Robert M. Nelson, CLU, LUTCF, FSS, of Omaha, Nebraska, has been selected as the 2026 John Newton Russell Memorial Award recipient. The award is the highest honor accorded by the insurance industry to a living individual who has rendered outstanding services to the institution of life insurance and will be presented to Nelson at NAIFA’s Belong Awards Celebration on November 9 in Las Vegas.

NAIFA was sad to learn of the passing on August 7 of NAIFA Past President Rice E. Brown III, CLU, ChFC, MSFS, of Canyon City, Colorado. Brown was a NAIFA member for 63 years and served as national President of the association (then known as NALU) for the 1982-1983 association year. Before and after his term in national office, he held multiple NAIFA leadership roles, including serving as the President of four separate local associations. He also was President of NAIFA-Kansas and Treasurer of NAIFA-Colorado.

Many NAIFA members demonstrate exemplary leadership qualities and excel at building relationships, furthering their education, and adhereing to high standards of ethics in their personal and professional lives. If this sounds like a NAIFA colleague of yours, we encourage you to nominate them for the Kenneth Black, Jr. Leadership Award. The Society of Financial Service Professionals (now NAIFA's FSP community) established the Kenneth Black, Jr. Leadership Award in 2005 to differentiate one outstanding member each year who epitomizes FSP’s core values of education, ethics, and relationships.

Understanding what consumers expect from life insurance can help financial professionals create more meaningful conversations and better connect clients with solutions that meet their needs. The latest Insurance Barometer Study offers valuable insights into consumer attitudes toward life insurance, including the growing demand for education, customization and professional guidance.

NAIFA President-Elect John Wheeler, CFP, CLU, ChFC, CRPC, LUTCF, CLTC, LACP, CPFA, is a contributor in a recent issue of the CSA Journal, the publication of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. In the article, “Funding Solutions for the Longevity Economy—Financial Security for Longer Lives,” John shares why true financial planning goes far beyond investments or retirement income alone.

The Foundation for Financial Service Professionals announced the recipients of 14 Paul S. Mills Scholarships. This annual program provides need-based scholarships to students pursuing a degree in a financial service-related field.  

Four Eileen J. Prus and Edmund O. Ciske Jr.-designated Paul S. Mills Scholarships for $3,000 were awarded to Luckson Chigarire of The College of St. Scholastica, Kemoni Dunn of Florida A&M University, Tyler Kleinsasser of South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, and Brooklynn Robinson of Husson University. This special scholarship designation was established in 2025 through a generous gift from the estate of Eileen Prus, a dedicated, long-time member of the Society of Financial Service Professionals. Her enduring legacy will support the highest-scoring applicants each year.

Medicare professionals are navigating a rapidly changing environment. New regulations, carrier decisions, compensation uncertainty, and evolving client needs are reshaping how licensed professionals serve Americans preparing for and living in retirement. In this environment, advocacy, education, and collaboration are more important than ever.

Webinar: Monday, July 20, 2026 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET

Choosing the right insurance coverage can feel complicated, especially when comparing plan types, costs, eligibility requirements, and coverage features. NAIFA members have access to a range of insurance benefit options designed to help support their personal, family, and professional needs.

NAIFA will host “Overview of NAIFA Insurance Benefits,” featuring Becca Locke, Account Manager at Gallagher Affinity, and Jason Cleary, Regional Sales Director at Member Benefits, Inc. This webinar will walk attendees through the insurance products available through Gallagher Affinity and Member Benefits, Inc., including health insurance, long-term and short-term disability insurance, life insurance, dental, vision, and more.

NAIFA is pleased to collaborate with Mediaplanet on its newly released Women in Finance campaign, which highlights leaders and organizations working to expand opportunities for women across financial services.

For many business-owner clients, their company is their largest and most illiquid asset, making accurate valuation essential to estate, retirement, and succession planning. Without a clear understanding of what a business is worth, financial professionals may miss key planning gaps, liquidity risks, and opportunities to help clients protect and grow enterprise value.