The national conference landscape for retirement industry professionals has changed dramatically in the past year, with the end of two prominent events and the recently announced addition of a new one.
There will be no Wealth@wor(k) or Broadridge Advisor 360 Summit in 2025 (more on this below)—marking the end of two popular annual gatherings for retirement plan advisors that vied for second fiddle to the industry’s heavyweight event, the NAPA 401(K) Summit (set for April 28-30 this year in Las Vegas).
But we do have a brand-new event to consider. Earlier this month, The American College of Financial Services announced the program for Horizons 2025, an inaugural, “one-of-a-kind conference that will bring together the brightest minds in retirement planning to explore innovative strategies, insights, and solutions for today’s dynamic retirement landscape,” according to a Feb. 3 press release.
They didn’t provide the public a lot of advance notice, as this first event will be held in less than a month—March 3-5 at the Loews Coronado Bay Resort in San Diego. But they have put together an impressive lineup of heavyweight presenters (see list below).
The agenda promises a dive deep into holistic retirement income planning, longevity planning, and legacy planning, engaging in specialized workshops, breakout sessions, and networking opportunities focused on topics such as Social Security, Medicare, retirement psychology, income solutions, and housing options.
“We’re proud to create an event that will set the standard for how retirement planners come together to learn, grow, and share knowledge. Horizons is about breaking boundaries, exploring new horizons in retirement planning, and ensuring our profession evolves to meet the needs of retirees in 2025 and beyond,” said George Nichols III, CAP, president and CEO of The American College of Financial Services. “This event is an exciting step forward in shaping the future of retirement and the profession itself, and we are thrilled to be leading this conversation with some of the most renowned experts in the field.”
Among them are plenty of familiar names:
• Michael Finke, PhD, CFP, professor of wealth management, Wealth Management Certified Professional (WMCP) program director, The American College of Financial Services
• Michael Kitces, MSFS, MTAX, CFP, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, CASL, financial planner, speaker, blogger, and educator
• Jeffrey Levine, CFP, CPA/PFS, ChFC, RICP, CWS, AIF, BFA, chief planning officer, Buckingham Wealth Partners
• Ed Slott, CPA, founder and CEO, Ed Slott and Company
• Wade Pfau, PhD, CFA, RICP, founder, RISAProfile.com
• Jamie Hopkins, Esq., LLM, CFP, ChFC, CLU, RICP, senior vice president, director of private wealth management, Bryn Mawr Trust
• Justin Fitzpatrick, PhD, CFA, CFP, co-founder and chief innovation officer, Income Lab
• Eric Ludwig, PhD, CFP, assistant professor of retirement income, Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP) program director, The American College of Financial Services
• Fiona Greig, PhD, global head of investor research and policy, Vanguard
• Steve Parrish, JD, RICP, CLU, ChFC, AEP, professor of practice, retirement planning, The American College of Financial Services
• Chet Bennetts, CFP, ChFC, CLU, RICP, CLF, assistant professor, financial planning, CFP Certification Education and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC) program director, The American College of Financial Services
• David Blanchett, PhD, MSFS, CFA, CLU, ChFC, CFP, managing director, portfolio manager, and head of retirement research, PGIM DC Solutions
• Lindsey Lewis, MBA, CFP, ChFC, managing director, the American College Center for Women in Financial Services
• Carolyn McClanahan, MD, CFP, founder, Life Planning Partners, Inc.
• Kate Dore, CFP, finance reporter, CNBC
• Jon Dorenbos, keynote speaker, professional magician, and former NFL player
• Will Guidara, restaurateur and author
The agenda, available here, is focused on decoding the future of solutions-first retirement advice.
“This event is an exciting step forward in shaping the future of retirement and the profession itself, and we are thrilled to be leading this conversation with some of the most renowned experts in the field.”
The American College’s George Nichols III
“Horizons is much more than a conference—it’s a transformational experience for retirement planners looking to advance their knowledge and stay ahead of the curve,” said Sandon Herzlich, vice president of retirement strategy at The American College of Financial Services.
“This event provides an unparalleled opportunity to connect with colleagues, hear from the foremost experts, and gain critical insights. The power of this event lies in the community it creates, the knowledge it fosters, and the cutting-edge solutions it brings to the forefront.”
Unlike traditional industry events, Horizons offers an agenda free of sales presentations. Instead, attendees will have the opportunity to engage with star speakers and top-tier experts, offering practical knowledge and applicable insights that directly enhance client relationships and business outcomes. Continuing education (CE) credits will also be available for qualifying sessions.
The event also features exclusive networking opportunities and themed experiences unique to the San Diego area.
“We believe Horizons is the event that retirement planners have been waiting for—an immersive, community-driven experience that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in our profession,” added Nichols.
No more Broadridge 360 Summit
While Wealth@wor(k) announced at its 2024 event in San Antonio that it would be the last such conference, a web page on the Broadridge Fi360 site quietly announced that there would be no Broadridge 360 Summit in 2025.
“After careful consideration, we have made the decision to transition away from the 2025 Broadridge Advisor 360 Summit. While this event has been one of the cornerstones of our engagement, we believe this change will allow us to pursue new and more flexible ways to support and connect with you,” says the page’s opening paragraph.
The message went on to extend heartfelt gratitude to its clients’ unwavering support and participation in the summit over the years, and noted that the company continues to host weekly webinars that meet the CE requirements for the Fi360 Designations as well as IWI, CFP, and in some cases, IAR CE credit.
Interested persons can register for these free webinars via its Webinar Calendar.
SEE ALSO:
Ross Marino Shuts Down Advisor2x, Shift Conference
Don’t Gamble on Waiting to Register for 2025 NAPA 401(k) Summit
‘2025 National Retirement Summit’ Coming March 12 from BlackRock, Bipartisan Policy Center