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Are You an Independent Professional or Just Another Pawn?

It’s Time to Reclaim Your Independence and Own Your Future.
As a life or annuity agent, your business should be your own. Yet, too often, agents are caught in a system that traps them in restrictive contracts, limiting their freedom to grow and succeed. We believe in a different future—one where agents like you are empowered to make your own choices and thrive on your own terms.
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The Problem

Licensed annuity agents are currently at the mercy of Insurance Marketing Organizations (IMOs) and Field Marketing Organizations (FMOs) that treat them as property rather than partners. If you want to move your business to a different IMO or FMO, you’re stuck. The existing rules mean you need a release from your current organization or must wait months without writing new business—a significant hit to your livelihood.
This isn’t just an inconvenience; it’s a fundamental problem that stifles your potential and limits your success. We’ve seen agents left in the lurch—unable to get responses, delayed in processing client checks, or simply blocked from moving their business because of personal grievances or outdated policies. These are not isolated incidents; they’re a systemic issue that must change.

The Petition

Your Voice Matters

We are leading the charge to demand change. Our petition calls on IMOs and FMOs to grant release upon request and urges Life Insurance Carriers to end policies that support this archaic system. Your voice is powerful, and together, we can push for a fairer, more transparent marketplace where agents have the freedom to choose who they work with, without unnecessary roadblocks.

Why This Matters to You

Control Over Your Business

Regain the ability to move your business freely without unnecessary restrictions.

Greater Earning Potential

Shift to the IMOs and FMOs that offer the best support and compensation.

Professional Respect

Be treated as an independent professional, not just a contract holder.

Equitable Market

Help establish a level playing field where agents are empowered, not held hostage.

Join the Movement

It’s time to stand up and be heard. By signing the petition, you’re taking the first step toward change. You’re telling the industry that it’s time to respect agents’ rights and support their growth.
Sign the Petition

Why This Is Happening Now

The restrictive policies agents face today stem from decisions made by life insurance carriers years ago when they chose to outsource their sales force to Insurance Marketing Organizations (IMOs). This outsourcing created a new structure:
  1. Compensation: IMOs receive their own commissions, separate from the agents’ street commissions.
  2. Control: Carriers allowed IMOs to exert control over agents by requiring releases before agents could move their business to a different IMO.
While many IMOs are willing to release their agents today, the problem persists with IMOs that have been acquired by—or are seeking acquisition by—large aggregators. These aggregators assess the value of an IMO based on the number of active agents. To maximize the sale price, IMOs under pressure from upcoming sales or retention payouts often refuse to release agents, effectively handcuffing them. This restrictive practice is all about protecting the IMO’s valuation, not the agent’s independence or best interests.
This means if your IMO is planning to sell or is waiting for a payout linked to agent retention, you might find yourself trapped—unable to move freely without facing the significant professional and financial setback of sitting out of business for months. The bottom line? Agents are caught in the crossfire of corporate deals and payouts that do not consider the agent’s autonomy or career.

What We Intend to Do About It

At Annuity.com, we are committed to changing this broken system. Here’s how we’re leading the way:
  1. Empowering Agents with Pre-Releases: We are the first IMO to provide every agent with a signed pre-release agreement as soon as they join. This ensures you retain control over your business at all times. If we don’t keep our promises, you can walk away—no strings attached.
  2. Advocating for Policy Change: With your support, we aim to gather enough signatures to make our voices heard. Our goal is to engage directly with life insurance carriers that continue to enforce these restrictive policies. We will encourage them to follow the example set by carriers who have already discontinued these outdated practices, freeing agents from the need to secure a release to move their business.
We will maintain a list of carriers that have adopted agent-friendly policies, updating it regularly as we secure new commitments. By uniting as a community, we can reshape the landscape, ensuring that agents like you have the freedom to choose the best path for your business.
Join us in the Agent Revolution. Sign the petition, spread the word, and stand with us to demand the respect and independence you deserve.
Sign the Petition

Problem Solution

The Problem: Agents Are Trapped

The Solution: Empowering Agent Freedom

Restricted Movement

Agents are often required to get a release from their current IMO/FMO to switch to another. If denied, agents must stop writing business for 6-12 months before they can make a move.

Pre-Release Agreements

Annuity.com provides every agent a pre-signed release upon joining, giving you complete control over your business. If we don’t live up to our commitments, you can move on without delay.

Corporate Interests Over Agent Freedom

IMOs bought by aggregators are valuing agents as assets, not professionals. These aggregators base purchase prices on the number of retained agents, leading to IMOs refusing to release agents to protect their own financial interests.

Advocating for Change

We’re rallying agents to sign the petition demanding that carriers eliminate restrictive release policies. Our goal is to meet with carriers and encourage them to adopt agent-friendly practices, ending the old system that prioritizes IMO profit over agent independence.

Lack of Recourse

Agents have no direct appeal process with carriers to challenge an IMO’s refusal to release them, leaving them with no choice but to stay put or face significant business interruptions.

Transparency and Updates

We’re creating a transparent list of carriers who no longer require restrictive releases, which will be regularly updated as we achieve agreements. This list empowers you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your business.

Sign the Petition
Sign the Petition

Problem Solution

The Problem: Agents Are Trapped

Restricted Movement

Agents are often required to get a release from their current IMO/FMO to switch to another. If denied, agents must stop writing business for 6-12 months before they can make a move.

Corporate Interests Over Agent Freedom

IMOs bought by aggregators are valuing agents as assets, not professionals. These aggregators base purchase prices on the number of retained agents, leading to IMOs refusing to release agents to protect their own financial interests.

Lack of Recourse

Agents have no direct appeal process with carriers to challenge an IMO’s refusal to release them, leaving them with no choice but to stay put or face significant business interruptions.

Sign the Petition

The Solution: Empowering Agent Freedom

Pre-Release Agreements

Annuity.com provides every agent a pre-signed release upon joining, giving you complete control over your business. If we don’t live up to our commitments, you can move on without delay.

Advocating for Change

We’re rallying agents to sign the petition demanding that carriers eliminate restrictive release policies. Our goal is to meet with carriers and encourage them to adopt agent-friendly practices, ending the old system that prioritizes IMO profit over agent independence.

Transparency and Updates

We’re creating a transparent list of carriers who no longer require restrictive releases, which will be regularly updated as we achieve agreements. This list empowers you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your business.

Sign the Petition

What our clients are saying

- Roy S.President Snarr Insurance
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"When I told my IMO I wanted to leave, I was ignored and then frankly told “no.” Some carriers allowed me to write business after I waited for several days, some after several months, but its been more than a year and some carriers are just getting around to approving my appointment with them through my new IMO. Given my experience, I was amazed when my current IMO actually sent me a signed pre-release when I joined. I’ll never get trapped by another IMO no matter how attractive their sales pitch.”
- Steve K.Owner of Oregon Financial Group
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" These restrictions are not just hampering my ability to earn a living—they're preventing clients from getting the correct contract they deserve. That is not acting with true fiduciary responsibility and best interest. "

- John S.The Guaranteed Retirement Guy
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" I've worked with several IMOs and all have promised to release me from my contracts, but when I actually wanted to leave and go to another organization, they would not hold true to their word...so frustrating! An IMO or FMO who intentionally decides not to release agents to take their business elsewhere is only serving their own interest and often causes agents to recommend products that are not in the best interest of the public because that agent is not free to recommend other products due to being held hostage to an IMO/FMO. "
- Tim D.President of Davis Capital Corp
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" It's shameful and worse what FMOs/IMOs are doing to hold agents hostage by refusing to sign releases to carrier contracts. Their actions are clearly a restraint of trade. The FTC and state Attorneys General should take action to stop this practice. I strongly support the effort of this petition to prohibit this practice. "

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