The 2026 Independent Agency Growth Study shares the results of a survey of 1,149 U.S.-based independent agency principals and staff members. The research was conducted online by Liberty Mutual Insurance research experts in December 2025.
This page houses key insights from the study. Check back throughout the year as we release more insights on topics such as agency retention, AI use in agencies, and job skills agents are developing for the future.
Key insights from the 2026 Independent Agency Growth Study
Women in independent agencies
While women in agencies still report lower levels of aspiration and career optimism than men, the gaps have decreased since previous years. Both men and women reported higher levels of aspiration, development and optimism since our 2023 outlook report, with women’s levels increasing significantly. However, women are still underrepresented in leadership roles in agencies.
More women are aspiring to leadership
- 62% of millennial women aspire to one day lead an agency
- Up from 50% in 2023
- 41% of women of all generations say they aspire to lead an agency
- Up from 36% in 2023
More women are being developed for leadership
- 59% of millennial women say their manager is actively developing them for leadership
- Up from 38% in 2023
- Equal numbers of millennial men and women say they are being developed for leadership
- 45% of women of women of all generations say their manager is actively developing them for leadership
- Up from 30% in 2023
More women say they have the skills they need to grow
- 88% of millennial women say they have the skills to grow their career
- Up from 70% in 2023
- 88% of women of all generations say they have the skills they need to grow their career
Women feel more optimistic about their futures in agencies
- 70% of millennial women say they are optimistic about their ability to grow in their agency
- Up from 56% who said they were excited about their future in the agency in 2023
- 64% of women of all generations say they are optimistic about their ability to grow their career at their agency
- 31% of women in agencies say they need more support or training to achieve their career goals
Women report high levels of job satisfaction
- 87% of women say they are satisfied with their current job at their agency
- 78% of women say they can maintain a good work/life balance
Women are still underrepresented in agency leadership
- Women made up 22% of principals/owners, and 78% of agency staff
- 52% of respondents said their agency has women in leadership
Explore more insights about women in insurance
From aspiration to ownership: Why women are the next generation of insurance agency leaders
Explore more of our research on women in agencies
Methodology
The 2026 Independent Agency Growth Study surveyed 1,149 U.S.-based independent agency principals and staff members. The research was conducted online by Liberty Mutual Insurance research experts in December 2025. Respondents were sourced from proprietary, internally managed panel lists.
About Agent for the Future
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