I hope the week has started off well for you all. This week, here is the lineup: Wednesday on the Sales Coaching Call at Noon, Talcot Resolution will come to talk about the every changing fixed index annuity space. We are going to let them give thirty minutes about their history and the space they fill and then we are going to do a roundtable on Annuity FAQ with an insider. Friday, we are doing a Sprint to Success Meeting at 11am. This meeting will be how to come out of obscruity and into the light for others to see. This is an open session so if you have people in your network you invite, we will be giving away a set of "The Retirement Handshake" Books for you to use with your clients for the person who brings the most licensed professionals. Next Monday at 4pm, we will do "The Retirement Handshake" Author Readback. This will be your chance (if you read the book) to come and share what you learn, hear what I mean and then find out how to use the books to generate leads for the 4th Quarter. The only price of admission for that event will be to read the book. To purchase the book, go to: https://www.amazon.com/Retirement-Handshake-Minority-Partner-Changed/dp/B0HHYYXSNF If you have read the book, review it online here: https://www.amazon.com/review/create-review/?ie=UTF8&channel=glance-detail&asin=B0HHYYXSNF Comment below where we will see you this week. Put the following number in the comments with what you are doing: 1-- Sales Coaching Call 2-- Sprint to Success 3--Author Readback 4-- 1 and 2 above 5-- 1 and 3 above 6-- 2 and 3 above 7-- All of the above and you are buying the book and going All-In

PacLife, an agent and IMO have been sued by Kyle Busch, nascar legend, for reported “losing $8.5mm” and being sold “tax-free income” solution. This is going to rock the insurance only producer market especially annuity or IUL only solution providers. Why? There is now a Google search that shows a celebrity losing real money and an attorney with a lawsuit trying to change the game (aka the industry and make them pay for it). Next up…class action law suits. This type of lawsuit happened in the Real Estate industry a couple years ago over commissions. There was a settlement out of court and the result has still be negative on that industry. What can you do now? 💡Don’t try to persuade that the lawsuit is frivolous—$8.5mm was lost 💡Don’t try to convince someone that the solution is an IUL. 👀 Do get alignment on the problem a prospect has 👀 Do get alignment that insurance industry has problems 👀 Do give pros and cons of all solutions to the problems And, create partnerships that give credibility. That is what 1. oak Collective is. “Your business powered by our history, our credentials and a One of a Kind brand”. Result for you—Alignment with 1 oak Collective=neutral ground to solve problems people need solved. Comment ‘Align’ to have the conversation.

The Social Security Administration has announced a 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2026 — slightly higher than last year’s 2.5% increase. This change will affect nearly 75 million Americans, including retirees and those receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Starting January 2026, the average Social Security benefit will rise by about $56 per month, bringing the average monthly payment to approximately $2,071. Married couples will see their combined benefit increase by an average of $88 a month.​ The COLA is designed to help retirees keep pace with inflation. While it’s a welcome increase for many, it’s important to note that the rise in living costs and Medicare premiums could offset much of the gain. AARP research shows that more than three-quarters of older Americans still feel these modest adjustments don’t fully cover real-world inflation, which continues to impact essential goods and healthcare costs.​ In addition to benefit increases, some key thresholds are also changing in 2026: - The maximum taxable earnings limit will rise from $176,100 to $184,500, meaning higher-income earners will contribute slightly more in payroll tax. - The maximum monthly benefit for new retirees claiming at full retirement age will climb to around $3,827, up from $3,822.​ For financial advisors, this update serves as both a planning checkpoint and a client communication opportunity. Now is the time to review Social Security strategies: - Reassess claiming decisions based on updated benefits. - Coordinate tax-efficient income strategies around the new taxable maximum. - Evaluate how inflation-adjusted benefits interact with Roth conversions, pensions, and portfolio withdrawals. Social Security remains a foundational element of retirement income — but as COLA adjustments remind us each year, relying on it alone may not be enough to keep up with inflation. A diversified, intentional income plan that integrates Social Security, tax planning, and investments remains the best path to long-term financial independence.