Protective Life Research Reveals Medicare Knowledge Gaps Among Consumers and Advisors — Protective Life Corporation

Event summary

Protective Life Corporation released a whitepaper based on research showing significant Medicare knowledge gaps among consumers and financial professionals.
Survey of 1,210 consumers (ages 55-75) and 501 financial professionals conducted in fall 2025 revealed both groups overestimate their Medicare understanding.
Only 15% of consumers have discussed Medicare with a financial professional despite 80% wanting help with coverage, timing, and costs.
Whitepaper outlines four steps for financial professionals to integrate Medicare planning into their practices.

The big picture

Protective Life's research highlights a critical gap in retirement planning services, positioning financial professionals as key partners in navigating Medicare complexities. The findings come amid growing industry recognition of the need for holistic retirement solutions that integrate health and wealth management. With $142 billion in assets under management as of December 31, 2025, Protective Life is well-positioned to leverage these insights to strengthen its advisory services and deepen client relationships.

What we're watching

Advisory Opportunity: How financial professionals will capitalize on the identified Medicare knowledge gaps to expand client relationships.
Educational Initiatives: Whether Protective Life's whitepaper will spur broader industry efforts to improve Medicare education for both consumers and advisors.
Regulatory Impact: The pace at which regulatory bodies may respond to these findings with new guidelines or requirements for Medicare planning.