NAIFA-Iowa Takes Advocacy to the Hill in Des Moines

Sixty members of NAIFA’s grassroots army in Iowa attended the state chapter’s Day on the Hill in Des Moines, yesterday.

The event featured a morning session, during which attendees heard opening remarks from NAIFA-Iowa President Dane Johnson and presentations by Senator Tim Kraayenbrink, LUTCF, and Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen. Sen. Kraayenbrink is the owner of Kraayenbrink Financial Services in Fort Dodge, Iowa, and has been a NAIFA member since 1989.

In the afternoon, the NAIFA members met with their elected officials, including all of the House and Senate leadership, at the state Capitol. During meetings, NAIFA members raised issues important to insurance and financial professionals and their clients, including:

Support for state legislation to protect seniors against financial fraud and exploitation by creating a voluntary reporting procedure for agents and advisors. The law should provide protection from liability for producers acting in good faith and permit the state insurance department to provide training and resources.

• Support for Iowa officials to continue to broaden the choices state educational employees have when participating in 403(b) retirement programs.
• Promotion of financial literacy programs to benefit Iowans.
• Support for a best interest standard of care for broker-dealers and their registered representatives.
• Support for an increase in the tax deduction for families participating in 529 college savings plans.

The Day on the Hill wrapped up with an ice cream social attended by NAIFA members, legislators, and staff members.