Announcing the 2026 Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium

KING OF PRUSSIA, PA – March 25, 2026 – The 2026 Advanced Special Needs Planning Symposium brings together financial planners and other practitioners who have dedicated themselves to individuals with special needs, including clients who are aging or live with a disability and those who have caregiving and financial responsibilities, as they learn to hone their skills and meet with like-minded professionals who can expand their knowledge and expertise.

To be hosted May 7-8, 2026, at the Hyatt Grand Regency Hotel in Orlando, the Symposium is designed for advisors who recognize that the most impactful planning happens at moments of change. With a focus on life transitions, this year’s event will challenge participants to think more holistically, plan more intentionally, and serve families more effectively — especially in situations when it matters most.

“Transitions” encapsulate key moments throughout life, with each carrying profound legal, emotional, and caregiving implications. For the 42.5 million Americans living with special needs, these scenarios can be especially complex.¹ For financial advisors, they represent an opportunity to offer advice that has a long-lasting impact on the well-being of clients.

Some of the events covered in this year’s programming include:

• The shift from childhood to adulthood as individuals with special needs “age out” of the public school system and enter adult services
• Moving from the family home into independent living, supported housing, or group care environments
• The evolving role of siblings and extended family as part of long-term caregiving and decision-making
• Aging parents confronting their own health, longevity, and financial needs while planning for a child with disabilities
• Adults experiencing new-onset disability and transitioning out of the workforce
• Advisors themselves preparing for practice succession and continuity for vulnerable client populations

The Symposium seeks to equip advanced practitioners with deeper insights, practical strategies, and interdisciplinary perspectives to help clients navigate these moments with confidence and dignity.

“This event represents an opportunity for growth in a highly specialized area of our industry,” said Joellen Meckley, JD, MHS, ChSNC®, managing director of the Center for Special Needs. “It allows financial professionals to offer advice that can change the lives of clients who live with special needs, a disability, or have lived to an advanced age, as well as clients who care for loved ones in these situations. Thanks to our experts and the community we’re building, the Symposium has something for all types of practitioners to take back home and put to work for their clients.”

The demand for special needs planners in America makes the materials discussed during this event especially relevant. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 70% of Americans turning 65 will need long-term care later in life, and 45% of Americans ages 75 or older are likely to live with a disability.²

About The American College of Financial Services

The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit, accredited educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Nearly one in five advisors or agents is an alum of The College. The College offers a learning platform that includes professional designation, certification, and degree programs and encompasses early-career foundational knowledge as well as deep, specialized education in tax, retirement income, philanthropy, risk management, and more with the highest-quality combination of rigor and relevance. The College’s faculty represents the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Its educational programs, research, and events offer professionals the opportunity to expand earnings, deepen relationships, and deliver improved client outcomes.

Visit TheAmericanCollege.edu to discover how you can gain expertise for every stage.

About the American College Center for Special Needs

The American College Center for Special Needs is committed to elevating the knowledge of financial planning professionals in special needs planning and promoting strategies and solutions that aid individuals with special needs, as well as their caregivers. Established in 2014 by a transformative gift from MassMutual, the Center for Special Needs seeks to be the nation’s leading voice on financial planning for professionals working with loved ones, guardians, and caregivers of those with special needs, including through The College’s Chartered Special Needs Consultant® (ChSNC®) designation.

For more information, visit TheAmericanCollege.edu/SpecialNeeds.

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