Message From the CEO

Graduates of NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute have a deep appreciation for The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by renowned leadership authority Stephen Covey. They may be familiar with Covey’s quote, “If there’s one thing that’s certain in business, it’s uncertainty.” The same principle applies to life.

Transitions often amplify uncertainty, and among the most uncertain times for many is the transition into retirement. It has been widely reported that 2024 is the year of “peak 65” in the United States, as an average of 11,000 people reach the traditional retirement age of 65 each day. With more than half of peak 65ers owning investable assets of less than $100,000, according to the 2024 Protected Retirement Income and Planning (PRIP) by the Alliance for Lifetime Income (ALI), the unlikelihood of enjoying lasting financial wellbeing is a real concern for many. The 2024 Insurance Barometer Study by LIMRA and Life Happens, NAIFA’s consumer-education arm, confirms this conclusion, revealing that “having enough money for a comfortable retirement” is U.S. consumers’ leading financial concern, ranking even above worries about paying monthly bills and reducing debt.

The end of June brings a close to this year's National Annuity Awareness Month, but the work NAIFA has done has raised awareness that will last yearlong. We hope you saw our videos on social media featuring NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux and ACLI President and CEO Susan Neely. 

NAIFA is a proud member of the Coalition for Annuity Awareness, and CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE, has joined fellow association CEOs to celebrate and promote June as National Annuity Awareness Month. He contributed statements on NAIFA’s behalf to a video presentation and a press release put together by the coalition.

June is one of my favorite months of the year, and not just because summer weather is perfect for golfing. It’s also Annuity Awareness Month! Much of my work is dedicated to spreading the word about how annuities are a key part of an optimal retirement plan. I’ve been happy to see that annuities have been growing in popularity over the last few years. According to LIMRA, in 2020 alone, annuity sales totaled over $219 billion, with variable annuities being the most popular choice. I’m a fan of variable annuities myself, so I thought I’d take some time to look at some reasons why they’re such big sellers.

The National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) is the exclusive trade association solely dedicated to fixed annuities. NAFA has brought together industry leaders to spread awareness via the Coalitions for Annuity Awareness in celebration of Annuity Awareness Month. The Coalition is comprised of industry associations that serve consumers by educating them about annuity products. NAIFA recognizes the importance of NAFA’s mission to spread awareness on annuities, making the partnership between our two organizations a natural fit. NAIFA, like NAFA, understands the role annuities play in today’s market. The significance these products have on Americans in an environment that has enabled people to live healthier, longer lives are invaluable. NAFA has worked tirelessly for more than a decade to have the month of June be well-recognized and respected as an Annuity Awareness month, a vision that is now materialized via the Coalition of Annuity Awareness.

You still have a few days left this month to make the most of Annuity Awareness Month, currently under way.