Kuvare's Ignite Partners Launches the Thrive Plus Fixed Indexed Annuity with The Standard

Portland, Ore. – April 27, 2026 | Read BUSINESS WIRE

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) and Ignite Partners today announced the launch of Thrive Plus Fixed Indexed Annuity (FIA). This next-generation accumulation-focused FIA is designed to help people pre- and post-retirement accumulate more wealth, protect what matters and plan confidently for the future.

The launch represents a strategic collaboration between The Standard — a financially strong and highly rated carrier with more than a century of stability — and Ignite Partners — a leading industry innovator known for developing and distributing differentiated, high‑demand annuity solutions.

“This is a significant milestone for both The Standard and Ignite Partners,” said Alan Assner, vice president and head of Individual Annuities at The Standard. “This collaboration demonstrates both companies’ shared commitment to innovation and financial empowerment. We’re thrilled to partner with Ignite on this solution that addresses the real-world challenges retirees face.”

Purpose-built FIA for today’s market

Thrive Plus is engineered to address today’s dominant challenges in retirement planning: market volatility, tax efficiency and legacy planning. Unlike traditional FIAs that force compromises with accumulation, access and guarantees, Thrive Plus integrates all three in one solution.

Key product highlights include:

  • Accumulation potential and optional bonus
    The FIA offers multiple indexed crediting strategies — including popular indices with cap, guaranteed cap, participation and trigger rate options, volatility-controlled strategies and a fixed account — designed to deliver competitive long-term growth. This innovative FIA is available in seven-year and 10-year surrender periods, with an optional 12% bonus on the 10-year version for clients seeking an upfront premium enhancement.
  • Strategic legacy planning
    For clients focused on legacy planning, the optional Enhanced Death Benefit rider features a guaranteed 6% annually compounded growth on the death benefit, designed to provide beneficiaries with more than the contract’s account value at death.
  • Industry-leading liquidity
    Clients may access up to 15% of account value starting on day one, plus surrender charge-free liquidity for terminal illness, nursing home confinement and qualifying medical conditions.


“Thrive Plus represents what today’s retirement planners are asking for — powerful growth potential, meaningful liquidity and thoughtful legacy planning,” said Matthew J. Murphy, head of business development and strategy at Ignite Partners. “Partnering with The Standard allows us to bring this product to market through our dynamic distribution platform.”

Collaboration pairs financial strength with industry expertise

As of April 2026, The Standard is rated A by AM Best. The Standard has more than a century of financial strength and stability. The company has maintained an “A” or higher rating from AM Best every year since 1928, making it one of only a handful of insurers with such a long-standing record of financial strength.

Ignite Partners serves as the sole distributor of Thrive Plus, maximizing its Independent Marketing Organization consortium model to deliver curated products, premium service and go-to-market expertise for financial professionals nationwide.

About The Standard

Established in 1906, The Standard is a family of companies dedicated to helping customers achieve financial well-being and peace of mind. We are a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individual customers. Our products include group and individual disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group dental and group vision insurance, voluntary and supplemental benefits, absence management and paid family leave services, retirement plans products and services and annuities for employers and individual customers. For more information about The Standard, visit standard.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

The Standard is the marketing name for StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries. Insurance products are offered by Standard Insurance Company of Portland, Oregon, in all states except New York. Product features and availability vary by state and are solely the responsibility of Standard Insurance Company.

About Ignite Partners

Ignite Partners is a leading provider of bespoke insurance solutions for carriers and IMOs, specializing in customized annuity products, distribution, analysis and strategies for business growth. With expertise in annuities, competitive intelligence and risk management, Ignite collaborates with insurers to create innovative solutions that address evolving client needs and set the stage for long-term success. For more information, visit the Ignite Partners website.

Ignite Partners is not affiliated with The Standard or any of its subsidiaries.

Contacts

Media Contacts:
Melissa Wilmot — The Standard
[email protected]
971.403.6984

Ignite Partners
[email protected]



SOURCE: The Standard (insurancenewsnet.com)

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Kevin Hovi

PRESIDENT
Kevin is responsible for the operations, including finance, investments and risk, of Kuvare Life Re Ltd., our Bermuda-based reinsurance arm. Most recently, he was with Longitude RE Limited as Chief Financial Officer. Previously, Kevin was with XL Catlin in progressively senior investment roles, most recently as Senior Vice-President, Senior Portfolio Manager responsible for rate & curve positioning and government allocations. Kevin also previously worked for Marsh in Bermuda and Deloitte in Canada. Kevin attended the University of Waterloo, earning a Honours BA in Accountancy Studies, and is qualified as a Chartered Professional Accountant / Chartered Accountant (Ontario, Bermuda) and as a Chartered Financial Analyst (Bermuda).
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David A. Goldberg

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David directs the legal, regulatory and corporate governance functions for the Kuvare businesses. He provides more than 25 years of broad commercial law and senior executive experience, having started his legal career in 1993 at the Sidley & Austin firm in Chicago. He has served in numerous corporate General Counsel roles, including insurance sector roles at Coregis Insurance, a specialty property and casualty company, as well as life and health companies Combined Insurance (and its worldwide affiliates) and Sterling Life Insurance Company. Most recently he served as General Counsel to the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority. David is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Washington University School of Law.
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Michael Stefan

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Michael brings experience across investment banking, the insurance industry and public accounting. He spent 14 years with Bank of America and predecessor Merrill Lynch, advising corporate clients on mergers, acquisitions and capital raising in its Financial Institutions Group. Prior to joining Kuvare, Michael was the corporate treasurer at Amynta Group, an insurance services company. He previously also worked as a certified public accountant in Deloitte’s Financial Services practice in New York.
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Laura Gallagher

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Laura leads the actuarial analysis and product development efforts for Kuvare. With over 20 years of life & annuity insurance experience, Laura has a broad background in valuation and financial reporting, product management, risk controls, and mergers & acquisitions. Most recently, she was the Chief Actuary for Colorado Bankers Life after the company was sold to new ownership. She spent over 10 years with Dearborn National Life with accountability for the individual product lines and served as the appointed actuary for the company and its two subsidiaries. She began her career at Allstate Life Insurance Company. Laura is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries and earned BS degrees in Actuarial Science and in Mathematics from the University of Iowa.
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Steven Fry Bio

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO)

Steve provides financial, accounting, and strategic leadership as the CFO for Kuvare’s US based insurance companies, including United Life Insurance Company (ULIC), Guaranty Income Life Insurance Company (GILICO), and Lincoln Benefit Life Company (LBL). He has over 25 years of experience in the finance and accounting profession with over 20 years of specific insurance experience. Prior to Kuvare, Steve was the CFO of Colorado Bankers Life and the Controller of Beneficial Life Insurance Company. He has a regulatory background, having previously served as the Chief Financial Examiner for the Utah Insurance Department and has audit experience with Arthur Andersen. Steve has his CPA license (inactive) and a Master’s degree in Accounting from Utah State University.

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Ann Mengelson-Clark

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Ann leads the life and annuity technology platform for the domestic companies of Kuvare, including Guaranty Income Life Insurance Company, United Life Insurance Company and Lincoln Benefit Life. Ann has over 25 years of experience in the life and annuity industry. Prior to joining the team at the Kuvare platform level, she served as Corporate Technology Officer for Guaranty Corporation. Ann holds BS and MS degrees from Louisiana State University.

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Joe Wieser

CEO AND PRESIDENT OF GUARANTY INCOME LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

Joe Wieser is the President of Guaranty Income Life Insurance Company. Joe has more than 30 years of leadership, strategy, operational and sales/marketing experience in the annuity, life and health insurance industry. Prior to joining Guaranty, he was an Executive VP at Dearborn National serving five years as President of Colorado Bankers Life. He separated from Colorado Bankers when the company was acquired by Global Bankers. During his career, he has held leadership roles overseeing all insurance company functions. Previously, his executive experience includes working at MassMutual, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Starmount Life. Joe is a graduate of Metropolitan State University in Denver and holds his CLU, ChFC and FLMI financial/insurance professional designations.

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Brad Rosenblatt

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Brad leads revenue and growth strategy for Kuvare and is also President of United Life. Brad has over 25 years of experience in sales, marketing and strategy and previously served as Chief Distribution Officer at Sammons Financial Group. While at Sammons, Brad also led the company’s strategy and corporate development function. Previously, he worked at McKinsey & Co. in the insurance practice, serving life, property/casualty and health insurance carriers. Brad holds an MBA from Michigan Ross School of Business and a BA in Economics from Northwestern University.

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Carlos Sierra

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Carlos leads the overall operational strategy for Kuvare and is in charge of Lincoln Benefit Life. With over 25 years of operations experience, Carlos previously served as COO for the Americas at Aon Risk and Global COO for Combined Insurance where he led global operations, including Front Office (sales model; multichannel sales), Back Office (contact centers; order entry; claims; field operations) and Technology (Application Development and Infrastructure). Previously, Carlos worked at McKinsey & Co where he served clients in the Financial Institutions Group and at FMC where he led Manufacturing Planning and Latin American Operations. Carlos earned engineering and masters degrees from ITESM, Ohio State and Stanford.​

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Dhiren Jhaveri

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Before founding Kuvare, Mr. Jhaveri was a member of the executive committee of Sammons Financial Group, where he led corporate development and investment risk. Sammons Financial Group (SFG) is the holding company for Midland National Life Insurance Company and North American Company for Life and Health (NACOLAH). Previously, he worked at McKinsey & Co. and Barclays. Dhiren is actively involved on various committees for the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) and is a designee of the LIMRA Life Insurance Fellows (LLIF).​