On January 29, NAIFA’s Medicare Collective will bring together leading voices from across the Medicare ecosystem for focused, solutions-driven conversations about the forces reshaping the Medicare market. Sessions during this live virtual event will be hosted by members of the NAIFA Medicare Collective, seasoned professionals working on the front lines of Medicare.

Like every new year, 2026 brings great promise and its fair share of challenges. At NAIFA, we look forward to building on our storied past while we make the most of a rapidly changing business environment (and support our members as they do the same). The insurance and financial service industry is not immune from forces reshaping our world, from the whirlwind of developments in technology to unpredictable economic situations to an ever-shifting legislative and regulatory landscape. NAIFA is on top of it, and we remain as committed as ever to fulfilling our membership promise: to advocate for positive legislative outcomes, educate agents and advisors, and help our members differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace.

Stephanie K. Triola, FSCP, has been a proud NAIFA member since 2023 and serves clients throughout Fernandina Beach, Florida, as a financial professional with New York Life Insurance Company and registered representative with NYLIFE Securities LLC. Her path into financial services was anything but predictable — and that’s exactly what makes her story so compelling.

NAIFA's Carroll Golden recently shared a striking insight that should give every financial professional pause. According to new Pew Research, Americans are three times more likely to say they would prefer to live in the past rather than the future. Only 14% chose the future.

When Laura Mendoza moved from Northern California to attend the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, she envisioned a career as a celebrity stylist in San Diego. But after graduation, opportunities in that field were limited. “Like many young professionals, I couldn’t find work in my realm,” Laura recalls. “I’m still a stylist on weekends, part-time—that’s kind of my side hustle.”

The FSP Institute returns February 17–20, 2026, marking its 80th anniversary of bringing advanced financial planning experts together to push thinking forward and strengthen the profession. This milestone year will be hosted at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Early registration is now open through January 3.

With Thanksgiving, we naturally turn our attention to the three Fs: family, food, and football. But when we consider things that we are truly thankful for, I’d like to add one more: financial service professionals.

Americans have much to be thankful for this holiday season largely because of the crucial work you are doing. While your practice websites might tell us that you offer insurance products, financial planning, wealth management, or other products and services, what you are really giving your clients is peace of mind, opportunities to live their best lives, and happiness for themselves and their loved ones. These are among the things Americans are most thankful for.

Gilbert Mares, MPA, LUTCF, LILI, is profiled in the November issue of California Broker magazine, where he credits his decades of active service and leadership within NAIFA as the foundation of his professional success. In the feature, Mares explains that NAIFA has been central to every stage of his career, from his early days in the business to his longtime role as an educator, advocate, and mentor in the financial service community.

National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) President Doug Massey, LUTCF, CLU, ChFC, CRES, FSS, has announced the appointment of Josh O’Gara, CLU, ChFC, CFP, a Partner and Co-Founder at Prism Benefits, PBC, in Woburn, Mass., to serve on the NAIFA Board of Trustees effective immediately.

Give the Gift of Growth This Season: Earn Your LUTCF® at the Best Prices of the Year