The economic, physical, and emotional disruption the pandemic has caused will have transformative and lasting effects on each of us individually, and our industry. Many people have realized the value of being financially secure when the unexpected happens, and others have felt the effects of not having a financial plan in place, experiencing a loss of income or even losing a loved one without life insurance. These events have served as a reminder to individuals of the importance of planning for the future. Whether filing a claim or using their cash value for a critical need, customers have found they could leverage insurance products to weather the storm.

Medicare has several enrollment periods that allow you to enroll in or change your Medicare benefits. For individuals transitioning into Medicare, it is important to understand which enrollment period will apply to their situation and the window that it creates. Failing to apply during the appropriate enrollment period can lead to lapses in coverage and lifetime financial penalties.

Let's look at the six enrollment periods in the Medicare program.

For Dean Germain, serving Main Street USA isn’t just a job—it’s a calling.

After growing up in Michigan and Illinois, Germain found his way to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1989. He was a network engineer for about ten years, but his work required him to travel often, and he wanted to spend more time with his family. That’s when a friend suggested that he work with her husband at Allied Home Mortgage. Germain signed up on October 31, 2002, and began his journey into the mortgage industry.

Rebecca Brown Schulter, Partner at UCL Financial Group, grew up in the life insurance and financial services business. Being the daughter of 2004-2005 NAIFA national President C. Robert “Bob” Brown, the 2021 Advisor Today Four Under 40 winner saw firsthand the positive impact her father and his colleagues made in their clients’ lives. Now, while following in her father’s footsteps as a Partner with UCL Financial Group in Memphis, she has forged her own way, creating strong client relationships and providing superior service.

Jack Mander, of NAIFA-AK, protects Alaskan families with insurance, financial planning, and a heart for service.

Getting Started

Mander grew up in Nassau County, New York, but found himself on the opposite side of the country for a summer job during college: commercial fishing in Alaska. A life-long nature lover, Mander fell in love with Alaska’s beauty and decided to make his home in Anchorage. After earning a bachelor’s degree in Russian Language and Economics from the University of Alaska Anchorage, Mander began his career in insurance and financial services.

In viewing the New Year already one month old, we as members of NAIFA have a number of areas of ethical focus as we begin to engage 2022. I thought a good beginning in reviewing these would be to take a brief review of the obligations of our NAIFA Code of Ethics for the new year, and how we have engaged these obligations. We’ll begin at the beginning with the first obligation.  

1) To help maintain my clients’ confidence and protect their right to privacy. 

At first reading, this may seem to be a small obligation, until we realize this means not to discuss our clients’ private financial matters, even among associates, unless done so in confidence. Like several other obligations, this seems to be a small matter, but it really isn’t.

Joanna Dellosa, LUTCF, FSS, RICP, CLU, LACP, a loyal NAIFA member since 2012, has fond memories of her father heading out to his office each day with his briefcase in hand. She recalls thinking at a very young age, “I want one of those, too. I’d look so professional with a briefcase.”

Her father was an insurance agent, and Dellosa’s early impressions of him created an image that influenced her career decisions later in life. “I had that idea in my head,” she said, “I am open to the idea of becoming an agent.”

NAIFA Trustee Christopher Gandy, LACP, was featured presenter at the NAIFA-NC chapter’s February virtual meeting. After presiding over the installation of NAIFA-NC’s 2022 Board of Directors, Gandy gave his presentation, “Your Best Year Ever.”

Drawing on his experiences as a professional basketball player and a highly successful financial professional, Gandy challenged agents and advisors to reach their highest levels of achievement. “You cannot do ordinary things and expect extraordinary results,” he said. “You have to do ‘the extra.’”

Cal Anderson, CLU, CFP, always knew he wanted to own his own business but wasn’t sure what field was right for him. After graduating from Valdosta State University, he joined MassMutual and learned everything he could about the insurance industry while working towards his CFP designation. After five years, he was ready to grow and joined an independent advisory firm, Financial Network Associates, which offered comprehensive financial planning services. In 2016, the firm’s owner, Bill Youngblood, retired and Anderson took over the business, officially becoming his own boss.

Whether you're a long-term care veteran or interested in expanding your practice, this webinar is for you!