To recognize those contributions, nominations are now open for the Golden Owl Award®, an annual program celebrating excellence in agricultural education. For the 2026-27 school year, the program is expanding to 16 states with the addition of Colorado. The award program will now recognize leading agricultural teachers across 16 states: California, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota and Utah. 

Since launching in 2018, the Golden Owl Award has recognized hundreds of agricultural educators and provided more than $800,000 in funding to support agricultural education programs, FFA chapters and student development initiatives. Last year, there were over 4,900 nominations across 15 participating states, and the program recognized 107 exceptional ag teachers including 15 “Ag Educators of the Year.” 

"Every day, agricultural educators help students develop the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed," said Brad Liggett, president of Agribusiness at Nationwide. "The Golden Owl Award is our way of recognizing the educators who are investing in the future of agriculture and making a lasting impact on their students and communities." 

To nominate an ag teacher for the 2025-2026 Golden Owl Award, visit www.GoldenOwlAward.com.¹ 

Following the nomination period, finalists in each state will be selected by a panel of judges. Each finalist will receive an individualized plaque and funding to support their school's agricultural education program. One educator in each state will ultimately be named Ag Educator of the Year and receive the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy along with additional funding for their program. 

In addition to recognizing outstanding teachers, Nationwide supports agricultural education through contributions to participating state FFA organizations, helping provide leadership development opportunities and resources for students across the country. 

The Golden Owl Award reflects Nationwide's ongoing commitment to strengthening agriculture and supporting the educators who help shape its future. 

To nominate an agricultural educator or learn more about the program, visit GoldenOwlAward.com. 

¹ California Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 2 – Jan. 16, 2027. Colorado Golden Owl Award nomination period is May 15 – 30, 2027.  Delaware Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Nov. 15, 2026. Illinois Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Nov. 15, 20256. Indiana Golden Owl Award nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 15, 2026. Iowa Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 2 – Dec. 1, 2026. Kansas Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026. Kentucky Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 18 – Nov. 30, 2026. Maryland Golden Owl Award nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026. Missouri Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 15 – Dec. 31, 2026. Nebraska Golden Owl Award nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026. New York Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 10 – Nov. 15, 2026. Ohio Golden Owl Award nomination period is Sept. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026. Pennsylvania Golden Owl Award nomination period is Aug. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026. South Dakota Golden Owl Award nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 31, 2026. Utah Golden Owl Award nomination period is Oct. 1 – Dec. 15, 2026. 

² Ohio finalists will receive a personalized plaque and $1,500 to fund their programs. Ohio’s Ag Educator of the Year title will receive the coveted Golden Owl Award trophy and an additional $5,000 to help fund future educational efforts for their program. Ohio’s partner, Farm Credit Mid-America, provided funding for the increase in prize money. In accordance with Ohio law, cash prizes in Ohio are awarded to the winner’s school ag program.

Employees were challenged at the beginning of 2026 to volunteer 100,000 hours collectively, a goal rooted in Nationwide’s longstanding commitment to community involvement and company values that date back to Nationwide's earliest days. The milestone reflects volunteer service completed both through company-sponsored events and employees' personal commitments to causes and organizations that matter most to them. 

“Thank you to every employee whose dedication and generosity helped make this achievement possible,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “Whether volunteering through a Nationwide-sponsored event or supporting a cause close to home, each hour made a difference—and together, those individual acts of service created a lasting impact in communities across the country.” 

Making a difference, one community at a time 
For the nonprofit partners, the value of those volunteer hours extends well beyond the numbers. 

The Mid-Ohio Food Collective, part of the Feeding America network, received the most volunteer support from Nationwide employees this year with more than 6,000 volunteer hours. Earlier this year, Nationwide employees came together for a service event, packing shelf-stable food boxes that helped provide meals for nearly 1,000 Central Ohio seniors experiencing food insecurity. 

"Nationwide continues to be one of Mid-Ohio Food Collective's most valued partners, not only through its philanthropy but through the extraordinary commitment of its associates," said Matt Habash, president and CEO of Mid-Ohio Food Collective. "Their dedication helps expand our reach, strengthen our impact, and move us closer to a future where no one in our community has to worry about where their next meal will come from. We are deeply grateful for Nationwide's leadership and unwavering support." 

United Way of Central Iowa was another top nonprofit partner for Nationwide volunteers this year. Employees contributed their time to a variety of initiatives supporting health, youth opportunities and financial security throughout the region. 

"Reaching 100,000 volunteer hours is a remarkable achievement that reflects Nationwide's deep commitment to the communities it serves," said Mary Sellers, president of United Way of Central Iowa. "The time, talent and dedication of Nationwide employees have made a meaningful difference across central Iowa, and we're proud to partner with an organization that consistently invests in helping others and strengthening our community." 

Building on a century of caring 
Nationwide employees have played an active role in strengthening the communities where they live and work. Today, that tradition continues through volunteerism, charitable giving and community partnerships.  

“At Nationwide, protecting what matters most extends beyond the products and services we provide. It means showing up for the communities where we live and work. Reaching 100,000 volunteer hours in our centennial year is a powerful reflection of our employees’ generosity and our longstanding commitment to caring for others,” said Walker.  

This year's achievement was made possible by thousands of employee volunteers, including 146 employees who have individually contributed more than 100 hours of volunteer service.  

Visit Nationwide’s giving page for more information about how the company and its associates combine philanthropy, workplace giving and volunteerism to make an impact.

For Nationwide, the survey findings reinforce the importance of helping people understand emerging digital risks and giving them practical ways to protect their identity, information and finances.

Nearly four in 10 consumers (39%) say they have ignored or delayed responding to a legitimate delivery notice because they suspected it was a scam. Nearly three in 10 (29%) say they have done the same with a legitimate government message or bank alert.

That caution comes as consumers grapple with increasingly convincing AI-enabled threats. More than eight in 10 (84%) are concerned about criminals using AI to steal someone’s identity, yet only 19% are highly confident they could identify an AI-powered scam.

“AI is giving scammers new ways to make fraudulent messages, calls and requests look and sound more convincing,” said Helen Simonett, Vice President of Personal Property Lines at Nationwide. “Consumers are right to be cautious, but when it becomes difficult to distinguish a scam from a legitimate message, that uncertainty can also affect how people respond to important communications they rely on every day.”

AI is making scams harder to spot
As generative AI tools become more sophisticated and widely available, cybercriminals use them to create convincing phishing messages and impersonation attempts designed to appear as though they are coming from a trusted person or organization.

For consumers, that can make familiar warning signs harder to rely on. A message with polished language or a call that sounds like someone they know may no longer be enough to establish legitimacy.

The survey findings suggest consumers recognize the changing threat but may not feel confident identifying it. The gap between widespread concern about AI-enabled identity theft and confidence in spotting an AI-powered scam underscores the importance of slowing down and independently verifying unexpected requests before responding.

“Scammers often want people to react quickly, particularly when a message involves money, personal information or an apparent emergency,” said Simonett. “If something feels unusual, consumers should avoid using the contact information provided in the message and instead reach out to the person, company or institution through a phone number, website or app they already know and trust.”

What consumers can do to protect themselves
The survey shows consumers are already taking some basic precautions: 57% use strong, unique passwords and 47% use multifactor authentication to protect themselves from AI-powered scams and other cyber threats. But verification habits can provide another layer of protection.

• Verify unexpected requests through another channel. Contact the person or organization using a phone number, website or app you already know rather than information contained in the suspicious message.
• Create a family code phrase. Just 17% of consumers say their household currently has one for confirming a loved one’s identity during an urgent call or message.
• Use basic account protections. Strong, unique passwords, multifactor authentication and regular account monitoring can make accounts harder to compromise.
• Understand your coverage before you need it. Even with precautions in place, scams can happen. Know what protection your insurance provides, where there may be gaps and who to contact if you become a victim.
• Consider identity theft protection. Identity theft coverage may provide another layer of protection, including monitoring for suspicious activity involving personal information and help navigating recovery or reimbursement of certain related expenses. Nationwide identity theft protection is available for $45 per year when added to an eligible Nationwide auto, home, renters, condo or RV policy.

More findings from the 2026 Nationwide Cybersecurity survey can be found here.

Learn about Nationwide’s ID theft protection.

Dr. Beth Kozel, MD, PhD, the chief of the hospital’s Division of Genetic and Genomic Medicine and director of Constitutional Genomics Translational Research, and her clinical team are working with their partners in the Steve and Cindy Rasmussen Institute for Genomic Medicine to bring the life-saving power of genomics to children — from research, to advanced diagnostic testing, to therapeutics.

Through this work, geneticists and genetic counselors work closely with patients and families throughout their healthcare journeys. Dr. Kozel’s vision for the future is one in which genomic information becomes part of the “everyday medical and healthcare experience.”

By meeting children early in their hospital admission and using rapid genome sequencing, the team is translating faster diagnoses into real-time therapies. Rapid genome sequencing can provide answers for about one-third of children who previously had no diagnosis, helping care teams make more informed treatment decisions.

“We are pushing the boundaries of what is possible by taking a genetic test result and translating it into therapies through our growing understanding of how genes and biological pathways work,” said Dr. Kozel. “While diagnosis remains the foundation, the most exciting advances are happening in therapeutics. As genomics increasingly guides clinical decisions across the hospital, our clinicians are developing more personalized treatment strategies, from established therapies and repurposed medications to clinical trials and gene therapies. For many families, these advances are creating new options and new hope where few existed before.”

Her work at the hospital is made possible thanks to a partnership between the Nationwide Foundation, a private foundation whose primary donor is Columbus-based Nationwide.

“When organizations share a vision and commit to it over time, their impact reaches far beyond what any one organization can achieve alone," said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. "For nearly seven decades, Nationwide and Nationwide Children's have worked together to improve the lives of children and families. This investment extends that commitment by supporting groundbreaking research and innovation while helping create stronger, healthier communities."

Earlier this year, the Nationwide Foundation announced a $10 million investment through its Pediatric Innovation Fund, bringing its total commitment to Nationwide Children's to more than $180 million.

The investment supports advances in genomic medicine and data science while also helping fund affordable housing, injury prevention and children's mental health initiatives. Together, those efforts recognize that a child's well-being is shaped by much more than medical care alone.

The latest gift will also establish the 19th endowed chair funded by the Nationwide Foundation at Nationwide Children's, which has been awarded to Dr. Kozel.

The Nationwide Foundation's support for endowed chairs reflects a broader belief that investing in talented people, especially in the medical field, can have a lasting effect, creating discoveries and breakthroughs that benefit families long into the future.

Today, the Nationwide Foundation continues that legacy. Since 2000, it has contributed more than $745 million to nonprofit organizations serving the communities where Nationwide associates and their families live and work.

In the past year, more than two-thirds (68%) of Gen Z adults looked for higher-paying jobs or additional income, as opposed to only 56% of Millennials. Half (50%) of Gen Z adults also earned money beyond their primary income source and more than a third (34%) invested time or money in building skills to increase their earning potential.

Yet Gen Z’s score on Nationwide Financial’s Growth and Protection Index is 49, only modestly more growth-oriented than Millennials (50) and Gen X (52). The Index places Americans on a scale of zero to 100, with a score of zero indicating a complete focus on growing assets and a score of 100 indicating a complete focus on protecting what they have.

This score suggests that while Gen Z is taking action to improve their finances, the activity isn’t translating into a dramatically more growth-oriented financial posture. Immediate financial pressures may be getting in the way, with nearly seven in 10 Gen Z adults experiencing a significant increase in essential living expenses in the last year, and 46% worrying about their finances every day. Those pressures are also shortening their view of the future: 61% primarily make financial decisions looking less than a year ahead.

“Gen Z’s score on our index is surprising because you might expect younger adults to be much more focused on wealth accumulation,” said Craig Hawley, President and COO of Nationwide Financial. “But younger generations are facing more immediate demands on their money, from basic necessities to student loan debt, making it harder to focus on long-term financial planning. This mindset could represent a missed opportunity for a generation who has the benefit of more time before their retirement, meaning money invested today has longer to compound as they build their retirement nest egg.”

Gen Z wants financial guidance, highlighting an opportunity for advisors and employer-sponsored retirement plans
Gen Z’s short planning horizon isn’t a sign of low financial ambition. In fact, despite their shorter planning horizons, Gen Z appears unusually receptive to professional financial guidance. Nearly half (45%) say they want to work with a financial professional, compared with just 30% of consumers overall.

For financial professionals, Gen Z's willingness to accept counsel creates an opportunity, but serving this generation may require a different approach. While Gen Z is already taking steps to improve their financial situation, many lack a long-term framework that connects individual actions to where they want to be years from now.

“There is a clear opportunity for advisors and plan sponsors to meet Gen Z where they are with actionable guidance,” Hawley said. “This group needs help striking the right balance between addressing immediate financial obligations and taking advantage of longer-term investment opportunities. That could mean helping young clients determine how much to keep accessible for near-term needs, where they can afford to take risks, and how to identify a portion of their income to invest for the future. This group may also benefit from education around the power of compounding interest, and a deeper understanding of how their longer time horizon makes them better positioned to weather short-term market volatility than older generations who are closer to retirement.”

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 new commercial, “Locker Room,” debuts Sept. 9 during the 2026 NFL Kickoff game broadcast on NBC
• Peyton Manning reprises his role as “Paintin’ Manning” with Saquon Barkley appearing as himself
• The commercial reinforces that Nationwide is both a great insurance company and one of America’s largest financial services companies

As the 2026 NFL season gets underway, Nationwide is bringing Peyton Manning’s “Paintin’ Manning” character back in “Locker Room,” its latest advertising creative featuring Manning and NFL All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley. The spot debuts on September 9 on NBC during the 2026 NFL Kickoff game.

“Locker Room” is the latest installment of Nationwide’s “So Much More” campaign, which highlights the breadth of the company’s offerings through football-focused storytelling.

What is Nationwide’s “Locker Room” commercial?

View the new spot here

The “Locker Room” spot uses Manning’s “Paintin” character and lighthearted humor to highlight Nationwide’s offerings across insurance and financial services.

Set in a football stadium, the spot follows Manning as he brings his artistic skills to the locker room, where his Nationwide teammate Saquon Barkley finds him touching up anything he can get his paintbrush on. Through his creative passion, Manning transforms his surroundings while boldly conveying the message that Nationwide is “so much more” than a great insurance company. It is also one of America’s largest financial services companies.

What is the message behind the campaign?

Nationwide’s “So Much More” campaign is designed to broaden how consumers understand the company beyond insurance and the ways it can support their financial futures.

“This latest iteration of our ‘So Much More’ campaign combines imaginative, football-centered storytelling to reinforce Nationwide’s identity as both an insurance and financial services company,” said Ann Bair, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer for Nationwide. “Bringing that message to life through ‘Paintin’ and Saquon gives us a distinctive, memorable way to help consumers understand how Nationwide helps them protect what matters today and plan for what comes next.”

“I enjoyed coming back to Paintin’ Manning, and having Saquon in the locker room gave us a new way to have fun with the character,” said Manning. “We leaned into the humor fans expect while conveying something people may not always realize: Nationwide is on your side in more ways than one, with solutions that go beyond insurance and support people’s broader financial needs.”

“Working with Peyton always makes for a fun shoot, and ‘Locker Room’ definitely delivered,” said Barkley. “What I like about this campaign is that the humor has a purpose. It helps show people that Nationwide does a lot more than they may realize, from insurance to financial services.”

When does the new Nationwide commercial debut?

“Locker Room” debuts Wednesday, September 9 on NBC during the 2026 NFL Kickoff matchup between the reigning Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots. Fans can expect to see “Locker Room” as well as other new creative featuring Manning and Barkley throughout the NFL season.

Fans can view previous ads from Nationwide's "So Much More" campaign featuring Manning on Nationwide’s YouTube channel.

About Nationwide + NFL

Nationwide has been an Official Sponsor of the National Football League since 2014. The partnership designates Nationwide as an official sponsor across key insurance and financial service categories, including auto, home, life, business, agribusiness, pet insurance and retirement planning. The centerpiece of the multiyear partnership is presenting sponsorship of the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.

In honor of America’s 250^th anniversary, organizers from all 50 states highlighted contributions that people, businesses and organizations from their states made to the country over the last 250 years to help improve the lives of their fellow Americans. In Ohio, the America 250 - Ohio Commission chose to recognize the seatbelt advocacy campaign, started by Nationwide.  

Nationwide worked alongside lawmakers and public safety partners to help advance legislation designed to save lives. That work helped shape the seat belt laws in place today — and reflects the company’s broader belief that protection extends beyond products and policies. 

As you and your family take to the open road this weekend, remember to drive safe, fasten your seatbelt and protect what matters most. 

At Nationwide’s annual company-wide meeting, employees gathered in-person and virtually to celebrate the 2026 CEO Award winners whose contributions reflect the company’s mission of protecting people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care. In the company’s centennial year, their stories are a reminder that caring for others has been at the heart of Nationwide throughout its history.

A Nationwide CEO Award is considered one of the company’s highest honors, recognizing employees who go above and beyond. Nearly 100 employees were nominated.

“Each year, these awards give us the opportunity to recognize people who represent the very best of our company, those who lead by example and help make Nationwide a stronger community partner,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “Their commitment to customers, the community, each other and moving our business forward is nothing short of inspiring. Their work reflects our mission in action and demonstrates how powerful it is when talent, compassion and purpose come together.”

Visit the Nationwide careers page to learn more about open positions. 

Milo is devoted to his family and loves playing in the snow. However, during a Christmas Day trip to the mountains, a sudden noise startled Milo as he was getting into the family’s car. He bolted up a cross-country ski trail and disappeared.

His family chased after him, but Milo was gone, lost in the wilderness for 72 days until his microchip was pinged at a shelter. He was incredibly thin but otherwise unscathed. After spending four days in the vet hospital receiving expert care, he was able to return home to his family, who call it a miracle.

“The joy of being reunited with a beloved pet after weeks of uncertainty is hard to put into words. Milo's journey reflects the determination of his family, his own incredible resilience, and the importance of getting pets the care they need when the unexpected happens. Stories like his are exactly what the Hambone Awards were created to celebrate,” said Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer at Nationwide.

Nationwide hosted a public vote from August 3-14, 2026 to determine the most unusual pet insurance claim story and two runners-up from a group of nine finalists. More than 11,000 votes were cast. Milo received the Hambone Award trophy and a Petco gift card, and the runners up will also receive Petco gift cards. The runners-up were:

• Henry, a Labrador retriever from Colorado who’s obsessed with fetch, chased a ball into his yard, stepped on a rake and punctured his paw. His parent contacted Nationwide’s VetHelpline for guidance, and now, Henry is healed and back to chasing tennis balls.
• Hobbes, a domestic shorthair cat from Arizona, slipped past his owner and dashed under a garage just as it was closing. He made it past the safety sensors but not the garage door itself. When his owner found him trapped, Hobbes was rushed for treatment and was soon back in action.

The Hambone Award was named after a Nationwide-insured dog who got stuck in a refrigerator and ate an entire holiday ham. Later, the dog was found with a mild case of hypothermia and the hambone, all that remained of his feast. You can click here to read the stories of the complete list of 2026 Hambone Award nominees.

All nominated pets have recovered and received reimbursements for eligible veterinary expenses from Nationwide^® pet insurance.

To explore pet health insurance coverage for dogs, cats and many avian and exotic pets, visit PetInsurance.com.

One survived weeks alone in the wilderness. Others couldn't resist bingeing on cake, medications and even a drum. Though their stories were vastly different, all nine furry finalists for Nationwide^® pet insurance’s Hambone Award^® share one thing in common: a full recovery.

Voting for the 18^th annual Hambone Award, recognizing the year’s most unusual pet insurance claim is underway now through Aug. 14, 2026, at petinsurance.com/hamboneaward. The winner will be announced Aug. 19, 2026.  

The Hambone Award was originally named after a Nationwide-insured dog who got stuck in a refrigerator and ate an entire holiday ham while waiting to be discovered. The dog was eventually found, with a licked-clean ham bone and a mild case of hypothermia. He made a full recovery and inspired this award, which highlights the unusual situations pets can get into and how pet insurance can help.

Meet the 2026 Hambone Award finalists

• Capone, a Bernedoodle from California, found a baseball in the garage and decided to make it a chew toy. After shredding the ball and swallowing the cover, his pet parents sought guidance from Nationwide’s VetHelpline^® before Capone received treatment and made a full recovery.
• Diesel and Matilda, beagles from Arizona, followed their noses straight to trouble when they snuck into the pantry and devoured nearly an entire two-tier red velvet cake. Their sweet tooth quickly led to concern, but both dogs ultimately made full recoveries.
• Hampden, a goldendoodle from Texas, made his frustration over a delayed dinner known by tearing apart a vintage Ugandan drum and eating the drum skin. Veterinarians later removed half a drum from his stomach, and Hampden made a full recovery.
• Henry, a fetch-obsessed Labrador retriever from Colorado, chased a ball into a yard cleanup area and impaled his paw on a rake prong. After his pet parent contacted Nationwide’s VetHelpline for guidance, Henry received care and is back to chasing tennis balls.
• Hobbes, a domestic shorthair cat from Arizona, slipped past his owner and dashed into the garage just as the door was closing. He made it past the safety sensors but not the garage door itself. When his owner found him trapped, Hobbes was rushed for treatment and was soon back in action.
• Lilliya and Noelle, borzois from Wisconsin, teamed up for a prescription-powered misadventure after opening a drawer and helping themselves to an entire bottle of their beef liver-flavored pet prescription. After consuming all 14 tablets, the duo required immediate treatment but ultimately made full recoveries.
• Lulu, a mixed-breed dog from Illinois, was keeping watch for squirrels from her favorite chaise lounge when she slipped and landed on a metal candle holder, which pierced into her leg. After receiving stitches and pain medication, Lulu returned to squirrel duty.
• Milo Bear, a golden retriever from Nevada, disappeared into the snowy wilderness near Lake Tahoe after being startled during a Christmas Day outing. Following an extraordinary search and 72 days on his own, Milo's microchip was scanned at a shelter and he was reunited with his family after receiving care.
• Rolly, a standard poodle from Florida, turned his passion for chasing iguanas into a much bigger problem when he decided to eat a dead one. The unusual meal left him seriously ill, but Rolly made a full recovery.

All nominated pets have made full recoveries and received reimbursements for eligible veterinary expenses from Nationwide pet insurance. For full stories, photos of the nominees, and to cast your vote daily between August 3-14, 2026, visit petinsurance.com/hamboneaward.

“Though these stories begin with unexpected pet mishaps, the Hambone Award celebrates what happens next: the extraordinary bond between people and pets, and the compassionate care that helps turn close calls into recoveries” said  Dr. Emily Tincher, Chief Veterinary Officer for Nationwide. “We’re proud that Nationwide could provide financial peace of mind during a stressful time, helping families focus on what matters most: their pets’ recovery.”

The nominee with the most votes will receive the coveted Hambone Award trophy and a Petco gift card, while two runners-up will also receive Petco gift cards.

To explore pet health insurance coverage for dogs, cats and many avian and exotic pets, visit PetInsurance.com.

Nationwide has been named to the inaugural Ohio AI25 list, a new recognition from OhioX and Ohio Tech News honoring companies and organizations shaping the future of artificial intelligence (AI) in Ohio.

The recognition underscores Nationwide’s dedication to using technology and AI to enhance the experiences and solutions it delivers. Guided by a people-connected, machine-enabled approach, the company is focused on using technology to expand capacity, strengthen decision-making, create new offerings and build more meaningful connections.

“Being named to Ohio AI25 reflects Nationwide’s commitment to using AI in ways that spark innovation and transform how we work, and how we serve our customers,” said Michael Carrel, EVP and Chief Technology Officer at Nationwide. “Our focus is on applying technology safely and thoughtfully to strengthen the futures of our company, partners and members.”

That work is part of Nationwide’s broader technology strategy, including a $1.5 billion investment through 2028 to enhance its technology capabilities. More than 20% of that investment is focused on AI.

Other organizations named to the list include JobsOhio, Google and Meta. The full Ohio AI25 list is available at OhioTechNews.com.

To learn more about Nationwide’s technology organization, visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page.

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.

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.  

NFM-25594AO
06/2026

Why it matters
Based on analysis of claims resulting from an auto collision, Nationwide found that a driver is 3.5 times more likely to be involved in a crash when driving distracted. 

Iowa drivers are showing measurable behavior change since the law took effect on July 1, 2025. The data suggests that an education campaign, a six-month warning period, and full enforcement effective January 1, 2026, have contributed to more drivers putting the phone down and focusing on the road.

By the numbers
Analytics derived from mobile telematics found that phone-related distraction among Nationwide-insured drivers in Iowa dropped in several key behaviors over the last year.

• 13.6% reduction on screen-tapping interactions since full enforcement, an improvement from 5.9% during warning period
• 9.1% reduction in handheld calling since full enforcement, an improvement from 8.2% during warning period
• During full enforcement, Iowa drivers logged about 140,700 fewer phone-motion events than expected based on pre-law driving behavior 

Nationwide Methodology
The analysis above is based on anonymized, opt-in mobile telematics data used to evaluate changes in phone-related distraction among Iowa drivers before and after the state’s hands-free law took effect from July 1, 2025 to June 15, 2026.

Additional insights from CMT, which include distracted driving data from over 30 safe driving programs across the U.S., show from July 2025 to May 2026:

• 85 of Iowa’s 99 counties saw decreases in phone motion
  • Among the state’s 10 largest counties, nine experienced reductions of at least 4% and Iowa’s largest county, Polk County, decreased distraction by 9.2%.
• Top-performing counties achieved reductions in distraction ranging from 13% to 17% with biggest improvements seen in Ringgold, Page, Calhoun, Wayne, and Lyon.
• The reduction in distraction has helped Iowa prevent an estimated 470 crashes, 210 injuries, 3 fatalities, and $20.3 million in economic damage¹.

Together, the Nationwide and CMT findings point to the same conclusion: Iowa drivers are showing measurable reductions in risky phone-related behavior since the law took effect.

The big picture
“Promoting responsible driving behavior through legislative advocacy and safe driving programs like SmartRide and Focused Driving Rewards is an ongoing priority for Nationwide,” said Casey Kempton, President, P&C Personal Lines for Nationwide. “Meaningful change can happen when like-minded partners come together, and we commend Iowa’s Department of Public Safety and the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau for their continued commitment to positively influence distracted-driving behaviors among drivers across the state.”  

"Distracted driving is one of the most preventable dangers on our roads, and Iowa has shown the nation that change is within reach," said William V. Powers, Co-Founder and CEO of CMT. “This is the future of road safety: proactive, measurable, and lifesaving. If the rest of the country follows Iowa's lead, we can save tens of thousands of lives and redefine what it means to be safe behind the wheel."

About the law
Governor Kim Reynolds signed Iowa’s Hands-Free Driving Law on April 2, 2025, making Iowa the 31^st state in the nation to enact hands-free legislation. Since the law’s effective date July 1, 2025, the Iowa State Patrol and local law enforcement agencies have been educating motorists on what constitutes distracted driving and how to comply with the law.   

“As we approach the one-year mark for enacting Iowa’s hands-free law, it is exciting to see Nationwide's data showing a reduction of in-vehicle phone usage across the state of Iowa,” says Iowa State Patrol Colonel Nathan Fulk.  “This progress reflects the collaborative efforts from our law enforcement personnel, safety advocates, and our private partners, like Nationwide.  Most importantly, it highlights Iowans who have demonstrated safe driving behavior and embraced the message that no text, call or notification is worth risking a life.”

Visit DriveSmartIowa.com for more information about Iowa’s Hands-Free Driving Law and tips for avoiding distractions while driving.

¹ Estimates are based on changes in crash rates from distracted driving, combined with the average crash cost of $23,954 from NHTSA’s report The Economic and Societal Impact of Motor Vehicle Crashes, 2019, and 2022 crash records reported by the State of Iowa.

The investment marks another milestone in Nationwide’s centennial year and reflects the company’s continued belief in the future of Columbus and one of its most iconic franchises.

“As we celebrate Nationwide’s 100th anniversary, we are focused not only on where we’ve been, but where we’re going,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “The Crew and its fans represent the passion and strong connection to the Central Ohio community that Nationwide has enjoyed for more than a century. Now is the right time for us to deepen our investment in the team and the city’s future.”

The announcement comes nearly two months after the Haslam Sports Group, the Edwards family and Nationwide helped bring the 18th National Women’s Soccer League franchise to Columbus.

“Nationwide is a cornerstone institution that’s consistently shown an exceptional commitment to Columbus. Kirt Walker and Nationwide leadership share our vision for the Crew and Columbus NWSL 2028 of consistently competing on the pitch, creating incredible fan experiences and serving as leaders in our local community,” said Haslam Sports Group CEO and Chairman, Managing Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “We’re proud to strengthen our long-term partnership and collective dedication to advancing soccer in Central Ohio for both our men’s and women’s clubs.”

Nationwide will partner with Haslam Sports Group and the Edwards family to support the continued success and long-term growth of the franchise. No other details of the deal will be released.

Visit Nationwide.com for more information about the company and ColumbusCrew.com for the latest on club news.

To help farm operators keep pace, Nationwide has launched new drone coverage options designed specifically for farm customers. The offering is believed to be among the first comprehensive insurance packages available for farm operations, combining property, liability and aerial application protection.

The costs—and risks—of drone use

Agricultural drones represent a significant investment for producers. Smaller scouting drones used for aerial imaging and mapping can cost several thousand dollars, while larger drones used for spraying and seeding can exceed $30,000. Beyond the equipment itself, operating drones for agricultural purposes often requires Federal Aviation Administration certification, pesticide application licensing, specialized training and adherence to strict safety protocols.

Drone use can also introduce new risk exposures that traditional farm policies do not typically cover. For example, aerial application incidents involving chemical overspray or drift can result in significant property damage, crop loss or liability claims. A drone malfunction or operator error could also cause damage to nearby property or even result in bodily injury.

Comprehensive protection for agricultural drones

Nationwide’s new coverage options are designed to help close potential insurance gaps by providing:

• Property coverage for physical damage to drones and related operating equipment used in farm operations
• Liability coverage for damage or injury caused during precision agriculture activities such as aerial imaging, mapping and data acquisition
• Application of farm chemicals coverage for damage or injury arising from aerial application of covered substances, including chemicals and seed

“The use of drones across agriculture has grown significantly, increasing the need for protection that addresses both the value of the equipment and the risks tied to operating it,” said Justin Owens, AVP of Farm Underwriting & Sales, Nationwide. “We’re proud to begin offering these new coverage options, which help give farmers confidence to incorporate drone technology into their operations while knowing they have protection in place if something goes wrong.”

Learn more about Nationwide’s agricultural drone coverage or contact a Farm Certified Agent for additional information.

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.

^{From Left: Michael Tripp, SVP Nationwide Personal Lines Sales & Distribution; Luke Turano, Founder/Principal, IPA; Casey Kempton, President, Personal Lines at Nationwide; Chris Manci, Founder/Principal, IPA; Curt Wohlers, VP Sales & Distribution Personal Lines East Zone; Dena Silveri, VP Sales & Distribution, Personal Lines Nationwide; Drew Dickinson, VP National Sales, Nationwide.}

Insurance Partners Alliance (IPA) is Nationwide’s Personal Lines Agency of the Year. The Columbus, Ohio-based insurance company presented IPA with the award during the company’s annual Partners Conference.

The award is one of the carrier’s highest honors and recognizes agency excellence, growth, innovation and commitment to helping clients protect what matters most.

What set IPA apart?

IPA was selected from more than 11,000 agencies appointed to write Nationwide policies across the United States.

IPA’s focus on helping partners grow their businesses, strengthening client relationships and creating value in the communities they serve caught Nationwide’s eye.

What they’re saying:

Chris Manci, IPA co-founder: “To say we were surprised would be an understatement. We never set out to win awards. We set out to build an organization that helps independent agencies grow, compete, and better serve their clients. To be recognized by Nationwide in this way is both humbling and deeply meaningful because it reflects the hard work, commitment, and dedication of our entire network.”

Luke Turano, IPA co-founder: "This recognition belongs to our partners as much as it does to IPA. Every agency, every team member, and every client relationship helped make this possible. The trust our partners place in us every day has fueled our growth and success. We're proud of what we've built together and even more excited about where we're headed."

Nationwide executives cited IPA's performance, leadership, and commitment to serving clients as key factors in earning the distinction.

Nationwide Personal Lines President Casey Kempton: “IPA distinguished itself not only through its agency excellence, growth, and partnership but also through its commitment to serving their customers. IPA’s dedication to protecting their clients by emphasizing products like Nationwide’s SmartHome suite embodies the qualities this award is intended to recognize. We’re proud to honor their achievements.”

Who else took home the hardware?

In addition to IPA, Nationwide honored several other agencies at the event, including:

• East Zone Agency of the Year – Spotts Insurance Group
• West Zone Agency of the Year – English Insurance
• Firm of the Year – Highstreet
• Emerging Agency of the Year – Legacy Risk Solutions
• Smartsuite Agency of the Year – Blue Ridge Risk Partners

Nationwide’s annual Partners Conference brings agencies from across the country together to celebrate accomplishments and strengthen partnerships.

Nationwide’s customers can now receive preferred pricing on Barn Owl hardware, along with access to exclusive early bird promotions throughout the year. Barn Owl also offers additional savings off each extra camera, making it easier to scale coverage across an operation.

“Farmers and ranchers often have valuable equipment, livestock and infrastructure spread across wide areas, and it’s not always practical to be everywhere at once,” said Vicente Rico, agribusiness risk management product development lead at Nationwide. “Our relationship with Barn Owl strengthens Nationwide’s commitment to helping customers predict and prevent losses by giving them another practical, easy-to-use tool to monitor their operations, deter theft and respond more quickly when something needs attention.”

With simple cellular setup, solar power and rugged, no-wiring installation, Barn Owl cameras let customers monitor animals, equipment, buildings, gates and other remote assets from anywhere. Barn Owl also offers options ranging from high-definition photos and videos with real-time alerts to livestreaming with audio, along with contract-free plans designed to fit different monitoring needs.

“We built our cameras and platform for the realities of operating a rural business, where simplicity and reliability matter,” said Josh Phifer, founder and CEO at Barn Owl. “Partnering with Nationwide lets us put our tech in the hands of more farmers and ranchers, so they can keep an eye on what matters most and act fast when it counts. We're proud to work alongside a company that shares our focus on providing peace of mind, cost savings, and reliability to the hard-working people of rural America.”

The new relationship adds to Nationwide’s growing suite of Ag Tech risk management solutions available to customers, with offerings ranging from remote monitoring and fleet management tools to fire suppression and thermal imaging technology.

To learn more about the Barn Owl partnership, view Nationwide’s Ag Tech solutions webpage or contact your Nationwide agent.

Photo credit: Barn Owl

^{Photo credit: Columbus Business First/Ian Alexander Photography}

In 2026, nonprofit organizations that serve Columbus, Ohio, and the surrounding region are experiencing tough times as demand for their social services rapidly expands, just as they are being squeezed by rising costs and reduced funding.

To help respond to these challenges, philanthropic foundations and corporate partners are starting to shift focus to provide nonprofits with stronger and more collaborative partnerships, but more help is needed.

“Impact starts to grow when an organization thinks beyond financial contributions and brings its full capabilities to a philanthropic partnership,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide. “In our case, we think about volunteerism and board service, opportunities where Nationwide can offer the support of our greatest asset, our people. When we apply that to support our nonprofit partners, we help them deliver even greater positive change in our communities.”

Support that goes beyond funding is especially critical in 2026. A January study from the Center for Effective Philanthropy (CEP), an organization that provides data and insights to help individual and institutional donors improve their effectiveness, found that half of nonprofit leaders today are looking for increased help and support from foundations and donors, such as building skills and lending their expertise.

The report quotes one nonprofit leader as saying he wants foundations to, “provide training and coaching support for leadership. Don't just write a check, build a relationship.”

Lending skills and expertise

In central Ohio, Columbus Business First recently recognized local companies and their employees for their financial giving and volunteerism at this year’s Corporate Citizenship Awards. The time and resources that businesses provide to community organizations is critical for the region’s success, says Dr. Dennis Durbin, President of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital (NCH).

^{Photo credit: Columbus Business First/Ian Alexander Photography}

“Nationwide Foundation’s support over the decades has utterly transformed the trajectory of Nationwide Children’s from a regional specialty hospital to a national thought-leading organization impacting the health of children not only in central Ohio but around the world,” said Durbin, pointing to nearly 70 years of collaboration between Nationwide, one of the companies honored with a Corporate Citizenship Award, and the hospital. “The Nationwide Foundation’s support has been a powerful catalyst that has accelerated our work in many ways, including advancing affordable housing, fueling groundbreaking genomic research and driving innovation in data science, among many other initiatives.”

Since 2006, the Nationwide Foundation, the nonprofit, private foundation to which Nationwide companies are the donors, has contributed $180 million to NCH to support initiatives ranging from affordable housing to groundbreaking clinical research. A $10 million investment in 2025 builds on more than a decade of philanthropic investments in vital programs, including biomedical data sciences, genomics, population health, endowed chairs and behavioral health. Nationwide’s sports marketing sponsorships have helped raise more than $76 million in additional support for the hospital through partnerships and events such as the Memorial Tournament, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Championship and the Columbus Marathon.

Through the combined efforts of both the company and its employees, Nationwide works with many community-based organizations, providing expertise and funding to help strengthen operations, improve strategy and expand their reach. Nationwide employees are on track to volunteer more than 100,000 hours in 2026, and company leaders serve on more than 200 nonprofit boards, sharing expertise in governance, finance, marketing and strategy.

Nationwide’s commitment to community impact traces back to its earliest days, when employees were already partnering with nonprofits to support local needs in Central Ohio. In 1955, the Columbus office opened the first full-time corporate donation site in the American Red Cross system. In 1987, Nationwide donated 1.3 million units of food to the Mid-Ohio Food Collective, helping to meet one-third of Franklin County’s goal that year – making it the largest one-company employee response in the country.

Recently, the Nationwide Foundation supported Star House, an organization opening a new drop-in center for young people experiencing homelessness in the region. Nationwide leaders also serve on Star House’s board of trustees and committees.

“We are incredibly grateful to our associates for the time and expertise they provide to causes and organizations in their communities and across the country that make a difference in peoples’ lives,” Bair said. “Giving back, whether through fundraising, volunteerism or expertise, is critical in this moment.”   

Since the award program began in 2018, Columbus Business First has recognized Nationwide annually as the region’s most generous company in the extra-large category.

Learn more about how Nationwide supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives. For more information on its philanthropic efforts, visit the Nationwide Foundation page. 

“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.

“An advantage of our modern mutual structure is being able to plan long-term, and our progressive rise up the Fortune 500 reflects an intentional, aggressive plan to grow our businesses,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “Our diverse portfolio, strong capital position and iconic brand allow us to grow with intention, navigate volatility and remain strong and stable for those who rely on us.”

In the last four years, the insurance and financial services giant has moved up 14 places on the list.

Nationwide is the:

• Largest private company headquartered in Ohio
• Third largest mutual insurer in the U.S.
• Sixth largest insurer overall
• Sixth largest company in Ohio
• Second largest Central Ohio-based company

The recognition points to the breadth of Nationwide’s insurance and financial services businesses and its place among the nation’s largest corporations.

Fortune ranks U.S.-based companies on their annual revenues for their respective fiscal years. Revenues for insurance companies include premium and annuity income, investment income and capital gains or losses.

View the 2026 Fortune 500 list.

In Ohio, local partners within the Feeding America network like the Mid-Ohio Food Collective (MOFC), are working to ensure seniors don’t have to make impossible choices between food, medicine and housing. One way MOFC is addressing senior hunger is through its Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), which provides eligible Ohioans 60 and older with a free, monthly box of shelf-stable and nutritious food.

Recently, Nationwide employees took a hands-on approach to supporting this initiative during volunteer “takeover days” at the MOFC for the CSFP initiative. Nationwide’s coordinated effort over two days put the program well ahead of pace, averaging 450 boxes packed per volunteer day, which will help feed nearly 1,000 seniors facing food insecurity across Central Ohio.

“Events like takeover days bring our partnerships to life in a meaningful way. By stepping into our environment, volunteers gain a deeper understand of the challenges our neighbors face and the scale of work required to address food insecurity,” said Jeremy Brauning, volunteer services manager at MOFC. “At the same time, their energy and effort help us expand our reach and serve individuals and families efficiently.”

Nationwide’s support of the Mid-Ohio Food Collective goes beyond a single day of service. Volunteerism is one part of the company’s broader commitment to strengthening communities and supporting long-term well-being.

“Nationwide’s partnership with the Mid-Ohio Food Collective reflects a decades-long commitment to fighting hunger and strengthening the communities we call home,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “Together, we’re working to ensure our neighbors have access to the food they need to live healthier, more stable lives.”

This year, Nationwide employees are helping to celebrate its centennial in 2026 by giving 100,000 hours of volunteer service to support their local neighborhoods. Through these efforts, employees are helping people across the country access food, medical care, emergency shelter and so much more.  

Since 2000, the Nationwide Foundation has donated more than $41 million to Feeding America food banks and hunger-relief organizations. Since 2009, the Nationwide Foundation has donated more than 134 million meals through Feeding America.

Learn more about how Nationwide supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives, or help end hunger by donating, volunteering, or advocating through Feeding America.

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.

NFM-25521AO
05/2026

NVMM’s Service in Action Nooks, a hands-on pilot program supported by the Nationwide Foundation, introduce children to the power of service through storytelling, creativity and action. Designed to foster literacy, civic engagement and empathy, the Nooks invite visitors of all ages to explore stories inspired by the lived experiences of U.S. veterans and to reflect on how service shows up in many forms, from military duty to everyday acts of kindness within a community.  

Through books, educational materials and interactive service projects, the Service in Action Nooks encourage children, students and families to create, connect and make a difference in their own way. The program continues to expand, with permanent Nooks now located at the Columbus Metropolitan Library’s main library, at NVMM and most recently at the Martin Luther King Jr. Branch.  

Photo Credit: Dan Trittschuh Photography

Since launching in November 2025, the Service in Action Nooks have inspired service participation from more than 6,800 individuals. Children and visitors have completed more than 1,200 thank you letters to veterans, 360 kindness cards for military-connected youth, 240 community bookmarks to encourage other children to read and nearly 200 “welcome home” signs for service members, all meaningful gestures that reinforce remembrance and gratitude.  

The impact is being felt across the community, including among students at 18 local schools that have participated in service projects connected to the Nooks. 

A Cristo Rey High School student shared, “I have truly learned the sacrifice veterans have done for this country, and I will forever remember it. I have also learned that even veterans who didn't necessarily go to war are still true heroes.” 

For the Nationwide Foundation, Service in Action Nooks reflect a broader and longstanding commitment to veterans, service members and children’s wellbeing.  

“Honoring veterans is about both remembrance and action,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “Through our partnership with NVMM, we aim to honor service, expand access and inspire the next generation to understand the impact veterans have had on our communities." 

Nationwide’s support is part of NVMM’s ongoing efforts to engage the community and promote awareness of the contributions and sacrifices of the nation’s veterans and active-duty service members. To further honor those who have served, Nationwide has sponsored free admission for more than 3,000 veterans, active-duty service members and Gold Star family members to visit NVMM since May 1, 2025.  

Nationwide has granted more than $1.5 million to NVMM to support its initiatives. In addition, the Nationwide Foundation has provided over $3 million in general operating support since the museum’s inception. 

Learn more about how Nationwide supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives. For more information on its philanthropic efforts, visit the Nationwide Foundation page. 

As pressures mount, more farmers and agribusiness operators are turning to technology to help identify problems earlier, improve decision-making and prevent avoidable losses before they happen.

“Nationwide’s risk management technology partnerships are helping producers move from reactive risk management to proactive risk prevention,” said Vicente Rico, risk management product development lead for Nationwide Agribusiness. “The goal is not just helping customers recover after a loss, but helping them avoid the loss altogether.”

Detecting Risks Before Disaster Strikes
A routine visit between farm certified agent Ron Panichelle and dairy customer Lone Oak Farms helped uncover a hidden electrical issue that could have led to a catastrophic fire.

While scanning breaker boxes with thermal imaging technology from Teledyne FLIR, Panichelle identified a breaker reaching temperatures above 400 degrees during corn drying season. The issue was repaired before it could ignite and disrupt the farm’s operation.

“We were able to continue with minimal downtime,” said Matthew Carr of Lone Oak Farms. “It could’ve been a lot worse.”

Improving Safety Behind the Wheel
As Velvet Ice Cream expanded its fleet operations, the company turned to video telematics technology to improve driver safety and accountability.

According to company president Luconda Dager, the technology helped significantly reduce driving incidents while also helping quickly resolve accident investigations.

“Razor Tracking has been a game changer for us,” Dager said. “Within like a month and a half, we went from double digit incidences down to like two.”

Preventing Small Fires From Becoming Major Losses
Equipment fires during harvest and baling season can escalate quickly, damaging machinery and interrupting operations.

That reality became clear for Tim Bauman of Bauman Farms after a fire started on his tractor while baling hay. Just weeks earlier, his agent, Keenan Rice of Eclipse Insurance Agency, had provided Enforcer One’s Firebull fire extinguishers through a Nationwide-supported initiative.

The extinguisher allowed Bauman to suppress the flames long enough to disconnect his baler and prevent the fire from spreading further.

“Probably 50 to 60 thousand [dollars] in value was able to be saved,” Rice said.

Supporting Agriculture Beyond the Policy

Nationwide continues to expand its risk management technology partnerships, giving agriculture businesses access to tools and services that help identify risks, improve safety and support operational efficiency.

For agents like Rice and Panichelle, these partnerships and loss prevention resources reflect a broader commitment to helping customers protect their operations, prevent avoidable losses and build stronger businesses over time.

• Nationwide’s Chief AI and Digital Transformation Officer delivered the 2026 Ohio Tech Summit keynote address to a packed house at The Ohio State University on May 14, 2026.
• Kandhari emphasized that cross-functional teams are essential because AI decisions touch technology, business, data and risk at the same time.
• Kandhari stressed that AI adoption requires a behavioral shift as much as a technology investment, with time to learn, experiment and build confidence.

Ohio technology leaders don’t need to start from scratch on AI, but they do need to lead differently.

That was the message from Nationwide Chief AI and Digital Transformation Officer Chetan Kandhari to the 2026 Ohio Tech Summit audience at The Ohio State University.

Kandhari says that the next phase of AI adoption will be defined less by the technology itself and more by how organizations build teams, help people adapt and develop a new leadership mindset.

For Kandhari, the future is clear: AI is no longer a side experiment or isolated technology initiative. It is becoming a business transformation that will redefine how companies work, serve customers and lead through change.

AI works best when organizations build together

According to Kandhari, one of the most important lessons from Nationwide’s own AI journey is that no single function can own this work alone. AI touches business operations, customer experience, governance, data and risk, which means organizations move faster and more responsibly when those voices are at the table from the beginning.

“Nationwide’s own approach reflects that model,” said Kandhari. “The company has used machine learning and AI for more than 15 years, established an Enterprise Analytics Office early in its journey and now has more than 100 models in production. When generative AI accelerated in 2023, Nationwide brought together a cross-functional team from technology, business, data and risk to explore more than 30 use cases, launch 11 pilots and scale six initiatives.”

Kandhari revealed that work helped shape the company’s broader AI operating model, which includes Everyday AI for all associates, Local AI for team-specific problems, Exploratory AI for emerging technology trends, Flagship AI for high-impact transformation and Shared AI Capabilities & Accelerators that help teams build on common platforms and tools instead of starting over each time. 

“AI is not just a technology decision – it touches teams across our company,” said Kandhari. “This can’t sit within a single function. Opportunities and risks have to be considered together.”

Real AI adoption depends on changing behavior, not just deploying tools

Kandhari also emphasized that making AI available is not the same as making it useful. Tools matter, but organizations only unlock value when people have the time, support and confidence to apply them in their day-to-day work.

For Nationwide, that has meant pairing technology rollout with adoption support. Kandhari pointed to the company’s rollout of an AI assistant to all associates, connecting it directly to their tools and documents so they can find information and get support in the flow of work. At the same time, Nationwide has continued investing in its Future of Work program, where AI has been the number one topic chosen by associates for three straight years.

The company has also built a network of more than 600 change champions across the enterprise to help teams adopt and apply AI in practical ways. Kandhari framed that as a reminder that successful AI transformation is ultimately a people challenge as much as a technical one.

“Having the tools isn’t enough. People need time to learn, the space to experiment, and the support to understand how AI fits into their work,” expressed Kandhari. “Adoption doesn’t happen just because something is available; it happens when people feel confident and comfortable using it.”

The next era of AI will require leaders to think differently

Kandhari encouraged the audience to have an eye on the future. AI is evolving from systems that follow rules, to systems that generate content, to systems that can increasingly reason through problems and act across multiple steps. That progression, he said, creates a new challenge for leaders who must guide organizations through both the opportunity and the disruption that comes with it.

He pointed to the broader market shift as evidence that this moment is arriving quickly. 

“According to a McKinsey study, only about 20% of organizations reported using AI in at least one business function in 2017, that adoption hovered around 50% until late 2022 and that by 2024 it had climbed above 70% as generative AI became accessible to far more people,” said Kandhari.

For Nationwide, that acceleration helped drive a strategic decision in June 2025 to move away from isolated experimentation and embed AI directly into the business strategy, backed by a $1.5 billion technology commitment with more than 20% dedicated specifically to AI.

Kandhari emphasized the real differentiator will be leadership. As AI becomes more capable, leaders must bring both vision and empathy so people feel empowered rather than overwhelmed.

“Leading with AI requires a new mindset. AI – and especially what’s coming with agents – gives us the opportunity to rethink how work gets done. How decisions are made. And how we serve customers,” said Kandhari. “The technology is here. The question now is how we choose to lead with it.”

The milestone was highlighted during Nationwide’s 2026 Patent Awards Ceremony, where the company recognized six inventors whose work over the past year is helping drive business and technology forward. The celebration reflects significant momentum since Nationwide received its first U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent in 2000. 

Today, Nationwide’s growing patent portfolio spans analytics, digital platforms, product innovation and new business solutions, showcasing ideas from across the enterprise and reinforcing the company’s commitment to forward-thinking technology. 

“In many ways, the patent milestone is more than a number,” said Nationwide Chief Technology Officer Michael Carrel. “It reflects a culture that values curiosity, collaboration and problem-solving — and a belief that great ideas can come from anywhere inside the company.” 

The achievement carries added significance during Nationwide’s centennial year. On April 14, 2026, the company marked 100 years since selling its first insurance policy — rooted in a mission to meet real customer needs with practical solutions. 

“That same purpose continues to guide Nationwide today,” said Nationwide Chief Customer, Strategy and Innovation Officer Mike Mahaffey. “Across the organization, associates are developing innovative tools, products and capabilities designed to make customer experiences simpler, faster and more secure.” 

As Nationwide enters its second century, reaching 100 patents represents both a milestone and a momentum marker — signaling that the company’s next era of innovation is already underway. 

Learn more: Visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page to explore the latest advancements. 

Dan Schurr was elected to fill the vacancy created by Zellers’ retirement.  Schurr previously served as the board chair of CHS, Inc., the largest cooperative business in the United States. 

Zellers was elected to the Nationwide board in 2007 and has served as board chair since 2020. During his tenure, he provided steady, mission-driven leadership focused on Nationwide’s long-term strength, its mutual heritage and its commitment to its members. He helped guide the company and the board through a period of record growth, capital fortification and strategic evolution, ensuring Nationwide remained financially strong and well-positioned to serve its customers and communities.  

“Jeff has been an exceptional leader and steward of Nationwide,” said Nationwide Chief Executive Officer Kirt Walker. “He brought a thoughtful, principled approach to the role of board chair, modernized our governance practices and consistently challenged us to lean into new opportunities as a modern mutual. Jeff’s guidance and collaborative leadership have had a lasting impact on our organization, and I am grateful for his service and partnership.” 

Toelle is owner of T & T Farms, a diversified farming company based in Browns Valley, Minn. He has served on the Nationwide board since 2013 and brings deep experience in finance, governance and business planning – qualities that will advance Nationwide’s mission to protect people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care. 

“We congratulate Michael on his election as board chair,” said Walker. “He understands what it means to serve members for the long term, and his board expertise, industry perspective and dedicated leadership will be invaluable as Nationwide continues to evolve.” 

Later this year, Toelle will be one of five 2026 inductees into the Cooperative Hall of Fame. Established in 1974 by the National Cooperative Business Association and administered by the Cooperative Development Foundation, the Cooperative Hall of Fame is the highest honor that the U.S. cooperative community bestows on extraordinary individuals who have made “genuinely heroic contributions” in support of cooperatives. 

In addition to his service on the Nationwide board, Toelle is a board member of CF Industries Holdings, Inc., Grey Eagle Pork and CIBO, and a member of the National Association of Corporate Directors and World 50.  

He is a former board chair and long-time board member of CHS, Inc., and past chair of the CHS Foundation. He was a board member of Cenex, Inc., prior to its merger with Harvest States Cooperatives to form CHS in 1998, and he served as chair of the governance unification committee during the merger. He also served as governance committee chair, corporate responsibility committee chair, and as a member of the audit and capital committees.  

Toelle has also served as a director of the Agricultural Council of America and Country Partners Cooperative. 

Toelle earned his bachelor’s degree in administration and industrial technology at Minnesota State Moorhead. 

When the results finally came back, Braylee was diagnosed with a malignant mixed germ cell ovarian tumor, a rare, aggressive type of cancer that is a combination of two or more types of germ cell tumors.

After meeting with the hospital’s oncology team immediately following the diagnosis, Braylee had a port installed and began chemotherapy. After enduring several rounds of chemo and spending her 12^th birthday at Nationwide Children’s, Braylee completed her treatment plan in January 2024. Just a few weeks later, the family received the wonderful news that the scans showed no sign of the tumor and no further treatment was needed. 

Now 14 years old, the eighth grader who aspires to be either a family physician or pediatric psychiatrist has a message of encouragement for anyone facing health challenges. “Keep going. You will get there. You’re in the tunnel, and the tunnel might be long, but it doesn’t stay dark forever.”

Braylee’s courageous spirit was celebrated at the 16^th annual Legends Luncheon presented by Nationwide, where Jack and Barbara Nicklaus, along with son Jack II and his wife Alli, announced Braylee as the 2026 Nicklaus Youth Spirit Award recipient. The award honors a patient champion who has shown strength and positivity in the face of adversity. The recognition is a highlight of the Legends Luncheon, an annual event hosted by the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday, that showcases the Nationwide Children’s Hospital and Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation alliance.

“Stories like Braylee’s reinforce why Nationwide is proud to support Nationwide Children’s Hospital and its commitment to ensuring that children and families receive exceptional care when they need it most,” said Ann Bair, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for Nationwide.

This year’s event raised $1.5 million for the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and Nationwide Children’s Hospital alliance, bringing the 16-year total to nearly $18 million. All proceeds of the Legends Luncheon directly benefit the young patients and families that Nationwide Children’s compassionately serves each day.

Learn how you can support the work being done at Nationwide Children's Hospital. 

That comprehensive strategy – and the measurable impact – has earned Nationwide the Business Group on Health Best Employers: Excellence in Health & Wellbeing Award. For more than 20 years, the award has recognized employers that advance workforce health through innovative and comprehensive benefits.

“Earning this recognition affirms that our programs are making a meaningful difference for our employees and their families,” said Jeff Burke, director of wellbeing at Nationwide. “Wellbeing continues to evolve, and so must we, to meet the changing needs of our workforce.”

In 2025, Nationwide strengthened its focus on mental health while expanding use of its research-based curriculum that helps employees build foundational habits for long-term health and personal growth. Offered in both live and self-guided formats, the program delivers practical tools across nutrition, mindfulness, resilience, sleep and financial basics, and is fully integrated into the company’s learning ecosystem – driving strong participation and reinforcing wellbeing as part of employee development.

This year, the company will further expand support through personalized, one-on-one financial coaching, providing employees with year-round access to expert guidance. This enhancement reflects employee feedback (60% of employees say they highly value financial resources) and the growing role of financial security in overall mental health and wellbeing.

“As we look ahead, our commitment remains the same: to support employees and their families in every dimension of their wellbeing,” Burke said. “When our people feel healthy, secure and supported, they can bring their best selves to work – and that strengthens Nationwide.”

To learn about employee benefits, visit Nationwide.com.

Customers can file a claim through Nationwide’s Claims Center or call 1-800-421-3535.

The Nationwide Foundation is helping expand a critical lifeline for young people experiencing homelessness across central Ohio with a $750,000 grant to support Star House’s new South Side drop-in center.

Star House operates the region’s only drop-in center specifically for youth ages 14 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness. As demand for services continues to grow across Ohio, the nonprofit recently broke ground on a second drop-in location on Columbus’ South Side to expand capacity and provide additional access to safety and support.

"Thanks to our committed community partners, we are on track to open a second drop-in center on the South Side to meet the unique needs of young people in this region and to offset capacity issues at our current center,” said Ann Bischoff, CEO of Star House. “We've nearly doubled the number of young people we've served since 2021 — the need has never been greater."

Expected to open in early 2027, the new South Side campus will be located in the former St. Ladislas Catholic Church. Public and private support will fund renovations and allow Star House to serve hundreds more young people annually when the new 26,000-square-foot center opens.

The space will offer food, clothing, hygiene supplies, showers, therapy, case management, health and legal services, workforce development and connections to housing. The church sanctuary will be transformed into a welcoming drop-in space, while the adjacent school building will serve as a community services hub and administrative center.

“Nationwide Foundation is honored to support Star House South Side because every young person deserves a safe place to go and people who believe in their potential,” said Chad Jester, president of the Nationwide Foundation. “This expansion ensures more youth can access care, stability and opportunity closer to where they live.”

Founded in 2006, Star House partners with teens and young adults as they exit homelessness and work toward long-term stability. The nonprofit also operates a 62-unit village of affordable housing for young adults transitioning out of homelessness. Its trauma-informed, low-barrier model addresses immediate needs while providing therapy, case management and pathways to housing, employment and education.

Learn more about how Nationwide Foundation supports communities through its Corporate Citizenship initiatives.

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.

This year’s event was hosted at six Nationwide locations and virtually, supported by more than 250 employee volunteers and featured a schedule with over 160 curated sessions. A new remote option extended the day to employees and their children who don’t live near a campus, ensuring more families could be part of the experience no matter where they live.

“Through Bring A Child to Work Day, our employees’ children can experience Nationwide’s caring culture and see how the adults in their life work to make a difference every day,” said Vinita Clements, Nationwide’s Chief Human Resources Officer. “By pairing age-appropriate learning with real workplace experiences, we hope to inspire new possibilities, spark curiosity and show the many ways a future at Nationwide can take shape.”

From hands-on simulations that brought Nationwide’s insurance, financial services and technology expertise to life, to interactive learning with community partners, each session was intentionally tied to Nationwide’s mission of protecting people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care. The programming was designed for children grades 1–12, and sessions were developed by age and interest, helping families build a day that felt right for each child.

“Each year, Bring a Child to Work Day reminds us that our work starts at home and in our communities,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide’s Chief Executive Officer. “When children see the adults in their lives living our values, helping others and giving back, they start to imagine what’s possible for themselves – and we’re proud to invest in the people and families who make Nationwide special.”

Last year’s event drew more than 1,400 children to four Nationwide locations, and the continued growth of the program reflects how meaningful the tradition has become for employees and their families. With expanded locations, a unique virtual option and personalized experience to keep the day running smoothly, Nationwide remains committed to investing in the next generation and celebrating the families who are at the heart of its culture.

To learn more about roles at Nationwide, visit the careers page.

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.  

“Nationwide was born in Columbus, and we’ve grown up together over the last 100 years,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide chief executive officer. “As we prepared to celebrate our centennial, we knew we wanted to do something big to give back to the city that has given us so much. Supporting a new professional women’s sports franchise in Central Ohio was a unique opportunity we just had to embrace.”

The new club is expected to begin play in the 2028 NWSL season at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus’ Arena District, sharing a world-class, soccer-specific stadium and fan experience with the Columbus Crew. The project includes a new, women-specific training facility and stadium enhancements including new locker rooms designed for and used by NWSL teams.

“When young athletes in Central Ohio can see women competing at the highest level in their own backyard and see the investment, facilities and visibility match what they see in the men’s game, it sends a powerful message about what’s possible. We’re proud to stand alongside Haslam Sports Group and the Edwards family to help make that a reality in Columbus,” Walker added.

Nationwide has been the exclusive insurance partner of the NWSL since 2021. Through the league partnership, Nationwide and the NWSL have:

• Established the Lauren Holiday Impact Award in 2024, recognizing the active NWSL player who exemplifies exceptional service, leadership and character in their community.
• Created Experience Nationwide, a paid, immersive and hands-on learning program that provides NWSL players with professional development and business experience to help prepare for careers beyond the pitch.
• Expanded local club relationships so that Nationwide now partners with most NWSL teams, deepening ties in local communities and with fans across the country.

Columbus has emerged as a national hub for women’s sports, hosting marquee events and driving significant sports-related economic activity for the region. The addition of an NWSL club will build on that momentum, generating new economic activity and providing another pathway for girls and young women inspired by the global growth of soccer.

“This club is also a celebration of the Columbus Way – public and private partners, businesses and civic leaders and passionate fans all coming together to do something big for our community,” Walker said. “We are grateful to the leaders across the city, county and region whose support helped make this possible. Together, we’re not just adding another team, we’re strengthening the foundation for economic growth and opportunity in Central Ohio.”

Nationwide’s mutual structure allows the company to take a long-term view and invest beyond its core businesses, especially in the communities it calls home. The new club is expected to bring more visitors downtown, support local businesses, create opportunities for neighbors and associates, and help keep the Arena District vibrant year-round. It represents another way Nationwide delivers value for its members while continuing to serve as a long-term community builder in Columbus.

The new NWSL club adds to a broader portfolio of sports relationships for Nationwide that includes sponsorships in the NFL, NWSL, MLS, PGA TOUR and NHL. 

Nationwide, one of the largest and most diversified insurance and financial services companies in the United States, turned 100 this week.  

April 14, 2026, marks the centennial of the day it sold its first policy thanks to farmers across Ohio who pooled their money to create a $10,000 capital fund and establish the Farm Bureau Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, now Nationwide. 

 “Less than one-half of 1% of companies reach this milestone,” said Nationwide CEO Kirt Walker. “We’re grateful to have earned the trust of our partners, members and the community and take seriously our role in helping people protect what matters most.” 

Nationwide formed to provide Ohio farmers with an option to secure reliable, lower-cost auto insurance designed specifically to meet their needs. In 1926, most Ohio farmers lived far from busy cities and had fewer accidents. Since then, Nationwide has grown to become the largest private company in Columbus and the one of the largest Fortune 500 companies in Ohio. 

In recognition of Nationwide’s centennial, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus City Council each issued proclamations honoring Nationwide’s history and impact to the city and state.  

• Proclamation from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and Lt. Gov. Jim Tressel
• Proclamations from Mayor Andrew Ginther and Columbus City Council 

“It is an incredible honor to be recognized for this milestone in our hometown and our home state,” Walker said. “Our roots in Columbus and Ohio are foundational to the modern mutual company we’ve grown into over the last 100 years, and both will have outsized impact on how Nationwide develops over the next 100 years.” 

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. 

Nationwide’s 2025 financial performance strengthened the enterprise’s position as a modern mutual built for long-term stability, disciplined growth and customer value, driven by robust performances from both its financial services and property & casualty businesses. At the same time, as one of the nation’s largest, most diversified insurance and financial services companies, Nationwide paid more than $20.2 billion in claims and benefits to its members.

“Years like 2025 demonstrate the power of our modern mutual approach, which takes a long‑term view while staying relentlessly focused on delivering for customers today and into the future,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide Chief Executive Officer. “Our diverse portfolio, strong capital position and iconic brand allow us to grow with intention, navigate volatility and remain strong and stable for those who rely on us.”

Strong Foundations for Future Growth

Nationwide recorded $73.2 billion in total sales and premiums for 2025, up 7% from 2024’s $68.5 billion sales record. Much of the growth reflects an extension of sales through institutional partners, along with an expansion of Nationwide’s portfolio through strategic transactions, said Nationwide Chief Financial Officer Tim Frommeyer. The company’s key measurement of profitability, net operating income, surpassed $4.29 billion, up from $3.13 billion in 2024. Total adjusted capital rose to its highest level ever, $32.8 billion, well above what’s required for a AAA-level rating, providing a strong foundation that will benefit customers well into the future.

“Our capital position reflects strong performance and disciplined use of capital across our business portfolio,” Frommeyer said. “All of our business lines delivered strong earnings, driving further diversification across our portfolio and fueling significant benefit to our capital position. Our performance rests on the foundation of Property & Casualty’s world-class underwriting capabilities, and the sophisticated risk management and consistent, disciplined performance of Nationwide Financial.”

Despite a year marked by severe wildfires and convective storms across the industry, Nationwide Property & Casualty delivered favorable underwriting results through disciplined execution. While financial markets experienced volatility early in the year, Nationwide Financial accelerated growth across its portfolio of businesses, notching its highest levels of sales and earnings. Nationwide Financial is a top 10 writer across its portfolio of income and protection solutions.

2025 Highlights

• Becoming a leader in employer stop loss insurance – Nationwide acquired Allstate Benefits’ group health business in July 2025, expanding its ability to offer self-funded and stop loss solutions to small and mid-sized employers. Stop loss insurance protects employers who self-fund their health insurance plans from excess losses.
• Protecting customers with “predict and prevent” solutions – In 2025, P&C elevated how its claims, actuarial, product and distribution teams work together so insights move quickly through the business, enabling more “predict and prevent” risk management, stronger underwriting discipline and proactive protection for members.
• Innovating products to meet evolving needs – Nationwide Financial expanded its suite of hybrid long-term care solutions with CareMatters^® Annuity, a customer-centric solution that combines guaranteed tax-deferred earnings with flexible long-term care benefits. The business also introduced RetireAssist^SM, a new retirement plan suite for the small market 401(k)/403(b) space.
• Bringing technology solutions to home and commercial members – Programs that detect and alert policyholders before small problems become major losses were expanded for home and commercial members, supporting Nationwide’s “predict and prevent” risk management strategy. Nationwide’s commercial and agribusiness units now provide solutions that include continuous motor vehicle record monitoring, equipment tracking and cyber safety tools, while technology like Ting electrical system monitoring and LeakBot water leak detectors are protecting Nationwide home policy members.
• Sharpening the customer experience – Reflecting Nationwide’s vision to be the most trusted, most caring and most customer focused protection company, Nationwide’s deep commitment to customer experience and relationships helped drive 2025 growth, improving customer satisfaction scores across the businesses and enabling 12 Nationwide Financial partners to each sell $1 billion or more in Nationwide Financial products.
• Investing in the future – Continuing its history as an industry innovator and leader, Nationwide announced a $1.5 billion technology investment through 2028, with $100 million annually dedicated to advancing AI. This commitment will enhance customer experiences, strengthen risk management and efficiency and support long-term, sustainable growth.
• Serving communities –
  • The Nationwide Foundation—the 501(c)(3) private foundation to which Nationwide is the primary donor—contributed more than $41 million to nonprofit organizations.
  • Nationwide Mutual company and employees donated an additional $13.7 million to nonprofit organizations.
  • Company employees logged nearly 73,000 hours of volunteer time across the country.

Nationwide’s next 100 years       

As Nationwide celebrates its 100^th anniversary in 2026, Walker emphasized that the decisions being made today are laying the groundwork for a protection company that will serve its members for another century.

“Our centennial marks more than a milestone, it’s a foundation for the next chapter of Nationwide’s growth,” Walker said. “Thanks to the dedication of our employees and partners, we are well positioned to protect people, businesses and futures with extraordinary care for generations to come.”

Walker noted that Nationwide employees are helping to celebrate its centennial in 2026 by giving 100,000 hours of volunteer service.

Additional information about Nationwide’s business results and community impact can be found in Nationwide’s 2025 Annual Report. 

Nationwide has always made supporting the communities in which we live and work a top priority. As Nationwide celebrates our centennial year this April – marking 100 years since our first policy was written – we're reminded of the enduring partnerships and shared purpose that have shaped our company from the beginning. To celebrate important community milestones, amplify our passions, and encourage Columbus sports teams and downtown partners, Nationwide began a unique tradition in the late 1970s that allows us to express our appreciation and spread joy to those around us.

The magic behind the scenes

Getting all of the details right is not easy. It takes seasoned professionals to execute the illuminated messaging. The Building Management staff first uses a map of the building to determine which windows need to be blacked out – a formidable task in itself. Then comes some major shade pulling with a crew of four going floor to floor drawing shades and installing cardboard in certain windows so that the message is legible.

How long does this process take in a 40-story skyscraper?

Approximately 3½ hours to install the message. But the work doesn’t end there. Each night, a maintenance crew checks each floor to make sure the right shades are drawn.

With all of the attention to detail, hard work and passion, the end result is stunning. See for yourself.

WOSU features Nationwide's holiday lights display

The CIO 100 Awards honor organizations and teams that demonstrate excellence in using technology to deliver outcomes such as operational efficiency, innovation, business value, and long-term competitiveness. This year, CIO recognized Nationwide’s Enterprise Digital Platform, a system that enables Nationwide’s external business partners quick, secure and consistent digital integration with Nationwide systems.  

“Being named a 2026 CIO 100 Award winner for our Enterprise Digital Platform validates the work our teams are doing to help modernize how we serve our partners and members,” said  Michael Carrel,  Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Nationwide. “This ongoing effort strengthens relationships and helps us deliver seamless, customer-centric experiences in real time. Most importantly, it reflects the passion and expertise of the associates who are making it easier to do business with us every day.”  

Nationwide built its Enterprise Digital Platform to streamline working together with Nationwide’s insurance and financial services partners, which in turn translates to enhanced experiences for Nationwide’s end customers. The platform offers Nationwide partners an experience equal to internal associates, with governance, observability, and lifecycle management for all 19 business lines – making interactions easy, timely, and protected. 

“The CIOs we're recognizing this year aren't just keeping the lights on, they're driving the business," said Richard Smith, Head of Event Content, CIO 100 Awards & Conference. "AI, data, security, cloud; it all lands on the same desk now, and the best CIOs have stopped treating them as separate problems. The 2026 class shows what it looks like when you get that right.” 

Nationwide Technology was also named to the CIO 100 in 2003 and in 2025. More information about the CIO 100 Awards can be found here.  

To learn more about technology advancements at Nationwide, visit the Nationwide Technology & Innovation newsroom page.  

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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• Drivers say U.S. roads feel unpredictable as phone use, aggression and reckless driving continue to rise
• Stress and mistrust are growing on the road, with 4 in 10 drivers reporting stress and two-thirds frequently witnessing road rage
• Parents’ anxiety about teen driving is reshaping safety perceptions, with 40% saying they would trust an autonomous vehicle over their teen in some situations
• Company drivers confirm worsening behaviors across the board, reporting sharp increases in distraction, recklessness and unsafe driving around larger vehicles 

A new survey from Nationwide finds that driving in America is becoming less predictable and less trusted. While most drivers rate their own driving highly, many say the behavior from others on the road is getting worse. Distraction, aggression and recklessness are rising, making everyday driving more stressful and harder to anticipate.  

Nearly 9 in 10 drivers say phone use behind the wheel has increased in the past year, alongside similar spikes in aggressive and reckless driving. As a result, 40% say they experience stress while driving, and more than two-thirds frequently witness road rage.   

That erosion of trust is reshaping how families think about safety. In fact, 4 in 10 parents say they would trust an autonomous vehicle over their teen driver in certain situations, despite ongoing skepticism about the technology.  

Even the most experienced drivers are seeing the same shift. Company drivers, who operate a vehicle as one of their core job responsibilities and spend more time on the road than most, report worsening behaviors across the board, including increases in distraction, recklessness and unsafe driving around larger vehicles.  

Parents are weighing two imperfect options  
Parents are choosing between two risks they don’t fully trust. Anxiety is widespread among families with teen drivers: 91% of parents say they are at least somewhat anxious about their teen’s driving, and nearly half (49%) say driving is stressful for their teen.   

At the same time, confidence in young drivers remains low. More than 8 in 10 consumers (84%) and parents (85%) believe teens are more distracted than other age groups. Just 12% rate teen drivers as very good or excellent. Nearly nine in 10 also say teens need more behind-the-wheel training.   

As that anxiety builds, many parents are rethinking what safety looks like. In fact, 40% of parents with teen drivers believe that autonomous vehicles may be a safer option than their teens learning to drive.  

Company drivers reinforce the trend  
Company drivers who operate a vehicle daily as part of their job responsibilities see this shift every day on the road.  

Spending more time behind the wheel than most, they offer a clear view into how driving behavior is changing. They report noticeable increases in risky driving behaviors when compared to results from the 2025 Driving Behaviors study, including a 10-point rise in distraction (77%) and recklessness (73%) and a 15-point increase (74%) in unsafe driving around commercial vehicles.  

That behavior is making an already demanding job more stressful. Nearly half of commercial drivers (47%) say they feel stressed, exhausted and frustrated while driving for work, and 60% worry that aggressive drivers could cause an accident.  

“Driving no longer feels as predictable or routine as it once did,” said Mark McGhiey, Commercial Risk Management Leader at Nationwide. “Many describe a road environment with more distractions, more tension and less trust in the people around them. These conditions are particularly concerning for company drivers as many worry about the threat of accidents, injuries and the ripple effects on future employment opportunities.”  

It’s not just regular drivers causing friction; company drivers are noticing the same trends of faster and more reckless driving among their peers as well. One quarter admits they are at least sometimes distracted behind the wheel, showing no group is immune to risky behavior.  

What drivers can still control  
While drivers can’t control the behavior of others, they can take steps to help reduce their own risk in an environment that feels increasingly unpredictable.  

“Drivers are noticing changes in driving behavior on the road, and that awareness is an important first step toward improving road safety,” said Chris Lee, VP of Personal Lines Auto at Nationwide. “While we can’t control every driver around us, we can control how we drive. Reducing distractions, staying alert, and giving other vehicles more space are simple actions that can make a real difference. Programs like Nationwide’s Focused Driving Rewards^® are designed to help drivers build those safer habits and keep their attention where it belongs—on the road.”  

Nationwide’s Focused Driving Rewards is designed to help drivers put those habits into practice. The program encourages reduced phone handling behind the wheel by tracking behaviors like handheld calls or screen taps, and rewards focused driving with gift cards. It is open to both Nationwide members and non-customers.  

Businesses can also leverage insurance carrier-provided resources, like guides for safely handling aggressive or distracted drivers. They can also lean into tech solutions like dashcams that capture critical evidence in the event of an accident caused by another vehicle, as well as  GPS telematics, which can help proactively reduce risk through driver monitoring, coaching and route optimization.    

Methodology  
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) to conduct a nationally representative online survey of 1,005 general consumers, 400 parents of teen drivers, and 400 commercial drivers from January 14-28, 2026. 

Nearly two‑thirds of commercial property stakeholders – defined as property owners, new construction builders, and business owners – report being very or extremely concerned about severe weather risk and natural disasters in their area. Nationally, respondents feel most at risk from severe heat waves (69%), floods (69%), and damaging winds (65%). Top concerns tied to these risks are business interruption (56%), water intrusion/flood damage (41%) and structural damage (33%). 

Risk perception also varies by region. Flooding and business interruptions rank among the top concerns nationwide, while specific risks are top of mind in areas prone to particularly damaging weather. In hurricane-risk states, concern about structural damage (39%) and broken windows (39%) exceeds national levels. In states prone to severe convective storms, stakeholders report heightened concern about roof damage (33%) and broken windows (33%), as well as ice storms and severe cold waves.

Even with widespread concern, less than half of national commercial property owners say they feel fully prepared for any of these weather risks.

Property owners are investing in physical resilience
In response to growing weather risk, property stakeholders are taking meaningful steps to reinforce their buildings and operations.

• 61% have added backup power systems
• 60% installed weather-resistant windows or doors
• 57% developed or updated an emergency preparedness plan
• 54% added extra bracing for severe wind

Structural upgrades play a critical role in reducing damage and limiting disruption. At the same time, businesses are evaluating how their insurance coverage supports recovery should substantial losses occur.

Confidence in coverage is strong, but businesses are weighing their protection
Property owners’ perceptions of insurance protection are nuanced. More than 8 in 10 say they feel well protected against severe weather losses; however, only 39% of those stakeholders say they feel fully protected – suggesting that while overall confidence in coverage is strong, fewer view their coverage as comprehensive.

Even with positive perceptions of coverage, cost considerations continue to shape insurance decisions.

• 41% believe commercial property insurance affordability has improved over the past year
• Still, 60% are interested in ways to manage insurance costs
• 55% would consider reducing coverage or insuring less property to lower premiums

Nearly all property owners report consulting with an insurance agent to review coverage and discuss risk management strategies. This ongoing professional guidance has become essential as weather-related risks continue to evolve.

Growing risks highlight opportunity for greater technology adoption
While many commercial property owners are concerned about weather and environmental damage, adoption of technologies designed to predict and prevent losses remains relatively low.

• Only 41% report using smart water leak detection or automatic shutoff systems
• Two-thirds do not use smart thermostats or temperature sensors
• Roughly three-quarters do not use environmental sensors that monitor conditions like temperature, humidity or air quality

The findings also point to a broader awareness gap: nearly 8 in 10 respondents (77%) wish there were as many technology solutions available to protect their business properties as there are for their homes. In reality, commercial-grade monitoring and protection tools are more widely available and advanced than residential offerings, and many insurers offer discounted access or incentives for businesses that adopt them.

Building a comprehensive approach
As severe weather risks continue to disrupt operations, insurance agents remain a critical resource for helping businesses navigate coverage decisions, identify mitigation opportunities and understand where technology can further strengthen their protection.

“Businesses have made meaningful investments to strengthen their properties, and that’s encouraging,” said Jason Ragsdale, Nationwide’s leader of Risk Management Technical Specialization. “But resilience goes beyond the building itself. It requires a comprehensive approach that includes risk mitigation, continuity planning and insurance coverage that reflects today’s evolving risks.”

Methodology
Nationwide commissioned Edelman Data & Intelligence (DXI) to conduct a nationally representative online survey of 300 commercial property stakeholders from January 24 to February 13, 2026.