NAIFA members from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., on Monday, May 18, for the 2026 Congressional Conference to advocate for their industry, their clients, and the financial security of Main Street America. The annual conference opened at the Capitol Hilton with a full day of policy briefings, advocacy training, and strategy sessions designed to prepare members for meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

“NAIFA's Congressional Conference is where conviction meets action, where relationships built over time become movements, and where grassroots advocacy comes alive,” NAIFA President Christopher L. Gandy told members in his opening remarks. “This is where we stop watching history and start writing it.” Gandy also introduced NAIFA’s new initiative, “NAIFA Cares,” a nationwide effort encouraging members to leverage 530A accounts (Trump Accounts) to help educate families about new savings opportunities for children and promote greater long-term financial security. 

“NAIFA’s comprehensive grassroots influence is what sets us apart,” NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE, said during his welcome remarks. “No other association of insurance and financial professionals brings as many advocates to Capitol Hill. No one else is meeting with lawmakers in their home districts with the same frequency and impact as NAIFA. Do you want to guess which organization already has hosted 27 state legislative days and counting this year? NAIFA!”

Throughout the day, attendees also heard from policy experts, industry leaders, and political insiders on the legislative and regulatory issues shaping the future of financial services. Brody Mullins spoke on navigating influence and policymaking in today’s political environment, while Punchbowl News reporter Brendan Pedersen moderated a panel discussion on the nation’s growing retirement challenges and the increasing need for financial guidance as America experiences the “Peak 65” retirement wave. The session featured Mayeux, Gandy, and Jill Kozeny, all of whom emphasized the critical role advisors play in helping consumers navigate retirement income, healthcare costs, and long-term financial security.

The conference also provided an opportunity to recognize Dan Scholz, CLU, ChFC, a Senior Financial Advisor with Ameritas Wealth Advisors-Omaha, as the 2026 recipient of NAIFA’s Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award. 

On Tuesday, conference attendees will take that advocacy directly to Capitol Hill to meet with members of Congress and their staffs. Among the priorities NAIFA members will discuss are H.R. 7187, Clarity for Compensation Act, HR 6324 Retirement Simplification and Clarity Act, and a public education campaign around long-term care.

As Mayeux noted, NAIFA’s advocacy legacy stretches back more than 135 years and members gathering in Washington this week are continuing that tradition by ensuring the voices of financial professionals and the families they serve are heard in the policymaking process.