LinkedIn Live: What’s Ahead for Retail Life Insurance 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 Chief Member Relations and Solutions Officer, LIMRA and LOMA

Sean Grindall, J.D.

Senior Vice President and Chief Member Relations and Solutions Officer, LIMRA and LOMA

Sean Grindall is Senior Vice President and Chief Member Relations and Solutions Officer at LIMRA and LOMA. In this role, he oversees member relations, professional development, industry solutions, marketing, and communications.

Grindall joined LIMRA and LOMA in 2025 after a distinguished 13-year tenure at USAA Life Insurance Company, where he served as Head of External Distribution, Head of Investment and Annuity Products, and Head of Enterprise Advice. With more than 30 years of experience in sales and product leadership, he began his career as an independent insurance agent, wholesaler, and sales manager before advancing to senior leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of PNC Bank’s Investments and Insurance Product Group.

He earned a bachelor’s degree with honors from the College of Wooster, a law degree from the New England School of Law, and completed the Securities Industry Institute program at the Wharton School of Business.