Tom Hegna Brings “Paychecks and Playchecks” to LevelUP 2026

When it comes to retirement income planning, few voices carry more authority — or more real-world impact — than Tom Hegna’s. At First Financial Security’s LevelUP 2026 (LU26) event in Huntington Beach on January 23–24, attendees had the opportunity to learn directly from one of the most influential educators in the retirement planning space, as Tom took the stage with his nationally acclaimed Paychecks and Playchecks presentation, sponsored by American National.

For many in attendance, this session represented a rare opportunity to hear firsthand from a speaker whose work has helped reshape how financial professionals think about retirement income, longevity risk, and the role of annuities in modern planning.

A Trusted Authority Reframes the Retirement Conversation

Tom Hegna brought decades of experience to LevelUP 2026. A best-selling author and international speaker, Tom has written six books on retirement planning, including Paychecks and Playchecks: Retirement Solutions for Life and Don’t Worry, Retire Happy. His work has reached a national audience through a PBS television special viewed in more than 80 million homes, and he is a frequent contributor on CNBC and in leading financial publications.

During his LevelUP presentation, Tom addressed a reality advisors see every day: retirement planning has grown more complex, yet many clients still approach it with outdated assumptions. While people often know how much money they have saved, they frequently lack a clear understanding of what that money can actually produce in retirement.

Tom walked attendees through the major risks retirees face — including market risk, inflation risk, withdrawal rate risk, taxation risk, and regulatory risk — but emphasized that longevity risk stands above all others. More than a single threat, longevity risk acts as a multiplier, intensifying every other risk when clients outlive their income.

A Defining LU26 Moment: Real Impact for Those in the Room

What set Tom Hegna’s LevelUP presentation apart was its focus on both outcomes and behavior. He shared how advisors who have implemented his framework have seen meaningful growth in annuity production, stronger client relationships, and more consistent business results. For many attendees, the session reframed retirement planning from a simple focus on account balances to a full conversation about income, certainty, and quality of life.

Thanks to ANICO’s support, Hegna’s Paychecks and Playchecks left advisors better equipped to serve their clients and more confident in their ability to grow sustainable, income-focused practices in retirement planning. First Financial Security, Inc. is proud to have welcomed Tom Hegna to LU 26 — and to give advisors the opportunity to learn from one of the most influential minds in retirement planning today.