$1.5 Trillion in Motion: Craig Collins’ 2026 Annuity Industry Update

After nearly 50 years in the insurance and annuity industry — spanning roles as a producer, home office executive, and distribution leader — Craig Collins sits down with host Scott Heinila for a data-driven deep dive into the state of the annuity marketplace in 2026.   Drawing on fresh LIMRA data, Craig unpacks what’s driving record annuity sales, the meteoric rise of Registered Index-Linked Annuities (RILAs), how shifting consumer psychology is reshaping the industry, and what advisors need to know to capitalize on the biggest wealth transfer opportunity of the decade.   Whether you’re a seasoned annuity producer or just beginning to integrate these solutions into your practice, this episode delivers the context, clarity, and forward-looking insight you need.   In this episode: How annuity sales nearly doubled from 2013–2025 and what’s driving continued growth Why the fixed & indexed annuity space dominates 2/3 of all sales The RILA revolution: 20x growth in 10 years and what it means for independent advisors Interest rates, bond markets, and the Fed — separating fear from facts Why “process is the new product” and how technology is reshaping distribution Guaranteed income, long-term care, and the evolving role of annuities in retirement planning $1.5 trillion in maturing annuity assets — and where that money is going next **This is the Optimized Advisor Podcast, where we focus on optimizing the wellbeing and best practices of insurance and financial professionals. Our objective is to help you optimize your life, optimize your profession, and learn from other optimized advisors. If you have questions or would like to be a featured guest, email us at [email protected] Optimized Insurance Planning