As we ring in another new year, this is an exciting, historic time for our association. The American public needs the services of insurance and financial professionals more than ever. You and your fellow NAIFA members help them achieve financial security, prepare for retirement, and create enduring financial legacies. NAIFA with you every step of the way, and 2024 promises to be a great year as we continue with the integration of three iconic brands within our industry – NAIFA, the Society of Financial Service Professionals, and Life Happens.

The Department of Labor thinks it knows what's best for Americans preparing for retirement. NAIFA President Bryon Holz, CLU, ChFC, LUTCF, CASL, LACP, and his long-time client Chuck Ross think the DOL is wrong and bring their real-life experience to the argument.

NAIFA has not been sitting idle as the Department of Labor made moves to propose a new fiduciary rule. In anticipation of the rulemaking, NAIFA helped the National Conference of Insurance Legislators (NCOIL) draft a resolution that opposes the DOL's new fiduciary rule as unnecessary and likely harmful to consumers. The resolution, which NCOIL adopted in July after NAIFA testified at the Conference's 2023 Summer Meeting, states: "NCOIL urges the DOL to refrain from further rulemaking that would revive all or parts of the 2016 Fiduciary Rule" and "...urges state legislators and other interested stakeholders to join in opposition to any further rulemaking by DOL reviving the 2016 Fiduciary Rule."

A new study from the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) shows an increased interest in annuities amid growing economic uncertainty.

The study, which surveyed more than 1,000 Americans between the ages of 45 and 65, found that 54% of respondents are considering “a guaranteed lifetime income product that pays out like a pension.” This trend held among all income brackets, with the greatest interest among minority communities, including Black and Hispanic respondents and those who identified as "other." The survey also found that 91% of respondents would prefer to work with a financial professional who offers products and services that meet their needs.

In a recent article, Susan Neely, President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI), highlights the growing concern among Americans about their financial security during retirement, given increasing lifespans and economic pressures. The passage of SECURE and SECURE 2.0 aimed to address these concerns by closing savings gaps and expanding retirement security.

Did you know that new Indexed Universal Life (IUL) Insurance illustration regulations are likely to go into effect in May? Make sure you are prepared for these changes, which can affect your business and your clients by tuning in to the next Advisor Today webinar on Monday, March 27 at 2 pm eastern.

Join experts Gregory Rohtstein and Steven Patrizio of Symetra and Ryan Mattern of Modern Life as they discuss the history of the regulation, the nuances of the changes, and how can begin to prepare.

Washington State’s “Washington Cares Fund” (WCF) imposes an uncapped 0.58% employee-paid payroll tax ($580 per $100,000 earned) to fund a $36,500 lifetime pool (intended to inflate, beginning in 2027, according to WA’s consumer price index) for long-term care received in WA by vested employees. A claimant must require help with at least 3 activities of daily living (11 ADLs are listed on WCF’s website).

Do you know what laws have passed in your state legislature this year? As a financial services professional, knowing current and pending laws and regulations is essential.

As an advisor, your clients expect you to be up to date and on the cutting edge of items that would impact their financial and health future. Staying current can be a real challenge since our industry is changing faster than ever before. The actions of governmental agencies will either directly or indirectly affect everyone in our country, including you and your clients.

Decisions made by policymakers from Washington, D.C., to Washington state are impacting the way insurance and financial professionals are helping consumers plan for their long-term care needs. NAIFA's advocacy team, working with the Limited and Extended Care Planning Center's Legislative Working Group, which consists of LECP sponsors, insurers, NAIFA members, third-party administrators, distributors, and other stakeholders, is exploring and enhancing policy positions for NAIFA through the association’s government relations capabilities as it engages directly with lawmakers and regulators. NAIFA is the only association of insurance and financial professionals making an advocacy impact at the federal, interstate, and state levels, including in every state capital around the country.