NAIFA, for a third consecutive year, has proudly hosted a Women’s Financial Security Fly-In. The event brought 37 women financial professionals from around the country to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of their businesses and clients.

Women in the United States face an array of financial challenges. According to a survey conducted by LIMRA and the Life Happens community of NAIFA, 62% of women are concerned they may not have enough money for retirement. More than half, 56%, of women worry that they may not be able to afford long-term care services if they become unable to work or take care of themselves. Likewise, 56% worry about being able to create an emergency savings fund.

The professionals who came to Washington March 3-4 received guidance from a panel of experienced government relations experts: Northwestern Mutual’s Erica McQuade, New York Life’s Kerry Cole, MassMutual’s Jill Brown, and NAIFA’s Diane Boyle. On the second day of the event, they participated in more than 60 meetings with members of Congress and key staff. Lawmakers who met with attendees from their districts and states include Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Dave McCormick (R-PA), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), and Gary Peters (D-MI) and Representatives Mike Bost (R-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Bill Foster (D-IL), Craig Goldman (R-TX), Glenn Grothman (R-WI), Kevin Hern (R-OK), Mary Miller (R-IL), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Bryan Steil (R-WI), and William Timmons (R-SC).

The goals of the NAIFA Women’s Financial Security Fly-In include highlighting the financial challenges faced by women and families and the vital role of women financial professionals in helping families, men, women, and businesses achieve financial security. The event brings together highly successful women financial professionals, many of whom have limited experience with political advocacy, and inspires them to be influential grassroots advocates. The fly-in also creates momentum heading into NAIFA’s Congressional Conference, May 19-20, which is the most influential grassroots advocacy event for insurance and financial professionals.

As NAIFA’s CEO, I would like to thank all of the women who participated in this year’s fly-in, as well as Horace Mann, MassMutual, New York Life, and Northwestern Mutual for sponsoring the event and helping us select the attendees.

Joni Klemesrud, Rep. Zach Nunn, and Jill Anderson

Rep. Bill Foster and Celeste Barmejo

Virginia Cummings, Sen. Mark Kelly, and Shana Despres