Foresters Financial has expanded its Accelerated Underwriting (AUW) program in the US, effective April 26, 2026.
The expansion raised face amount limits, broadening eligibility and adding new digital tools for producers. Underwriting decisions will continue to be reviewed individually by underwriters rather than handled solely through automated rules, the company said.
The program is designed to make one of the slower parts of the life insurance process more efficient by enabling more applicants to qualify for fluidless underwriting, reducing the need for exams and lab work while relying on advanced analytics to support eligibility decisions.
Under the enhanced AUW program, accelerated underwriting is now available for face amounts up to $2 million for applicants aged 18 to 60 and up to $1 million for ages 61 to 65. These higher limits extend fluidless underwriting to larger cases that would previously have required full medical underwriting.
A new pre-screen checklist within the iPipeline iGO e-App allows producers to assess potential AUW eligibility before submitting an application, which is intended to reduce rework and help set client expectations.
The expanded AUW parameters apply across Foresters’ medically underwritten US product portfolio, including Your Term, Advantage Plus II and SMART UL. This gives producers a single accelerated framework spanning multiple product types.
The AUW enhancements coincide with the appointment of Paul Greene as Foresters’ new chief underwriter. Greene has been tasked with developing an underwriting approach that the company says better reflects current customer expectations and behaviors, while maintaining appropriate risk selection standards.
“This program says yes to more people, handles bigger cases and gets policies in the hands of clients faster,” said Greene.
Foresters’ changes come as accelerated and “next-generation” underwriting have become increasingly common in the US individual life market.
A recent Gen Re survey of 30 carriers found that, on average, 59% of new individual life applications now qualify for some form of accelerated path, supported by wider use of data sources such as prescription histories, electronic health records and other third-party data in lieu of traditional fluids.
The same survey indicated that many carriers estimate some level of “mortality slippage” on accelerated business, typically in the mid‑single to low‑double‑digit percentage range, underscoring the need for ongoing monitoring and calibration of programs as they scale. Regulators, including the NAIC, have also been examining accelerated underwriting practices, with a focus on transparency and appropriate use of external consumer data.
Industry research suggests that accelerated underwriting limits have been increasing, with some US carriers now offering fluidless underwriting up to $5 million for certain risk profiles, backed by more extensive digital data and risk scoring models.
Foresters’ new $2 million limit for ages 18 to 60 positions it within the upper tier of middle‑market AUW offerings, particularly given its focus on family and community segments through independent distribution and fraternal channels.
