The 2025 Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) Annual Conference isn’t just another industry event—it’s a pulse check on the future of annuities.
Carriers are at a crossroads. The pressures of regulatory shifts, evolving policyholder expectations, and outdated legacy systems are forcing a reckoning: How do we transform annuity claims from a manual, frustrating process into a seamless, automated experience?
At Benekiva, we see this shift as an opportunity. AI, automation, and modern data infrastructure are no longer optional—they are the foundation of the next era of annuity claims. And at the heart of that transformation?
Humanomation®—a smarter way to process claims that blends automation with human expertise.
Annuity Claims: The Roadblocks Holding Carriers Back
For years, annuity claims have been needlessly complicated. They exist in a world where outdated systems, paper forms, and manual approvals slow down a process that should be seamless.
- Legacy Systems Are Bottlenecking Operations. Most claims still require human intervention at nearly every step.
- Compliance Is Complex and Ever-Changing. Suitability reviews, RMD calculations, and contract changes require precision—but they don’t need to be slow.
- Customers Expect Instant Transactions. Policyholders and advisors expect self-service options and real-time status updates—just like in banking.
Modernization isn’t about speeding up old processes—it’s about redefining how annuity claims should work.
From Automation to Humanomation®: The Evolution of Annuity Claims
Recently, my longtime colleague Helen Yu invited our CEO, Brent Williams, to join her on the CXO Spice podcast to discuss claims transformation and Humanomation®.
Helen has been at the forefront of digital transformation discussions for years, and this conversation reinforced something Brent and I have believed for a long time:
The future of annuity claims isn’t just about automation—it’s about balancing speed, compliance, and policyholder trust.
Here’s how Humanomation® works for annuity claims:
Automate the Routine:
- RMD payouts should be processed instantly—no delays, no manual work.
- Beneficiary payout elections should be digital-first.
- Annuity withdrawals and contract changes should be automated wherever possible.
Empower Humans for Complex Cases:
- 1035 exchanges require compliance oversight.
- Annuitization requests need expert guidance.
- Death claims should be handled with empathy, not just efficiency.
Eliminate Friction for Policyholders and Advisors:
- No more paper forms.
- No more lengthy processing times.
- A digital-first approach that moves at the speed of today’s policyholder expectations.
AI, Data, and the No-Touch Annuity Claim
Annuity carriers sit on a wealth of data, yet most aren’t using it to optimize claims processing, detect fraud, or improve decision-making.
AI-Driven No-Touch Claims Processing
- Imagine a policyholder requesting an annuity withdrawal and receiving an instant approval—with no manual intervention.
AI-Powered Risk & Compliance Monitoring
- AI flags suspicious annuity payout patterns before they become costly issues.
Seamless Digital Payments & Notifications
- No more “check is in the mail” conversations. Policyholders should receive real-time updates and instant deposits.This is the future of annuity claims processing, and it’s happening now.
Why CIOs & CTOs Are Driving the Change
A decade ago, claims modernization was seen as a back-office challenge. Today, CIOs and CTOs are leading the charge.
- They know that legacy systems are a liability.
- They need cloud-based, API-first solutions that integrate seamlessly.
- They don’t want more IT maintenance burdens—they want scalable, AI-enabled automation.
That’s why Benekiva was designed as an AI-enabled, cloud-native, API-first claims and servicing platform.
No rip-and-replace headaches.
No unnecessary complexity.
Just seamless integration and efficiency.
What to Expect at IRI 2025: The Next Wave of Annuity Innovation
At IRI 2025, expect deep discussions around:
- The elimination of manual claims bottlenecks.
- AI and automation improving compliance and fraud detection.
- How digital-first claims processing is reshaping the industry.
At Benekiva, we’re not just talking about the future—we’re building it.
The Industry Needs AI-Enabled Humanomation®—Now
- Automate the routine.
- Empower claims staff for complex cases.
- Leverage AI for smarter, faster decisions.
Carriers that embrace Humanomation® and AI-driven claims processing will lead the industry. The ones that don’t? They’ll struggle to keep up.
Let’s Talk at IRI 2025
If you’re attending IRI 2025, let’s connect. Let’s talk about how Benekiva can help you modernize your annuity claims process, enhance efficiency, and future-proof your operations.
We’re not just transforming claims—we’re redefining the future of annuities. See you at IRI.
Tony Diodato
