Inaugural event brings together producers, carriers, wholesalers, capital and platforms shaping the future of income and financial protection

WASHINGTON, D.C. (October 30, 2026) — At a time when record numbers of Americans are entering retirement and demand for financial protection and guaranteed income solutions continues to grow, leaders from across the life insurance and annuity industry will come together November 9–11 at The Venetian in Las Vegas for the inaugural ​Protectors Vegas, powered by NAIFA.​

Protectors, powered by NAIFA, is the largest event convening the life and annuity industry including the producers, carriers, wholesalers, capital and platforms shaping the future of income and financial security.

The event comes at a consequential time for the industry and the millions of Americans it serves. The United States is in the midst of the historic Peak 65 demographic shift, with more than 4.1 million Americans (more than 11,000 every day) reaching age 65 annually. Many are entering retirement without the traditional pensions that provided previous generations with predictable lifetime income, placing greater importance on retirement planning, protected income solutions and the guidance of financial professionals.

That demand is already reshaping the marketplace. According to LIMRA, U.S. retail annuity sales reached a record $464.1 billion in 2025, the fourth consecutive year of record sales. Momentum has continued in 2026 as consumers seek solutions that can provide income and protection throughout increasingly long retirements.

Life insurance also continues to play a fundamental role in Americans’ financial security. U.S. individual life insurance new annualized premium exceeded a record $17.5 billion in 2025, up 10% from the previous year, while the number of policies sold increased 7%, according to LIMRA. That growth continued into 2026, underscoring the enduring role of life insurance in protecting families, building financial resilience and supporting long-term financial plans.

“These are extraordinary times for our industry and for the consumers we serve,” said NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE. “Millions of Americans are asking some of the most important financial questions of their lives: How do I turn a lifetime of savings into income? How do I protect my family? How do I prepare for longevity and the possibility of long-term care? Protectors, powered by NAIFA, brings together the entire ecosystem working to answer those questions, from the professionals sitting across the table ​from carriers and distributors to advisors, technology providers, investors and the companies supporting the broader financial protection landscape and ​driving the next generation of solutions.”

​​​The most important conversations facing life and annuities don't happen within one lane, they happen at the intersections. Protectors will f​eature m​ore than​ 180 speakers​ ​and ​60 sessions across two and a half days ​to converge life, annuity and protection and ​examine  the forces transforming the industry​. The agenda​ includ​es sessions covering​ retirement income and Social Security, life insurance and annuity product innovation, long-term care, distribution, technology and artificial intelligence, regulatory and policy developments, and the changing expectations of consumers and financial professionals.

​​“NAIFA has represented insurance and financial professionals for more than 135 years, and our members are on the front lines helping American families and businesses achieve financial security,” Mayeux said. “​Protectors​ allows us to combine that deep industry connection with a proven large-scale event model. That is what ‘powered by NAIFA’ means: bringing our community, expertise and mission to an event designed to connect the entire life and annuity ecosystem.”​​​

​​​The inaugural event is the result of a partnership between the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (​NAIFA​) and Connectiv, the team behind major industry events including InsureTech Connect and Medicarians. The partnership combines Connectiv’s expertise in producing large-scale industry events with NAIFA’s community and deep connection to insurance and financial professionals across the country.​​

MEDIA AVAILABILITY

Kevin Mayeux, along with NAIFA President Christopher L. Gandy, LACP, 2027 President John Wheeler and other NAIFA leaders are available for interviews before and during the conference to discuss the state and future of the U.S. life insurance and annuity markets; Peak 65 and America’s growing retirement income challenge; the role of financial professionals in helping Americans create secure financial futures; trends in life insurance, annuities and long-term care; among other topics.

Members of the media attending Protectors may also request interviews on-site at The Venetian.

To arrange an interview, contact:
Sheila Owens, NAIFA, 571-405-4802, sowens@naifa.org
Mark Briscoe, NAIFA, mbriscoe@naifa.org

For conference information, programming and media registration, visit ProtectorsVegas.com.

ABOUT NAIFA

Founded in 1890, the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is the leading association for financial professionals in the United States. NAIFA members represent a full spectrum of practice specialties to promote financial security for all Americans. NAIFA empowers financial professionals and consumers through world-class advocacy and education.