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Artificial intelligence is no longer a side story or something “up and coming.” It is shaping market leadership, corporate strategy, and workflows within financial firms. That opens a real opportunity, but it also concentrates risk. The job for planners and portfolio managers is to harness the wave without letting a few names quietly drive all client outcomes.

Estate planning is essential for everyone, regardless of the size of the estate. Life insurance plays a crucial role in various aspects of estate planning, helping provide financial security to your loved ones. Here are 10 ways to use life insurance in estate planning for modest estates.

Social Security is a big topic. It’s fluid, misunderstood and has a huge impact on your clients’ retirement. Even with beneficial changes in Social Security that took place in December 2024 (specifically, a repeal expected to increase benefits for more than 3,000,000 retirees), the program remains a complex benefit full of irrevocable choices for clients. And the problem is that there is not a good source of answers.

When you pose a question to the Social Security Administration, they are trained to respond to that specific question and nothing else. Unfortunately, even when we seek out advice, clients don’t get the whole story or the answers that are important to their situation.

HR1 creates a solid window of opportunity for life-insurance strategies, NAIFA Trustee Andrew Rinn writes in an article published in Advisor Magazine. “After years of watching tax policy evolve and wondering what comes next, we now have a roadmap and a fresh window of opportunity – and life insurance is a big part of that,” Rinn writes.

NAIFA’s Investment, Retirement, Estate, and Advanced Planning Center (IREAP) hosted its first Impact Day webinar on Thursday, November 6, 2025, "Extraordinary Estate Planning for Ordinary People", which aimed to demystify the estate planning process and highlight its critical importance for everyone, regardless of age or asset level. Moderated by Mat Powers, the discussion featured experts Troy Branch and Andrew Rinn, who emphasized that planning is fundamentally about family and legacy, not just dollars and cents.

Are your clients concerned about their estates but think they don't have "enough" to need a plan? Is the topic confusing or overwhelming to them? Many people with modest assets mistakenly believe estate planning is only for the wealthy, leading to common (and costly) misunderstandings. Join the Investment, Retirement, Estate, and Advanced Planning Center for this informative Impact Day webinar, designed to demystify the process and provide practical steps to secure their future and protect their loved ones. We will focus on the essential components of a basic plan, so you can empower your clients to take control of their legacy, regardless of their current net worth.

“Despite having to navigate various macroeconomic, economic and social challenges, the US life insurance and retirement industry holds significant potential for growth”.

E&Y just published a continuation of a series analyzing the impacts and potential benefits of including insurance products in a retirement plan to help meet the savings and protection needs of consumers.

Markets entered 2025 trading on optimism. Though there was uncertainty due to the changes the new administration would bring, in the first few months, market clarity started to appear. Disinflation seemed on track and was decreasing, rate cuts were assumed inevitable, and AI-driven growth narratives gave investors reason to ignore fundamentals. But as summer winds down, the anticipated relief has yet to materialize. Interest rates remain high, valuations have stretched, and inflation is showing signs of life again.

The global investment landscape has undergone a profound transformation in the 21^st century, driven by the rise of retail investors. This shift has been driven by technological advancements, the democratization of financial information through social media, changing demographics, and a shift in cultural attitudes toward investing. While empowering individuals financially, this movement also brings notable challenges and implications for markets and society.