The Fourth of July is always an inspirational holiday that evokes pride amongst Americans and remembrance of our illustrious history. This year, of course, marks a great milestone as the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. A month from now, we will celebrate America250 with flags, parades, and fireworks and also acknowledge our thankfulness that we live in a country built upon the bedrock principles of freedom and liberty.
I am proud that as NAIFA’s CEO I serve an association whose members for more than half of our nation’s existence, 136 years and counting, have worked to improve the lives of American families and the fortunes of American businesses. The stability and security financial professionals provide allow our fellow citizens to enjoy their many freedoms.
NAIFA was founded in 1890 by members of your profession – your historical colleagues – as the advocacy voice for insurance professionals. Since then, NAIFA has been at the forefront of debates that have shaped policies and laws benefiting hundreds of millions of Americans. We have at times worked in concert with the government as a partner in progress and at others as a voice of loyal opposition to policies and proposals that ran counter to the interests of consumers and their financial wellbeing. Whether advocating for consumer-friendly laws like the SECURE and SECURE 2.0 retirement legislation or against harmful policies like the recently defeated Department of Labor (DOL) fiduciary-only rule, NAIFA’s influence – your influence – has made our country stronger and our fellow citizens more financially secure.
Our success came because NAIFA members stood up, showed up, participated, and made a difference. Grassroots activism is at the heart of NAIFA’s advocacy and of our nation’s founding idea expressed most eloquently by Abraham Lincoln: “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
This was on abundant display at NAIFA’s most recent contribution to American democracy, the 2026 Congressional Conference. Our annual signature grassroots event saw 600 financial professionals blanket Capitol Hill for upwards of 340 meetings with members of Congress and high-level staff. They offered their expertise, promoted policies that advance financial security, and told their clients’ stories.
As NAIFA members, more so than any other group of financial professionals, you genuinely represent “the people” referred to by Lincoln and our founding documents, the Declaration of Independence and Constitution. The people are your Main Street clients, neighbors, and communities. When you speak to elected officials, you do so to serve the best interests of others, just as you do when reviewing a client’s insurance coverage, creating a financial plan, or establishing a strategy to create generational wealth.
So, as we gear up to pay homage to a quarter of a millennium of American democracy, let’s also remember our duty to participate in that democracy. To make our voices heard. To work together to bring about the best possible outcomes for our colleagues, clients, and communities. NAIFA members show up. You make a difference. You are a shining example of how our democracy is supposed to work.
Best regards,
Kevin Mayeux, CAE
NAIFA CEO
To learn how you can participate in advocacy as a NAIFA member, log into the NAIFA Advocacy Action Center.
