NAIFA member Richard Demko offers his insight and expertise in a Best’s Review article on how COVID-19 could impact life insurance underwriting. He is a life insurance expert who is Past President of NAIFA’s Houston chapter and a 2020 recipient of NAIFA’s Four Under 40 Award, presented by Advisor Today. He is also the Director of Insurance at Centric Advisors, a NAIFA 100% Agency.

Based on the statutory language of the SECURE Act, most tax experts had concluded that a typical non-spouse beneficiary would have ten years to liquidate an inherited IRA or other qualified account—and that it would NOT be necessary for the beneficiary to take RMDs along the way.

Mitchell “Mitch” Ostrove CLU, ChFC, LACP serves as the VP of Professional Development on the NAIFA-NY Board and has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1965. He practices with The Ostrove Group, in White Plains, NY, where he specializes in insuring small closely held corporations.

What happens when you bring NAIFA's Young Advisors together...You experience the power of NAIFA Nation. Last week the YATs held their first all YAT call, inviting YAT chairs from across NAIFA Nation to come together. Nearly 30 chapters were represented on the call. Leaders discussed the role of our young professionals in the 2025 Strategic Plan, members were informed of engagement opportunities, and NAIFA-PA YAT Chair, Trish May, shared her success story of member engagement.

Many older Americans struggle to make it financially and maintain the coverage for the care that they need. The pandemic and the cost of healthcare and medications have only compounded an already difficult situation. Medicare has made provisions to assist individuals through their Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs). An individual's income and assets will be considered when determining eligibility for these programs. The following outlines what these programs provide and their criteria. While the federal government sets the minimum criteria, state governments determine final eligibility and may use less restrictive criteria.

Neil Himmelstein serves as the Vice President of Membership on the NAIFA-NY Board and has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1997. He practices with Main Street Planning Group, in Center Moriches, NY, where he specializes in high-net-worth programs such as Premium Finance and Restricted Property Trust and finding solutions for clients with health impairment needs.

NAIFA’s advocacy educates and informs policymakers so they understand the important work insurance and financial professionals do to help American families and businesses achieve their financial goals and attain financial security. Well-informed officials make better decisions to serve NAIFA members and their clients as well as all Americans who seek financially secure futures.

NAIFA’s Greater Washington, D.C., chapter (NAIFA-GWDC) held a successful, all-virtual 2021 Success Summit. The event brought together NAIFA members, prospective members, sponsors, and special guests for a program offering, in the words of NAIFA Treasurer and NAIFA-GWDC member Brock Jolly, “camaraderie, personal and professional development, career networking, sales ideas, motivation, and inspiration.”

NAIFA is proud to announce the general availability of its online version of the Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) program. The online version of LILI is a new extension of the product line that allows for participants to undertake the six-month program without the need to travel.

Paul Sciacca has been a loyal NAIFA member since 2009. He currently resides on the board for NAIFA-New York and practices at Long Island General Office in Melville, NY, where he specializes in personal financial planning.