Insurance and financial advisors to convene for advocacy briefings,meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill

Sen. Chuck Grassley, Rep. Jackie Walorski to address NAIFA members during annual Congressional Conference May 14-15 at the Marriott Renaissance in Washington

Washington – The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) will convene its seventh annual Congressional Conference, bringing together more than 500 financial professionals from all 50 states to Washington, D.C., for an advocacy briefing and Day-on-the-Hill meetings with federal lawmakers. Advisors will educate their representatives and senators about the financial services industry and the critical role life insurance products and annuities play in securing the financial futures of 90 million American families. NAIFA will deliver a uniform industry message and ask Congress for its continued support for policies that encourage Main Street families and businesses to prepare and save for their futures, and ask for support of non-partisan retirement legislation: the SECURE Act in the House and RESA in the Senate.

“Over the past seven years, NAIFA’s Congressional Conference has emerged as D.C.’s largest and most influential grassroots fly-in of insurance and financial professionals,” said NAIFA President Jill Judd. “Advisors work in the best interests of Main Street consumers every day, helping them to prepare for retirement, mitigate financial risks, set goals, and achieve prosperity. That makes advisors great political advocates. Going to Capitol Hill to advance the cause of their colleagues in the industry and their clients is a natural extension of their commitment to service and professionalism.”

Third-party research validates the impact and influence of NAIFA’s advocacy efforts in the insurance and financial services space. The National Journal’s research arm, surveying more than 15,000 Capitol Hill players and others, concluded that NAIFA is viewed by policymakers as the most credible, valued and respected voice in the insurance industry. 

On May 14, Congressional Conference attendees will participate in an advocacy briefing at the Marriott Renaissance in Washington. Featured speakers will be:

• Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), chair of the Senate Finance Committee, and
• Rep. Jackie Walorski, (R-Ind.), member of the House Ways and Means Committee 

NAIFA’s government relations team will offer policy updates on issues important to advisors and their clients and provide tips and advice for meeting with elected officials.

The following day, May 15, more than 500 attendees will go to Capitol Hill for meetings with their senators and representatives.

Issues on NAIFA members’ agenda include the appropriate tax treatment of insurance and retirement products,health care reform, consumer protection, financial literacy, and the SEC best interest standard. 

A 2019 survey of NAIFA members found that nine out of 10 serve middle-income clients, and almost half serve at least some lower-income clients. More than 80 percent say their typical clients have a combined annual household income of less than $150,000, and about half say their typical clients earn less than $100,000 a year.

“NAIFA members are in communities across the United States striving to ensure financial security and prosperity for friends and neighbors as well as local families and small business owners. That’s what we mean when we say that NAIFA represents the interests of Main Street Americans,” said NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE. “NAIFA members’ willingness to take time away from their businesses to attend the Congressional Conference and advocate on behalf of their clients and the industry reflects their commitment to helping all Americans achieve financial wellness through access to affordable financial advice.”

Media are invited to attend the advocacy briefing. Please RSVP to NAIFA’s Mark Briscoe or Sheila Owens.

WHAT:                NAIFA Congressional Conference

WHERE:           Marriott Renaissance

                              999 9th St., NW

                              Washington, DC 20001

WHEN:               May 14: 1:30 p.m. Meeting, Issue Briefing

                               May 15: NAIFA Members Day on the Hill 

CONTACT:

• Mark Briscoe, mbriscoe@naifa.org; (703) 770-8111
• Sheila Owens, sowens@naifa.org or (703) 770-8112

About NAIFA:

Founded in 1890 as The National Association of Life Underwriters (NALU), NAIFA is the oldest, largest and most prestigious association representing the interests of insurance professionals from every Congressional district in the United States. Our mission – to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members – is the reason NAIFA has consistently and resoundingly stood up for agents and called upon members to grow their knowledge while following the highest ethical standards in the industry.