NAIFA’s 10th annual Congressional Conference was an overwhelming success, demonstrating that NAIFA is the One and Only when it comes to our unmatched advocacy influence. More than 500 insurance and financial advisors from all over the United States gathered in Washington, D.C., to receive policy briefings and grassroots advocacy instruction, hear words of encouragement from distinguished guests, and take NAIFA's advocacy message directly to their elected officials on Capitol Hill.
Featured speakers on Day 1 of the event included:
- Susan Neely, President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI)
- NAIFA President Bryon Holz
- NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux
- The Honorable Kevin Hern (R-OK)
- The Honorable Brad Schneider (D-IL), who is a former NAIFA member
The event emphasized the importance of good NAIFA citizenship, which NAIFA members exhibit through their engagement in the areas of membership, grassroots, and IFAPAC. A Trifecta Committee panel consisting of NAIFA National President-Elect Tom Cothron, Grassroots Liaison Dennis Cuccinelli, IFAPAC Liaison Chris Gandy, National Membership Chair Carina Hatfield, National Grassroots Chair Josh O’Gara, and National IFAPAC Chair Barry Johnson discussed how NAIFA’s Triangle Team members are graduates of NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute (LILI), have earned their Financial Security Advocate badge, and contribute to IFAPAC. The panel discussion was moderated by NAIFA Secretary Doug Massey.
A second panel explored their “Passion for Politics and Public Service” as NAIFA members. The discussion by loyal NAIFA members Kris Alfheim, Demetrius Bryant, Vinny Dallo, and Rick Demko was moderated by NAIFA Past President Robert Miller.
Miller wrapped up the first day of Congressional Conference with a moving tribute to NAIFA Past President Terry Headley, who himself held a deep passion for advocacy and IFAPAC.
Making an Impact on Capitol Hill
Highlighting Congressional Conference are the Day 2 grassroots meetings between financial professionals and lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Congressional Conference attendees met with more than 300 congressional offices and spoke with lawmakers and senior staff about important financial security issues:
- Asking members of the House to join the Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus and sign on as sponsor of legislation to authorize electronic and remote notarization.
- Asking lawmakers to discourage the Department of Labor from proposing rules that would threaten the status of agents and advisors as independent contractors or impose a standard of care that would harm the ability of NAIFA members to serve Main Street clients.
- Asking members of Congress to support technical corrections and fix drafting errors in the SECURE 2.0 legislation.
The meetings had an immediate impact. On the same day as the meetings, the leadership of the two congressional committees with jurisdiction over the SECURE 2.0 retirement law sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel to tell them technical corrections to the act are coming soon.
Fixing some ambiguous language and errors in SECURE 2.0 was one of NAIFA members’ top requests at Hill meetings during NAIFA’s Congressional Conference yesterday. Without these corrections, advisors and consumers could face major headaches in their retirement planning. Fortunately, NAIFA members are on the job!
With the 2023 Congressional Congress now in the books, NAIFA looks forward to carrying the momentum forward. In June, the NAIFA Live webinar for NAIFA members only will provide an opportunity for financial professionals to receive next-level advocacy and political involvement training and earn their Financial Security Advocate badge. If you are a NAIFA member, log into the Member Portal to sign up. If you are not a member, please join us to take advantage of this opportunity.
Then in August, NAIFA will coordinate in-district meetings with lawmakers across the country.
Our Sponsors and Partners
Finally, NAIFA would like to thank our sponsors and partners who contributed to the success of the 10th annual Congressional Conference.
Gold Sponsors: New York Life, One America, Guardian, ACLI, MassMutual
Silver Sponsors: Ameritas, Allianz, Northwestern Mutual, Principal
Bronze Sponsors: Transamerica, Advisor Group, American National, Aetna, Mutual of Omaha, State Farm, Penn Mutual
Event Sponsors: Abacus Life, Security Mutual Life, Aflac, Team by the Minute, Motiv8 Advisors, Cambridge, Kansas City Life, GBU Life, The Bancorp, White Glove
Advocacy Partners: International DI Society, Society of FSP, NAAIA, LAAIA, WIFS
