The Hill's Top Lobbyists 2025 list highlights professionals who have significantly influenced politics and policy decisions this year. The list includes the Insured Retirement Institute's Wayne Chopus, John Jennings and Paul Richman.

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Annuity adoption will rise in 2026, driven by market volatility, demographic shifts and growing demand for guaranteed income, writes Rich Romano of FIDx. Technological advancements, such as insurance overlays and unified managed accounts, are making it easier for financial advisors to integrate annuities into retirement planning, potentially leading to greater operational efficiency and a more streamlined application process, Romano notes.

One of the biggest obstacles to Roth conversions is the psychological resistance many clients feel toward paying taxes upfront, writes Ed Slott. He encourages advisors to help clients see past the immediate tax impact and focus on the long-term financial benefits, emphasizing that Roth conversions are an investment in future tax savings. "IRAs are really IOUs to the IRS," Slott says.

The pension risk transfer market experienced mixed results in Q3, with single-premium buy-in sales surging 328% to $4.3 billion, while overall pension risk transfer sales dropped 32% year over year, according to LIMRA. The market has faced challenges such as market volatility, recession fears and litigation threats, leading to cautious de-risking by plan sponsors.

The House of Representatives has passed the Incentivizing New Ventures and Economic Strength Through Capital Formation Act, a package of over 20 bills that includes a number of measures supported by the Insured Retirement Institute. These include provisions to allow 403(b) retirement plans to invest in collective investment trusts, electronic delivery of Securities and Exchange Commission-required documents, and the creation of a task force aimed at protecting older investors from fraud.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee held a hearing on the future of retirement savings on Wednesday, debating Social Security reform, the expansion of early access to retirement plans, and the role of environmental, social and governance factors in investing. The committee also discussed the impact of private equity in retirement plans and the Department of Labor's fiduciary rule.

The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority has extended the deadline to Feb. 12 for the Securities and Exchange Commission to approve a proposal to increase the annual gift limit for registered persons to $300 from $100. The proposal is intended to account for inflation over the next decade.

Wealth transfer from baby boomers to younger generations presents an opportunity for advisors to bridge the financial confidence gap, writes Philip Caminiti of New York Life. Generation X faces pressures from supporting parents and children while lacking formal financial plans. Millennials are disciplined savers but struggle with debt and retirement confidence. Generation Z is cautious and relies on digital advice. Advisors can build trust by understanding these generational differences and offering tailored guidance, Caminiti writes.

Many clients, especially those who are older or have recently lost a spouse, may experience profound loneliness during the holidays, writes Bryce Sanders of Perceptive Business Solutions. Sanders recommends ways advisors can help ease this burden and spark joy, including organizing office open houses, attending gatherings together, gifting tickets to local performances and inviting clients to personal holiday dinners.

The Insured Retirement Institute's 2025 Retirement Security Blueprint includes 33 proposals to enhance and strengthen retirement security for more of America's workers and retirees. Access it here.

The Insured Retirement Institute's State of the Industry report is a members-only publication that includes annuity market data, operations and technology, and regulatory and legislative trends in 2024, as well as notable themes emerging in 2025. Access it here.