Aflac and Empower Brokerage Ink Deal, Unlocking New Distribution Channels

SOUTHLAKE, TX – March 11, 2026 – In a significant move set to reshape the insurance distribution landscape, Aflac Incorporated has entered a strategic partnership with Empower Brokerage, a leading national field marketing organization (FMO). The new affiliation authorizes more than 8,000 independent agents partnered with Empower Brokerage to sell Aflac's extensive portfolio of individual and group insurance products, dramatically expanding the insurer's market reach.

This collaboration between the globally recognized insurance giant and the family-owned FMO represents more than a simple distribution agreement. It highlights a pivotal trend in the industry where established carriers are increasingly leveraging the agility and scale of FMO networks to penetrate new markets and diversify their sales strategies. For Empower Brokerage, which has over 50 years of experience supporting agents, the deal adds one of the most recognizable brands in insurance to its roster of over 130 carriers, significantly enhancing its value proposition to independent professionals across the country.

A Strategic Play to Reshape Distribution

At its core, the partnership is a calculated strategic maneuver for both entities. For Aflac, a company with a 70-year history and a strong foothold in the worksite benefits market, the collaboration is a powerful vehicle for growth. It allows the insurer to tap into a vast, pre-existing network of seasoned independent agents, effectively turbocharging its expansion into the individual consumer market without the significant overhead associated with direct recruitment and training on such a massive scale.

This move aligns with Aflac's broader strategy of diversifying beyond its traditional channels. In recent years, the company has actively expanded its product lines, introducing offerings like Final Expense Whole Life and Medicare Supplement Insurance, specifically designed for the non-workplace individual market. Gaining access to Empower's nationwide network of agents provides a ready-made sales force to bring these and other products, including dental, vision, and critical illness policies, to a wider audience. This leverages the FMO model to achieve rapid market penetration and adapt to evolving consumer buying habits.

New Horizons for Independent Agents

For the thousands of independent agents under the Empower Brokerage umbrella, this partnership opens a new frontier of opportunity. The ability to offer Aflac products adds a powerful and trusted brand to their sales toolkit, which can open doors and build immediate credibility with potential clients. Aflac's name recognition, built over decades of marketing, can significantly shorten the sales cycle for agents.

Beyond the brand, Empower Brokerage is set to provide comprehensive back-office support that is crucial for independent agents. The FMO will manage the administrative complexities of contracting, commission processing, and bonus structures related to Aflac sales. This allows agents to focus on what they do best: building relationships and serving clients, rather than getting bogged down in paperwork.

Furthermore, Empower Brokerage offers an extensive support system designed to foster agent success. This includes access to Empower University, a 24/7 online training platform, along with nationwide seminars and robust phone and email support. Coupled with lead programs and customizable marketing resources, the FMO provides a framework for agents not just to sell new products, but to strategically grow their entire business. This level of support is a key differentiator in a competitive market where agents often struggle with generating leads and managing administrative tasks on their own.

The Evolving Insurance Landscape

This collaboration is indicative of the growing influence of FMOs in the modern insurance ecosystem. Once viewed primarily as intermediaries, FMOs like Empower Brokerage have evolved into full-fledged business partners for agents, offering technology, training, and strategic carrier relationships that are essential for success. They bridge the gap between massive insurance carriers and the thousands of independent agents who serve as the industry's front line.

The trend toward such large-scale partnerships also reflects a consolidation of power and a focus on efficiency. By aligning with a major FMO, a carrier like Aflac can streamline its distribution and ensure a consistent level of agent support and training. For FMOs, securing exclusive or prominent partnerships with top-tier carriers like Aflac makes them more attractive to high-producing agents, creating a cycle of growth.

As a result of this association, consumers stand to benefit from increased access to Aflac's supplemental health and life insurance products. The expansion of the sales force through Empower's network means more individuals and small businesses will have the opportunity to consult with a local agent about policies that can provide a financial safety net in the event of an unexpected illness or injury. This partnership effectively democratizes access to products that have long been a staple of workplace benefits packages, bringing them directly to the broader consumer market through a trusted, independent channel.