“Nationwide is proud to continue its history of innovation in the annuity industry alongside our product development partner, Annexus, and our investment partner, Capital Group, the world’s largest global active investment manager. After delivering the first registered-index linked annuity (RILA) offering strategies linked to an actively managed fund, we’re excited to build on that momentum within our FIAs,” said Stacy LaiFook, vice president of Nationwide Annuity Business Development. “This expansion brings financial professionals and their clients new opportunities for growth potential within a risk-managed solution that offers 100% principal protection from market losses.”  

American Funds Growth Fund of America is an actively managed mutual fund that offers a flexible approach to growth investing. The fund seeks opportunities in traditional growth stocks as well as cyclical companies and turnaround situations with significant potential for growth of capital. Growth Fund of America distinguishes itself through Capital Group’s distinct multi-manager system, with a team of 12 portfolio managers averaging 26 years of experience.

Enhancements include two additional indices
Additionally, two more indexes are being added to the Nationwide New Heights Select suite: the S&P 500^® Distance Stabilizer Index³ and the GS American Funds^® GFA 15% Index.

• The S&P 500 Distance Stabilizer Index – developed in collaboration with Société Générale – dynamically adjusts its exposure to the S&P 500 without relying on fixed volatility targets, bonds or commodities, helping provide greater stability over time.
• The GS American Funds^® GFA 15% Index is based on the performance of The Growth Fund of America and applies a dynamic risk-adjustment overlay capping volatility at a level of 15%. An intraday trading strategy is designed to respond more quickly to changes in market volatility.

"Over 12 years of partnership with Nationwide, we have consistently pushed the boundaries to deliver more consumer value in Nationwide New Heights Select FIAs," said Ron Shurts, CEO and Co-Founder of Annexus. "These enhancements — including our continued collaborations with industry leaders Capital Group, Goldman Sachs, and S&P Dow Jones Indices — reflect our commitment to delivering first-to-market innovation and meaningful outcomes for advisors and their clients."

Additionally, Nationwide recently increased the compound, annual roll-up rate on the Nationwide High Point 365 Select Lifetime Income rider with Bonus from 9.5% to 10%⁴. With this change, Nationwide New Heights Select 8, 9, and 12 now offer the highest level of guaranteed lifetime income since their inception.

Financial professionals interested in Nationwide New Heights Select FIAs should contact their Nationwide wholesaler or Annexus-affiliated independent distribution company. Individual investors interested in learning more about the benefits of New Heights Select should contact their financial professional or visit www.nationwidenewheights.com. 

¹ American Funds Growth Fund of America – Class F-3 is not a market index. It is a mutual fund, and its index value reflects the mutual fund’s total return. If a mutual fund-linked index strategy is selected for investment, you will not be investing in the linked mutual fund. You will not be a shareholder or beneficial owner of the fund, and you will have no rights with respect to the fund.
² Based on research conducted on 8/14/2026 from Wink.
³ S&P 500 Distance Stabilizer TCA Index (USD) ER
⁴ 10% compound annual roll-up rate available on Nationwide New Heights Select 8, 9 and 12.

LIMRA’s mid-year Life Insurance Sales Survey shows a life industry that is continuing to grow, although at a slower pace than last year. Total U.S. individual life insurance new annualized with excess premium rose 3% year over year to $4.7 billion in the second quarter of 2026. The number of policies sold increased 8% in the second quarter, powered by whole life and variable universal life.

Holly Snyder, president of Nationwide Life Insurance, shared her perspective on the trends shaping industry performance and financial professional behavior in the first half of the year, as well as her outlook for the balance of the year.

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08/2026

The agreement extends to potential solutions. The same three proposals were ranked as the most popular approaches to strengthening Social Security among both Democrats and Republicans:

1. Increase taxes on higher earners to increase funding: 51% overall, including 56% of Democrats and 43% of Republicans
2. Increase funding through taxes paid by employers: 42% overall, including 44% of Democrats and 42% of Republicans
3. Reduce or eliminate benefits for individuals with incomes above a certain threshold: 38% overall, including 38% of Democrats and 37% of Republicans 
    

Americans expect action, but few are ready for it
More than three in five Americans (61%) believe the government is likely to make changes before Social Security benefits are reduced. Social Security is also becoming a major consideration at the ballot box, with 75% saying a candidate’s position on reform will be a major factor in how they vote in future elections.

Yet the expectation that changes are coming has not translated into clear financial plans: just 20% know how they would adjust their finances if benefits were reduced. This might be because Americans underestimate how soon the program could face funding constraints. On average, respondents believe depletion is 17 years away – in reality, the fund is projected to run out by the fourth quarter of 2032, according to the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report.

Among Americans without a clear financial plan, 45% say an announcement of specific government changes would prompt them to act. Waiting for that certainty, however, may leave households with less time to adjust their savings, retirement date or income strategy.

“Americans may agree that Social Security needs to change, but they can't afford to wait for what those changes could mean for their own retirement before they prepare,” said Kevin Jestice, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. “It’s impossible to know how lawmakers may act, but scenario planning can give people more time and flexibility to adjust their savings, income strategy and claiming decisions.”

Current beneficiaries are already making difficult tradeoffs
Future benefit reductions would compound pressures many Social Security recipients are already facing. Among current beneficiaries, 74% say they have changed their finances because rising living costs have outpaced their benefits.

The most common changes include cutting discretionary spending, such as travel or dining out (51%), reducing spending on essentials, including groceries and medications (38%), and relying more heavily on savings or retirement accounts (25%).

That financial strain, combined with widespread uncertainty about Social Security’s future, is pushing some Americans to make decisions based more on fear than on a full understanding of the long-term tradeoffs. For example, 51% of Americans say they have filed or plan to file for Social Security as early as possible to ensure they receive something before the program changes or runs short of funds. In most cases, though, filing before full retirement age generally results in a permanently lower monthly benefit, which can have lasting consequences for retirement income.

Financial professionals can help prepare Americans for different outcomes
That is where informed guidance from a financial professional can make a meaningful difference. Survey respondents who work with a financial professional were nearly four times as likely to have a clear plan for reduced Social Security benefits – 39% compared with 10% of those who do not.

Americans are also looking for help with the complexities surrounding Social Security. Nearly eight in 10 (79%) are interested in learning from a financial professional about how their benefits will be taxed in retirement.

“Decisions about when to claim Social Security can affect a person’s income for the rest of retirement, so they should not be driven by fear or headlines alone,” Jestice said. “A financial professional can help individuals assess filing age, taxes, income sources such as their employer sponsored retirement plan savings, and possible benefit changes within the context of their broader retirement plan.”

Nationwide offers a variety of resources to help. The full 2026 SurveyResults can help financial professionals focus client conversations where it matters most. Additional resources to support planning conversations can be found at Nationwide.com/SimplifySocialSecurity. View an infographic on this new data or a recent blog from Kevin Jestice. 

Methodology
The 2026 Social Security survey was conducted online in the U.S. by The Harris Poll on behalf of Nationwide among 1,823 adults age 18+ who currently receive or expect to receive Social Security (“national sample”), including 300 Gen Z (age 18-29), 512 Millennials (age 30-45), 511 Gen Xers (age 46-61), and 500 Boomers+ (age 62+) and an additional oversample of 60–65-year-olds (n=464) The survey was conducted May 11-June 4, 2026.

Data for the generations and 60–65-year-olds are weighted where necessary by age by gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status (not included for Gen Z), household size, household income, and political affiliation to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. To ensure the national sample was representative, the data were initially weighted by generation (Gen Z 18-29, Millennials 30-45, Gen Xers 46-61, and Boomers+ 62+) and then combined into a total age 18+ group and 30+ group to preserve trending.

To preserve trending data for the 50+ are weighted separately where necessary by age by gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, household income, retirement status, and political affiliation to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population. Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data for 60-65 is accurate to within ± 6.11 percentage points, the sample data for 50+ is accurate to within ± 4.32 percentage points, the sample data for 18+ is accurate to within ± 2.34 percentage points, the sample data for 30+ is accurate to within ± 2.56 percentage points all using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including, but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey weighting and adjustments.

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 and is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas: building a twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

Best Traditional Variable Annuities
Monument Advisor® and Nationwide Advisory Retirement Income Annuity® (NARIA®) earned top spots in Barron’s Best Traditional Variable Annuities for Tax-Deferred Savings category. This recognition reinforces Nationwide’s leadership and depth in the Advisory market, where its fee-based annuity platform continues to stand out for delivering competitive, advisor-focused solutions that support tax-deferred growth, investment flexibility and retirement income planning. The publication calculated the rankings by comparing annuities used for accumulating assets on a tax-deferred basis and invested in underlying mutual fund-like subaccounts. Barron’s analyzed features like annual contract fees, average subaccount expenses, surrender charges, total options and five-year annual returns.

Best Variable Annuity Income Guarantees
Barron’s also recognized Nationwide Destination® Navigator 2.0 with the Nationwide Lifetime Income Rider+® Core (Nationwide L.inc+® Core) in the Best Variable Annuity Income Guarantees category. The product’s key strength is its ability to pair investment flexibility with guaranteed lifetime income, helping clients create protected retirement income while maintaining exposure to market-based growth opportunities. The publication selected products on this list based on those who offered the highest payout for contracts with no more than a seven-year surrender period.

Best Annuities for Guaranteed Income
Additionally, Nationwide’s single premium income annuities (SPIAs) ranked among the top products in the Best Annuities for Guaranteed Income category, demonstrating how immediate annuities have evolved beyond simple income guarantees. In addition to converting retirement assets into lifetime income, the product offers features that support broader retirement and estate-planning objectives. For example, flexible payout and beneficiary options can help clients balance income security with legacy goals, while liquidity provisions provide flexibility not commonly associated with traditional SPIAs. Barron’s determined rankings in this category by comparing annual income for life, annual payout rate and total income by age 90.

“Today’s volatile economic landscape can create uncertainty for investors, but it’s also highlighting the power of protection, predictability and long-term planning,” said Kush Kotecha, president of Nationwide Annuity. “Annuities’ combination of tax-deferred accumulation, income guarantees and protection from market uncertainty are resonating with investors, helping them stay focused on their long-term goals and creating financial resilience as interest rates and market dynamics continue to shift.”

Nationwide is a top 10 seller of annuity products in the United States¹, offering advisors and their clients a range of solutions to support accumulation, income and long-term retirement planning goals. Learn more about Nationwide annuities at https://www.nationwide.com/personal/investing/annuities/.

¹ LIMRA U.S. Individual Annuity Sales Survey, 1Q 2026
Guarantees and protections are subject to the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company.

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07/2026

• While three quarters of non-retired investors are concerned about a recession, a growing number are planning to take advantage of investment opportunities now
• This mix of action and anxiety creates risk for three in ten non-retired investors who do not have a strategy in place to protect against market volatility
• Advisors are leaning into protection solutions to balance clients’ growth and risk management needs

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Inflation and market volatility have created one of the most complex financial environments in recent memory, causing more than three in four (77%) non-retired investors to be concerned about a U.S. economic recession over the next 12 months. However, recent data from the Nationwide Retirement Institute reveals that rather than retreating, a growing number of Americans are leaning in.

The study shows a notable shift from caution to action, with investor activity at some of the highest levels tracked across the study. One in three (33%) non-retired investors say they will change their retirement savings approach over the next 12 months by planning to take advantage of investment opportunities now, up from 21% in the summer of 2024. More than one in five (22%) say they plan to manage their investments more aggressively, up from 16% in 2024.

The data also shows an emerging sense of stabilization in retirement planning, even as concerns remain elevated. Just 15% of non-retired investors say they plan to retire later than planned, down from a peak of 22% in 2024. The number of investors who don't know if they will ever be able to retire (11%) is down from a high of 16% in 2024.

"Investment markets reached all-time highs this summer in the face of elevated volatility, reflecting a shift in how investors are interpreting uncertainty. Rather than viewing volatility as a signal to step aside, many may be viewing it as an opportunity to be offensive versus the historic instinct to turn defensive,” said Mark Hackett, chief market strategist for Nationwide’s Investment Management Group. “We're seeing them use these periods of volatility to rebalance, diversify and position themselves for future growth, recognizing that participation, not timing, is often the key driver of long-term outcomes.”

Many Investors Still Lack a Plan
Even as investors show increased confidence and a growing willingness to take action in a volatile environment, many still do not have formal strategies in place to protect their retirement savings.

Nearly three in ten (29%) non-retired investors say they do not currently have a strategy in place to protect their assets against market risk, and one in ten (10%) non-retired investors say they are not sure if they do, pointing to a need for clearer and more frequent conversations between advisors and clients about what is actually in place.

Advisors are leaning into protection solutions
Advisors who say they have a market risk protection strategy in place for their clients are evolving their use of retirement solutions in line with the current environment. Six in ten (60%) advisors say the events of the last 12 months have made them more likely to recommend a guaranteed income solution as part of a client’s portfolio. Use of registered index-linked annuities (RILAs) among advisors with a market risk protection strategy has grown from 39% in the summer of 2023 to 52% in 2026, a 13 percentage-point increase over three years.

Data suggests that advisor momentum toward guaranteed income solutions is meeting a receptive audience with clients. More than half (57%) of non-retired investors say recent events have made them more likely to put part of their portfolio in an annuity or other guaranteed income solution.

Advisors are also tracking a number of potential threats to clients’ long-term plans. Nearly a quarter (24%) say the cost of healthcare is among the most immediate challenges to their clients' retirement portfolios. They’re also tracking systemic risks to the programs and policies clients have long planned around. More than half (55%) of advisors say they believe Social Security or Medicare funding will be reduced, with 40% specifically citing Social Security solvency as a concern. Additionally, nearly three in five (58%) advisors expect the future tax burden for clients to increase. 

"Advisors can play a critical role in helping clients balance growth and protection by building strategies that don't force an either-or decision," said Brad Carrier, vice president of Nationwide Annuity Distribution. "Through asset allocation, diversification and the use of solutions like annuities that incorporate downside protection, advisors can help clients stay invested during periods of volatility while managing the emotional and financial risks that sometimes lead to hasty decisions."

For more insights on this survey data, see our infographic.

This material is not a recommendation to buy or sell a financial product or to adopt an investment strategy. Investors should discuss their specific situation with their financial professional.

Nationwide's Retirement Institute survey, formerly known as the Nationwide Advisor Authority survey, explores critical issues confronting advisors, financial professionals and individual investors, and the innovative techniques that they need to succeed in today's complex market.

About Nationwide Retirement Institute Survey: Methodology
The Harris Poll, on behalf of Nationwide, conducted an online survey in the U. S. among 528 Advisors and Financial Professionals and 2,012 investors ages 18+ with investable assets (IA) of $10K+, from January 15-February 6, 2026. Among the investors, there were 1,411 non-retired investors and 691 retired investors.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data for advisors is accurate to within ± 4.3 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For investors data is accurate to within ± 2.9 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.  For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact news@nationwide.com.

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions has named Barbie Walsh to lead its combined Institutional and Consultant Relationship teams.

In her expanded role, Walsh will oversee both teams and help advance the company’s strategy across government and corporate institutional markets. She will report to Brenda Casey Anderson, associate vice president, Strategic Relationship Management, Retirement Solutions Distribution.

“Barbie has consistently demonstrated the leadership, market insight and relationship focus needed to help us serve clients and consultants at the highest level,” said Brenda Casey Anderson, associate vice president, Strategic Relationship Management, Retirement Solutions Distribution. “She brings deep retirement industry experience and a strong history of leading teams through growth and change. I am confident Barbie will help strengthen how we serve the market, deepen relationships across government and corporate institutional segments, and continue positioning our business for long-term success.”

Walsh previously led Institutional Markets and most recently had been serving as interim leader of the Consultant Relationships team.

She brings 27 years of experience in the retirement plans industry spanning operations, relationship management and leadership. Walsh joined Nationwide five years ago to help serve and grow the company’s institutional client base. In her prior role as Institutional Relationship Director, she led some of Nationwide’s largest institutional and ERISA-qualified client relationships and helped shape the company’s institutional service strategy.

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The Nationwide Financial Growth & Protection Index, which measures how consumers balance financial growth and financial protection, scored Americans at 54 on a 100-point scale, indicating consumers are slightly more protection-oriented than growth-oriented overall. That shift is reflected in how Americans now view financial success: 84% say the American Dream is now more about financial stability than building wealth, while the same percentage believe it is harder to get ahead financially than it was for previous generations.

For many Americans, this mindset is shaped by the pressures of everyday financial life. Nearly seven in 10 consumers (68%) reduced spending over the past year to improve their financial situation, while 45% dipped into savings to cover essential expenses. Three-quarters (75%) say their primary financial focus is covering basic expenses, and 74% say they are simply trying to stay financially afloat, suggesting many Americans are making financial decisions from a place of protection rather than ambition.

Together, the findings suggest Americans are not abandoning financial ambition, but they are making decisions from a more defensive position — focused first on protecting their households, preserving progress and avoiding setbacks.

"Financial progress still matters to Americans, but the path to achieving it has changed," said Craig Hawley, President and COO of Nationwide Financial. "People still want to build wealth, but today's environment has made financial stability and resilience just as important. Protecting what you've worked hard to build has become a critical part of achieving long-term financial success."

Optimism Outpaces Preparation
Despite today's financial pressures, Americans remain optimistic about their future. Seven in 10 consumers (70%) believe they can significantly improve their financial situation over the next five years, while nearly six in 10 (59%) expect their income to increase meaningfully over time.

However, many have yet to take steps to protect the financial future they expect. Just 30% have taken steps to protect against income loss due to illness or injury, and more than one-quarter (27%) say they would not be financially protected at all if their household's primary income earner could no longer work. The findings point to a growing gap between consumers' financial aspirations and the safeguards they have in place to protect them.

That disconnect is especially evident when it comes to retirement planning. More than eight in 10 consumers (81%) say they would prefer a guaranteed, predictable retirement income stream over higher-growth investments, yet only 24% currently have products or strategies designed to reduce market risk in retirement.

As Americans increasingly define financial success through the lens of stability, the findings suggest many are still looking for practical ways to translate that priority into a long-term strategy.

Helping Americans Balance Growth and Protection
The Index also points to an opportunity for financial guidance that reflects how consumers are thinking about their financial futures. Nearly three-quarters of consumers (74%) say they would be more likely to work with a financial advisor who could help protect them financially.

Employer-sponsored retirement plans remain the most common retirement savings vehicle among Americans, creating an important opportunity for retirement planning professionals, including financial advisors and those supporting workplace retirement plans, to help workers build strategies that support long-term growth while preparing for unexpected challenges.

"Our findings suggest retirement planning is entering a new chapter," said Hawley. "Building wealth remains essential, but consumers also want confidence that their savings can support them through market volatility, longer lifespans and life's unexpected challenges. That creates an opportunity for financial advisors and workplace retirement plans to bring growth and protection together in a way that better reflects how Americans are preparing for retirement today."

To learn more about the first-ever Nationwide Financial Growth & Protection Index, view an infographic, review the data or view a blog post from Craig Hawley.

Methodology
The Nationwide Financial Growth & Protection Index research was conducted online in the United States among 2,000 adults age 22 and older. The survey was fielded May 1–14, 2026. Respondents were nationally representative by age, gender, race/ethnicity, region, employment status and income level. The Index measures how consumers balance financial growth and financial protection by evaluating responses across three dimensions: mindset, actions and confidence. Individual pillar scores were weighted and combined to produce an overall Index score ranging from 0 to 100, with lower scores indicating a stronger growth orientation and higher scores indicating a stronger protection orientation.

Nationwide’s head of Institutional Life Insurance (ILI), Jessica Dowdy, has announced that Justin Lee will lead the unit’s Product Strategy and Delivery team. In this role, Lee is responsible for ensuring Nationwide’s Institutional Life Insurance business delivers strong results by developing, designing and actively managing solutions, including corporate-owned life insurance (COLI) and bank-owned life insurance (BOLI) products.

Lee brings nearly 25 years of experience in the financial services industry to the role. Since joining Nationwide in 2002, he has become known for his ability to turn strategy into action, align stakeholders and deliver results that drive sustainable, profitable growth.

Most recently, Lee served as a senior associate vice president on the Nationwide Financial Finance team, where he was responsible for supporting the ILI team. He successfully oversaw the development of key products and features that improved the partner and customer experience, including clearer experience-based pricing and asset-based fee structures that better aligned to account size. Prior to this role, Lee held several key leadership positions supporting the pricing and product development strategy for ILI’s COLI and BOLI products.  

“Justin is a strong leader who brings a combination of industry expertise, strategic vision and operational excellence to this role,” Dowdy said. “I am confident that with the addition of Justin’s leadership, the ILI team will continue to build on its successes and strong performance across the industry.”  

Lee holds a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science from The Ohio State University. He is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

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07/2026

One year after Nationwide acquired Allstate Benefits’ self-funded program and stop loss plans, the team –  now referred to as Nationwide Group Benefits – is celebrating this milestone by reflecting on strides it has made helping businesses and employees feel valued and secure, while building momentum for the future.

Officially established in July 2025, Group Benefits now protects more than three million lives through a portfolio that includes employee benefits like accident, life, dental, critical illness, disability, vision and hospital indemnity; pet insurance; and stop loss insurance. Stop loss protects employers who self-fund their health insurance plans from excess losses.

“We’ve been through a tremendous year of growth that’s been nothing short of transformational,” said Lindsey Murray, president of Nationwide Group Benefits. “Nationwide’s existing stop loss and supplemental health teams, the former Allstate Benefits team and Nationwide Pet came together to combine our unique strengths for greater impact, delivering extraordinary care to our partners and clients in the process.”

Bringing the three businesses together under one team created opportunities to share best practices across pricing, product development and claims, helping streamline services and operations over the past year. Additionally, all teams work with benefits brokers who deliver protection solutions to employers and their employees, so they were able to quickly recognize and leverage new synergies to better position the team for success.

Now, the team is building on that momentum to establish a strong foundation for future growth. As Nationwide Group Benefits continues on its journey to unify its distinct businesses, it is growing market share by deepening partnerships and diversifying its portfolio of solutions to enable sustainable, profitable growth for the future.

“Nationwide is a leader in the stop loss and pet industries, but we want to expand that success even deeper into the employee benefits space,” Murray said. “We are focused on strengthening our presence in our current markets and expanding our suite of benefit solutions through more diversified sales, helping protect the employers we serve while making a meaningful difference for their people.”

Visit Group Health for more information and resources on Nationwide’s self-funded and stop loss programs, Nationwide Pet Insurance for information on pet insurance and Employee Benefits for information on the benefits Nationwide offers employers.  

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06/2026

According to Nationwide Retirement Institute’s 2026 Long-Term Care survey, Americans are more likely to say they would be concerned about not having someone to advocate for them if they were facing LTC needs alone (84%) than they are to worry about affording care itself if they were living alone (71%). They are similarly concerned about not having help coordinating care (81%) and receiving lower-quality care (81%) if they were living alone.

The findings suggest that many Americans are starting to view long-term care as more than a financial consideration, shaped by questions about caregiving, advocacy, and who will help navigate difficult healthcare decisions later in life.

“Americans are realizing that long-term care planning is about far more than finances,” said Holly Snyder, president of Nationwide’s life insurance business. “People want to age with dignity, maintain their independence and know someone they trust will be there to help make decisions on their behalf. The challenge is that many families haven’t had those conversations or made those plans.”

Most Americans envision receiving care in familiar surroundings rather than in a facility. Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they would prefer to receive LTC in their own home or a loved one’s home, and many expect to rely on their partner (50%) or children (40%) to provide care.

But few have taken steps to make that preference a reality. Among those who prefer to receive care at home:

• Just 37% have created a savings or investment plan to cover LTC expenses
• Only 27% have identified who their future caregivers may be
• Less than one quarter (22%) have modified their homes to support aging in place.

The disconnect highlights a growing gap between how Americans want to age and how prepared they are to do so.

Caregiving Changes How Americans Think About Their Own Futures

For many Americans, the realities of long-term care only become clear after stepping into the role of caregiver themselves. Caregivers report spending an average of 22 hours each week providing care – the equivalent of a part-time job – and an average of $382 per month in non-reimbursed expenses, including transportation, prescriptions and household needs. Among primary decision-makers for LTC, those expenses rise to $445 per month.

The financial pressure is especially intense among Millennials, many of whom are simultaneously supporting children, aging parents, and their own career ambitions.

Among Millennial caregivers:

• Nearly three-quarters (73%) said they are willing to take a loan from their retirement account to provide care for a family member
• Near six in 10 (59%) believe caregiving responsibilities will likely use up money originally intended for their children (e.g., education, inheritance)
• Almost the same amount (58%) fear caregiving expenses will keep them from ever retiring

The silver lining? Caregiving often becomes a wake-up call that motivates Americans to prepare for their own future care needs. Caregivers are significantly more likely than non-caregivers to say they are knowledgeable about LTC (82% vs. 59%), have identified their future caregivers (34% vs. 20%), and have created a savings or investment plan for future care costs (40% vs. 31%).

Financial Advisors Can Help Families Turn Anxiety Into Action

Among those who have served as caregivers, 90% say it would have been valuable to discuss who would provide long-term care before a need arises, while 92% say clear conversations about how to pay for care would have helped.

Yet despite recognizing the importance of planning, many Americans are still delaying conversations about caregiving responsibilities, care preferences and future care costs. As a result, families often find themselves making complex financial and healthcare decisions during a crisis rather than preparing for them in advance.

One factor that helps families move from awareness to action is working with a financial advisor. The survey found that people who work with an advisor are more knowledgeable about LTC compared to those without an advisor (84% vs. 62%). They are also more likely to have already identified future caregivers (39% vs. 18%) and discussed care costs with family members (72% vs. 51%).

“Too often, families wait until a health event or caregiving crisis forces these conversations,” Snyder said. “Having a plan in place can help people protect their finances, reduce stress on loved ones and create more confidence about how they want to age and receive care. Whether that means preparing financially, documenting care preferences or identifying who can step in as an advocate, taking action earlier can make a meaningful difference for families navigating LTC decisions.”

To learn more about the 2026 Nationwide Retirement Institute Long-term Care survey, visit nationwide.com/SimplifyLTC and click here to read Snyder’s blog.

Methodology

The research was conducted online in the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Nationwide among 1,208 adults aged 30+ who were the primary or shared financial decision-makers for their household. Respondents also had a household income of $75K+. The survey was conducted April 11-29, 2026.

Data are weighted where necessary by age by gender, race/ethnicity, region, education, marital status, household size, household income, and political party affiliation to bring them in line with their actual proportions in the population.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within ± 3.9 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.

All sample surveys and polls, whether or not they use probability sampling, are subject to other multiple sources of error which are most often not possible to quantify or estimate, including, but not limited to coverage error, error associated with nonresponse, error associated with question wording and response options, and post-survey.

About The Harris Poll

The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S. tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 and is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas; building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

Annuities remain in demand as investors look for protected growth opportunities and guaranteed retirement income, with first quarter industry sales reaching $107.4 billion, according to LIMRA’s U.S. Individual Annuity Sales Survey. Kush Kotecha, president of Nationwide Annuity, expects demand to remain strong through 2026, fueled by economic conditions, product innovation and investor demographics. As we mark National Annuity Awareness Month (NAAM) this June, Kotecha shares  thoughts on how advisors can continue to position the value of annuities with clients and how carriers  can help improve the sales and service experience.

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05/2026

Nationwide’s Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) team has won a national award for an outstanding transaction in the PRT market. InsuranceERM, a news outlet focused on insurance risk and capital management, named Nationwide a winner in its 2026 Americas Awards. Nationwide earned top honors in the PRT Deal of the Year category for its work on a highly complex transaction.  

The InsuranceERM Americas Awards recognize individuals, teams and companies that exceed client expectations and advance insurance risk and capital management. The program highlights leading work in risk management, actuarial and risk modeling practices, along with standout service and technology providers across the U.S.

“Being named a 2026 InsuranceERM Americas Award winner for our work validates our efforts to meet the evolving needs of the PRT marketplace,” said Paula Cole, head of Nationwide PRT. “Our experience in the industry, flexible solutions and extraordinary care that lasts beyond the transition are helping set us apart in a competitive and fast-growing market.”

Nationwide completed the award-winning transaction on an exceptionally compressed timeline and delivered a single, integrated solution for all participants, including administration that could seamlessly support Puerto Rico benefits alongside those in all 50 U.S. states. When the broker initially began searching for the unique PRT product needed for this case, they only found two carriers in the industry who could meet the client’s needs. At the time, Nationwide was not one of them – but the team quickly jumped into action.

To participate, Nationwide worked in close coordination with multiple internal teams and the broker to successfully bring the unique PRT product to life. That effort enabled the team to meet the plan sponsor’s goal of completing the transaction cleanly and confidently while maintaining continuity for participants.

“This transaction reflects Nationwide’s ability to deliver certainty under pressure,” Cole said. “Operational readiness, governance and participant-focused administration mattered more than price for this plan sponsor, and our team moved with precision and speed to respond. We’re honored that InsuranceERM recognized the outstanding work we’re doing together.”

Visit nationwide.com to learn more about the product and services Nationwide offers to help plan sponsors de-risk pension obligations.

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06/2026

“This agreement represents a tremendous opportunity to put our strong capital position to work and grow our life insurance business, which was designated the third largest writer of life insurance in 2025,” said Kirt Walker, CEO of Nationwide. "Bringing together two strong brands allows us to protect more Americans with life insurance.”

MassMutual will continue to administer these policies and remain the point of contact for policyowners.

“This deal marks a continued step forward for our life insurance business, which has established itself as a strong and stable industry leader with a deep portfolio of protection solutions,” said Craig Hawley, president of Nationwide Financial. 

Sidley Austin LLP served as Nationwide's legal counsel on the transaction.

Joel Carnes, president of Nationwide pet insurance, has announced that Andee Gravitt will be the company’s new leader of pet insurance sales. Gravitt will report to Carnes, effective June 8. 

“Andee has a proven track record of success delivering profitable, long-term revenue and growth, and leading strategic sales and relationship teams across large B2B companies,” Carnes said. “She understands how to navigate complex client environments with confidence, clarity and collaboration.”

Most recently, Gravitt served as AVP of Institutional Consultant Relations for Nationwide Retirement Solutions (RS), the company’s employer-sponsored retirement plan business, where she led national strategy for consultant engagement. During her nine years with RS, she was responsible for some of the company’s largest plans in the western United States and helped build the company’s Consultant Relationships team. Her leadership strategy strengthened consultant partnerships across the national network, helped retain and win business and expand the sales pipeline.

“Andee is widely recognized as a trusted partner to clients and colleagues alike, known for her calm, solutions-oriented leadership and her ability to align diverse teams around shared goals,” Carnes said. “As we continue to evolve our sales organization, Andee’s experience in driving sustainable growth, deepening client relationships, and strengthening market position will be instrumental in positioning us for rapid growth.”

Gravitt is a proud pet parent of an energetic Red Merle Australian Shepherd, River, who brings constant movement and personality to the household.

About Nationwide pet insurance
With more than 1 million actively insured pets, Nationwide is the first and one of the largest providers of pet insurance in the United States. Nationwide pet insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Policies are sold direct-to-consumer and through workplace voluntary benefits programs. For more information about Nationwide pet insurance, visit petinsurance.com.

Nationwide serves as recordkeeper for California Savings Plus and New York State Deferred Compensation Plan (NYSDCP), both of which were Top 3 finalists for 2026 Plan Sponsor of the Year in the Government DC>$1B category.

California Savings Plus was recognized for its sweeping modernization effort and investment lineup reforms that save participants more than $24 million annually in fees.

NYSDCP’s nomination stood out for the scale and precision of its major fund lineup review and a $16.3 billion transition affecting 175,000 accounts with no reported downtime or incidents.

Also during the awards program, Nationwide Retirement Solutions associates Lauren Kime, Zack Sharp and Jake Sours were honored as 2026 PLANSPONSOR Service Stars. The Service Stars program recognizes retirement plan account representatives and relationship managers who, according to their plan sponsor clients, have demonstrated exemplary service.

“Congratulations to California Savings Plus, NYSDCP and our Service Star associates Lauren, Zack and Jake on earning these prestigious industry recognitions,” said Kevin Jestice, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. “All of these honors reflect our collective dedication, innovation and participant-first focus to help drive stronger retirement outcomes every day.”

Nationwide Retirement Solutions is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer¹. Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)² with an average tenure of 29 years¹. The company also continues to maintain significant presence in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer.

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement. The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions, and lifetime income options.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants. 

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¹ Nationwide Financial (Dec 31, 2025)
² PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

This unease is widespread. A majority of women investors (77%) say they are concerned about a U.S. economic recession, and that anxiety appears to be shaping how many are viewing their own future. While about four in 10 say they are on track to retire about the same time as planned, 14% say they do not know whether they will ever be able to retire, according to Nationwide’s survey.

Perhaps even more alarming, despite their concerns about volatility impacting their ability to retire, many women investors do not have a formal plan to protect themselves against market turbulence. One-third (33%) said they do not have a strategy in place to protect their assets against market risk, while another 14% said they are not aware if they have a market risk strategy at all.

“The need for financial advice is clear,” said Suzanne Ricklin, senior vice president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions Distribution. “Women investors are navigating uncertain markets against a unique backdrop of challenges specific to them and many are doing it without a clear plan in place.”

The good news? Women are open to working with an advisor, with 34% saying they prefer to work with an advisor to help guide their financial planning. But the advisor relationship is not always working as it should. Nearly three in 10 (29%) women investors with an advisor say they have experienced ‘mansplaining’ – explanations delivered in a way that feels condescending rather than helpful.

“I believe advisors have good intentions when they are trying to break down financial topics with their female clients, but it’s important for women to speak up if they feel those explanations are not providing the information and approach they need,” said Ricklin. “Our survey makes it clear that women don’t want to be talked at, they want to engage in a discussion. Seek out an advisor who creates a non-judgmental space for you to ask questions and address your concerns.”

Ricklin shared five things women should look for in a financial professional:

1. Listens first, advises second: Seek out an advisor who asks thoughtful questions about your life, priorities and values before offering recommendations. You should feel heard and understood.

2. Communicates clearly: A good advisor should explain strategies in easy to understand language, use examples when helpful and welcomes questions.

3. Takes a holistic view: Women’s financial lives may include caregiving responsibilities, career breaks and longer lifespans, so planning should extend beyond investments alone.  

4. Respects your comfort with risk: Your comfort level matters as much as your potential returns. Your advisor should help build a strategy that reflects both your goals and your ability to stay confident during market swings.

5. Treats planning as a collaboration: The best advisor relationships are partnerships that leave women feeling informed, empowered and involved in decisions.  

“A great way to identify an advisor who is skilled at serving women clients is to talk to your female family and friends who currently work with one,” Ricklin said. “A referral from someone you trust can be a great place to start. Their experience is a great way to understand what to expect before you invest your time and money in a new advisory relationship.”

Need to connect with a financial professional? Nationwide has a team of specialists ready to listen and learn about your unique insurance and financial needs.

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Nearly all (95%) women investors with advisors agree their advisor treats them with the same respect as male investors, including over two-thirds (68%) who strongly agree. Even so, there is room for advisors to grow when it comes to how that respect shows up in everyday conversations. Three in 10 (29%) women investors with advisors say their advisor sometimes ‘mansplains’ concepts to them in a way they don’t always appreciate.

Women investors are not questioning whether their advisor cares. Rather, they are signaling where there is an opportunity to communicate better. About one in three (34%) women investors say they find their advisor condescending when explaining recommendations or responding to questions. About the same amount (32%) say their advisor assumes they know less about finances than they actually do.

“I believe advisors have the best intentions when they are trying to break down financial topics with their women clients, however it’s important to recognize that what may be intended as a helpful explanation can land as dismissive or condescending,” said Suzanne Ricklin, senior vice president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions Distribution. “Our survey makes it clear many women investors don’t want to be talked at, they want to engage in a discussion and have a conversation around their needs. Advisors should ask thoughtful questions to get to the root of their client's needs, do the research to be well-versed in the unique issues women are facing and listen to understand each client's unique goals and perspectives. When advisors shift their emphasis from explaining to asking questions and listening to what is most important to their women clients, they can build stronger relationships and more aligned goals.”

Women investors seek education amid uneasy macro outlook
The need for financial guidance feels as urgent as ever for women investors. Navigating a distinct set of financial pressures, many are looking ahead with a mix of determination and unease, and with a clear appetite for support.

That unease is grounded in real economic and retirement worries. A clear majority (77%) of women investors are concerned about a U.S. economic recession. Only four in 10 (39%) non-retired women investors say they are on track to retire about the same time as they previously planned, while more than one in 10 (14%) don’t know if they’ll ever be able to retire.

What women investors do know is what kind of help they are looking for. Their preferences point to a consistent theme: they want to be active participants in their financial planning, not passive recipients of advice:

• More than two in five (44%) women investors prefer to fully understand their options before making decisions.
• 34% of women investors prefer to work with a financial professional to guide their financial planning.
• 21% of women investors seek out educational resources to help them understand financial strategies.

“Women told us they want clarity and context. Advisors can put that into action by taking time to fully lay out options and inviting questions during conversations,” Ricklin said. “By encouraging open dialogue about what is important to them, you’ll ensure your women clients’ priorities are being heard and addressed.”

Women advisors are leading the way with tailored service
Women advisors are approaching women clients differently than their male peers. When taken together, nearly all (99%) women advisors indicate they have taken specific actions to better serve women clients, including:

• Nearly half (47%) of women advisors have developed strategies specifically for women going through major life transitions, compared to just 34% of men advisors.
• More than two in five (43%) women advisors have increased their focus on protection and guaranteed income solutions, compared to just 35% of men advisors.
• A similar share (44%) of women advisors have studied the unique retirement challenges women face (e.g., longevity, caregiving, wage gaps), compared to just 38% of men advisors.
• More than a third (36%) of women advisors have completed training or education on financial planning for women, compared to just 29% of men advisors.
• Two in five (40%) women advisors have sought feedback from women clients on how they can better serve them, compared to just 35% of men advisors.

Across each of these key measures, women advisors are more likely to have taken the specific steps that women investors say matter most. Male advisors looking to strengthen their relationships with women clients may benefit from incorporating the best practices of their women colleagues.

“Our survey found that many women advisors are structuring conversations around personalization and intentionality, taking the time to understand their client’s retirement goals and aspirations. That approach builds trust and makes financial planning feel empowering rather than transactional,” Ricklin said. “Male advisors can increase their success with women investors by evolving their approach throughout the client engagement process, incorporating additional questions and discussion opportunities for their women clients.”

While some advisors may overestimate their skill set, others lean into opportunities
Advisors feel confident they recognize the needs of their women clients. More than nine in 10 (91%) advisors rate themselves as skilled at meeting the specific needs and expectations of women clients, and a similar share (95%) say they have already taken specific actions to better meet those needs.

Despite near-universal confidence in their own abilities, fewer than four in 10 advisors (37%) say they actually understand their women clients' financial and retirement goals. Only 38% say they understand the impact of the unique financial challenges women face, such as longer lifespans, caregiving responsibilities and wage gaps. 

In practice, just one in four advisors (25%) say they have received formal training on the unique financial challenges women face, pointing to a meaningful disconnect between self-assessed skill and professional development. This suggests that for many advisors, confidence has outpaced preparation.

Still, a significant number of advisors recognize the opportunity and are taking steps to close the gap. Four in 10 (40%) say they prioritize building a human connection and demonstrating genuine care with their women clients, and an equal share (40%) say they take time to educate their women clients on financial strategies and ensure they truly understand their options. Another 26% say they actively adjust their communication style to avoid being condescending.

“Women are controlling more wealth, yet many still feel underserved by the industry – exposing a critical opportunity for advisors,” Ricklin said. “By creating a more inclusive, collaborative experience that prioritizes listening, education and partnership, advisors can build trust with their women clients, encouraging them to stick around for the long-term, refer others and ultimately grow their practice. A great way for advisors to ensure they are hitting the mark is to ask for direct feedback from women clients about their communication preferences and what approaches they find most helpful in their decisioning.

Ricklin offers this advice to women investors trying to find a good financial advisor: “There is no substitute for a great referral. Ask your friends and family about the experience they have had working with their advisors. That may be the best indication that a particular advisor would be a good fit and can help with your specific needs.”

For more insights on this survey data, see our infographic.

Nationwide’s Retirement Institute^® survey, formerly known as the Nationwide Advisor Authority survey, explores critical issues confronting advisors, financial professionals and individual investors—and the innovative techniques that they need to succeed in today’s complex market.

Nationwide Retirement Institute Survey Methodology
The Harris Poll, on behalf of Nationwide, conducted an online survey in the U. S. among 528 advisors and financial professionals and 2,012 investors ages 18+ with investable assets (IA) of $10K+, January 15-February 6, 2026. Among the investors, there were 882 women investors and 421 women investors working with a financial professional. Among the advisors, there were 119 women advisors.

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data for advisors is accurate to within ± 4.3 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For investors data is accurate to within ± 2.98 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.  For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact news@nationwide.com.

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions announces that Adam Lacks has been appointed associate vice president (AVP) of Product Development for government markets, effective April 27. In this role, he will report to Hutch Schafer and lead product strategy, design and development for the Retirement Solutions business supported on the DCdirect recordkeeping platform.

Lacks will oversee the development of new products, features and capabilities designed to keep Nationwide’s retirement plans business aligned with and ahead of the evolving public sector defined contribution marketplace. He will also work closely with Sales, Operations, Legal, Finance, Marketing and Technology to help deliver solutions, advance key initiatives, and drive consistent execution and adoption.

“Adam brings a strong combination of product expertise, finance acumen and deep experience in our government market. He understands what our partners, plan sponsors and participants need, and he knows how to translate those insights into practical solutions,” said Schafer, vice president of Retirement Solutions product development. “With Adam leading our public sector product strategy, we’re well positioned to continue evolving our offerings, delivering meaningful innovation and helping public sector clients achieve better retirement outcomes.” 

Before stepping into this role, Lacks served as AVP, Retirement Solutions Finance, where he led pricing strategy across retentions, acquisitions, plan enhancements, Stable Value Wrap and Nationwide Trust Company. Prior, he was in Retirement Solutions where he led the Government Solutions Center, where his teams delivered award-winning service¹ and implemented key technology and process improvements.

Lacks holds a Master of Science in Management from The American College and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Ohio University, where he was recognized as a Collegiate Distinguished Military Graduate. He also maintains FINRA Series 6 and 26 registrations.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer². Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)³ with an average tenure of 29 years². The company also continues to maintain significant presence in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer.

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement. The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions, and lifetime income options.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants. 

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¹DALBAR, Inc. recognized Nationwide Retirement Solutions with the 2025 Plan Participant Service Award, its 12th consecutive year receiving the honor.
²Nationwide Financial (Dec. 31, 2025)
³PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

• Amelia Dunlap has been named vice president, Government Retention & Growth.
• Brenda Anderson transitions to associate vice president, Strategic Relationship Management.
• John Archer moves into the role of associate vice president, Government Large Case.

Amelia Dunlap brings more than two decades of experience across the financial services industry and has led Nationwide Retirement Solutions Marketing since 2020. In her new role, she will lead  the public sector field teams, focusing on retaining and driving plan profitability and growth. She will also partner closely with the Strategic Relationship Management teams on the development and implementation of key plan strategies. Dunlap reports to Ricklin.

Brenda Anderson joins the Sales Leadership Team, focusing on establishing multi-year strategic growth and retention plans for Nationwide’s largest clients across markets. She has more than 40 years of Nationwide experience leading distribution teams across the enterprise, including 25 years in Nationwide Financial. Anderson reports to Ricklin.  

John Archer will lead teams serving mega government plans, focusing on the strategic priorities of each of the company’s state plans while continuing to innovate and enhance Nationwide’s footprint in the mega government segment. Over the last 20 years in Retirement Solutions, he has held roles in sales, finance, operations, training, and sales execution, including his most recent position leading sales in the Central Region. Archer reports to Dunlap. 

“These leadership changes position us to continue to deepen relationships with our plan sponsors and intermediary partners, drive sustainable growth and deliver even more value to the participants who count on Nationwide for their financial futures,” said Ricklin.  “By making these shifts, I’m excited that we were able to leverage the exceptional talent on our team as we evolve to meet the changing needs of the retirement marketplace.” 

Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer¹. Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)² with an average tenure of 29 years¹. The company also continues to maintain significant presence  in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer.

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement.  The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions, and lifetime income options.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants. 
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¹ Nationwide Financial (Dec. 31, 2025)
² PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

According to a new survey from the Nationwide Retirement Institute, 47% of investors have not had conversations with family members about how they’re planning for financial security in retirement. Even more striking, 17% say they don’t think these conversations are necessary.

Meanwhile, the 53% of investors who are talking with family members about retirement finances report that they span multiple topics. Conversations include wishes for end-of-life care, access to financial accounts and plans for passing on assets and managing finances when a parent becomes unable to do so, according to Nationwide’s survey.

“When a parent or loved one who has been a source of guidance and stability can no longer manage their finances or care for themselves, many families find themselves thrust into a sudden and overwhelming crisis,” said Juan José Pérez, senior vice president of Nationwide Strategic Customer Solutions. “It doesn’t have to be that way. Family conversations can help create a shared roadmap for how a family can come together to follow through on their loved one’s wishes if and when the time comes to do so.”

The good news? The vast majority of financial advisors are already helping families have these conversations as part of their practice. According to Nationwide’s survey, 90% of advisors say they currently facilitate conversations between aging clients and their adult children about retirement planning, healthcare costs or financial security, including 43% who say it’s a standard part of their practice.

However, generations differ on how involved they want their advisor to be when it comes to family financial planning. While 60% of Millennials say they want a financial advisor to serve as a facilitator for discussions, only 32% of Gen Xers and 16% of Baby Boomers agreed, according to Nationwide’s survey.

“Change can happen quickly, which is why it’s essential for loved ones to have a plan in place and be ready to step in when needed – something an advisor can help coordinate,” said Perez. “Older generations have an opportunity to clearly share their wishes and help their families feel prepared to support them when the time comes.”

Perez shared the following topics families may want to discuss during financial planning conversations:

1. Establish expectations: Parents should articulate their vision and plan for their life when they need more help and when they pass away. Younger generations should be honest about how they may be able to contribute to these plans as a caregiver or financial partner.

2. Retirement income and expenses: Talk through where money will come from in retirement, including Social Security, pensions, savings or investments. Discuss how it will cover everyday living costs, healthcare, housing and lifestyle goals. This helps set realistic expectations before problems arise.  

3. Health care and long-term care plans: Families should discuss health insurance coverage, Medicare decisions and potential long-term care needs. Chronic illness or cognitive decline can dramatically change financial needs.

4. Estate plans and beneficiary wishes: This includes wills, trusts, beneficiary designations and who will make decisions if someone becomes incapacitated. Clear conversations can prevent confusion, conflict and delays in the future.

5. Values and legacy goals: Beyond the numbers, families should talk about what matters most: supporting a surviving spouse, helping children or grandchildren, charitable giving or preserving a family legacy. These conversations help ensure financial plans reflect personal priorities.

Six in 10 (60%) Millennials (age 30-45) with financial professionals say they would welcome their advisor facilitating financial planning conversations among family members, compared to just 32% of Gen X (age 46-61) and only 16% of Baby Boomers and older (62+) who feel the same. Nearly half of Baby Boomers and older (46%) say they prefer to keep these conversations private, compared to just 10% of Millennials.

The stakes behind this divide are significant. Among Baby Boomers, 64% are actively transferring or planning to transfer wealth in the future, including 15% who are doing so right now. At the same time, this group continues to age, making the need for family alignment around their wishes and needs an issue that could be more urgent than some recognize. Notably, less than a quarter of Gen X and Baby Boomer investors (22% and 24%, respectively) have discussed with their next of kin how they can be prepared to help manage their finances when they become unable to do so.

“For many retirees, it can seem like everything is under control – until things change, which can happen fast,” said Juan José Pérez, senior vice president of Strategic Customer Solutions for Nationwide. “That’s when you need loved ones to not only understand the plan but also be ready to play their part. Older generations have an opportunity to help their family understand their wishes for the future and be better prepared to step in and help when the time comes. While private family conversations are a good place to start, a family meeting with an advisor at the table can accelerate a family’s ability to ensure a smooth, efficient and dignified transition.”

Half of investors are talking finances, while half put it off
When it comes to private conversations (without an advisor), investors are split on discussing finances as a family, with many not doing so at all. More than half (53%) of investors say they have had conversations with relatives (e.g., adult children or aging parents) about how they are planning for financial security in retirement in the past 12 months. Yet nearly half (47%) have not had these conversations — including 17% who say they don't think they’re necessary.

That reluctance is most pronounced among older generations. More than a quarter of Baby Boomers (27%) say it's not necessary: compared to just 8% of Gen Z, 12% of Millennials, and 14% of Gen X. Gen Z, by contrast, is the most likely to be planning ahead: 32% say they plan to have the conversation but haven't yet.

For older investors who do have conversations with family members, key priorities emerge:

• Half of Baby Boomers and older investors (50%) have shared their wishes for end-of-life care with their family.
• More than four in 10 of all Gen X and older investors (42%) have discussed access to their financial accounts, including 34% of Gen X and 47% of Baby Boomers and older investors.
• Nearly four in 10 (39%) of all Gen X and older investors have shared plans for passing on assets.

"When an older adult you’ve depended on your whole life for wisdom and stability suddenly becomes unable to manage their finances or care for themselves, it can feel like an instant crisis for many families,” Perez said. “It doesn’t have to be that way. Intergenerational conversations can help create a shared roadmap for how a family can come together to follow through on their loved one’s wishes if and when the time comes to do so.”

Advisors are ready to facilitate difficult conversations
Confident in their ability to navigate sensitive family dynamics, advisors are supporting families through difficult financial conversations. Nine in ten (90%) advisors say they currently facilitate conversations between aging clients and their adult children about retirement planning, healthcare costs, or financial security, including 43% who say it's a standard part of their practice. Most (91%) advisors say they are confident in their ability to facilitate sensitive family conversations with their clients.

Advisors are evolving their practices for a multi-generational approach
With most Baby Boomers having crossed the retirement threshold, nearly one in five advisors (17%) say their biggest concern about the long-term sustainability of their practice is client demographics, attracting new clients as older clients approach the end of their lives.

Advisors are taking deliberate action to better serve younger clients. Among advisors who work with clients under 45, the top approach to adapting their practice to serve across generations is focusing on retaining the family of existing clients via relationship building (27%). Additionally, a quarter of advisors (25%) say they are expanding their service offerings to be more holistic, rather than focusing on an investment-only approach.

“One of the biggest opportunities for advisors isn’t finding the next client – it’s deepening relationships with the families they already serve. It’s great to see advisors recognizing this and making it a focus. Advisors who intentionally bring family members into financial conversations, offer education around wealth transfer and stay present during major life events are far more likely to preserve trust and maintain continuity across generations, growing their practice as a result.”

Perez offered these tips to help families structure financial planning conversations with or without an advisor:

1. Start with wishes: Talk first about what matters most: End-of-life wishes, health and long-term care preferences, funeral plans, legacy goals, and how individuals want decisions made if they can no longer speak for themselves.
2. Make a plan for “if I need help:” Older parents should explain where key information lives — bank accounts, insurance policies, passwords, advisor contact information, legal documents, monthly bills, and emergency contacts — so adult children can step in quickly if needed. Agree on who would help, when they would step in, and what authority they would need.
3. Get the legal basics in place early: A conversation about money should include whether important documents are in place, including a will, power of attorney, healthcare power of attorney and any beneficiary designations. The goal is to reduce confusion, family stress, and delays later.
4. Share lessons learned across generations: Older savers can pass on the habits that helped them most — sharing tips related to living within their means, saving consistently, avoiding unnecessary debt, planning for emergencies, and thinking long term. Adult children can also highlight the financial challenges they may be facing. Parents are likely to have great advice or lessons learned that can benefit their younger loved ones today.
5. Make it an ongoing conversation, not a one-time event: The best family money talks are honest, respectful, and repeated over time. End the discussion with clear next steps: what documents to gather, what decisions need follow-up, and when to check in again.

For more insights on this survey data, see our infographic.

Nationwide’s eleventh annual Advisor Authority study, powered by the Nationwide Retirement Institute® explores critical issues confronting advisors, financial professionals and individual investors—and the innovative techniques that they need to succeed in today’s complex market.

About Advisor Authority: Methodology 
The Harris Poll, on behalf of Nationwide, conducted an online survey in the U. S. among 528 advisors and financial professionals and 2,012 investors ages 18+ with investable assets (IA) of $10K+, January 15-February 6, 2026. Among the investors, there were 1,041 with a financial professional, 179 Gen Z (age 18-29), 605 Millennials (age 30-45), 482 Gen X (age 46-61), and 746 Baby Boomers and older (age 62+).

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data for advisors is accurate to within ± 4.3 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For investors data is accurate to within ± 2.98 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.  For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact news@nationwide.com.

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

Taking home the title of Wackiest Pet Name of 2026 are*: 

• Top Dog: Internet Browser, a Plott hound from San Antonio, Texas
• Top Cat: Cheddar Big Booty Cheeseburger, a longhair feline with maximum flavor from Benton, Arkansas
• Top Exotic Pet: Space Cowboy, a bearded dragon living life on his own terms from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina 

Each year, Nationwide pet insurance team recognizes the most bold and unforgettable names among its roster of newly enrolled pets. The top 10 wackiest dogs, cats, and exotic pet names were put to a public vote that ran April 13-17 with a record 200,000+ votes counted. 

The pet’s families will celebrate their wins with a professional photo shoot with their pet and a gift card to create a custom pet portrait.  

Below are links to the names and profiles of the other nominees.

Nationwide’s Wacky Pet Names campaign highlights the real families behind every funny name and why they choose Nationwide to protect their pets.   

It’s a wacky world out there. Be ready for the unexpected with protection from Nationwide pet insurance. To explore pet health insurance coverage for dogs, cats and many avian and exotic pets, visit petinsurance.com. 

 *These are actual pet names chosen by actual owners, reflecting their pets' unique personalities and the owner's interests and passions. No connection or relationship to the inspiration is implied.  

The ClearAccess tool, a technology-driven, artificial intelligence-powered platform that helps employees navigate medical care and save on hospital visits, will be available with the Self-Funded Program through Nationwide. Powered by ClearHealth Strategies, Goodbill and BillingNav, the tool will allow members to quickly search for symptoms of an illness or condition, offer them a list of providers in their area and supply an expected breakdown of costs for services. Other features include:

• Online provider search and booking options to schedule office visits, any time
• Automatic screening for additional discounts
• Transparent provider summaries that show anticipated costs
• Expert support to navigate their plan

“This solution provides our customers with cutting-edge member navigation to help them effectively search for care options and eliminate unexpected costs,” said Casey Lanto, head of Nationwide Group Benefits Product and Operations. “Navigating a health plan and the healthcare system can be confusing. Packaging the ClearAccess tool with Nationwide’s Self-Funded Program means members are getting a clearer, more affordable care experience.”

Nationwide’s Self-Funded Program is for employers with 2 to 500 employees, offering an integrated solution that makes it easier to self-fund health benefits while providing employees access to the high-quality coverage they need and deserve.  

“Employers are told to choose between lower costs and a good member experience. We don’t think that’s true,” said Patrick Haig, co-founder and CEO of Goodbill, one of the companies powering ClearAccess. “When you help members find high-quality but affordable care, costs come down for everyone. Partnering with Nationwide lets us bring that to employers through a brand they already trust.”

Brokers or employers who are interested in learning more about the Self-Funded Program through Nationwide can call 1-877-877-0245 or visit Nationwide.com.

About ClearAccess
ClearAccess brings together provider search, real-time cost and quality data, federally mandated discounts, and No Surprises Act support into a single plan and member experience – powered by ClearHealth Strategies, Goodbill and BillingNav.

This year’s finalists reflect how pet naming has evolved into a creative outlet inspired by humor, pop culture, wordplay and even academic flair. Names range from Statistically Significant, a domestic shorthair cat whose name suggests serious analytical skills, to Quillie Nelson, a hedgehog clearly channeling a music legend’s energy. This year’s list showcases imagination across dogs, cats and a range of exotic pets including a pigeon, bearded dragon and rabbit.  

This year’s naming trends fall into a few standout categories:  

• Pop culture wordplay: Obi-Wan Cornobi (corn snake), Howl Capone (dachshund), Brave Little Toaster (shorthair cat)
• Food-inspired fun: Cheddar Big Booty Cheeseburger (longhair cat), Dinonugget (maltipoo), Orange Julius Ceasar Salad (shorthair cat)
• Chaos energy: General Chaos (mixed breed dog), Mochi The Captain Of Chaos (conure parrot), Bad Kitty 5000 (shorthair cat)
• Clever and brainy names: Statistically Significant (shorthair cat), Internet Browser (plott hound), Lucipurr Meowzebub The Lord Of Cats (shorthair cat)
• Formally ridiculous titles: Sergeant Major (SGM) Booplesnoot (rabbit), Aries Amethyst World Eater (boxer), Goofus McDoof Business Horse (shorthair cat) 

Support your favorite dog, cat, and exotic pet name by voting daily for each category.   

Here are the 2026 Wacky Pet Names finalists:  
(Click on their name to go to the pet's profile page to vote, if voting button doesn't appear, please clear your browser history and refresh the page)

While the contest celebrates humor and imagination, Nationwide reminds pet parents that protecting their pets’ health is a serious consideration. Pet insurance offers reimbursement on eligible veterinary expenses for accidents, illness and more so pet families can focus on care and worry less about cost. 

For more information about protecting pets of all shapes, sizes and names, visit petinsurance.com. 

The pets with the most votes in each category will each receive a professional photo shoot with their pet and a gift card to create a custom pet portrait.   

See Official Rules—Wacky Pet Names  

*These are actual pet names chosen by actual owners, reflecting their pets' unique personalities and the owner's interests and passions. No connection or relationship to the inspiration is implied. 

• Lindsey Murray, president of Nationwide Group Benefits, shared that Amy Mattingly will lead the Group Benefits Distribution team, effective April 13.
• Kush Kotecha, president of Nationwide Annuity, announced that Ann Raible will take over Mattingly’s previous role leading Nationwide’s advisory annuity distribution channel. Raible and Brad Carrier, who leads brokerage distribution, will now serve as joint leaders of Nationwide Annuity distribution, effective immediately.   

Amy Mattingly to lead the Group Benefits Distribution team
Since joining Nationwide in 2007, Mattingly has earned recognition for her exceptional leadership skills and proven track record of delivering outstanding experiences for sales partners.

“Amy has consistently shown courageous leadership in navigating the financial industry’s evolving landscape while delivering growth,” said Murray. “Her proven leadership skills along with her ability to develop strong relationships with sales partners will allow Nationwide’s stop loss distribution to grow and thrive.”

In her new role, Mattingly is responsible for developing, implementing and leading the sales and distribution strategy for Nationwide Group Benefits, with a focus on stop loss and program managed solutions for small and mid-sized businesses.

Most recently, Mattingly led the advisory annuity distribution channel for Nationwide, where she was responsible for driving strategy, growth and execution for registered investment advisors (RIAs), fee-based advisors, Nationwide’s internal insurance desk for RIAs and partnerships with outsourced insurance desks (OIDs). Prior to that role, Mattingly led Nationwide Annuity’s Brokerage Advisory Distribution team, where she played a pivotal role in expanding Nationwide’s presence in the fee-based marketplace. She has also held positions at several national banks and an RIA.

Mattingly’s hire comes after Nationwide acquired Allstate Benefits’ group health businesses in July 2025, expanding the company’s ability to offer self-funded and stop loss solutions to small and mid-sized employers, positioning Nationwide as a leading provider in the stop loss industry. In addition, the Nationwide Group Benefits portfolio includes Nationwide Pet and Nationwide Specialty Insurance.

Ann Raible, Brad Carrier well positioned to lead Nationwide Annuity distribution into the future
With each bringing over 25 years of experience in the financial services and annuity industry, both Raible and Carrier have demonstrated strong, consistent leadership and deep market expertise.

“Elevating Ann and Brad to serve as joint leaders of the Annuity Distribution team positions Nationwide for continued success, growth and innovation,” said Kotecha. “This move will allow for tighter collaboration, shared best practices and provide the flexibility and focus needed to evolve with the market while continuing to invest in capabilities that will differentiate us over time.”

Raible and Carrier will assume leadership of the team previously led by Rona Guymon, who left Nationwide in late 2025.

In her new role, Raible will begin leading the advisory annuity distribution channel, as well as the team she previously led, the Specialized Annuity Distribution team. She is responsible for distributing commission- and fee-based annuities across RIAs, independent marketing organizations (IMOs) and third-party partnerships.  

Since joining Nationwide in 2006, Raible has held several key leadership roles, including leading business development and serving as director of sales for Nationwide Advisory Solutions. Prior to Nationwide, Raible worked for TIAA-CREF, where she managed the sales desk and helped build the organization’s advisor services distribution channel.

Carrier will continue leading the brokerage annuity distribution channel, where he is responsible for distributing annuities through all broker-dealers, including banks, wirehouses and independent broker-dealers.

Carrier began his career with Nationwide in 1999, holding various positions including manager of the Internal Sales Desk and external wholesaler, before excelling in his role as divisional vice president for the Northeast region.

Nationwide is a top 10 seller of annuity products in the United States¹. Visit https://www.nationwide.com/personal/investing/annuities/ for more information about how Nationwide annuities can help investors make it easier to prepare for retirement.

¹ LIMRA U.S. Individual Annuities Sales Survey, 2025 Year-End Rankings
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In addition to recordkeeping and administrative services, Nationwide will provide participants with holistic financial planning services and access to the company’s online My Income & Retirement Planner℠, a personalized, guided experience that can help users clearly understand their savings and how it translates into retirement income.

“Nationwide is honored that the City of Newton selected us to handle their recordkeeping and support their plan participants with the tools and resources necessary to achieve their retirement goals,” said Kevin Jestice, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. “The Nationwide team is already working hard to help the City’s employees prepare for and live in a dignified retirement.”

“Our team appreciates the extraordinary care Nationwide provides to participants,” said Ron Mendes, City Treasurer/Collector, City of Newton. “We trust that Nationwide’s vast expertise and integrated approach to retirement planning will serve all of our employees well, regardless of where they may be in their retirement journey.”

Nationwide Retirement Solutions is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer¹. Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)² with an average tenure of 29 years¹. The company also continues to maintain significant presence  in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer.

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement. The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions, and lifetime income options.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants. 

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¹ Nationwide Financial (Dec 31, 2025)
² PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

Nationwide Annuity President Kush Kotecha has announced that Stacy LaiFook will lead the unit’s Business Development team, effective April 27. In this role, LaiFook is responsible for ensuring Nationwide’s Annuity business delivers strong top and bottom-line results by developing, designing and actively managing annuity solutions.

LaiFook brings more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry to the role. She is known as a results-driven leader with deep expertise in driving modernization, delivering high-quality results and empowering teams to perform at their best.

Most recently, LaiFook worked for Oliver Wyman as senior principal, where she led the firm’s annuity initiative with a focus on talent and business development. Most notably, she was MassMutual Ascend Life Insurance Company’s senior vice president of Product and Pricing, where she was responsible for annuity product strategy and execution, as well as performance across the product lifecycle. LaiFook oversaw the design, pricing and implementation of single premium immediate, registered index-linked, fixed indexed and fixed annuity products.

“Stacy is a purposeful leader and innovator who brings a combination of industry expertise, strategic vision and operational excellence to this role,” Kotecha said. “I am confident the Annuity Business Development team will continue to build on its successes and strong performance under her leadership.”  

Before its acquisition by MassMutual in 2021, LaiFook served as vice president at Great American Life Insurance Company, where she played a key role in launching the firm’s Pension Risk Transfer (PRT) business. She contributed to the design and development of a PRT strategy, worked closely with sales to drive growth and helped scale the business to $1 billion in liabilities over four years.

LaiFook holds a bachelor’s degree in physics and astronomy from Tufts University. She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the Academy of Actuaries.

Nationwide is a top 10 seller of annuity products in the United States¹. Visit https://www.nationwide.com/personal/investing/annuities/ for more information about how Nationwide annuities can help investors make it easier to prepare for retirement.

¹ LIMRA U.S. Individual Annuities Sales Survey, 2025 Year-End Rankings
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This year’s theme, “Know your next move,” uses puzzle and game inspired visuals to break down complex financial topics into simple, actionable steps, empowering individuals at every starting point. The resources provided by Nationwide even include tools for adults to help their kids begin the financial literacy journey. 

“Helping participants prepare for and live a dignified retirement is what we do every day at Nationwide, and Financial Literacy Month allows us to put an extra spotlight on the importance of taking small, intentional steps for long term planning,” said Amelia Dunlap, vice president of Marketing for Nationwide Retirement Solutions. “Starting to save can feel challenging, but using simple, practical tools can help participants develop smart money management habits and feel more confident about their financial future.” 

As part of its mission to protect people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care, Nationwide is offering a suite of easy-to-use resources including: 

• Interactive Quiz – Helps individuals assess their financial wellness 

• Family Activity Book – A printable guide that helps families talk about money 

• “Game of Retirement” Infographic – A visual roadmap to simplify the retirement journey 

• Educational Articles – Short clear breakdowns of foundational financial topics like budgeting, saving and managing everyday expenses 

• Online Tools – Calculators and digital checkups turning learning into action 

All materials are available on the Financial Literacy Participant Resources page. 

Additionally, Nationwide is supporting plan sponsors with readymade communications and other assets to support workplace engagement and help participants make smarter financial moves. 

Nationwide Retirement Solutions is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer¹. Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)² with an average tenure of 29 years¹. The company also continues to maintain significant presence  in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer.

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement. The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions, and lifetime income options
 

¹ Nationwide Financial (Dec 31, 2025)
² PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants. 
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Built for clients seeking both security and meaningful accumulation potential, the new IUL solution builds on Nationwide’s commitment to low-cost, transparent IUL solutions while introducing new features that help offer clients greater control and flexibility.

Nationwide Indexed UL Accumulator III offers a wide range of indexed interest strategies designed to help offer clients broader diversification opportunities. The latest enhancements include the addition of the Nasdaq-100^® Index interest strategies, new 2-year term segment options, and access to 6 Uncapped indexed interest strategies. The remaining index options include the S&P 500^® Index, a Multi-Index Blend, and the BNP Paribas Global H-Factor^® Index. A fixed interest strategy with a guaranteed minimum rate is also available. 

To support clients during the crucial first year of their policy, Nationwide IUL Accumulator III offers an 8% Enhanced DCA rate. Clients can allocate their initial premium to the fixed interest strategy, where they earn an enhanced crediting rate for a full 12 months before being gradually moved into indexed strategies. This approach helps smooth market timing risk while giving policyowners a powerful early boost in cash value, an especially valuable feature for long-term accumulation.

Nationwide’s Performance Lock is an optional feature that lets policyowners “lock in” gains once their selected target is reached. When triggered, Performance Lock preserves index value for the remainder of the segment, even if markets decline. This feature is designed to provide consistency and an added layer of predictability for clients who want growth opportunities without the worry of losing gains before the segment ends. Performance Lock is available on all uncapped index strategies, further enhancing control and transparency.

“Our goal with IUL Accumulator III is to bring customers a modern, accumulation-focused solution that makes long-term planning more intuitive,” said Arny Martin, associate vice president, Life Product Management at Nationwide. “The combination of our 8% Enhanced DCA and Performance Lock gives people new tools to pursue growth and protect gains—especially valuable in an environment where markets can shift quickly.”

Additional product highlights include:

• Guaranteed Nationwide IUL Rewards Program
• Cash indemnity long-term care rider
• Living access benefit riders—Chronic, Critical, and Terminal Illness
• New Adjusted Premium Charge Rider
• New Guaranteed Interest Accumulated Value feature for added protection

To learn more about our newest offering, visit: Nationwide.com/IULAccum3

State of California Savings Plus Program won for public plans with more than 5,000 participants in both the Financial Wellness and Special Projects categories. SchoolsFirst Retirement Planning also won in the Special Projects category, finishing first among not-for-profits with more than 5,000 participants. 

“These awards highlight the power of putting our participants at the heart of our work, using data to get the right information to the right people at the right time and working together to make an impact,” said Kevin Jestice, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions.   

The award-winning campaigns showcased innovative approaches to drive meaningful participant engagement and measurable actions: 

Special Projects Category: SchoolsFirst Retirement Planning – RetireU Virtual Campus  
The RetireU Virtual Campus reimagined retirement education through an immersive, gamified experience, including a fully-translated Spanish version that is engaging and action-oriented. The program attracted nearly 6,000 unique visitors and generated more than 35,000 completed participant actions, increasing enrollments by 11%, contributions by 8%, and digital engagement with online planning tools by 15%.  

“We truly appreciate the partnership with Nationwide to help drive strong engagement and meaningful impacts for our Members,” said Cristian Lopez, manager of SchoolsFirst Retirement Planning.  

From left: Christian Lopez (SchoolsFirst), Julie Bertone (Nationwide), Fred Gabriel (P&I) 

Financial Wellness Category: California Savings Plus Program – Roadmap to Retirement Readiness  
This program drove measurable behavior change through personalized outreach, gamified education, and timely campaigns, leading to more than 200,000 participant interactions across education and engagement channels. The effort increased plan participation from 70% to 74.3%, delivering a 17.6% increase in participant  contributions, and successfully re-engaged inactive savers, with 38% of new contributors having previously stopped participation. 

Special Projects Category: California Savings Plus Program – Online Enrollment  
This initiative transformed how participants enroll and engage by removing friction and redesigning the journey with empathy and clarity. As a result, Savings Plus achieved record-breaking results, including a 39% year-over-year increase in enrollments and a 58% reduction in time to enroll, with 88% of enrollments completed digitally. Targeted follow-ups and personalized nudges drove conversion rates as high as 71%. 

“Our partnership with Nationwide has enabled meaningful, participant-focused solutions by removing enrollment barriers that build confidence from day one and delivering personalized, ongoing financial education that meets participants where they are—inspiring California state workers to make informed decisions and improve retirement outcomes,” said Sandy Blair, plan administrator for California Savings Plus.  

From left: Sandy Blair (Savings Plus), Fred Gabriel (P&I), Zack Sharp (Nationwide), Jake Sours (Nationwide)

Nationwide Retirement Solutions is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer.¹ Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)² with an average tenure of 29 years.¹ The company also continues to maintain significant presence  in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer. 

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement. The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions, and lifetime income options.  

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants.  

¹ Nationwide Financial (Dec 31, 2025)
² PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

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The study found Americans are bracing for a higher tax burden in retirement, yet most are not engaging in proactive, year-round tax planning to mitigate their exposure. Four in five (80%) investors broadly expect taxes to rise in the future, yet less than one-third (31%) of this cohort are proactively adjusting their financial plan accordingly.

Additionally, 17% of investors say not knowing the best tax strategies for their portfolio or understanding tax implications (14%) before retirement withdrawals are among their biggest concerns when planning for retirement.

"Our study highlights that for most investors, tax anxiety is real – however, their plan to address it is lacking,” said Kush Kotecha, president of Nationwide Annuity. “A majority of investors are telling us they're concerned about rising taxes, but only a fraction are taking steps to prepare their portfolios. That gap between worry and action is where real financial risk can build."

For many investors, tax planning starts and ends with tax season
Despite widespread concern about taxes, most investors are not engaging in proactive, year-round tax planning. More than one-third (34%) say they mostly pay attention to taxes during "tax season," and only one in four (26%) engage in ongoing, proactive tax management all year.

Among investors who work with a financial advisor, 29% say they count on their advisor to help them plan for taxes in retirement. However, just 37% of these investors say their advisor proactively discusses tax planning strategies or tax policy changes as part of regular review meetings. More than one in 10 (11%) say discussions happen only when major tax law changes occur or when they specifically ask about tax matters (11%). For most investors, this means tax planning only comes up when something forces the conversation.

“Advisors should make taxes a part of regular client discussions,” Kotecha said. “Investors with an advisor who are not receiving regular guidance on this important topic should ask for it or consider looking for a financial professional who will help them prioritize tax-efficient retirement planning.”

Tax strategies are not one-size-fits-all, but some investors are flying blind
Less than half (44%) of investors surveyed say their portfolio is a combination of taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free assets – likely indicating good tax diversification. Others surveyed indicated heavier reliance on a single taxable class of assets. A meaningful share of investors (13%) don’t know how to describe their portfolio’s tax composition.

“It's not surprising to find investor portfolios come in all shapes and sizes when it comes to tax exposure, and it's important to recognize that there is no 'one-size-fits-all' approach," said Kotecha. "However, those without awareness of their portfolio’s tax profile or a strategy for managing the mix of taxable asset classes in their portfolio risk missed opportunities or unforced errors that could haunt them in retirement. Personalized, advisor-led planning is essential to help investors understand how their unique mix of assets will be taxed, both now and in retirement."

Advisors say they are helping clients take action
While nearly half (45%) of advisors say their clients have a risky mix of taxable asset classes, the vast majority (85%) say they're working with their clients to help them diversify their tax profile within their portfolio.

With taxes expected to rise, advisors are also increasingly steering clients toward tax-efficient income solutions. More than half (60%) of advisors say given the events of the last 12 months, they are more likely to recommend a client put part of their portfolio into an annuity or other solution that provides guaranteed income.

"Advisors are recognizing that annuities can be a powerful tool when it comes to reshaping the tax profile of a portfolio. By allowing assets to grow tax-deferred, annuities can help reduce the drag of taxes on long-term returns and create a more efficient income strategy in retirement," said Kotecha. "That efficiency matters for retirees who need predictable income and want more control over how and when they pay taxes. In an environment where every dollar of after-tax income counts, annuities can offer a sense of stability and security that's increasingly hard to find."

The Nationwide Retirement Institute offers this guide to help investors think about planning for a tax-efficient retirement.

For more insights on this survey data, see our infographic.

Nationwide’s eleventh annual Advisor Authority study, powered by the Nationwide Retirement Institute^® explores critical issues confronting advisors, financial professionals and individual investors—and the innovative techniques that they need to succeed in today’s complex market.

About Advisor Authority: Methodology
The Harris Poll, on behalf of Nationwide, conducted an online survey in the U. S. among 528 advisors and financial professionals and 2,012 investors ages 18+ with investable assets (IA) of $10K+, January 15-February 6, 2026. Among the investors, there were 1,041 with a financial professional, 971 without a financial professional, 300 High Net Worth (IA of $1M-$4.99M), and 504 Less Affluent ($10K to <$100K).

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data for advisors is accurate to within ± 4.3 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For investors data is accurate to within ± 2.98 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.  For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact news@nationwide.com. 

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

A recent report from LIMRA highlighted that new annualized life industry premium topped $17.5 billion, breaking records in 2025. Holly Snyder, president of Nationwide Life Insurance shared her thoughts on an outstanding year for the life industry and Nationwide – as well as what she expects in the year ahead.

More information on Nationwide Life Insurance
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As was widely anticipated by many industry analysts, pension risk transfer (PRT) activity ended 2025 lower than 2024, posting sales of $49 billion, a 6% decrease year-over-year, according to LIMRA’s U.S. Group Annuity Risk Transfer Survey. Market volatility, elevated litigation concerns and escalating trade wars impacted the market, and while these headwinds will remain in 2026, Nationwide’s head of PRT Paula Cole anticipates plan sponsors will begin to feel more comfortable moving forward with PRTs this year, particularly as buy-in transactions become more popular. Cole broke down the trends expected to impact the market in 2026 and discussed what plan advisers and their plan sponsor clients can do now to prepare for success this year.

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For more than three decades, the annual LSEG Lipper Fund Awards have recognized funds and fund management firms that excel in delivering consistent, dependable investment results relative to their peers. Based on Lipper’s proprietary methodology, the awards reflect an independent, global assessment of performance across more than 17 countries.

“Recognition from Lipper is a testament to the strength of our investment teams and the disciplined framework Nationwide puts behind every strategy,” said Joseph Aniano, leader of Nationwide’s Investment Management Group. “Advisors and plan sponsors rely on us to deliver competitive risk adjusted returns through sub-advisor selection and oversight. These awards reinforce our commitment to helping investors achieve long-term success with clarity and confidence.”

With a 10-year track record of outperformance¹, the Nationwide Strategic Income Fund (NWXGX) is a flexible multisector fixed-income strategy designed to deliver a high-level of current income while maximizing total return. Since its inception, the Fund has navigated market shifts to consistently outperform its peer group earning a first percentile ranking in the Morningstar multisector bond category.

The Nationwide International Small Cap Fund (NWXUX) seeks to reduce volatility and preserve long-term return potential. The Fund helps expand a portfolio’s international exposure to capitalize on inefficiencies found within the foreign small- and mid-cap markets.

“The 2026 LSEG Lipper Fund Awards mark another volatile three-year stretch for global markets. The managers we’re recognizing have guided investors through an environment where base rates have spiked, then diverged, as central banks navigated new and challenging inflationary landscapes, alongside uneven global growth, and heightened geopolitical risk. Whether managers entered the market in the era of easy money or have navigated cycles for decades, the recent period made one thing plain: durable results come from a disciplined process, not prediction,” said Otto Christian Kober, head of Lipper Research, LSEG Data & Analytics. “We applaud the 2026 LSEG Lipper Fund Award winners for delivering outperformance and the steady reassurance of consistency through changing market conditions.”

Nationwide Investment Management Group (IMG) is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. IMG offers a curated menu of sub-advised investment solutions that seek superior long-term risk adjusted returns. IMG holds its managers to the highest performance standards through uncompromising oversight and provides ongoing market, economic and investment insights to help investors identify opportunities, manage risk and stay informed. 

Learn more about the services Nationwide Investment Management Group provides. 

¹For the since inception period 11/2/2015 and ending 2/28/2026 out of 241 funds in the multisector bond category. Rankings for additional periods: 46th for the 1-year out of 350 funds, 17th for the 3-year period out of 332, 1st for the 5-year period out of 299 funds, 1st for the 10-year period out of 208 funds.

This material is not a recommendation to buy or sell a financial product or to adopt an investment strategy. Investors should discuss their specific situation with their financial professional.

Call 800-848-0920 to request a summary prospectus and/or a prospectus, or download prospectuses at nationwide.com/mutual-funds-prospectuses.jsp. These prospectuses outline investment objectives, risks, fees, charges and expenses, and other information that you should read and consider carefully before investing.

KEY RISKS: The Nationwide Strategic Income Fund is subject to the risks of investing in fixed-income securities, including high-yield bonds (which are more volatile). The Fund may invest in corporate loans (which have speculative characteristics and are high risk). The Fund also is subject to the risks of investing in foreign securities (currency fluctuations, political risks, differences in accounting and limited availability of information, all of which are magnified in emerging markets). The Fund may concentrate on specific sectors or countries, subjecting it to greater volatility than that of other mutual funds. The Fund may invest in more-aggressive investments such as derivatives (many of which create investment leverage and illiquidity, and are highly volatile). The Fund may invest in sovereign debt (a governmental entity may delay or refuse to pay interest or repay principal). Funds that invest in high-yield securities are subject to greater default risk, liquidity risk, and price fluctuations than funds that invest in higher-quality securities. The prices of high-yield bonds tend to be more sensitive to adverse economic and business conditions than are higher-rated corporate bonds. Increased volatility may reduce the market value of high-yield bonds. They are also subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing company. The Fund's holdings may subject the Fund to liquidity risk, making it more volatile than other mutual funds. Please refer to the most recent prospectus for more detailed information.

KEY RISKS: The Nationwide International Small Cap Fund is subject to the risks of investing in equity securities (including small companies). Smaller companies are usually less stable in price and less liquid than larger, more established companies. Smaller companies are more vulnerable than larger companies to adverse business and economic developments and may have more limited resources. Therefore, they generally involve greater risk. The Fund also is subject to the risks of investing in foreign securities (currency fluctuations, political risks, differences in accounting and limited availability of information, all of which are magnified in emerging markets). The Fund may invest in more aggressive investments such as derivatives (many of which create investment leverage and illiquidity and are highly volatile). The Fund's holdings may subject the Fund to liquidity risk, making it more volatile than other mutual funds. The Fund uses both a growth style and a value style of investing, and may underperform other funds that use different investing styles. Please refer to the most recent prospectus for a more detailed explanation of the Fund's principal risks.

Morningstar rankings are based on average annual returns. Morningstar percentile rank is a standardized way of ranking items within a peer group, in this case, funds with the same Morningstar Category. The observation with the largest numerical value is ranked one; the observation with the smallest numerical value is ranked 100. The remaining observations are placed equal distance from one another on the rating scale. Note that lower percentile ranks are generally more favorable for returns (high returns), while higher percentile ranks are generally more favorable for risk measures (low risk).

The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. The fund with the highest Lipper Leader for Consistent Return (Effective Return) value in each eligible classification wins the LSEG Lipper Fund Award. For more information, see lipperfundawards.com. Although LSEG makes reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the data contained herein, their accuracy is not guaranteed by LSEG Lipper.

About LSEG Lipper Fund Awards: For more than 30 years and in over 17 countries worldwide, the highly-respected LSEG Lipper Awards have honoured funds and fund management firms that have excelled in providing consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers and focus the investment world on top-funds. The merit of the winners is based on entirely objective, quantitative criteria. This coupled with the unmatched depth of fund data, results in a unique level of prestige and ensures the award has lasting value. Renowned fund data and proprietary methodology is the foundation of this prestigious award qualification, recognizing excellence in fund management. Find out more at www.lipperfundawards.com.

Nationwide Funds distributed by Nationwide Fund Distributors LLC (NFD), member FINRA, Columbus, Ohio. Nationwide Investment Services Corporation (NISC), member FINRA, Columbus, Ohio. NFD and NISC are not affiliated with any subadviser contracted by Nationwide Fund Advisors, with the exception of Nationwide Asset Management, LLC and are not affiliates of Morningstar, Inc.

Nationwide and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2026 Nationwide

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This year’s findings highlight a trend many pet families may find surprising: most of the top conditions for both dogs and cats are chronic conditions. This means they don’t just cause a one-time emergency, and they can become part of a long-term, expensive healthcare routine.  

“Each year, these findings remind us just how much of our pets’ health is shaped by ongoing, chronic conditions,” said Dr. Emily Tincher, chief veterinary officer at Nationwide. “While not every illness can be prevented, pet families have real power when they understand their pet’s unique risks and catch early changes in behavior or health. Our goal is to give pet parents the tools and knowledge they need to support their pets through every stage of life.” 

Dog Trends: Allergies top the list again and chronic issues dominate the top 10 

• Skin allergies rank #1 again, for the 15^th year running.
• No movement in the top 9 conditions, signaling persistent, widespread health patterns among U.S. dogs.
• Seizures enter the top 10 for the first time but are very closely followed by kidney disease and cranial cruciate ligament tears.
• Chronic conditions make up 6 of the top 10 and may require long-lasting care and follow families for years, underscoring the importance of ongoing care and budgeting. 

Cat trends: Tummy troubles lead the pack again with chronic conditions climbing  

• For the third consecutive year, digestive issues stay firmly in the top spot.
• The top six conditions remain unchanged from last year, showing consistent health patterns across the feline population.
• A striking 7 out of 10 conditions for cats are chronic, meaning long-term costs can far exceed a single visit.
• The bottom half of the list sees some reshuffling among inflammatory bowel disease (#7 in 2024), diabetes (#8 in 2024), and respiratory infection (#9 in 2024). 

While not every health issue can be prevented, pet parents can make a big difference by knowing what their pets are most at risk for and spotting symptoms early. To help families stay informed, Nationwide Pet HealthZone^® offers free, easy-to-use resources covering more than 100 dog breeds and 11 cat breeds — giving pet owners practical ways to support their pets’ long-term health — giving pet owners practical ways to support their pets’ longterm health. 

With Nationwide pet health insurance, many veterinary expenses associated with the diagnosis and treatment of these common conditions are eligible for reimbursement based on the member’s chosen coverage. It’s important to obtain coverage before your pet begins experiencing any symptoms because pre-existing conditions are excluded. To explore options visit petinsurance.com.  

¹These numbers were calculated by analyzing the 80^th percentile of costs Nationwide pet insurance policyholders reported January 1 - December 31, 2025 within the first 30 days after diagnosis for a given condition. 
²These numbers were calculated by analyzing the 80^th percentile of costs Nationwide pet insurance policyholders reported January 1 - December 31, 2025 within the first year after diagnosis for a given condition. 

Nationwide Retirement Solutions announced that Ed Malone has been promoted to associate vice president, Protected Retirement Sales where he will drive investment-only and Nationwide recordkeeping sales across the company’s suite of protected retirement solutions. Malone reports to Cathy Marasco, Vice President, Protected Retirement. 

Malone, who was elevated from his previous position as director of sales for Protected Retirement, has been solely focused on Protected Retirement product distribution since 2020. 

As associate vice president, Malone will expand investment-only distribution by strengthening strategic partnerships with key recordkeepers and platforms. He will also continue partnering closely with Nationwide’s distribution leaders and field teams to drive plan and participant adoption that supports improved retirement outcomes for the participants in the plans where Nationwide is the recordkeeper.

“Over the last several years, Ed has been dedicated to expanding access to Nationwide’s Protected Retirement solutions and enhancing the company’s focus on helping participants turn their savings into guaranteed retirement income,” said Marasco. “His leadership in championing Nationwide’s Protected Retirement story with key audiences has helped position the company as a recognized leader in delivering in-plan lifetime income and principal protection.”

Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer¹. Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)² with an average tenure of 29 years¹. The company also continues to maintain significant presence  in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer.

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement.  The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions, and lifetime income options.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants. 

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¹ Nationwide Financial (Dec. 31, 2025)
² PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

The Customer Experience Excellence Award recognizes firms that deliver exceptional customer experiences across multiple dimensions of service, communication, and digital interaction. The Plan Participant Service Award recognizes exceptional call center service to retirement plan participants. Nationwide also received the EXCELLENT designation for Mobile Sites Retirement Plans, further underscoring the company’s dedication to top-tier service across multiple channels, including online mobile interfaces.

“Retirement plan participants place tremendous trust in us, and exemplary service is central to honoring that responsibility," said Carah Brody, Vice President of Business Operations for Nationwide Retirement Solutions. "These recognitions validate the intentional investments we’ve made in our people, our processes, and our digital experiences to create interactions that are clear, responsive, and truly participant focused. We will continue to raise the bar on participant service and experience because it's central to our goal to help more savers prepare for and live a dignified retirement.”

DALBAR, Inc. is the financial community’s leading independent expert for evaluating, auditing and rating business practices, customer performance, product quality and service. Launched in 1976, DALBAR has earned the recognition for consistent and unbiased evaluations.

Nationwide Retirement Solutions helps secure financial futures for approximately three million participants in 30,000 retirement plans with $250 billion in assets, across full-service recordkeeping, investment solutions, and pension risk transfer¹.Nationwide remains No. 1 in public 457 plans (based on the number of plans)² with an average tenure of 29 years¹. The company also continues to maintain significant presence  in private 401(k), nonprofit 403(b) markets, and pension risk transfer.

For 50 years, Nationwide has remained committed to continually improving its retirement solutions and service experience to better support individuals preparing for and living in retirement. The company offers a diversified portfolio of solutions that complement its traditional recordkeeping and education services. Nationwide’s goal is to help participants prepare for retirement by providing investment solutions and services designed to support long-term growth, risk management and income planning. These offerings include mutual funds, managed accounts, pension risk transfer capabilities, fixed and stable value solutions, and lifetime income options.

Visit nrsforu.com for more information about the tools and services Nationwide provides to retirement plan participants. 

This material is not a recommendation to buy or sell a financial product or to adopt an investment strategy. Investors should discuss their specific situation with their financial professional.

Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Provisions of these options may vary based on plan selection and/or by state regulation. These investment options may not be available in all states.

Nationwide Investment Services Corporation, member FINRA, Columbus, Ohio.

Nationwide and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company © 2026 Nationwide

FOR FINANCIAL PROFESSIONAL USE - NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC

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¹ Nationwide Financial (Dec 31, 2025)
² PLANSPONSOR 2025 Recordkeeping Survey

The companies, who have been partners since 2019, will now offer dental and vision products underwritten by Nationwide in 34 states, giving employers more ways to support their most important asset: their employees.   

Through its partnership with Nationwide, Beam has historically offered a wide range of products – including dental, vision, life, accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D), accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness. This expansion specifically broadens the reach of dental and vision offerings – quadrupling the number of states where these benefits will be available.

“We’re excited to enter into this expanded partnership with Beam Benefits, providing more businesses with the tools they need to increase employee satisfaction, build loyalty and protect their employees,” said Syed Rizvi, vice president of Nationwide Specialty Insurance. “Beam’s future-forward technology, self-service tools and exceptional customer service ensure brokers and employers have a seamless experience.”

Beam’s offerings include an end-to-end benefits platform designed for ease of use by brokers, employers and employees alike:

• Fast, customized quoting: Beam’s digital quoting tool allows brokers and employers to generate customized quotes¹ for any group size in seconds, helping them move quickly from evaluation to decision without delays.
• Quick and easy policy setup: Once a policy is selected, Beam streamlines implementation so brokers and employers can get new coverage in as little as one business day² – eliminating the weeks or months typically required to put benefits in place.  
• Simplified enrollment that drives engagement: When Beam supports the enrollment process, brokers and groups see up to a 15% increase³ in employee enrollment, driven by a clear, simplified experience and white-glove service that helps employees understand and select the coverage that’s right for them.  
• Help from humans: Dedicated customer service agents support brokers, employers and employees across the full lifecycle, from quotes and enrollment to claims and ongoing support.  

“We’re excited to expand our relationship with Nationwide and bring more dental and vision solutions to employers,” said Alex Curry, senior vice president, insurance and co-founder of Beam Benefits. “This expansion strengthens our ability to support the Nationwide team while making it easier for employers to offer benefits that employees actually use and value.”

Nationwide’s venture capital team invested in Beam in 2021 as part of their Series E fundraise, helping the company expand its offerings to new markets, onboard additional employee benefits brokerages and add additional products desired by employers.

Brokers or employers who are interested in learning more about Beam Benefits can call 1-800-232-2323 or visit Nationwide.com.

¹ Use of the Digital Quoting Tool is not currently available in all states and contingent upon broker’s proper appointment and licensure. Pricing customization may vary based on plan and state specific limitations.
² Average implementation timeframe based on internal data and dependent on the submission of complete and accurate data entry and broker approval.
³ As of June 2022, compared to prior carrier’s enrollment.

Dental and vision products underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, OH in AL, AR, AZ, CT, DC, DE, GA, IA, ID, IL, KS, LA, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, NV, OH, OK, OR, SC, UT, TN, TX, WI, and WY. Dental coverage applicable to policy form GDTL AO L20, or state equivalent and vision policy form GVIS AO L20, or state equivalent. Dental and vision products administered by Beam Insurance Administrators LLC (Beam Dental Insurance Administrators LLC, in Texas). Vision insurance products underwritten by Vision Service Plan (VSP) in WA. Vision insurance products administered by Vision Service Plan Insurance Company. Life insurance product is underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, OH, marketed by Beam Insurance Services LLC (Beam Benefits Insurance Services LLC, in CA) and administered by Beam Insurance Administrators LLC (Beam Dental Insurance Administrators LLC in Texas). Life and AD&D coverage applicable to policy form GLIF AO L20, or state equivalent. Life product is not available to members living in Puerto Rico and product availability may vary by state. Program restrictions and exclusions apply. Accident, Hospital only Indemnity, and Critical Illness insurance products are underwritten by Nationwide Life Insurance Company, Columbus, OH, marketed by Beam Insurance Services LLC (Beam Benefits Insurance Services LLC, in CA) and administered by Beam Insurance Administrators LLC (Beam Dental Insurance Administrators LLC in Texas). Accident coverage applicable to policy form GCAS AO L20, or state equivalent, Hospital policy form GHOI AO L20, or state equivalent and Critical Illness policy form GCI AO L20, or state equivalent. Products not available in all states. Program restrictions and exclusions apply.

Beam Benefits is not a subsidiary of Nationwide Life Insurance Company. Beam Insurance Services LLC and Beam Insurance Administrators are separate companies and not affiliated with Nationwide Life Insurance Company.

Business Owners are Underutilizing Advisors
Despite the complexity of today’s business landscape, only 24% of small and mid-market business owners sought guidance from a financial professional in the past year in response to current economic conditions, and only about one-fifth met with their current advisor in the past year to protect their business against future risk. Yet, about one in four say advice from a financial advisor would give them peace of mind.

“Too many business owners are trying to navigate today’s challenging environment without professional financial advice,” said Juan José (JJ) Pérez, SVP of Strategic Customer Solutions for Nationwide Financial. “The beginning of the year is a great time for advisors to proactively engage current and potential business owner clients, meeting them where they are to address the challenges keeping them up at night.”

Top 10 Opportunities for Advisors to Support Business Owners in 2026
Nationwide’s survey identified several areas where advisors can make an immediate impact. Small and mid-market business owners shared the top ten topics they would like to discuss with a financial professional:

1. Inflation
2. Economic uncertainty
3. Financial risk management strategies for their business
4. High interest rates
5. The business owner’s personal retirement
6. Access to credit
7. Supply chain disruptions
8. Employee retirement plan offerings
9. Succession planning
10. Potential employee voluntary benefits offerings

“Advisors can support business owners in a variety of ways, starting with helping them stay calm and focused on their long-term strategies in a volatile business environment,” Pérez said. “They can also provide context on the markets and economy, strategies for managing business challenges, or share new solutions to support needs like access to credit, succession planning and enhanced employee benefits.”

Protecting Business Owners’ Personal Retirement
The survey revealed that some owners are sacrificing personal financial security to keep their businesses afloat, with 14% reducing their retirement savings in the past year and 13% tapping into personal retirement funds to support their business. Nearly one-third of small business owners and nearly one-fifth of mid-market business owners say they would cut their own pay before cutting employee benefits.

“Working with a business owner client can present two important opportunities for advisors – supporting their business as well as their personal financial plan. Advisors can play a critical role in helping these clients balance the needs of their business today with their personal long-term financial security,” Pérez said.

Enhancing Employee Benefits
Many business owners voiced concern about challenges attracting and retaining talent. More than one fourth (27%) of business owners say attracting and retaining skilled employees has been a top workforce challenge over the past 12 months and four in ten (41%) small and more than half (57%) of mid-market business owners report attracting and retaining employees as a top business challenge when looking ahead to the next 12 months.

As a result, many are interested in talking about new employee benefit options for their business, with one in five (20%) saying that improving employee benefits is one of their biggest business opportunities over the next 12 months. A significant majority of business owners (56% small; 79% mid-market) are interested in offering voluntary benefits to enhance their benefits package.

“Whether it’s finding ways to fine tune retirement plan offerings or adding new benefits that will resonate with their employees, advisors can help their clients develop cost effective strategies to attract and retain the talent they need to be successful,” Pérez said. “This could include easy opportunities such as adding voluntary benefits like pet insurance, which pass the cost to employees at no expense to the business. Advisors who don’t specialize in employee benefits should consider partnering with 401(k) or benefits brokers within their firm or network to create referral partnerships to address the diverse needs of business owner clients as a team.”

Managing Rising Healthcare Costs
Healthcare costs are rising, and so are the costs of providing health insurance to employees, with six in ten (61%) business owners surveyed citing this as a top challenge over the next 12 months. Despite this harsh reality, 46% of small and 78% of mid-market business owners report increasing or planning to increase health insurance coverage levels for employees. Many are considering a shift to self-insuring their employee health plan in the next 12 months, including 15% of small and 29% of mid-market business owners.

“Self-insurance is a great way for business owners to reduce costs,” Pérez said. “Beyond helping them navigate this transition, our survey highlights the need for advisors to bring solutions like medical stop-loss insurance to the table to protect business owner clients from the risk of catastrophic health claims.”

Learn more on the Nationwide Advisor Advocate Blog.

Methodology
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) to conduct a nationally representative online survey 400 U.S. small business owners, 400 mid-market business owners from November 10–December 1, 2025.

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Hiring has remained resilient. More than half of mid-market businesses (52%) and nearly one-third of small businesses (31%) added employees in the past year, and more than one-quarter of owners expect to hire in 2026.

Wage growth has followed a similar pattern. Over one-third of business owners (37%) increased wages in the past 12 months, and four in ten expect to raise wages again in 2026, even as margins remain tight. Looking ahead, one in five business owners (20%) say improving employee benefits is among their biggest business opportunities over the next 12 months.

For business owners worried about inflation and an uncertain environment, sustaining these investments has often meant absorbing costs personally:

• 15% of small business owners and 13% of mid-market owners reduced their retirement savings in the past year.
• 14% of small business owners and 13% of mid-market owners tapped into personal retirement funds to support their businesses in the past 12 months.
• If needed, nearly one-third of small business owners and nearly one-fifth of mid-market owners say they would choose to cut their own salary before reducing employee benefits.
• Roughly one in ten business owners canceled or delayed purchasing insurance in the past year, potentially increasing their exposure to risk.

“Rising costs are forcing tough choices, but many owners are still putting their people first,” said Kathy Bostjancic, chief economist for Nationwide. “While job growth has slowed this past year, particularly among smaller enterprises, small and mid-market business owners we surveyed are committed to their employees. Their optimism about their business and the economy in the year ahead may have some merit – we forecast a solid economic expansion in 2026 on tailwinds from looser Fed policy and provisions from last year’s fiscal stimulus package.”

How Business Owners are Positioning for the Future
Despite ongoing economic pressure, many business owners report confidence in the near-term outlook for their own companies. More than half of business owners (57%) say they are very or extremely confident their business is prepared for future risks, and large majorities rate their current financial health as “good” or “excellent.”

That confidence extends cautiously to the broader economy. More than half of business owners expect economic conditions to improve in 2026.

One way business owners are responding to economic pressures is through technology investment. Among mid-market firms in particular, AI is playing a growing role in managing costs and improving efficiency.

More than one-third of mid-market businesses (35%) invested in AI technology in the past year, and among those that did, an overwhelming majority (93%) report seeing a positive return on investment. At the same time, concerns remain: nearly two-thirds of business owners say increased use of AI presents a cybersecurity risk.

Meanwhile, small businesses are taking a more defensive approach. Owners of smaller firms are focusing on preserving cash flow by prioritizing customer retention (30%) and reducing overhead (26%), while also strengthening supplier relationships (25%). Small and mid-sized firms face similar economic pressures, but differences in their responses largely reflect differences in financial capacity.

Rising Risk, Limited Guidance
As business owners navigate economic volatility, workforce strain, rising prices, supply chain disruptions, and rapid technological change, many are not taking advantage of professional guidance to reduce risk. Just 16% of small business owners and 27% of mid-market owners met with their current financial professionals for guidance in the past year; even fewer hired a financial advisor (13% and 19%, respectively).

While financial advisors have an opportunity to engage business owners, insurance agents remain a trusted resource. Nearly two-thirds of small business owners (63%) and more than four in five mid-market owners (81%) currently work with an agent. Amid rising business risks and cost pressures, many owners say they would welcome broader conversations beyond coverage – including rising liability costs, pricing pressures, and supply chain risks.

As owners continue to protect customers and employees, early, integrated financial and insurance guidance can play a critical role in helping them balance near-term challenges with long-term goals.

More findings from Nationwide's Economic Impact survey can be found here.

Methodology
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) to conduct a nationally representative online survey with 400 U.S. small business owners and 400 mid-market business owners from November 10–December 1, 2025.

According to a new survey from the Nationwide Retirement Institute, just two in five (40%) investors who have retired in the last five years say they’re on track with their original budget and decumulation plan, with another 21% saying they’ve had to be more conservative with spending than planned since retiring – meaning less financial freedom to enjoy retirement the way they envisioned.

The reason for the shift? Market volatility is proving to be especially problematic for recent retirees compared to their longer-retired peers. Nationwide’s survey found half (50%) of those retired in the last five years made changes to their retirement portfolio due to recent market turbulence, compared to just one-third (33%) of longer-term retirees. Additionally, 47% said market volatility has impacted the way they approach managing their portfolio and withdrawing or spending down their retirement savings income, compared to 35% of those who have been retired for more than five years.  

As a result, more than half (55%) of recent retirees say they have regrets about how they saved for retirement, with 28% wishing they began saving earlier and 13% wishing they contributed more to their retirement savings and investments each year.

“Retirement planning isn’t just about setting a number and aiming to achieve it; it’s about building a strategy that anticipates life’s changes and regularly revisiting that plan as life happens,” said Kevin Jestice, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. “However, it’s not too late for retirees to take steps toward greater financial confidence. Review your budget, explore additional income opportunities and partner with a financial advisor to align your investments with your goals.”

Financial advisors understand retirees’ concerns and can help tackle key issues, Jestice said. In fact, according to Nationwide’s survey, nearly all (97%) advisors agree that rising living costs are making it harder to retire comfortably. As a result, they are shifting their focus for their clients to address the increased burden from healthcare costs and other economic pressures, as well as identifying guaranteed income solutions.

“Advisors play an essential role during the first few years of retirement, helping retirees navigate new financial realities, manage spending and adjust strategies as life unfolds,” Jestice said. “By openly communicating your concerns and goals with an advisor, you can feel more confident your plan will evolve with your needs regardless of changing market environments.”

Jestice shared the following topics recent retirees may want to revisit with their financial advisor:

1. Contributions: Talk with your advisor about tax-efficient ways to boost savings, like Roth conversions. If you’re still working part-time or have earned income, consider catch-up contributions to IRAs or 401(k)s.

2. Withdrawal and Spending Plan: Create or revisit your withdrawal strategy that balances income needs with longevity risk. Bucket expenses into essential versus discretionary spending to prioritize necessities.

3. Investments: Ask about strategies to hedge inflation, like annuities.

4. Healthcare and Long-Term Care: Work with your advisor on estimating Medicare premiums, supplemental insurance and out-of-pocket costs. Explore long-term care insurance if possible.

“This data should also serve as a wakeup call for younger savers to review their savings habits and strategies before they reach retirement,” Jestice said. “The sooner you address potential challenges to your financial security, the more options you have.” 

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More than half (55%) of recent retirees (those retired in the last five years) say they have regrets about how they saved for retirement. More than a quarter (28%) wish they began saving earlier, and 13% wish they contributed more to their retirement savings and investments each year.

Immediate, tangible financial challenges are fueling these concerns. Just 40% of recent retirees say they're on track with their original budget and decumulation plan, and 21% say they’ve had to be more conservative with spending compared to their pre-retirement expectations. Only one in five (20%) have avoided the need to tap retirement savings by relying solely on the guaranteed income of a pension and/or Social Security, resulting in a majority who may need to lean on their self-invested retirement funds accumulated in their working years. 

“Many recent retirees told us they wish they had saved differently, highlighting a critical truth: retirement planning isn’t just about setting a number—it’s about building a strategy that anticipates life’s changes and regularly revisiting that plan as life happens,” said Kevin Jestice, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions. “Thoughtful, comprehensive planning before retirement can make the difference between uncertainty and confidence in your future. A great way to do this is by working with a trusted financial advisor or leveraging planning resources offered through your workplace retirement plan. For those already retired, it’s not too late to take steps to enhance your retirement strategy. Reviewing your budget, exploring additional income opportunities and working with a financial advisor can help you feel more secure and in control.”   

Market Volatility Hits Recent Retirees Harder
Recent retirees are especially vulnerable to market turbulence, and those new to post-career life are facing more significant headwinds than their peers who retired more than five years ago (longer-term retirees). As a result, recent retirees are more likely to make changes to their portfolios in the early years of retirement. Half (50%) of recent retirees made at least some changes to their retirement portfolio due to market turbulence, compared to just one-third (33%) of longer-term retirees. Additionally, 15% made significant changes to their portfolio – nearly double the 8% of longer-term retirees who did the same.

The impact extends beyond portfolio adjustment and into real-world spending decisions. Nearly half (47%) of recent retirees say recent market volatility has impacted the way they approach managing their portfolio and withdrawing or spending down their savings in retirement, compared to 35% of longer-term retirees.

This market uncertainty is also driving interest in guaranteed income solutions. Thirty-six percent (36%) of recent retirees said they are more likely to put part of their portfolio in an annuity given the events of the last 12 months.

Advisors Recognize the Unique Challenges of Early Retirement
Financial professionals understand the first two years of retirement require heightened attention and strategic adjustments. Based on what they see with their own clients, top challenges for recent retirees cited by advisors include:

• Adjusting to life without a paycheck: Six in ten (60%) advisors say adjusting to not earning active income or not having a job is a challenge their recently retired clients face in their first two years of retirement.
• Managing anxiety about market volatility: More than four in ten (42%) advisors say dealing with anxiety about market volatility while living off investments is a challenge.
• Staying within budget: Four in ten (41%) advisors say maintaining their desired lifestyle within budget constraints is a challenge.

Market conditions are driving advisors to take action. The vast majority (85%) of advisors say recent market conditions caused them to recommend changes to clients' decumulation strategies, and nearly half (45%) made significant changes across most of their recent retiree clients’ decumulation strategies.

Recent Retirees Stay Highly Engaged as Advisors Refocus
Instead of a “set it and forget it” planning approach, advisors report that their recent retirees are monitoring their portfolios closely. 

More than half (56%) of advisors say their recently retired clients review their portfolio and financial plan at least monthly. Nearly one in five (19%) review continuously, with access through digital platforms and periodic advisor contact, and 16% do weekly brief check-ins during market volatility periods.

Financial professionals are adapting their approaches to meet the investment needs of their clients. Notably, 93% of advisors increased their focus on addressing healthcare costs over the last year, and 87% increased their focus on identifying guaranteed income solutions.

“The first few years of retirement are critical, and we’re encouraged to see recent retirees lean on their advisors to navigate a changing market environment. Advisors play an essential role during this period, helping retirees navigate new financial realities, manage spending and adjust strategies as their next chapter begins to unfold,” Jestice said. “Advisors can help boost confidence by reviewing or exploring guaranteed income solutions or other strategies to address longevity risk. With expert guidance, retirees can feel confident their plan supports both today’s needs and tomorrow’s possibilities.”

The Nationwide Retirement Institute offers resources to help advisors facilitate conversations with Gen X clients.

For more insights on this survey data, see our infographic.

Guarantees are subject to the claims-paying ability of the issuing insurance company.
Provisions of these options may vary based on plan selection and/or by state regulation. These investment options may not be available in all states.

Nationwide’s eleventh annual Advisor Authority study, powered by the Nationwide Retirement Institute^®, explores critical issues confronting advisors, financial professionals and individual investors—and the innovative techniques that they need to succeed in today’s complex market.

About Advisor Authority: Methodology
The Harris Poll, on behalf of Nationwide, conducted an online survey in the U. S. among 510 advisors and financial professionals and 2,007 investors ages 18+ with investable assets (IA) of $10K+, August 19-September 2, 2025. Among the investors, there were 180 recent retirees (those who retired in the last five years) and 274 longer term retirees (those who retired more than five years ago).

Respondents for this survey were selected from among those who have agreed to participate in our surveys. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.  For this study, the sample data for advisors is accurate to within ± 4.3 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For investors data is accurate to within ± 2.8 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. This credible interval will be wider among subsets of the surveyed population of interest.  For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact news@nationwide.com.

About The Harris Poll
The Harris Poll is one of the longest running surveys in the U.S tracking public opinion, motivations and social sentiment since 1963 that is now part of Harris Insights & Analytics, a global consulting and market research firm that delivers social intelligence for transformational times. We work with clients in three primary areas: building twenty-first-century corporate reputation, crafting brand strategy and performance tracking, and earning organic media through public relations research. Our mission is to provide insights and advisory to help leaders make the best decisions possible. To learn more, please visit www.theharrispoll.com.

“Bringing Allstate Benefits’ self-funded program and stop loss plans under the Nationwide banner underscores the company’s long-term strategy to grow its employee benefits footprint while celebrating a century of offering protection and extraordinary care,” said Lindsey Murray, president of Nationwide Group Benefits. “This strategic shift is designed to unify Nationwide’s expanding portfolio of protection and benefits solutions under one recognizable, trusted brand.”

Nationwide acquired Allstate Benefits’ group health businesses in July 2025, expanding the company’s ability to offer self-funded and stop loss solutions to small and mid-sized employers and positioning Nationwide as a leading provider in the stop loss industry. Stop loss insurance protects employers who self-fund their health insurance plans from excess losses.

Although members and employers will now see Nationwide branding on materials and digital platforms, the team’s mission to find innovative ways to address rising healthcare costs and meet customer needs remains the same, Murray said. Clients and brokers will experience the same relationships and program solutions, backed by Nationwide’s commitment to innovation and growth.

“This is an exciting new chapter that demonstrates our commitment to delivering exceptional service, innovative solutions and unwavering support to our members, employers and brokers,” said Murray. “Allstate Benefits has found its home at Nationwide and it’s right where we belong.”

To learn more about the products and services offered under the rebranded Allstate Benefits’ businesses, visit www.nationwide.com/grouphealth.

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Jaclyn Avelar
Nationwide Pet/Nationwide Group Benefits
In her relatively short time at Nationwide, Jaclyn has delivered strong performance and has championed the company’s broad portfolio of products and solutions. She supports Nationwide’s strong culture by organizing events at the company’s San Antonio office and backing service projects as part of Nationwide’s San Antonio Community Engagement Council. Her passion for pets extends beyond her work by fostering animals waiting for adoption through the San Antonio Pets Alive rescue.   

Chris Bailey
Nationwide Annuity
Chris fosters a culture of collaboration with his peers and business partners. He is often sought out for his knowledge by partners when they’re planning speaking and educational events. Chris shows this same spirit in his community by working with The Ohio State University's James Cancer Hospital, where he counsels individuals and their families facing a cancer diagnosis. He also supports youth sports and development by coaching his daughter's soccer team.  

Austin Clouse
Investment Management Group
Austin is a born leader, always quick to help others and come up with fun ways to strengthen relationships among coworkers and business partners while producing great results. He supports two causes popular with Nationwiders – the Mid-Ohio Foodbank and the annual Pelotonia cycling fundraiser to fight cancer. He also has served his country for the past 17 years with the Ohio Air National Guard’s 180th Fighter Wing. 

Middi Dzihic
Nationwide Life Insurance
Middi has transformed his territory within two years into one of the top-performing regions for Nationwide Life Insurance, ranking in the top 10 among all wholesalers in the Life sales organization. Middi also gives back generously through volunteer activities. He works with Junior Achievement to bring financial literacy education into classrooms, hosts educational seminars for families navigating caregiving and long-term care, and coaches basketball for the Special Olympics.

Joe Fergus
Institutional Life Insurance
Joe leads his team through preparation, humility and an unwavering commitment to excellence. This includes leading big projects requiring coordination across Nationwide and external partners. He has been involved for more than 25 years with Breakthrough T1D (formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) and the American Diabetes Association, and he has also supported the Especially for You^® Race Against Breast Cancer benefiting individuals needing cancer screening and services in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa, area.

Eric McCaslin
Strategic Customer Solutions
Eric accounted for an impressive 28% of all annuity account management activity in 2025 while promoting a culture of teamwork to produce the best outcome for everyone. His habit of overachieving is also evident in his community work. Not only has he helped raise thousands of dollars for the local Special Olympics in his Columbus suburb, he’s expanded its events to include new sports like pickleball that bring in a broader group of participants.  

Greg Watson
Nationwide Retirement Solutions
Greg is a repeat winner of the Sales Associate of the Year award and is always a top contender, consistently ranking in the top 20% for Retirement Solutions sales. He increases his impact by mentoring other team members. In the community, he’s turned his passion for motorsports into opportunities to benefit students. Working with the United States Auto Club, he’s raised scholarship funds for University of Northwestern Ohio students in STEM fields, and he has created a summer volunteer program for students to gain work experience. He also led a tire-recycling program with the auto club that diverts tires from landfills, redirecting them for other uses including providing paving material for playgrounds. 

Nationwide, Nationwide is on your side and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. © 2026
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BOLI and COLI policies are lesser-known types of life insurance policies that help businesses informally fund employee benefits and cover the expenses associated with replacing insured employees. Banks purchase, own and serve as the beneficiary of BOLI policies, while companies buy COLI policies.

“After 30 years in the market and with more than 1,200 institutional life insurance policies in force, we know how important it is to listen to our clients and design solutions based on their complex needs,” said Jessica Dowdy, head of Nationwide ILI. “In fact, because of this approach and our experience in the industry, we were able to win our largest BOLI case on record, helping a client with over 4,000 insureds.”  

The ILI team’s success stems in large part from their end-to-end service model, allowing them to partner with clients to meet their needs from initial sales support to case retention. In fact, in a recent customer experience survey initiated by the team, a partner called Nationwide’s post-sale support the “best in the business,” said Dowdy.

“BOLI and COLI policies are sticky business, meaning these clients are with us for more than 30 years – and we need to ensure we’re meeting their needs for the entire relationship, not just the point of sale,” Dowdy said. “Our specialized underwriting, streamlined policy implementation and reliable service ensure our customers are getting the best experience for the duration of their policy.”

The ILI team’s flexible and customizable products have also contributed to their recognition across the industry. For example, the Nationwide Innovator Corporate Variable Universal Life (VUL) policy offers over 140 investment options, the lowest-cost fund lineup in the institutional life insurance market² and two death benefit options – features that help set it apart from other VULs.

“Our products are best-in-class, but our people really help us stand out from the competition,” Dowdy said. “This team is a dedicated and specialized group of industry experts – and we’re committed to helping our clients now and well into the future.”

Visit https://nationwidefinancial.com/products/business-life for more information and resources on Nationwide institutional life insurance.

¹ Based on new premium dollars, IBIS Associates Inc. for the period ending 12/31/24.
² Weighted average fund expense is an average for the entire lineup and is based on Nationwide and Morningstar historical data as of May 1, 2024.
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Kevin Jestice, president of Nationwide Retirement Solutions, announced that Suzanne Ricklin has been named the new leader of Distribution for Nationwide Retirement Solutions, the company’s public and private sector retirement plans business.  

Ricklin currently serves as Vice President of Retention & Sales for Retirement Solutions Distribution, supporting more than $208 billion in assets and nearly 3 million participants. In that role, she managed the retention and growth of government and corporate retirement clients, driving a strategic account management approach across all plan types.  

“Suzanne has a strong track record of leadership across our business,” Jestice said. “Her team has consistently expanded Nationwide solutions in alignment with client goals and delivered strong, measurable results. She has earned a reputation for being a trusted leader, a mentor to associates and someone who motivates teams to achieve meaningful business outcomes through collaboration and innovative thinking.” 

Ricklin brings more than 25 years of financial services experience, including serving as Vice President and Head of Relationship Management for Retirement Plan Services at T. Rowe Price, where she supported 500 high value clients. Prior to that, she held multiple leadership roles across relationship management, external wholesaling, corporate marketing and communications, retail sales and investor centers.  

Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from American University and an MBA from Loyola University’s Sellinger School of Business. She also maintains her FINRA Series 7, 24 and 63 licenses. She is deeply committed to financial literacy and the development of young people, having served on the board of Junior Achievement for more than 20 years and currently serving as board chair.  

Ricklin will report to Kevin Jestice. In her new role she will replace Rich Porter who recently left the company for another opportunity. Plans for replacing Suzanne’s previous role will be shared later.   

Nationwide Retirement Solutions administers nearly 32,000 retirement plans, helping protect more than $200 billion in participant assets, and helping secure financial futures for over 2.7 million participants. Nationwide services the highest volume of Governmental 457 plans and demonstrated significant growth in corporate 401(k) and not-for-profit 403(b) markets.¹ Nationwide is committed to serving the retirement industry by doing the right thing at the right time through better participant experiences, administrative simplicity and values that translate to service.  

¹ Plan Sponsor 2024 Recordkeeping Survey  
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“Our research highlights how different generations approach retirement – and what we can learn from them,” said Cathy Marasco, head of Protected Retirement at Nationwide. “Younger savers are showing that early engagement and proactive planning can create confidence and resilience, while older generations offer valuable perspective on the risks of waiting to take action. As we think about resolving to create better financial habits in the year ahead, these insights give all of us a clearer roadmap for building a stronger financial future.”

Young savers are practicing smart retirement behaviors
On average, Gen Z and Millennial savers started contributing to their workplace retirement plans at age 23 and 28 respectively – nearly a decade earlier than Gen X (34) and Boomers (40). They’re also more engaged and protection focused: checking balances weekly, increasing contributions annually, and planning ahead for market volatility. Roughly 7 in 10 younger savers say they have a strategy to safeguard their savings before retirement, compared to just 55% of Gen X and 44% of Boomers.

Millennials, in particular, are leaning more on resources like their company’s HR team, retirement plan providers, and financial advisors to guide their decisions. And both Gen Z and Millennials show greater familiarity with investment solutions that provide downside protection – and are more likely to say they’d use them.

Ultimately, these habits are paying off. Eight in 10 younger savers feel optimistic about their retirement plans. Nearly half also feel confident about the savings they’ve accumulated – compared with just a third of Gen X and a quarter of Boomers.

Older savers share regrets
On the flip side, older savers were candid about what they wish they’d done differently. More than 80% of Gen X and Boomers regret not starting to save or participating in their employer-sponsored retirement plan earlier. Over 8 in 10 also wish they’d focused earlier on strategies to protect their savings from market volatility or convert assets into sustainable income in retirement. These regrets are compounded by persistent knowledge gaps, including:

• Over three-quarters of older savers wish they understood the power of compounding interest and the benefits of maximizing contributions at a younger age
• 54% of Gen X and 39% of Boomers still misunderstand how compounding interest works
• More than half believe their 401(k) will provide predictable monthly income like a paycheck, setting unrealistic retirement expectations

These missed opportunities have real consequences. One in five Gen X and Boomers feel they’re on the wrong track for retirement and almost 1 in 3 now expect to retire later than planned. And economic uncertainty is adding pressure, with many reporting increased anxiety about their retirement savings over the past year.

Starting early pays dividends
Analysis of NRI’s research by The American College of Financial Services highlights just how powerful an early start can be. Among those who began saving for retirement by age 25, three-quarters feel confident or cautiously optimistic about their future, compared to just 46% of those who started later – a 30-point gap. Even beyond that cutoff, the trend holds: optimistic savers began at roughly age 30 or younger, while those who feel anxious or pessimistic started around age 32 or older.

"The lesson is simple: don’t wait for the perfect moment or the perfect amount to start saving," said Eric Ludwig, PhD, CFP®, Director of the Center for Retirement Income at The American College. "Building the habit early – even with modest contributions – sets the foundation for decades of confidence and better retirement readiness."

Kick off 2026 with smarter saving
With the new year underway, it’s an ideal moment for retirement savers to take stock of where they stand and where they want to be. To start 2026 on the right path, consider some simple actions that can help improve your retirement outlook:

• Start now – or increase what you’re already saving. Every day you wait is a missed opportunity for growth. If you’re already contributing, consider a small increase. Even a 1% bump can make a meaningful difference over time.
• Contribute enough to earn your full employer match. Roughly 20% of savers across all generations say they either don’t contribute enough to receive the full match or aren’t sure if they do, leaving money on the table. If your budget allows, consider maximizing contributions to capture even more growth potential.
• Check in with your retirement plan provider or financial advisor. A quick review at the start of the year can help you understand if your current allocation and risk level still align with your goals, and whether rebalancing may be appropriate.
• Prepare for market changes and long-term income. Take time to understand how your current savings will eventually convert into income in retirement and explore plan options that provide protection or guaranteed income – features that can help stabilize your strategy through market shifts.

“A new year is a natural point to reset your financial habits,” said Marasco. “Workplace retirement plans are evolving to include many of the tools and protections needed to build long-term security – like income solutions, portfolio guidance and downside protection – making it easier for savers to take the next step.”

Advisors and plan sponsors can help ensure their participants have the tools they need to be confident and thrive in retirement. Learn about Nationwide’s Protected Retirement solutions or view the full survey findings.

Methodology
Edelman Data and Intelligence (DXI) conducted a national online 20-minute survey of n=2,200 plan participants, on behalf of Nationwide from July 30th – August 13th, 2025.

As a member in good standing with The Insights Association as well as ESOMAR, Edelman Data and Intelligence conducts all research in accordance with local, national and international laws as well as in line with all Market Research Standards and Guidelines.

“Nationwide was founded to serve the needs of farmers and rural communities, and we still maintain deep roots in the agricultural community,” said Kristi Martin Rodriguez, SVP of Nationwide Financial Marketing and leader of the Nationwide Retirement Institute®. “That’s why we continue to invest in protecting American farmers, including helping them plan for their financial futures. Congratulations to our Nationwide Retirement Institute team for this well-deserved industry recognition.” 

The Land As Your Legacy program helps farmers and ranchers protect their operations and plan for the future. Over the past 18 months, the Nationwide Retirement Institute has advanced this mission through research, education, and strategic partnerships. In early 2023, the Institute conducted comprehensive research into rural communities’ attitudes toward financial advice, shaping solutions that meet their unique needs. 

Elements of this effort include: 

• Expanding partnerships with farm credit organizations.
• Launching a Multiple Employer Plan (MEP) with a leading state Farm Bureau, offering 401(k) plans for small farming operations.
• Protecting farm families, including writing the largest case in program history—safeguarding $180 million in assets for an Iowa farming family.
• Hosting educational events, including one that drew 54 clients representing over 20 farming operations.
• Delivering 150 presentations and creating 243 plans for farm families. 

These efforts reflect Nationwide’s continued dedication to helping agricultural families secure their financial futures while preserving their legacies. 

The company was also named a finalist for the awards ceremony in the Thought Leadership and Education category. 

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Nationwide‘s Investment Management Group (IMG) announced that Tammara Flagler has been named leader of Nationwide Securities, LLC (NSLLC), Nationwide's retail broker dealer and investment advisor, effective December 22. In this role, Flagler will lead the firm’s direct-to-consumer and business partner investment and advice solutions. She will report to Joseph Aniano, leader of Nationwide’s Investment Management Group (IMG).

With more than 20 years of experience in financial services, Flagler will set the strategic direction for NSLLC and lead its execution. Her priorities include delivering exceptional customer experience, ensuring operational excellence and compliance, and shaping a product platform that meets evolving customer needs.

“Tammara’s ability to build high-performing teams and deliver results makes her an excellent choice to lead NSLLC into the future,” said Aniano. “She is admired for her proven ability to manage cross-functional teams in a way that supports individual professional growth, drives business results and exceeds client satisfaction expectations.”

Flagler currently serves as head of securities-backed lending (SBL) sales and distribution at Nationwide, where she has driven record sales and built a world-class team. She began her career at UBS and joined Nationwide in 2016, where she has held leadership roles in operations and staff administration prior to leading the SBL team.

She was named Nationwide’s Sales Associate of the Year for Nationwide Corporate Solutions in 2020. Flagler holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Seton Hall University and maintains FINRA Series 7, 26 and 63 licenses. 

Nationwide Investment Management Group (IMG) is a business within Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, that is one of the largest and strongest diversified financial services and insurance organizations in the United States. IMG provides access to a curated list of investment solutions across asset classes that seek to outperform across market environments using a subadvised model offering access to specialized knowledge and expertise at institutional pricing. IMG holds its managers to the highest performance standards through uncompromising oversight by its nearly 20-person investment research team and provides ongoing market, economic and investment insights to help investors identify opportunities, manage risk and stay informed. 

Learn more about the services Nationwide Investment Management Group provides. 

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For the third consecutive quarter, activity in the pension risk transfer (PRT) market declined, bringing in $10.6 billion in sales in 3Q, a 32% decrease year-over-year, according to LIMRA’s U.S. Group Annuity Risk Transfer Survey. While the industry’s slower sales were anticipated by industry experts like Nationwide’s head of PRT Paula Cole, buy-in activity has picked up in the second half of the year. Cole discussed why buy-ins are gaining in popularity this year, whether the dip in sales will extend into next year and how advisors can help their plan sponsor clients navigate the current environment.

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