Upfront year one commission moves from 80% to 100%, retention year one option increases from 60% to 80% and level option moves from 17.5% to 20% in years one onward.

The changes, which took effect this week, apply to all new business applications and those currently awaiting issue.

Asteron managing director David Carter said the commission changes, and an earlier change to Asteron’s heart attack definition, were largely the result of discussions with advisers, saying they had a “massive influence on the decision.”

“Some of the things that emerged was they’d [advisers] like us to be simpler and easier to do business with, and a reminder it’s important to be competitive on remuneration terms as well,” Carter said.

“This is really about simplifying the offer. All the other products had a different commission rate on them and it makes it easier for people to understand.”

Carter also said the company was considering further commission changes and would soon announce additional plans aimed at making it easier for advisers to conduct business with them, promising a “significant launch” at the start of July. 

“We’re consistently looking at how we want to position our remuneration offer,” he said.

“We will look to try and keep it simple and easy to understand and we want to make sure our remuneration is competitive.”