Non-cash assets such as real estate, closely held business interests, and collectibles represent a massive and largely untapped opportunity in charitable giving. While these assets are estimated to total between $40 and $60 trillion in value, they make up less than 2% of all charitable donations. For financial professionals working with affluent clients, understanding how to leverage these assets is essential to providing effective tax and philanthropic planning strategies.

NAIFA has appointed Bobby Johnson, Chief Distribution Officer of Midland National Life® Insurance Company, to the Industry Leadership Board (ILB).

The Social Security Administration announced that it is reinstating National Social Security Month, a campaign to raise public awareness about accessing and optimizing benefits. Last observed in 2019, the campaign was paused during the pandemic and has been revived to help Americans make informed decisions about their retirement income.

Every day, 10,000 Baby Boomers become eligible to claim Social Security, creating an opportunity for financial professionals to guide clients through one of the most important steps in their retirement journey. NAIFA is committed to helping financial professionals turn this critical moment into opportunity through powerful tools and training, including the Registered Social Security Analyst (RSSA) program and educational resources like the on-demand webinar, "Social Security Financial Wellness: Help Your Clients Maximize Their Benefits." (NAIFA Members may access the webinar here.)

NAIFA wishes a happy 30th anniversary to our affinity partners Mickey Straub and the SAMUSA team. Since launching and naming the industry in 1995, they have pioneered sales activity management solutions and collaborated with industry giants such as MetLife, New York Life, Northwestern Mutual, Ameriprise, MassMutual, Knights of Columbus, and others, as well as top-performing firms and producers.

Retirement Plans and Retirement Planning, a newly revised ebook by Kenn B. Tacchino, JD, LLM, Professor of Taxation and Financial Planning at Widener University, is a valuable resource for financial planning students and practitioners. The book is published by FSP, a NAIFA Community, and Professor Tacchino is editor of FSP's Journal of Financial Service Professionals, which NAIFA members may access online as an educational benefit.

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024 decision in Connelly v. United States has significantly altered the landscape of buy-sell planning for business owners facing potential estate tax exposure. As a result, financial professionals must now navigate new complexities in business valuation and the use of life insurance in these agreements. This landmark ruling presents both challenges and opportunities to reimagine how buy-sell structures are designed and implemented.

NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE, was honored during the Chinese American Insurance Association’s (CAIA) Chinese New Year annual event, held April 3 in New York. The festive evening brought together hundreds of insurance professionals, community leaders, and honored guests to celebrate the achievements and deep-rooted values of the Chinese American insurance community. Mayeux was recognized alongside AmeriLife Chairman & CEO Scott Perry, for their dedication to professionalism, leadership, and service to the industry. 

The independent brokerage insurance agency promotes NAIFA membership and grassroots participation while its advisors enjoy the benefits of NAIFA membership.

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) and E4 Insurance Services (E4IS) have increased an educational partnership agreement, under which E4IS will promote membership in NAIFA to E4IS-affiliated agents and advisors and provide thought leadership to the NAIFA membership.

Charitable giving plays a vital role in many clients’ financial plans, yet discussions often focus heavily on tax mitigation rather than the true philanthropic intent behind the gift. Selecting the right charitable planning tools ensures that clients maximize both their financial benefits and the lasting impact of their contributions.