Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Tim Kaine, D-Va., have received the 2025 Federal Champion of Retirement Security Award from the Insured Retirement Institute for their work to improve retirement security for Americans. Cassidy and Kaine have sponsored the Helping Young Americans Save for Retirement Act and the Auto Reenroll Act, both of which are part of IRI's Retirement Security Blueprint.

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Half of Gen X respondents to a Nationwide study say the events of the past year have made them more likely to consider annuities or other guaranteed income products as part of their retirement portfolio. This shift reflects growing concerns about inflation, rising living costs and potential reductions in government benefits, with Gen X investors becoming increasingly anxious about their ability to retire comfortably.

Financial professionals play a pivotal role in preparing clients for the financial impact of cognitive decline by identifying early warning signs of money mismanagement, guiding clients through legal and estate planning, and structuring portfolios to include guaranteed income solutions like annuities, writes Corey Walther of Allianz Life Financial Services. "In the end, clients want to make sure that they have enough money to last their lifetime," Walther writes.

US annuity sales reached a record $121.2 billion in the third quarter, driven by independent broker-dealers and strong performance in registered index-linked annuities, according to LIMRA. Total sales rose 5% year over year, while RILA sales surged 20% to $20.7 billion. LIMRA projects annuity sales will surpass $450 billion this year, although it notes fixed annuity momentum could slow in 2026 due to anticipated interest-rate cuts.

Long-term care annuities are gaining popularity over traditional long-term care insurance because they minimize opportunity cost, writes Charlie Gipple of CG Financial Group. Gipple illustrates this with a scenario in which a retiree moves $200,000 from a savings account earning 3% interest into an LTC annuity with a 6% interest rate, resulting in significant long-term care benefits and flexibility.

The evolution of in-plan retirement income options is encouraging more retirees to keep their assets within 401(k) plans rather than roll them into IRAs, according to a report by PGIM's David Blanchett. "Today's DC plans offer features that can protect retirement outcomes for millions of Americans, especially as the in-plan retirement income space continues to evolve," Blanchett writes.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's 2026 Regulatory Oversight Report highlights the risks posed by inaccurate AI-generated information, which FINRA said will be a major focus during next year's exams. FINRA emphasizes the need for firms to supervise AI tools as rigorously as human employees, including documenting reviews and archiving AI outputs. The report also underscores rising cybersecurity threats, particularly those involving vendors, and ongoing challenges with Regulation Best Interest and Form CRS compliance.

Women are becoming a significant force in retirement planning, driven by increasing wealth, a forward-thinking attitude and longer life expectancy, writes Don Connelly. Advisors need to adapt by engaging women as primary decision-makers and building relationships based on inclusion and trust. Women are not a niche market; they are the market," Connelly writes.

Wealth management firms face a significant challenge as $124 trillion is set to transfer to younger generations over the next 20 years, according to Janus Henderson executives. A Capgemini survey indicates that 81% of next-generation millionaires plan to change wealth managers. To retain heirs, Janus Henderson suggests firms build diverse teams, establish trust early and embrace digital innovations.