The rollout of “Trump Accounts” (530As) is beginning to take shape, and recent announcements from the U.S. Treasury signal real momentum behind the program. With BNY Mellon serving as financial agent and Robinhood as the initial technology partner, the infrastructure for these accounts is coming into focus.

Each April, NAIFA is proud to recognize and promote Financial Literacy Month. Consumers with a strong understanding of financial concepts are much less likely to suffer money-related stress or hardships. They are more likely to effectively manage debt, develop written financial plans, create and achieve financial goals, prepare for retirement, and purchase financial risk-protection products. Financial literacy strengthens families, American communities, and the economy.

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.

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.

As we mark November, long-recognized as National Long-Term Care Awareness Month, I want to extend my thanks to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance for stepping forward with a public campaign to shine a spotlight on long-term care planning for the future. Their announcement reminds us that as Americans live longer lives, the possibility of needing long-term support services climbs significantly.

November is Long-Term Care Awareness Month and NAIFA is marking the occasion by spreading the word about caregiving and long-term care and providing financial professionals with valuable ideas and information. On November 19, NAIFA’s Limited and Extended Care Planning Collective is sponsoring an online event: “The Care Economy: Where Compassion Meets Capital.” It will feature seven 20-minute sessions by industry thought leaders who will share what advisors and agents need to know about the present and future of caregiving and long-term care. They will discuss such topics as the current state of long-term care insurance, the benefits of right-sizing LTC coverages, the role of annuity products in LTC planning, how to talk about LTC with younger clients, and much more.

NAIFA is deeply concerned by company announcements indicating they no longer will pay commissions to Medicare agents. And today, Humana announced they will no longer use agents to sell Prescription Drug Plans (PDP). This alarming trend threatens not only the livelihood of financial professionals but also the millions of seniors who rely on them for help navigating their healthcare options. If you learn of other announcements, please forward them to communications@naifa.org.

As a proud Florida Gator, September brings me all the anticipation, hope, and excitement of a brand-new college football season. As the CEO of the oldest and most influential association for insurance and financial professionals in the United States, it brings me the pride and heightened sense of purpose of Life Insurance Awareness Month.

LIAM was created and continues to be coordinated by Life Happens, a NAIFA community. It is a time when we shine a spotlight on the importance of life insurance products and educate consumers about this foundation of many comprehensive financial plans. Financial professionals understand that life insurance provides vital protection to more than 80 million American households (even if many are underinsured) and that coverage is available to fit the budgets of families at most income levels.

The life insurance profession is facing a pivotal moment. Over the next 10 years, more than 110,000 financial professionals are expected to retire. That represents about 38% of the industry’s workforce and over 41% of the assets they manage.

On this day in 1890, a group of forward-thinking professionals gathered in Boston with a bold vision: to elevate the profession, advocate for consumers, and set a standard of excellence for financial advisors. That vision became NAIFA and 135 years later, it’s still going strong.