If there was one word repeated at the 2026 IRI Annual Conference, it was “speed.” Carriers and distributors discussed the long-standing promise of modernizing legacy systems and juxtaposed it with the rapid advancements in AI. Add to that the mounting list of Digital First for Annuity (DFA) initiatives, new product launches, and the pressure is on.
Build once, use many: We’re at the tipping point
One of the most encouraging signals from the conference was the validation of IRI’s “Build Once, Use Many” standard. Where it’s being adopted, the results are tangible: faster transactions, reduced NIGOs, and less operational friction.
Sureify joined IRI to actively contribute to the data, workflow, and AI fabric standards that will define the next era of DFA. But here’s the reality I kept hearing: Even with standards in place, point-to-point integrations are slowing the industry down, creating fragility, duplication, and delays as ecosystems grow.
That’s why it’s time to expand this concept to architecture and platforms. Don’t just build a point-to-point integration; focus on building a fabric to light up data integrations, workflow, and AI. The carriers that future-proof themselves today will be the ones that can take advantage of market and technology shifts quickly.
Shifting from integrations to platforms
The conversation is evolving beyond APIs. Carriers are asking: “How do we connect?” and “How do we scale?” Each new distributor, new standard, and new workflow shouldn’t require another custom build. That’s where the shift is happening: from integrations to platforms.
At Sureify, we believe that truly supporting DFA and beyond requires:
- The ability to integrate once and connect to many
- A unified data and workflow fabric to support downstream processes and automation
- An AI workbench, where AI use cases can be implemented with speed and deliver true business ROI
This is why our approach is a holistic platform, CoreCONNECT, not point-to-point integrations that can create more complexity and technical debt.
Headless architecture isn’t optional
AI is entering the conversation, fast. But here’s the catch: None of it scales without the right architecture.
As DFA standards meet AI capabilities, headless architecture becomes the unlock, providing flexibility across front-end experiences, extensibility as standards evolve, and the ability to operationalize AI across workflows.
Speed-to-market is the differentiator
There’s no question that the annuity market has seen incredible growth over the past few years, but speedy execution is now the path to continued growth and market leadership. The industry’s future leaders will be those who launched DFA initiatives faster, connected to distributors seamlessly, eliminated manual workflows, and delivered real-time visibility. Those who struggle to implement quickly and with agility will fall behind.
From vision to execution
At Sureify, we’ve built the first holistic platform designed to support DFA and everything that comes after it. Learn more about how we’re helping carriers accelerate DFA.
Distributors are craving speed and innovation. Sureify helps carriers meet the demand and grow their business.”
— Natalie Spano
Chief Customer Officer, Sureify
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