In the ever-evolving world of insurance, finding your niche and building lasting relationships are keys to success. For Chris Davenport, a seasoned professional in the field, his journey into the insurance business began unexpectedly but has since flourished into a fulfilling career dedicated to helping others protect their futures.

Earlier this year, I encountered a remarkable AI tool with transformative capabilities. This tool can seamlessly import various documents, such as a PDF of an IUL illustration, and then empower users to enact changes effortlessly. With just a simple click of a button labeled "Analyze with AI," it initiates a swift process of recalculations, adjusting parameters like premium, face amount, load amount, and credit rating. Within moments, users witness a comprehensive comparison between the original illustration and the updated version, highlighting all alterations. What's truly astonishing is the elimination of the tedious back-and-forth with carrier software for rerunning illustrations; instead, this tool offers instant results with an impressive 99% accuracy rate in predictive calculations. Moreover, it facilitates the creation of Inforce ledgers without the need to procure them from the Life Carrier.

Major federal tax legislation is all but certain to be coming from Washington, D.C., in 2025. Many provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) are set to expire at the end of next year and Congress will need to address the situation. This NAIFA advocacy webinar will give you a better understanding of what is being dubbed the "Super Bowl of Tax" and provide insights into some of the proposals likely to shape the debate.

Message From the CEO

Graduates of NAIFA’s Leadership in Life Institute have a deep appreciation for The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by renowned leadership authority Stephen Covey. They may be familiar with Covey’s quote, “If there’s one thing that’s certain in business, it’s uncertainty.” The same principle applies to life.

Transitions often amplify uncertainty, and among the most uncertain times for many is the transition into retirement. It has been widely reported that 2024 is the year of “peak 65” in the United States, as an average of 11,000 people reach the traditional retirement age of 65 each day. With more than half of peak 65ers owning investable assets of less than $100,000, according to the 2024 Protected Retirement Income and Planning (PRIP) by the Alliance for Lifetime Income (ALI), the unlikelihood of enjoying lasting financial wellbeing is a real concern for many. The 2024 Insurance Barometer Study by LIMRA and Life Happens, NAIFA’s consumer-education arm, confirms this conclusion, revealing that “having enough money for a comfortable retirement” is U.S. consumers’ leading financial concern, ranking even above worries about paying monthly bills and reducing debt.

In the ever-evolving landscape of retirement planning, Social Security remains a critical source of income for most Americans. The annual release of the Trust Fund Report, issued in May, sparked widespread media coverage and client concern. Questions such as "Will Social Security still be there?" and "Is it going broke?" continue to circulate. Join us for a webinar on Wednesday, June 26, 2024, from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm Eastern, sponsored by Security Mutual Life which can help you deal with the concerns that clients may have. 

NAIFA members are invited to the Q3 State of NAIFA webinar at 12 pm Eastern, June 27, 2024. Hear updates on NAIFA's advocacy efforts, professional development programs and other membership activities designed to enhance your professional growth.

May is Disability Insurance Awareness Month. To mark the occasion, Advisor Today is please to bring you this article by the DI Geek, himself, Corey Anderson. Opinions expressed are those of the author.

Prior to NAIFA's Congressional Conference, our new partner, Stonewood Financial, provided a workshop titled, Protecting Your Clients (and Their Retirement) from Washington. Becky Ruby Swansburg and Neil Wilding both presented during the morning and are both authors, along with Becky's father, Martin H. Ruby of The Holistic Retirement book which was distributed to all attendees.

NAIFA and Stonewood became a NAIFA partner in February 2024  and many NAIFA members have benefited from their training and presentations. Todd Gaswick, LACP, loyal member since 2005, provided a testimonial during the preconference session stating how much their content has helped his practice. Jim Musgrave, CRPC, a new member who joined NAIFA while attending the Stonewood Financial conference in Louisville where NAIFA spoke and exhibited in February came to his first Congressional Conference this week. 

Asset-Map and NAIFA are co-hosting a webinar showcasing the new "Caring Conversation" stencil designed by Carroll Golden, author, speaker, and Executive Director of NAIFA's Centers of Excellence. Learn how to use this tool to have more comprehensive conversations with your clients and tackle tough topics such as long-term care with grace and ease.

Special Webinar on The Caregiving Conversation for FAs
When: Thursday, June 6th
Time: 2 pm eastern

Arlington, VA – The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) is excited to announce the launch of the “Caring Conversation” Stencil, a new tool developed by Carroll Golden, Executive Director of NAIFA's Centers of Excellence. This revolutionary stencil is integrated into the Asset-Map software platform, enhancing the toolkit available to financial advisors. This innovation aims to provide advisors with the means to offer comprehensive financial planning solutions, encompassing short-term, long-term, and extended care scenarios.

The “Caring Conversation” Stencil has been crafted with precision to assist advisors in mapping out all possible financial implications of caregiving scenarios. This tool allows for a more holistic approach to financial planning by addressing the specific needs related to caregiving, a critical aspect often overlooked in traditional financial planning processes.

Carroll Golden, the architect of the “Caring Conversation” Stencil and a prominent figure in caregiving financial planning, commented on the release, "With the growing need for specialized financial advice in the context of caregiving, it became essential to provide a tool that empowers advisors to address these unique challenges comprehensively. The “Caring Conversation” Stencil is designed to seamlessly integrate into the existing framework of Asset-Map’s software, ensuring that advisors can provide targeted guidance efficiently and effectively."

Asset-Map, known for its innovative financial planning software, will now feature the “Caring Conversation” Stencil as a part of its platform. This inclusion aims to facilitate advisors in delivering personalized and precise financial planning strategies that account for the complexities of caregiving. The stencil enhances advisors' ability to visualize and manage their clients' financial landscapes, considering the potential financial impact of caregiving responsibilities.

Iris Nance is an experienced insurance agent who helps people optimize their coverage to meet their needs. With a celebrated career of over 26 years in the insurance industry, she worked as a bank examiner for over 10 years. Iris is deeply committed to education, mentorship, and community service, actively participating in programs for students and young entrepreneurs. A proud member of NAIFA, she has served on the board and has taken on leadership roles within the association. Recognized for her perseverance, advocacy for continuous learning, and strategies for balancing work and family life, Iris inspires many as a role model in the financial services industry.