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NAIFA-Texas Position on Healthcare Reform
NAIFA-Texas is committed to the preservation of the private delivery of health insurance. We oppose the creation of a public plan that would unfairly compete against private insurance companies in
the health insurance marketplace. We oppose any plan that diminishes or eliminates the important role that agents perform in the marketing, selling and servicing of health insurance. NAIFA-Texas believes that we must build upon the strengths of the current system, reduce costs, insure coverage for more Texans, and improve value throughout our health-care system without resorting to new government programs or jeopardizing the high quality of care we enjoy and expect as Texas consumers. |
Looking to make an impact where it counts?
Showcase your useful products and services to the trade leaders, buyers and decision makers in our prestigious organization!
85th NAIFA-Texas Annual Meeting, Association Leadership Conference and Texas Leaders Round Table Roundup.
July 15-16, 2010
Embassy Suites San Marcos Hotel, Spa, and
Conference Center
Hundreds of members gather for topnotch speakers and to browse the exhibit area to see what's new in products and services that can help them improve their bottom line. Your products and services might be just what they need!
Click here to download a 2010 Vendor Prospectus form
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Agents Can Look Up Completed CE Records Online.
Need to know how many CE hours you've earned? Then take advantage of TDI's program requiring continuing education providers to report the completion of continuing education courses by licensed individuals. The reporting system which is managed by a third-party vendor, Sircon, allows individual agents to access and look up the courses they have completed from any Texas CE provider, including NAIFA-Texas. To look up your completed courses or to find course offerings in your area go to www.sircon.com. |
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Active Members of a State or National Insurance Association Can Receive up to 4 Hours of Self-Study Continuing Education
NAIFA-Texas member and State Senator Tommy Williams from The Woodlands introduced and helped pass Senate Bill 265 during the Regular Session of the 79th Legislature in 2005. SB 265 is landmark legislation and was a major legislative initiative pursued by NAIFA-Texas.
SB 265 authorizes the TDI to grant up to four (4) hours of self-study CE credit, per two year reporting period, to an agent who is an active member of a state or national insurance association. To implement SB 265, TDI adopted new rules, click here to read the rules in there entirety
Licensees may accumulate up to two (2) hours for reviewing educational materials provided by national or state associations in which they are members and up to four (4) hours for attending educational presentations sponsored by the state or national association.
A licensee claiming hours under this section may claim the actual time, up to an accumulated total of four hours.
CE hours under Section 19.1020 shall apply only as self study credit and shall not count towards the licensee's ethics, classroom, or classroom equivalent CE requirements.
Licensees may request CE credit under Section 19.1020 by sending to TDI, a completed "Association Credit Form" with actual time and detailed description of the number of hours in activities the licensee is claiming for CE credit.
Click here to download a TDI "Association Credit Form"
Click here to access "tips" on how members may qualify for these credits. |
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2009-10 Membership Contests
New Member Incentive for Individuals:
Members who recruit a new member will be entered in a drawing to win a free year of membership. The winner is drawn at the NAIFA-TX Annual Meeting in July 2010.
New Member Incentive for Locals:
$500 will be provided to the local in each of the three categories: small, medium and large with the highest number of new members. Contest start date is March 1-April 30, 2010.
Membership Year-End Contest, Wrangler Award:
NAIFA-Texas' Wrangler Award will be awarded to three local associations in each of the three categories: small, medium and large, in recognition for achieving year-end membership goal. |
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Endorsed Professional Liability Program |
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Errors & Omissions Insurance
The NAIFA-endorsed Professional Liability Insurance Program provides quality errors and omissions coverage (E&O) to NAIFA members. The program offers comprehensive professional liability insurance, superior customer service, an easy application process, and competitive rates. For information on all available coverage options and features, and/or how to apply, visit: www.naifainsurance.com | | |
| Continuing Education Rules Impact Agents
Selling Annuities, Medicare Products The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has adopted rules to implement legislation passed by the 81st Texas Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Perry. The legislation -- H.B. 739, H.B. 1294 and S.B. 79 -- relates to training, examination, certification and CE Requirements for the sale of annuities and Medicare advantage plans, and to agents who wish to obtain voluntary specialty certification to market small employer group health insurance. Click here to view the adoption order and rules in their entirety.
NAIFA-Texas is advised that the certification/examination and CE requirements are applicable to individuals who obtain a current resident agent license issued by TDI on or after April 1, 2010, or who renew a resident agent license on or after April 1, 2010.
Licensees may count the hours required for certification and CE toward the completion of the continuing education requirements otherwise prescribed in the Insurance Code for the licensee. Licensees who may qualify for the longevity exemption (20 years or more continuous licensed) are NOT exempt from the provisions of the proposed rules to market or sell the so-called "complex products" as defined by statute.
The apparent intent of the law is that agents will have to go through the four hours of CE each year in addition to the initial four hours for the training/exam/certification; license renewal dates vary by agent, and licenses are on a two-year cycle. Assume an agent's license renews March 1, 2010. That agent would have until March 1, 2012, to meet the initial four-hour certification course requirement. In addition, the agent would have to complete another four hour CE course before March 1, 2013, and then again before March 1, 2014, and so on every twelve months.
In an abundance of caution, NAIFA-TX suggests that agents with specific questions direct their inquiries to TDI, Agents Licensing Division, license@tdi.state.tx.us; and that agents check with companies to determine if and when they will be offering the required training and CE. |
Will Texas Legislature Again Target Annuity Sales? In the 81st Texas Legislature lawmakers considered a measure that would have provided the TDI Commissioner unprecedented authority to order the modification of commissions paid annuity producers by insurers. The lawmakers also passed legislation requiring specified hours of education and training for certification to sell and to continue to sell annuities. Now, the Senate Committee on State Affairs will hold a public hearing on February 23, 2010 to consider an interim charge that focuses on the sale of annuities. Specifically, interim charge # 8 to the Committee reads "Study the sale of annuities in Texas, particularly to seniors. Evaluate the requirements relating to rescission of an annuity contract, payment of surrender fees, return of money, contract forms, including a standard contract form, buyer's guide, agent's commission and disclosure of an agent's commission. Make recommendations for legislation, if needed, and consider whether the insurance commissioner by rule may limit an agent's commission."
NAIFA-TX representatives plan to attend the hearing and to weigh in on the issues being considered in the interim. The 82nd Texas Legislature convenes Jan. 11, 2011, and all signals indicate that the insurance industry will face another busy session to include sunset review of the TDI, the availability and affordability of health insurance, and compensation paid annuity producers. | |
| U.S. Senate Approves Statutory "Pay-Go" Rule....
Does Rule Pose Risks to Insurance Products?
On Jan. 28, by a 60 to 40 vote, the Senate approved its version of legislation that would create a statutory "pay-go" rule. Under the rule, automatic spending cuts would kick in if Congress passed a new spending program or tax cut without fully offsetting it. The House and Senate must now reconcile their respective versions of the "pay-as-you-go" rule.
While most NAIFA-TX members philosophically support budget fiscal discipline, NAIFA-TX members should keep in mind that there is an inherent risk to the tax favored treatment of life insurance, annuities, pensions and employer-provided benefits that comes from rules that generally require new spending and tax cuts to be offset.
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Privacy/Security Regulations Impact Health Agents
Starting on February 17, 2010, health insurance agents and brokers must comply with a new version of HIPAA privacy and security. The genesis for these new regulations is the electronic medical records provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) or stimulus act. These new provisions have raised the expectation of compliance (and punishment for non-compliance) for all Covered Entities. Agents, brokers, consultants and for the first time business associates are classified as Covered Entities.
NAIFA partners with Simplified Training solutions to help members become compliant with HIPAA privacy and security as well as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley privacy requirements. Please visit
http://www.simplifiedtraining.com/shop/hipaa.php |
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Indexed Annuity Battle Continues as SEC Agrees
to Two Year Delay of Implementation of Rule 151A
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission plans to provide a full 2-year implementation period for federal regulation of equity-indexed annuities under Rule 151A. The implementation period would begin after a final rule was issued, the SEC says in a court brief filed in December with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
The National Association For Fixed Annuities is warning supporters against using the SEC decision to delay enforcement of Rule 151A as a reason to relax. The decision to postpone enforcement of Rule 151A is viewed as a "positive development" but "NAFA is disappointed that the SEC also indicated that it may proceed with adoption of this rule," the group says.
The appellate court is still deciding whether to throw out the rule, and the Coalition for Indexed Products, Washington, is pushing for passage of H.R. 2733 and S. 1389, bills that would define indexed annuities as insurance products. H.R. 2733 has 61 sponsors, and S. 1389 is sponsored by Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Nebraska. |
Gov. Perry Campaigns for Votes in Nacogdoches  Stumping for votes in East Texas on February 1, 2010 was Texas Gov. Rick Perry who was on hand for a fundraiser attended by NAIFA-Pineywoods member Les Littleton, chairman of Texas IFAPAC. Littleton presented Gov. Perry with an IFAPAC campaign contribution. The March 2nd primary will determine who the Republican nominee for Governor will be on this fall's general election ballot, assuming one of the three candidates -- Perry, Sen. Hutchison, or Debra Medina --receives over 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate receives a majority, a run-off election April 13th will determine who will face the Democratic nominee in the fall election.
Click here if you are a NAIFA-Texas member and wish to enroll/contribute to the PAC. |
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Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) Summit 2010 The 2nd Annual Texas LILI Alumni Summit (reunion) was held in Austin on January 18 and 19. The purpose of LILI Summit is to 1) revisit many of the LILI concepts that inspired each graduate and 2) to continue each graduate's growth by sharing experiences and stories with each other. Twenty-six (26) LILI alumni attended, including 6 current NAIFA-TX board members. The group was hosted by LILI Summit Chair Robin Johnston, Austin, who was joined by LILI Committee Members Karen Easterling, Austin; Amos Davis, Abilene; LILI State Chair Chris Hatton, Plano, and LILI Moderator Lane Boozer, Corinth.
In addition to focusing on exercises in "sharpening our saws" and expanding on the LILI concepts and lessons, the LILI Summit group was dazzled with guest speaker Byrd Baggett, who spoke on "Developing authentic leaders and passionately engaged teams! Dare to grow and build relationships that last!" The 2-day summit concluded with evaluations and a discussion for a future LILI Scholarship Fund. The 2011 LILI Summit will be held in Austin on the Monday preceding NAIFA-TX "Day on the Hill," tentatively set for Tuesday February 1, 2011.
DO YOU KNOW THE NEXT LILI CANDIDATE? NAIFA-TX is seeking LILI candidates for the 2011 class.
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4 Generations, 1 Workforce = Strategic Opportunity
© 2009 Jason Ryan Dorsey, The Gen Y Guy
For the first time in US history, four distinctly different generations are working side by side. Each of these generations-Gen Y, Generation X, Baby Boomers, and Matures-carries with them their own set of beliefs and values, preferences and priorities. Sometimes these differences work well together (think: Trivial Pursuit teams) and sometimes they simply fail to connect (think: Twittering about your favorite tuna sandwich).
It's my belief that smart business leaders will embrace our multi-generational workforce as a timely opportunity to create a competitive advantage. By learning each generation's mindset, which is the focus of my speaking and writing, you can easily take steps to increase the performance, innovation, and teamwork from your employees of all ages. Moving in this direction starts with understanding each generation and what makes them a little different, besides Boomers being able to write in cursive and Gen Y texting one-handed...without vowels...while driving.
Gen Y, aka Millennials, was born from approximately 1977 to 1995. In the US there are about 79.8 million members of this generation (and I'm proud to be one of them). Gen Y is currently the fastest growing generation in the US workforce. In 2010, we will be the entire 18 to 32 demographic. Along with a new definition of "business casual," Gen Y is the only generation in the workforce that has never expected to work for one company our entire life. We also are guided by supersized career expectations, a need to see ongoing progress, and Boomer parents who continually save us from consequences (which includes inviting us back after college graduation). Older generations often believe that Gen Y is tech savvy. My research shows this is incorrect. Gen Y is not tech savvy; we are tech dependent. We don't know how technology works; we just know we can't live without it. Gen Y can become great employees if you recognize our preferences (such as monthly 30-second check-ins versus an annual review) and give us the space to demonstrate our potential (such as challenging us to use YouTube to increase sales).
Generation X was born from about 1965 to 1976. They came of age during a time of scandals, wars, fallen heroes, and government institutions that failed to deliver on promises made. They have witnessed everything from downsizing and outsourcing to rising divorce rates and lines at the gas pump. Major corporations broke the lifetime employer/employee promise by laying off Generation X's parents and older friends, and then offering no apology, only a rusty locked gate. The result is that Generation X is notoriously skeptical and, I think, for good reason. I often joke in my keynotes that Generation X double-checks my data while I'm speaking.
While Generation X brings a new skepticism to employer/employee loyalty, ironically they are often viewed as the most loyal generation in the workplace. However, they are loyal to people, not organizations. When it comes to leading Generation X, it's important to keep your commitments and let them know they have options. Without a doubt Generation X can become fantastic employees and business leaders, just be sure to tell them where you found your data...Click here to continue reading.
Jason Ryan Dorsey, The Gen Y Guy®, keynote speaker at NAIFA-Texas' July 2009 Annual Meeting, is an acclaimed keynote speaker and bestselling author. His new book is Y-Size Your Business: How Gen Y Employees Can Save You Money and Grow Your Business. This book features more than 50 cost-effective best practices for unlocking Gen Y employee performance while leading all four generations in the workplace. A well-known Gen Y expert, Jason has been featured on 60 Minutes, 20/20, The Today Show, The View, and in Fortune Magazine. For a free chapter from Y-Size Your Business, as well as videos of him speaking to business leaders, please visit www.JasonDorsey.com or www.Ysize.com. © 2009 Jason Ryan Dorsey. All rights strictly reserved.
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NAIFA-Texas eNewsletter 
