Week 18: Looking Ahead to 2026 – What to Expect and How to Prepare

This has always been my favorite time of year.

There’s something about the space between Christmas and New Year’s that feels different – quieter, more reflective, and full of possibility. The rush of open enrollment is behind us, the calendar is about to turn, and for a brief moment, we can lift our heads and think about what’s next.

People often say you can’t predict the future. And while that’s true in a literal sense, it’s also not entirely accurate. Much of what’s coming can be anticipated – and even shaped – if we take the time to plan intentionally.

January is a great month to clean things up. That might mean finishing documentation from 1/1 renewals, updating notes in your CRM, or simply reflecting on what worked and what didn’t this past year.

If you don’t have a CRM yet, this might be the year to consider one. Even a simple system can make a huge difference when it comes to follow-ups, renewals, and remembering the small but important details about your clients.

Let’s be honest – the past few months were a lot. Open enrollment has a way of stretching everyone thin. If you can, plan some time to recharge in the spring or summer. A real break. The kind that restores energy and perspective.

The busy season always sneaks up faster than we expect, and burnout helps no one – especially our clients.

This is also one of the best times of year to learn and explore.

• Look into new strategies or solutions you’ve been curious about.

• Get appointed with a new carrier or vendor.

• Attend a conference or two.

• Revisit voluntary benefits or supplemental products – conversations that are much easier outside of open enrollment when clients actually have time to think.

Small investments now can pay off all year long.

It’s also worth acknowledging that the benefits landscape itself continues to shift.

For many individuals and families, health insurance is more expensive than it’s been in years. With enhanced premium tax credits no longer in place, affordability has become a real concern again. On the group side, premiums remain high as well, which means employers are looking more closely at alternatives and expecting more thoughtful guidance during renewal conversations.

We’re already seeing increased interest in strategies like level funding, captives, direct primary care, and reference-based pricing. These aren’t fringe ideas anymore – they’re becoming part of everyday conversations, especially as employers look for sustainable ways to manage costs without sacrificing benefits.

We’re also heading toward a shorter individual market selling season in 2026 (for the 2027 plan year). That alone means agents will need to be more efficient with their time and more intentional in how they prepare and communicate.

In other words, 2026 won’t be business as usual. It will be a year where fresh ideas, smarter workflows, and proactive planning really matter. The good news is that many of the tools and strategies to support this shift are already available – and we’ll be spending more time exploring them together.

2026 is also shaping up to be a big year for technology – especially AI. Not in a flashy or overwhelming way, but in practical ways that help agents save time, stay organized, and serve clients better.

You don’t need to become a tech expert overnight. But this is a good year to stop putting it off and start exploring how these tools can support your workflow instead of complicating it.

Benefits Weekly is evolving too.

Kyle is spending time on a new project, so he won’t be hosting quite as often. In the meantime, I’ll be stepping in to keep things moving forward.

We’re also expanding the format. Along with our weekly deep dives, we’re planning to introduce more voices and perspectives – subject matter experts who can help us better understand the areas we touch every day but don’t always have time to explore deeply.

And looking ahead, we’re planning our first virtual conference sometime this spring, with a strong focus on AI and how agents can start benefiting from it now. More details coming soon.

The new year doesn’t require a total reinvention – just a bit of intention. A little cleanup. A little curiosity. A little planning.

Here’s to a strong, thoughtful start to 2026. Happy New Year.

-Eric