Advocacy in action blog

Whether you're new to political advocacy or a grassroots leader, NAIFA's Get Out the Vote is a great resource for everything you need to know about NAIFA's political advocacy. Find information on polling dates and locations, ballot measures, and your elected officials. Brush up on Government 101 or find the text of individual bills—this site has useful information for everyone.

The NAIFA-supported SECURE Notarization Act was filed with Rules as an amendment (AMDT #543) to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) on July 8 by Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Rep. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), and Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-TX).

NAIFA joined with industry partners in a letter to express strong support for NDAA amendment #543. The text of the amendment is taken from H.R. 3962, the SECURE Notarization Act, which has the strong, bipartisan support of 113 cosponsors. 

NAIFA Invites Women and Hispanic Agents and Advisors to Two New Programs in August

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) has announced the addition of two programs that will run on Tuesday, August 16^th pre-conference to its upcoming Apex event being held in Phoenix, Arizona. The sessions focus on raising awareness for state, interstate, and federal advocacy and stress the importance of financial advisors to get involved, starting with voting, in the political process.

Josh O'Gara, CLU, ChFC, CFP, loyal member since 2011, spoke on behalf of NAIFA during the U.S. Department of Labor's virtual public forum on the classification of employees and independent contractors under the Fair Labor Standards Act. NAIFA strongly supports an exemption for insurance and financial professionals under any legislation or DOL regulation that would reclassify independent contractors as employees.

American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Susan Neely and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) Hawaii Government Relations Chair Cynthia Takenaka issued the following joint statement on legislation signed into law in Hawaii that strengthens protections for annuity consumers:

NAIFA and other interested parties sent a letter of appreciation to the Senate Finance Committee Chairman Wyden (D-OR) and Ranking Member Mike Crapo (R-ID) for their leadership in releasing the Enhancing American Retirement Now (EARN) Act, which would enhance retirement security for many Americans.

NAIFA is proud that Michigan is the 14th state to embrace a personal finance education course requirement. Michigan's legislation requires that all high school students take a half-credit course in personal finance before they graduate. The Michigan House of Representatives passed HB 5190 by a vote of 94-13 and the bill passed the state's Senate in May with a vote of 35-2. Members of NAIFA-Michigan, who first created this concept a decade ago with legislation to create optional courses, celebrate the signature of Governor Whitmer updating Michigan’s high school curriculum to include a financial literacy course.

NAIFA joined other industry organizations in sending a letter to Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Richard Burr (R-NC), the Chair and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, thanking them for their bipartisan support for retirement-reform legislation.

American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) President and CEO Susan Neely and National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) North Carolina Government Relations Committee Chair Fred Joyner issued the following joint statement on the best interest annuity rule adopted recently by the North Carolina Department of Insurance:

“The new rule adopted by the North Carolina Department of Insurance and under the leadership of Commissioner Mike Causey gives people in the Tar Heel State confidence that the financial professionals they are working with are acting in consumers’ best interest.

“The department’s action adds to the nationwide, bipartisan momentum behind enhanced protections for people seeking lifetime income in retirement through annuities. North Carolina is the 26th state to adopt a measure that aligns with the ‘best interest of consumer enhancements’ in the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Suitability in Annuity Transactions Model Regulation. They also harmonize with the SEC’s Regulation Best Interest.

“Unlike a fiduciary-only approach, these measures ensure that all savers, particularly financially vulnerable middle-income Americans, can access information about different choices for long-term security throughout retirement. A new survey finds that middle-income retirement savers would be very concerned about a regulation keeping them from accessing the professional financial guidance they want and need.

“The U.S. Congress reaffirmed the importance of lifetime income when it passed legislation in 2019 that made it easier for employers to include annuities in workplace retirement plans. These protections safeguard consumers while also ensuring that middle- and working-class families retain access to annuities.

“We look forward to seeing additional states add to this momentum for enhanced protections so that more consumers can benefit from a best interest standard of care.”

On June 7, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding compensation paid by issuers to agents and brokers who assist customers with enrollment during a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) or during Open Enrollment Periods (OEPs).