LinkedIn Live: Industry Insights with Bryan Hodgens — Workplace Benefits Face New Environment in 2026

Overview

Who Should Join

Anyone involved with the sale, administration, distribution, or implementation of workforce benefits.

Highlights

In recent years, the U.S. has experienced low unemployment and high wage increases, benefiting workers and compelling employers to develop competitive benefits packages to attract the best talent. In 2026, LIMRA research suggests the economic environment may change the dynamics a bit.

Join Bryan Hodgens, senior vice president and head of LIMRA Research, and Grace Rafferty, corporate vice president and head of LIMRA Workplace Benefits Research, as they explore how today’s market may impact workplace benefits sales and benefits strategies, and what the industry can do to improve engagement.

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.

Grace Rafferty

Corporate Vice President, Director of Workplace Benefits Research, LIMRA and LOMA

Grace Rafferty

Corporate Vice President, Director of Workplace Benefits Research, LIMRA and LOMA

With more than 25 years of strategic, creative, and actionable custom market research, both domestic and global, Rafferty joined LIMRA and LOMA in August 2025. In her role as workplace benefits research director, she develops the strategic vision and direction of the program and leads the team that implements it. Before joining LIMRA, Rafferty held research positions at Transamerica, Prudential, and most recently, Morgan Stanley. Rafferty has a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. John’s University in Jamaica, Queens.