Advocacy in action blog

Kevin Mayeux's statement to government officials that NAIFA stands with you. We are here to be a resource to you and help serve as a first line of support to consumers who are calling you with concerns during this challenging time. We are adding new resources every day to our recently launched consumer site at www.financialsecurity.org where credible information can be accessed along with a directory of our members that all ascribe to a Code of Ethics including the promise to put clients' best interests first.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) has a long history of working with lawmakers on the state and federal levels. Recent outreach to Congressional offices, state insurance commissioners, and state legislators offering assistance to lawmakers with constituents’ financial concerns has resulted in sincere appreciation.

The COVID-19 outbreak is disrupting the lives of families and the operations of businesses across the country. The impact on the economy and financial implications for Americans will certainly be substantial. At times like this, NAIFA’s advocacy influence and role as the voice of insurance and financial professionals is more important than ever. We are working on behalf of our members, the entire agent-advisor community, and Main Street USA consumers to help Congress find ways to lessen the impact of the outbreak.

While the volatile stock market remains a concern, there is a recognition that the most acute impact of COVID-19 is being felt on Main Streets around the country. NAIFA continues our work with lawmakers on crisis-related proposals to ensure the interests of NAIFA members and their Main Street clients are considered. Lawmakers are moving quickly on policies to address the coronavirus pandemic. Congress has enacted two legislative packages, and a third legislative response is underway (also see State Capitols Respond to COVID-19).

NAIFA is excited to announce that it will be utilizing the public affairs software, Quorum, which will enable NAIFA to track legislative and regulatory action in all 50 states and territories.

In light of the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak during the peak of states' legislative sessions, some state capitols have made the difficult decision to shutdown and many others are considering following suit. As a result of these closures, and because legislatures will most likely be prioritizing health and economic issues resulting from COVID-19 upon reconvening, many bills important to NAIFA members are likely to fall by the wayside.

NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux has written Larry Kudlow, director of the National Economic Council, asking the administration to include tax-exempt associations in any policies designed to provide businesses relief from impacts of the CONVID-19 outbreak.

NAIFA-Arizona held a successful state advocacy day in Phoenix earlier this year, with approximately 40 insurance and financial professions in attendance. They hosted legislators and Capitol Hill staffers at a luncheon and met individually with their elected officials.

Nation’s Association for Insurance & Financial Professionals Urges Close Monitoring of Clients & Community Situations

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors, long-charged with protecting the financial security of main street Americans, has issued a statement on the outbreak of novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

NAIFA is a participating member of the Interagency Crisis Action Task Force organized under the FEMA National Business Emergency Operations Center (NBEOC) that is led by the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Following a conference call yesterday, NAIFA urges its members to closely monitor the Coronavirus situation in the local area and be at the ready to provide service to clients.

Iowa and Arizona are the first states to introduce measures that would implement a model standard of care for annuity sales developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). NAIFA chapters in both states successfully advocated for the NAIC model.