Advocacy in action blog

NAIFA, along with 100 business and trade associations, sent a letter to President Joe Biden expressing “strong opposition to the new tax information reporting regime proposed by the Department of Treasury and under consideration by Congress as part of the proposed reconciliation spending package.”

The reconciliation package now being considered by Congress includes dramatic changes to grantor trusts which are of significant concern to many NAIFA members and their clients, especially proposed changes to Irrevocable Life Insurance Trusts and the weak, ineffective “grandfather” provisions included in the reconciliation proposal. ILITs have been used for decades to help families of all sizes – not just the rich – address the expenses, income taxes, estate taxes, and gift taxes due at death. Life insurance policies inside these trusts provide the necessary liquidity to family heirs without the death proceeds themselves being included in the deceased’s taxable estate.

NAIFA has joined more than 100 organizations expressing privacy and cost concerns with a Biden administration proposal that would require financial services providers to track and submit to the IRS information on every account with deposits or withdrawals totaling $600 or more annually.

NAIFA-CA members, including National President Tom Michel, LACP, and Past President John Davidson, LUTCF, FSS, attended a meeting earlier this week with California state and federal lawmakers. During the event, NAIFA members were able to connect with several state officials.

NAIFA strongly supports the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC's) Regulation Best Interest (REG BI) to protect investors and preserve the ability of financial advisors to serve the needs of Main Street USA consumers. The rule is in harmony with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners’ (NAIC's) revised Annuity Suitability Model, which requires producers to work in the best interests of consumers during annuity transactions, providing enhanced investor protections at the federal and state levels and discouraging a mishmash of confusing and potentially contradictory laws and regulations.

The monthly newsletter of the National Council of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) features a front-page article contributed by NAIFA State Chapters Director Julie Harrison on the best interest standard incorporated into the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Suitability in Annuity Transaction Model Regulation. 

On September 21, 2021, Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Adrian Smith (R-NE) introduced H.R. 5318. This bipartisan bill will provide much-needed relief for employers seeking to comply with the reporting requirements under Section 6055 and 6056 for enforcement of the ACA's individual and employer mandates. NAIFA believes the passage of this legislation would greatly assist in addressing new challenges employers face under the health-reform law.

The inaugural Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award will recognize a current NAIFA member who shows exemplary service to their profession, colleagues, and clients through their political advocacy and contributions to IFAPAC.

The deadline to nominate a NAIFA member for the award is Sept. 30.

NAIFA joined with industry partners in a letter to express strong support for National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) amendment #445 offered by Representative Dean (D-PA), with the support of Representatives Armstrong (R-ND), Turner (R-OH), Perlmutter (D-CO), and Reschenthaler (R-PA).

NAIFA is pleased to welcome Kim Durcho as a Grassroots Director. Durcho joins NAIFA’s Government Relations team and reports to Senior Vice President for Government Relations Diane Boyle.

As Grassroots Director, Durcho will develop and execute a comprehensive advocacy program to foster member participation in grassroots efforts at the national and state level.