Advocacy in action blog

The Fourth of July, naturally, celebrates our nation’s independence declared in 1776, won through the struggle and sacrifice of the American Revolution, and maintained by generations of Americans throughout the history of the United States. NAIFA joins in this celebration of our country and the freedoms we all enjoy.

NAIFA is the only association for insurance and financial professionals with a strong political advocacy presence in Washington, D.C., and every state capital.

Last month, NAIFA members in Connecticut amplified NAIFA's advocacy message in Hartford. NAIFA-Connecticut's Legislative Day created great momentum heading into the Congressional Conference, May 22-23, in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON – American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Susan Neely and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA)-Kansas Chapter President Brad Noller issued the following joint statement on the best interest annuity rule adopted recently by the Kansas Insurance Department:

On June 22, The United States House of Representatives passed the NAIFA-supported Employer Reporting Improvement Act (H.R. 3801), which provides employers flexibility about what personal information they have to provide on behalf of their employees and their families. Additionally, it extends the appeal window for any potential violation and establishes a statute of limitations so small businesses operating with limited resources can continue their work with less of a burden.

Each year, NAIFA capitalizes on the grassroots momentum created by our state chapters' Legislative Days and the national Congressional Conference by coordinating in-district meetings with members of Congress during the August legislative recess. You should be a part of it and invite colleagues to join, too.

NAIFA and the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) often work together to advocate for the industry, producers, and consumers in every part of the country. Their enduring cooperation and partnership take on great significance at the state level, where NAIFA is the only advocacy association of agents and advisors with a strong grassroots influence in all 50 state capitals.

Annuities can be an important part of Americans’ retirement portfolios and NAIFA’s advocacy work in recent years has helped ensure that they are more widely available to American workers and more flexible for annuity customers. With traditional pensions going the way of the dinosaur, annuities are often the only retirement planning products that guarantee income for the life of the beneficiary.

American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Susan Neely and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors NAIFA-Oregon President Kym Housley issued the following joint statement on legislation signed into law in Oregon that strengthens safeguards for annuity consumers:

NAIFA is celebrating major legislative victories in Alabama, Indiana, Montana, and Minnesota. In the month of May, these four states have passed legislation that will mandate the completion of a semester-long personal finance course to successfully fulfill high school graduation requirements. There are now 23 total states that have similar measures.

It's fitting on the first day of National Annuity Awareness Month for us to recognize the great work done by NAIFA leaders, members, and lobbyists in 37 states that have implemented the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) model for annuity transactions. NAIFA chapters, along with our partners at ACLI, have worked with lawmakers and regulators in the states to get the measures enacted.