our work with Empathy, Aflac is here to support better outcomes for workers, their employers and loved ones.”
Among those who have managed a loved one’s affairs, the study further identified additional unexpected challenges that can arise during an already difficult time, including 37% struggling to balance responsibilities with work demands and 40% struggling with funeral and memorial arrangements.
The study also found a growing demand for practical guidance, digital tools and professional support that help individuals move from awareness to action. This preparedness gap is reflected in additional key findings from the survey, including:
95% say it is important to make end-of-life matters easier for their loved ones.
79% would be likely to use a care manager to help navigate end-of-life matters.
77% say having a last will and testament is important, yet only 57% have one.
71% say a power of attorney is important, but only 50% have completed one.
67% say advance healthcare directives are important, while only 54% have them in place.
38% of respondents who have documented end-of-life preferences don’t believe their loved ones know exactly where to find them.
Workers need support turning awareness into action Awareness of end-of-life planning is high, yet many workers face barriers that prevent them from taking action. Workers across generations most often cite uncertainty about where to begin, perceived complexity, cost concerns and discomfort discussing end-of-life topics as reasons for delaying or avoiding planning activities. More than half of respondents indicated that simple, step-by-step guidance would make them more likely to complete important estate-planning activities.
Aflac provides guidance to help workers prepare for the future and navigate the loss of a loved one with Empathy For Aflac, meaningful support means being there for employees at every stage of the plan. Providing greater value, the company partners with Empathy, a leading technology company transforming the way people plan for and navigate life’s toughest moments. Through this collaboration, Aflac provides covered employees with legacy planning and bereavement support today and extends that same bereavement support to their beneficiaries alongside the payout.
“Aflac’s research confirms what we see across the industry: People know why planning matters, but too many don’t know where to start, and that gap only widens in life’s hardest moments,” said Ron Gura, co-founder and CEO of Empathy. “That’s the thinking behind full-circle care at Empathy, support that meets people before a crisis and stays with them through it. Aflac has been a long-standing partner in that vision, and this research reinforces what we’ve seen firsthand: Real, connected support doesn’t just help people; it redefines what a benefit like life insurance can be.”
The 2026 Aflac Life Insurance and Legacy Planning Study results are available at no cost to workers, families and employers seeking to better understand the importance of life insurance and legacy planning, particularly their effects on personal and workplace well-being.
“Although no plan can lessen the loss of a loved one, this study serves as a reminder that planning for the future is ultimately an act of care, providing clarity, confidence and peace of mind when important decisions must be made,” Beeman said. “And for employers, offering end-of-life planning resources represents an opportunity to support employees’ wellness while fostering a resilient workforce capable of balancing job responsibilities and managing the affairs of a loved one.”
To learn more about the study, download the report here.
ABOUT THE 2026 AFLAC LIFE INSURANCE AND LEGACY PLANNING STUDY The Aflac Life Insurance and Legacy Planning Study was conducted in partnership with Kantar Profiles Division between May 29 and June 9, 2026. The study surveyed 1,000 employed U.S. adults to assess levels of understanding, education, preparedness and experiences related to life insurance, estate planning, end-of-life planning and managing a loved one’s affairs after death.
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a Fortune 500 company, has helped provide financial protection and peace of mind for more than seven decades to millions of policyholders and customers through its subsidiaries in the U.S. and Japan. In the U.S., Aflac is the No. 1 provider of supplemental health insurance products.2 In Japan, Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of cancer and medical insurance in terms of policies in force.3 The company takes pride in being there for its policyholders when they need us most, as well as being included in the World’s Most Ethical Companies by Ethisphere for 20 consecutive years (2026) and Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies for 25 years (2026). In addition, the company became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) in 2021. To find out how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn’t cover, get to know us at aflac.com or aflac.com/español. Investors may learn more about Aflac Incorporated and its commitment to corporate social responsibility and sustainability at investors.aflac.com under “Sustainability.”
ABOUT EMPATHY Empathy is a leading technology company transforming how the world plans for and deals with life’s hardest moments with AI and human care, serving more than 50 million policyholders across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. Backed by $162 million from top-tier venture firms such as Index Ventures, General Catalyst, Adams Street Partners, and other leading funds, alongside strategic investments from global financial institutions, Empathy offers comprehensive, expert guidance through bereavement, estate management, legacy planning, caregiving, leaves of absence, and more. Recognized by Apple, Google Play, and Fast Company, Empathy pairs technology built for scale with the kind of care only people can give, redefining the standard for what modern support looks like. Learn more at empathy.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a legacy plan, and why is it important? A: A legacy plan helps ensure that an individual’s wishes, finances and important decisions can be managed according to their preferences in the event of illness, incapacity or death. Legacy planning may include documents such as a last will and testament, power of attorney and advance healthcare directives. According to the Aflac Life Insurance and Legacy Planning Study, while most workers recognize the importance of these documents, many have not yet completed them, potentially creating additional emotional, financial and administrative burdens for their loved ones.
Q: What did the Aflac Life Insurance and Legacy Planning Study reveal about workforce preparedness? A: The study found a significant gap between awareness and action. While 95% of respondents said it is important to make end-of-life matters easier for loved ones, only 57% have a will, 50% have a power of attorney and 54% have advance healthcare directives in place. The findings suggest that many workers understand the value of planning but often delay taking action because they are unsure where to start, perceive the process as complex, have concerns about cost or feel uncomfortable discussing end-of-life topics.
Q: How is Aflac helping employees and families address legacy planning needs? A: Through its partnership with Empathy, Aflac provides eligible employees with access to legacy planning and bereavement support resources designed to help individuals prepare for the future and navigate the loss of a loved one. The services are intended to provide practical guidance, tools and support before and after a loss, helping individuals and families manage important personal, financial and administrative responsibilities with greater confidence and clarity.
1 Aflac Life Insurance and Legacy Planning Study. Aflac Incorporated. Published September 2026. 2 LIMRA 2025 U.S. Supplemental Health Insurance Total Market Report. 3 As of March 31, 2025, Aflac estimates based on company data.
Analyst and investor contact: David A. Young, 706-596-3264, 800-235-2667 or dyoung@aflac.com
Aflac | WWHQ | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999 | 800.992.3522 Continental American Insurance Company | Columbia, SC | 800.433.3036 Aflac New York | 22 Corporate Woods Boulevard, Suite 2 | Albany, NY 12211 | 800.366.3436
Group supplemental insurance coverage is underwritten by Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Aflac Incorporated. CAIC is not licensed to solicit business in New York, Guam, Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands. In California, coverage is offered by Continental American Life Insurance Company. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Empathy: These services are intended for general purposes and are not a substitute for professional psychological or medical advice. Empathy may not be available in some states in connection with this partnership.
CAIC’s affiliation with the Value-Added Service providers is limited only to a marketing alliance, and CAIC and the Value-Added Service providers are not under any sort of mutual ownership, joint venture, or are otherwise related. CAIC makes no representations or warranties regarding the Value-Added Service providers and does not own or administer any of the products or services provided by the Value-Added Service providers. Each Value-Added Service provider offers its products and services subject to its own terms, limitations and exclusions. Value-Added Services are not available in Idaho, Minnesota, or New Mexico. State availability may vary.
New policies meet distinct needs while offering lifelong protection and cash value growth
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– MassMutual today announced the introduction of Whole Life Guard 10 Pay and Whole Life 95, two new participating whole life insurance policies designed to help people address a range of long-term financial protection and planning needs. The additions further strengthen MassMutual’s whole life insurance portfolio, providing greater choice and flexibility with permanent life insurance coverage.
Both policies provide:
Lifelong protection
Cash value accumulation, tax-deferred
Opportunity to receive dividends (while not guaranteed, MassMutual has paid dividends to eligible participating policyowners every year since 1869)
“The introduction of these new policies reflects MassMutual’s ongoing commitment to providing solutions to help people meet a variety of financial goals,” said Elizabeth Forget, head of product, MassMutual. “These policies are supported by MassMutual’s financial strength and claims paying ability and provide lifelong protection with guarantees and the potential for more cash value accumulation through policyowner dividends.”
Designed to provide solutions to families and business owners as they plan for the future, Whole Life Guard 10 Pay is ideal for people looking for affordable, limited pay, permanent life insurance coverage.
“The new 10-pay policy supports wealth transfer and legacy planning, juvenile gifting, and common business planning scenarios,” said Forget.
For those who prefer to spread their premium payments out over a longer duration while accumulating meaningful cash value in the early years, Whole Life 95 is ideal as the policy combines permanent death benefit protection with cash value accumulation that begins in early policy years.
In addition to Whole Life Guard 10 Pay and Whole Life 95, MassMutual also offers Whole Life 65/100, Whole Life 8/10/15/20 Pay, Whole Life High Early Cash Value, Survivorship Whole Life 100, and Survivorship Whole Life 12 Pay.
“Whole life insurance can be the backbone of a wealth building strategy as it provides a level of protection unlike any other financial instrument,” continued Forget. “People who seek certainty, permanence and guarantees in their financial plans will gravitate to these new policies and features that can help them with estate and legacy planning, intergenerational wealth transfer, grandparent gifting strategies, business planning scenarios, and more.”
The products and/or certain features may not be available in all states. State variations will apply.
MassMutual Whole Life series policies ((Policy Forms: MMWL-2018 and ICC18-MMWL in certain states, including North Carolina)/(MMWLA-2018 and ICC18-MMWLA in certain states, including North Carolina)) are level-premium, participating, permanent life insurance policies issued by Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual), Springfield, MA 01111-0001.
For 175 years, MassMutual has stood beside generations through life’s defining moments, guided by a clear, enduring purpose: We help people secure their future and protect the ones they love. What began in 1851 as a bold idea rooted in neighbors helping neighbors has grown into one of America’s largest mutual life insurance companies, serving more than four million customers1 with over $1 trillion in life insurance in force1 and $584 billion in assets under management, 2 all built on a foundation of more than $34 billion in capital strength. 3
MassMutual offers a broad range of products and services across protection, accumulation, wealth management, and retirement income, including annuities through our leading annuity provider, MassMutual Ascend. These solutions reach people through our expansive distribution, which is anchored by our dedicated network of affiliated financial professionals. For nearly two centuries, our offerings have helped people build, protect, and pass on what means the most to them. Through eras of extraordinary change, we have honored our commitments, paying upwards of $70 billion in insurance and annuity benefits over the past decade. 4
MassMutual is strengthened by a diversified portfolio of strategic businesses and investments – including Barings, our global alternative asset management subsidiary – which enables us to deliver greater long-term value to our policyowners. MassMutual has a longstanding, successful approach to bringing together deep life insurance expertise and advanced asset management capabilities, which put us at the forefront of this trend and helped pioneer growth beyond traditional industry boundaries. Through Barings, we have robust asset origination capabilities that have helped us achieve exceptional long-term performance for our policyowners.
Through it all, our scale provides strength; our mutuality provides alignment; and our purpose ensures we do not lose sight of who we serve. To learn more, visit massmutual.com.
1 As of December 31, 2025
2 Assets Under Management (AUM) include assets and certain external investment funds managed by MassMutual subsidiaries, including Barings and MassMutual Ascend, as of December 31, 2025
2026 OCT 02 (NewsRx) — By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at NewsRx Policy and Law Daily — Current study results on Insurance have been published. According to news originating from Ithaca, New York, by NewsRx editors, the research stated, “I study competition between state regulators in the US life insurance industry. States compete for insurers by setting lower capital requirements, but the costs of such actions are partially borne by other states.”
Our news journalists obtained a quote from the research from Cornell University, “I document states’ behaviors and insurers’ responses to this competition and its effects on life insurance supply. I develop a quantitative model of the insurance market that captures states’ competition and insurers’ responses. I find that competition leads regulators to set lower capital requirements, which increases default risks but increases consumer surplus by lowering prices.”
According to the news editors, the research concluded: “On net, competition between regulators decreases total surplus and redistributes across states.”
This research has been peer-reviewed.
For more information on this research see: Regulatory Competition In the Us Life Insurance Industry. Journal of Political Economy, 2026. Journal of Political Economy can be contacted at: Univ Chicago Press, 1427 E 60TH St, Chicago, IL 60637-2954, USA. (University of Chicago Press – press.uchicago.edu; Journal of Political Economy – /ucp/journals/journal/jpe.html)
The news correspondents report that additional information may be obtained from Johnny Tang, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States.
The direct object identifier (DOI) for that additional information is: https://doi.org/10.1086/742725. This DOI is a link to an online electronic document that is either free or for purchase, and can be your direct source for a journal article and its citation.
(Our reports deliver fact-based news of research and discoveries from around the world.)
OLDWICK, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– AM Best has commented that the Short Term Issuer Credit Ratings of AMB-1+ (Strongest) of Pacific Life Insurance Company’s recently amended commercial paper program remain unchanged following the announcement of an increase in its size to $2.25 billion from the previous $1 billion level, which took effect Sept. 30, 2026.
AM Best recognizes that the amended program will provide benefit to the company’s liquidity profile by matching the size of its commercial paper program to its enterprise revolving credit facility backstop and also increase the financial flexibility through diversification of funding sources, while leverage and coverage calculations remain within levels supportive of the Credit Ratings.
This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Best’s website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best’s Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best’s Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best’s Credit Ratings, Best’s Performance Assessments, Best’s Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best’s Ratings & Assessments.
AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.
NEW YORK & WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
New York Life Investment Management (“NYLIM”), a global asset management firm with approximately $838 billion in assets under management, and Invictus Capital Partners (“Invictus”), a leading U.S. single-family residential credit investment manager with more than $20 billion in gross assets under management, today jointly announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for NYLIM to acquire a majority ownership stake in Invictus.
The transaction will expand NYLIM’s approximately $304 billion global private markets platform by adding Invictus’s differentiated U.S. single-family residential credit investment capabilities and proprietary loan sourcing and operations platform, Verus Mortgage Capital. Together, they provide an integrated capability across residential mortgage sourcing, underwriting, financing, securitization and asset management. Over the last decade, Invictus has acquired more than $48 billion of residential loans and built a leading securitization franchise in the U.S. residential mortgage-backed securities market, with more than 90 completed securitizations.
The majority ownership stake in Invictus advances NYLIM’s strategy to broaden its private credit and asset-based finance capabilities and provide institutional clients, including insurers, with differentiated access to the U.S. single-family residential credit market, an asset class where scaled sourcing and securitization capabilities are difficult to replicate.
For New York Life’s General Account, the partnership will provide a significant new source of proprietary residential mortgage assets and access to Invictus’s scaled sourcing and securitization capabilities. In connection with the transaction, New York Life will also make a significant multi-year capital commitment to Invictus.
Invictus’s seasoned leadership team will remain in place, retaining a significant ownership stake in the business to ensure alignment as the business grows. The partnership will build on Invictus’s established investment approach and capabilities, while benefitting from NYLIM’s global reach, permanent capital, distribution and resources.
Naïm Abou-Jaoudé, CEO of New York Life Investment Management, said: “Invictus has built a differentiated residential credit platform combining deep investment expertise with scaled proprietary sourcing and securitization capabilities. These are difficult capabilities to replicate and highly complementary to New York Life’s permanent capital and NYLIM’s institutional franchise. Together, we see significant opportunity to expand our residential credit capabilities and deliver differentiated solutions to insurers and other institutional clients.”
Michael Warden, CEO of Invictus Capital Partners, said: “We are proud to partner with New York Life Investment Management. Its capital strength, global reach and long-term orientation complement the platform we have built at Invictus. We see significant opportunity in a growing U.S. single-family residential credit market, where strong fundamentals and structural inefficiencies continue to create attractive investment opportunities. Together, we are well positioned to grow the business and serve a broader range of institutional investors.”
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.
Ardea Partners LP and Colchester Partners LLC served as financial advisors, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP served as legal counsel to Invictus. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP served as legal counsel to New York Life.
About New York Life Investment Management
With approximately $837.6 billion* in assets under management as of June 30, 2026, New York Life Investment Management is a Pensions & Investments’ Top 30 Largest Money Manager** and one of the largest active asset managers globally, with leading positions across both public and private markets. Comprised of the affiliated global asset management businesses of New York Life Insurance Company, New York Life Investment Management is committed to achieving enduring financial outcomes and building long-term partnerships across market cycles and generations. Our specialized, independent investment teams bring disciplined active management and deep expertise to help clients navigate the next era of investing.
“New York Life Investment Management” is both a service mark and the common trade name of the following investment advisers affiliated with New York Life Insurance Company: Andera Partners, Apogem Capital LLC, Ausbil Investment Management Limited, Bow River Advisers, LLC, Candriam S.C.A., Kartesia Management S.à r.l., MacKay Shields LLC, New York Life Investment Management LLC, NYL Investors LLC, and Tristan Capital Partners LLP.
*Assets under management (AUM) includes assets of the investment advisers that make up “New York Life Investment Management” as of 6/30/2026. AUM includes certain assets, such as nondiscretionary AUM, external fund selection, and overlay services, including ESG screening services, advisory consulting services, white labeling services, and model portfolio delivery services, that are not necessarily considered Regulatory Assets Under Management according to the SEC’s Form ADV. AUM is reported in USD. AUM not denominated in USD is converted at the spot rate as of 6/30/2026.
The total AUM figure for “New York Life Investment Management,” as a brand, is less than the sum of the AUM of each affiliated investment adviser in the group because it does not count AUM where the same assets can be counted by more than one affiliated investment adviser. In addition, AUM includes assets of certain, but not all, investment advisers affiliated with New York Life Insurance Company and excludes assets managed by Andera Partners and Bow River Advisers, LLC. AUM is based on estimates and is subject to change.
**New York Life Investment Management ranked 26th largest institutional investment manager in Pensions & Investments’ Largest Money Managers 2026 published June 2026, based on worldwide institutional AUM as of Dec. 31, 2025. No direct or indirect compensation was paid for the creation and distribution of this ranking.
About Invictus Capital Partners
Invictus Capital Partners is a leading alternative credit asset manager specializing in U.S. single-family residential credit. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., the firm manages more than $20 billion in gross assets. Since 2015, Invictus has acquired more than $48 billion of residential loans and completed realizations totaling more than $27 billion. That scale extends to securitization: Invictus is one of the largest asset-manager issuers in the U.S. residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) market, with more than 90 completed securitizations totaling over $45 billion.
Invictus began investing in distressed RMBS during and after the global financial crisis, expanding into residential loans in 2015. The senior team brings decades of experience in residential credit investing and mortgage capital markets. Today, its single-family residential credit platform spans the full loan lifecycle, combining investment management with proprietary sourcing and operations through its affiliate, Verus Mortgage Capital. That structure gives Invictus sourcing at scale, control over credit, the ability to price at the loan level, and deep financing and securitization capabilities.
Agreement Reached with South Carolina Department of Insurance to Mediate the Pending Matter
Atlantic Coast Life and Southern Atlantic Re Dismiss Lawsuit Against Director Wise Without Prejudice
NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
Advantage Capital Holdings, LLC (“A-CAP” or the “Company”) today announced that Atlantic Coast Life Insurance Company (“ACL”) and Southern Atlantic Re, Inc. (“SAR”) have reached an agreement with the South Carolina Department of Insurance (“SC DOI”) to proceed to mediation as the parties work toward resolving their disputes and addressing outstanding regulatory matters. As a result of the SC DOI’s agreement to mediate the matter, ACL and SAR have dismissed their lawsuit against Director Wise without prejudice.
The agreement comes as A-CAP continues to advance capital-raising and corporate restructuring initiatives involving its insurance businesses. A-CAP believes a mediated resolution would reduce regulatory uncertainty surrounding ACL and facilitate consideration and implementation of those initiatives.
The Company stated: “We believe the decision to pursue mediation is a constructive step toward resolving the issues with the SC DOI and reducing uncertainty around the company. We intend to work constructively through the mediation process toward a resolution of the outstanding regulatory matters.”
ACL and SAR continue to dispute the SC DOI’s petition for rehabilitation. The petition is not an adjudication that either company should be placed into rehabilitation, and no rehabilitation order has been entered. The companies continue to pay claims and service their obligations to policyholders.
The South Carolina regulatory action was among the factors cited by AM Best in its recent rating action with respect to Atlantic Coast Life and Sentinel Security Life Insurance Company.
A-CAP believes the agreement to pursue mediation, together with the capital raise and corporate restructuring initiatives currently underway, represents important context for assessing the companies’ financial position and outlook.
The Company continued: “We disagree with AM Best’s rating action and believe it does not fully reflect these ongoing developments, including initiatives that AM Best itself acknowledged in connection with its review. Atlantic Coast Life and Sentinel Security Life have served policyholders for more than a century and through numerous economic and market cycles. We remain focused on completing the initiatives now underway and supporting the companies as they continue to meet their obligations to policyholders throughout the United States.”
About A-CAP
A-CAP is a holding company with a diverse portfolio of insurance and financial businesses operating on an integrated platform. These businesses include primary insurance carriers, an SEC-registered investment adviser, reinsurance vehicles and marketing organizations. With broad expertise across the insurance and investment sectors, A-CAP provides services to policyholders, insurance-company clients and capital partners. Founded in 2013, A-CAP is privately held and maintains offices in New York, Charleston, Miami and Salt Lake City.
BOSTON — John Hancock announced enhancements to both its Protection IUL 26 product and its term life insurance portfolio, expanding the range of options available to financial professionals helping clients address evolving long-term planning needs.
The company said the enhancements are intended to provide greater choice, growth potential and flexibility, allowing advisors to tailor protection strategies for different life stages while giving clients options to adapt coverage as their needs change over time.
Aligned with John Hancock’s broader strategy to support customer health, wealth and financial well-being, the enhanced products strengthen the company’s protection portfolio and provide financial professionals with additional ways to address a broad range of planning needs.
The company also cited findings from its 2025 Longevity Preparedness Index, developed with MIT AgeLab, which found that U.S. adults scored an average of 60 out of 100 in overall preparedness for longer lives.
“Financial plans are not one-size-fits-all. Today’s consumers want confidence that their protection strategy can help support their loved ones for the long term, while also providing opportunities for future value growth in a way that works for them and their loved ones,” said Hector Martinez, head of insurance at John Hancock.
The updated Protection IUL 26 solution includes new optional guarantees and indexed growth features designed to give clients additional flexibility and choice.
John Hancock also announced enhancements to its term insurance portfolio, offering three options ranging from protection-focused coverage to solutions with expanded conversion flexibility. The company said the updates are intended to help financial professionals better align coverage strategies with individual client goals and provide clearer pathways from temporary protection to permanent insurance as needs evolve.
“Term insurance plays a critical role in giving clients protection options that align with their needs wherever they are on their planning journey,” Martinez said. “With these new enhancements, John Hancock is offering meaningful options for financial professionals to support their clients at any stage, with greater choice, flexibility and continuity as needs evolve.”
Through these solutions, eligible customers receive access to John Hancock’s Vitality program, which offers technology, education and rewards designed to encourage healthier lifestyles while providing financial protection benefits.
John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corp. and provides life insurance, annuities and related financial products to millions of Americans.
. This is Symetra’s fourth consecutive appearance on the list, coming in at No. 28 among organizations in the large workplaces category.
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