MDRT Community News

News for MDRT U.S. and Canada

MDRT News

How to share MDRT’s 100th anniversary

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For 100 years, MDRT has brought together financial professionals committed to learning, serving and leading their clients, businesses and lives with integrity.

Now more than ever, MDRT is poised to provide support for professionals around the world navigating a changing industry. As we prepare to showcase that legacy in 2027, here are some initial ways companies and members can join us in being a part of this centennial celebration:  

 

  • Review the 100th Anniversary Brand Guidelines for Companies and Members, which include anniversary messaging, logo usage guidance and resources to help you participate in the celebration.
  • To use anniversary assets or co-branded graphic templates in your communications, contact MDRTmarketing@mdrt.org.
  • Visit  MDRT100.org for information about MDRT’s history and what’s in store for the future.
  • Encourage current MDRT members to rejoin and qualifying employees to join MDRT in 2027 to celebrate with us. 
  • Provide opportunities for employees to attend MDRT’s 2027 Annual Meeting in Orlando, FL, which will be one of the biggest 100th Anniversary celebrations of the year. 

Stay tuned for additional announcements about opportunities to share and celebrate MDRT’s 100th anniversary in the weeks ahead.

Meet ChatMDRT

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Backed by wisdom. Powered by MDRT.

Meet ChatMDRT, an AI-powered knowledge assistant that connects you to exclusive expertise and resources from MDRT, to drive your success. Built on trusted MDRT expertise, not a generic search, every ChatMDRT response draws from vetted MDRT resources and member knowledge — not the open internet.

Use ChatMDRT to receive responses related to advising clients, marketing your practice, managing staff and business processes, balancing career and personal interests and more — all derived from MDRT-curated resources. You can also integrate the power of MDRT in your daily workflows by requesting short scripts, business letters, social media posts, client presentation templates and more.

MDRT EDGE 2026: Share with your advisors and network

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Join us in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, November 9-11, at MDRT EDGE. This is a peer-driven event where advisors share what’s working. Attendees leave with ideas they can use right away to grow a client-focused practice. This year, MDRT EDGE is open to both members and nonmembers. Members can also bring a business partner.

Help promote MDRT EDGE

Use the tools below to share MDRT EDGE with your teams and community: share an email using our template below, post on LinkedIn, include in internal newsletters and company intranet pages, and more.

EDGE Website Still

Website The MDRT EDGE website has the latest details on: program, registration, travel and who can attend.

➡️Link to the site when sharing information.

Brochure An overview of MDRT EDGE and how it compares to the MDRT Annual Meeting.


➡️Use this to explain the value of each event.

Postcard A front-and-back handout with key details about MDRT EDGE.

➡️ Great for quick sharing or events.

Flyer A flyer with key information about MDRT EDGE programming

➡️ Share via email or your company’s intranet page.

Video
Hear directly from MDRT members about why they attend MDRT EDGE.

  • Full video Build what’s next for your practice
  • Full video Build what’s next for your practice (alternate version)
  • Short video Learn from an open, sharing community
  • Short video Learn from an open, sharing community (alternate version)
  • Short video Connect across the financial services profession
  • Short video Connect with a group committed to excellence
  • Short video Connect with a group committed to excellence (alternate version)
  • Short video Get where you want to go, faster
  • Short video Invest in your career
  • Short video Helping advisors do better for their clients and communities

➡️ Share these videos in email, social media and more.

Email, Intranet & Social Media

Subject/Headline: MDRT EDGE, November 9-11

MDRT EDGE is coming to Boston at the Marriott Copley Place, November 9-11. It’s a peer-driven event for advisors to get insights from industry leaders, openly exchange ideas and tackle business challenges and leave with practical strategies to grow a client-focused practice.

Registration opens August 4 for MDRT members with the option to bring a business partner and August 18 for nonmembers. Watch the MDRT EDGE video to learn more. We hope you can join us in Boston! 

➡️ Share or adapt this message on your communication channels, using the MDRT EDGE header at left

➡️ Re-share MDRT’s posts on LinkedIn and Facebook

AI and technology in advisory practices

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Today’s leading AI tools and technology are reshaping professional practices. In May, MDRT members hosted a webinar, AI and technology in advisory practices on May 11. Moderated by Brandon Wellman, CFP, RICP, the discussion featured Ryan J. Pinney, LACP, who revealed how to use technology and AI to drive growth; Marta Borbala Kiraly, who focused on strengthening relationships and enhancing the client experience and Ross Bernstein, CSP, CPAE, who shared insights on adaptability and performance in an evolving digital landscape. Watch the recording here.

Member survey milestone reached: Thank you!

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Thank you to everyone who took the time to complete the MDRT member survey. Your feedback and insights are invaluable in helping us enhance the member experience, and we’re grateful for the strong participation across our community.

Together, we surpassed our 10 percent response goal, a meaningful milestone. As a result, MDRT will donate $10,000 to the MDRT Foundation in support of Room to Read, the charity partner for the 2026 MDRT Annual Meeting.

Thank you for helping make a lasting impact, and stay tuned for updates on how your feedback will shape what’s next.

What not to miss at the MDRT Annual Meeting

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The 2026 MDRT Annual Meeting, June 7-10, in Anaheim, California, USA, is more than a conference: it’s several days of learning, connection and inspiration designed to help members grow personally and professionally. 

Featured speakers

Throughout the MDRT Annual Meeting, members can gather at the event’s largest stage, the Main Platform, for inspirational content from thought leaders. This year’s lineup includes: 

Mariana Atencio
Andrew Busch
Damon Dunn
Robert Paylor
Marc Randolph
Giselle Ugarte
  • Mariana Atencio, former NBC news TV correspondent, on how to build client trust 
  • Andrew Busch, economic futurist and former CFTC chief market intelligence officer on global market and policy trends 
  • Damon Dunn, former NFL player and entrepreneur, on leadership and strategic decision-making under pressure 
  • Dr. José M. Hernández, former astronaut, on applying lessons from his journey
  • Robert Paylor, former college athlete, on mindset and overcoming the adversity of quadriplegia 
  • Marc Randolph, co‑founder and first CEO of Netflix on innovation and entrepreneurship, in a conversation with human potential researcher Kevin Miller 
  • Eszylfie Taylor, top financial advisor, entrepreneur and MDRT member, on building a high-impact practice  
  • Giselle Ugarte, performance coach and former media host on communication, presence and leading with authenticity 





➡️ View full program





➡️Attend a pre-meeting ‘Know Before You Go’ webinar May 20, 1-1:30 pm Eastern Time





Make connections and gain specialized knowledge





Members can connect at events like Launch to Excellence and the Welcome Reception on June 7, or throughout the week in The ConneXion Zone, featuring short, focused presentations on topics ranging from technology and marketing to work‑life balance. For deeper learning, attendees can participate in more than 90 Focus Sessions — smaller, topic‑driven discussions covering areas such as finding your practice niche, multigenerational selling, and building effective referral systems.





➡️ Register 







PR consultations and how to communicate MDRT’s value to clients  













Annual Meeting PR Consultation Image








One opportunity not to miss is Elevate your story: A guide for communicating MDRT’s value to clients and peers, June 7 at 11:00 a.m., featuring Top of the Table members, Tim Daniel Clairmont, MSFS, LACP and Juli Y. McNeely, CFP, CLU, who will share how positioning MDRT as a compelling story, and not just a credential, can strengthen your success as a financial advisor. 

















Members can sign up for a PR Consultation, to practice these skills with a communications professional and gain perspective on how to clearly and confidently communicate MDRT’s value. 





➡️ Sign up for a PR consultation must be registered for the MDRT Annual Meeting










What our members say













MDRT member Irene Stolte, ChFC, CLTC, on how she benefits from attending the MDRT Annual Meeting





“The dollar amount of investment in attending an Annual Meeting is truly irrelevant in relation to the knowledge and connections you can make through this organization.” –Irene Stolte, ChFC, CLTC













MDRT Member Brandon Heckert, CFP, AAMS, on the value of the Annual Meeting





“The first time you go, you’re thinking about the airfare and the cost of the meeting. But then you realize you get one or two big ideas — that’s all it takes, just a single piece of information from that meeting — to help you become a better advisor. And you’ll make back the money you spent on the meeting itself in no time.” –Brandon Heckert, CFP, AAMS 





➡️Visit the Annual Meeting website to explore the full program and register today.









Get started as an MDRT member


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Congratulations to new members and welcome back to our renewing members. Here are a few tips to get started with your membership:







Share the news





Share the good news with your networks on social media, using the image to the left, and the following message, which you’re welcome to personalize:

I’m proud to share that I’ve become an member of @MDRT in 2026, an association for top performers in the life insurance and financial services profession. Through MDRT, I’m excited to engage with a supportive network of peers and an unparalleled mix of content and resources featuring proven methods and best practices for growth. 





Additionally, you can access a full Member Toolkit with member logos and a press release template when you sign in to mdrt.org.









Update your profile, and personalize your experience





Sign in to mdrt.org and customize your member experience. Update your profile with a picture and personal biography in account settings. And don’t forget to try ChatMDRT, our new, AI-powered chat tool.









Explore MDRT events 





Attend MDRT member-exclusive events to connect with your peers, discover solutions that can impact your business immediately, network with industry thought leaders and build long-lasting relationships. For our 1-3 year members: join us on March 18 for a webinar, Unlock Your MDRT Membership, and attend the MDRT Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California June 7-10.









Plug into exclusive resources





Access MDRT insights, tools and strategies with improved search filters. Our content is curated by fellow members to help you improve productivity, run your business efficiently and achieve your goals. Focus your learning by selecting specific topics within Resources.







MDRT Member Survey


Help shape MDRT





MDRT is inviting members in Canada and the United States to participate in a member survey. Help us better understand you and your business, so we can continue improving the benefits and experiences that matter most to our members. 









Access the MDRT Academy





As an MDRT member, you now have access to the MDRT Academy, with tools, training and community to help new advisors fast track their success and give experienced advisors the edge to go even further.




Survey: Top recession concerns & cost cutting plans


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MDRT has conducted a new survey on Americans’ top concerns related to the lingering risk of a recession. The survey of a representative sample of 2,000 Americans offers insights to help financial advisors anticipate their clients’ concerns and make recommendations.
















Concerns if a recession





According to the survey, Americans have these top concerns, if a recession occurred:





•Inflation 87% would be concerned about increased inflation
•Loss of income 81% would be concerned about loss or a decrease in income with Millennials (29%) more concerned than Gen Z (19%).
•Cutting back on essentials 80% would be concerned about cutting back on essentials, with women (54%) and Millennials (29%) expressing highest levels of concern.
•Healthcare 78% would be concerned about being unable to afford health care.
•Investing 77% would be concerned about being unable to save or invest for the future
















Planned cost-cutting





According to the survey, Americans would cut back on several non-essential costs:





•Dining out 55% would eliminate
•Travel and leisure 55% would eliminate
•Financial advisory services 44% would eliminate
•Investments 36% would eliminate 
•Retirement contributions 29% would eliminate 





MDRT members can read more about how to work with clients to support their financial concerns by visiting MDRT.org.


Application FAQ


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Following are common questions about applying for membership in MDRT, for companies and individuals.





Application form





You have two options for applying to MDRT:





• Online Application The vast majority of applicants are eligible to use the system.





• Paper Application All members receive the paper application by mail in November. If you have an MDRT account, you can download and print the paper application. (You can create an account if you do not currently have one). Alternatively, you can request the application mailed to you by calling MDRT at +1 (847) 692–6378.





For companies: If you’re a company representative and want to support your advisors in joining MDRT, please visit our company page on MDRT.org.





For questions about qualifying for MDRT: visit MDRT Membership FAQs, or use Chat MDRT, our new, AI-powered knowledge assistant. You can also find below instructions for filling out your application and reporting your production to MDRT.





Filling out your application





For detailed instructions on filling out your online application, see this application walkthrough document.





2026 ENG Membership Online Application GuideDownload





Qualifying & reporting production





Members qualify for MDRT by attaining a certain level of premium, commission or income during the previous calendar year. You can view current production requirements for the U.S. or Canada.





Commission or Premium





If reporting by commission and/or premium, you will need to supply one or more letters from your company verifying reported production.*





• Company reporting: Some companies report commission or premium to MDRT, in which case a production certifying letter should appear as part of your application.





• Member reporting: If you report your own production numbers in commission and/or premium, fill out a Commission and Premium Certifying Letter and upload it to your application form.





Income





If you are reporting production as income, use the Income Certifying letter. Here are quick instructions for those who are using the income method. The minimum income is 151,000 USD or 176,500 CAD.





Income Method Quick GuideDownload





Here are detailed instructions, with screenshots, for those using the income reporting method.





2026 Applying for MDRT Membership Online Instructions Using Income MethodDownload












Survey: Preparing for the great wealth transfer


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MDRT has conducted a new survey on the Great Wealth Transfer, which is expected to be the largest generational transfer of wealth in history, with trillions projected to pass from the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers to younger generations. To help financial advisors prepare to advise clients across all generations, MDRT surveyed 2,000 U.S. consumers, spanning four generations. A few highlights from the survey:





Wealth Transfer Expectations





    

  • 60% of consumers under 59 expect to inherit wealth in their lifetime.
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  • 64% of consumers over the age of 60 plan to pass wealth to family or heirs
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Estate Planning Preparedness





    

  • 29% of consumers have created a will, 57% men and 43% women.
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  • Nearly half of all respondents (45%) have not taken any action to prepare an estate plan. 
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MDRT members can read more about the survey and how one financial advisor discusses the wealth transfer with her clients on MDRT.org.