LinkedIn Live: Industry Insights with Bryan Hodgens — What’s Ahead for Retail Life and Annuity Sales in 2026?

Overview

Who Should Join

Anyone involved with the sale, administration, distribution, or implementation of life insurance and or annuities

Highlights

Retail life insurance and annuity sales are expected to set new records in 2025. Join Bryan Hodgens, senior vice president and head of LIMRA research, and Sean Grindall, senior vice president and head of Life and Annuities, LIMRA and LOMA, as they discuss the factors LIMRA expects to have the greatest impact in 2026 and share LIMRA’s forecasts on how the life insurance and annuity markets will perform.

Presenters

Bryan Hodgens, AIF

Senior Vice President, Head of Research, LIMRA and LOMA

Bryan Hodgens, AIF

Senior Vice President, Head of Research, LIMRA and LOMA

Bryan Hodgens is Senior Vice President and Head of Research for LIMRA and LOMA. In this capacity, he develops and executes the research strategy for both the distribution and retirement research programs, focused on providing insights and best practices to address the current and emerging business challenges facing LIMRA members.

Hodgens joined LIMRA in 2022 with more than 25 years of executive experience at companies such as AIG, Wells Fargo Advisors and Asset Growth Partners. Most recently, he was senior vice president and head of LPL Financials’ Retirement Plans and Financial Planning Group.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Emory University in Atlanta Georgia.

Sean Grindall, J.D.

Senior Vice President and Head of Insurance and Annuities – U.S. and Canada, LIMRA and LOMA

Sean Grindall, J.D.

Senior Vice President and Head of Insurance and Annuities – U.S. and Canada, LIMRA and LOMA

In 2025, Sean Grindall joined LIMRA and LOMA as senior vice president, and head of Life Insurance and Annuity — North America. In this role, he is responsible for member relations and business development for member companies in the insurance and annuity sectors. Prior to joining LIMRA and LOMA, Grindall served as vice president and head of external distribution of annuities, USAA Life Insurance Company and head of investment products at USAA Investment Management Company. Sean has held a variety of sales and product leadership roles for 30 years and began his career as an independent insurance agent and sales manager before leading PNC Bank Investments and Insurance Product Group as senior vice president.

Grindall holds a bachelor's degree with honors from the College of Wooster, a law degree from the New England School of Law and has completed the Securities Industry Institute through Wharton School of Business.