Official Call to the
85th NAIFA-Texas Annual Meeting, Association Leadership Conference (ALC) and TLRT Roundup
July 15 - 18, 2010
Embassy Suites
San Marcos, Texas
1001 E. McCarty Lane
Register Online Download Form
Schedule
Hotel Information
Call the Embassy Suites Hotel, San Marcos direct at (512) 392-6450 to reserve your sleeping room at the discounted rate of $129, plus tax, per night. Room rate includes breakfast and manager's reception.
When making your reservation refer to the group name: NAIFA-TX 2010.
Space is limited.
Sleeping rooms must be booked prior to
June 20, 2010.
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!
Click here for additional information and to download a 2010 Exhibitor & Sponsor Form
Endorsed Professional Liability Program | |
New Coverage Options and Lower Rates for NAIFA-Endorsed Professional Liability Insurance Program! |
Affinity Insurance Services, Inc. continues to work closely with NAIFA to provide members with coverage options that meet the demands of today's insurance professionals.
What's New?
The NAIFA-endorsed Professional Liability Insurance Program now offers new coverage options for:
Plus:
All coverage options include worldwide 24/7 coverage. These options also provide that no claim is settled without your consent, protection for you and your employees and coverage extends to your estate or legal representative.
New! NAIFA Rate Indicator: Are you interested in professional liability coverage but don't have a lot of time? Use the rate indicator to get a quick estimate on the cost for this valuable coverage by answering just a few quick questions.
For information on all available coverage options and features, and/or how to apply, visit www.naifainsurance.com.
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TDI to Adopt NAIC Annuity Disclosure Model Rules
TDI has posted informal draft rules implementing the Annuity Disclosure Model and requiring the distribution of annuity buyer's guides. The purpose of the rules is to provide standards for the disclosure of certain information and assist purchasers to understand certain basic features of annuities.
Comments to the informal working draft rules should be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on April 29, 2010 to Deputy Commissioner Ana M. Smith-Daley, Ana.Smith-Daley@tdi.state.tx.us
Are Exemptions from the State's Margin Tax at Risk?
As Texas lawmakers are preparing to tackle a projected budget shortfall of at least $11 billion, removing some tax exemptions is going to get serious consideration as the state seeks to boost revenue. At present agents and advisors who operate as sole proprietorships or in general partnerships are exempt from the state's business activity or "margins" tax.
Tax exemptions overall are an attractive potential revenue source because there are scores of them totaling billions of dollars each year. At the request of House Speaker Joe Straus, the House Ways and Means Committee members are looking at exemptions, creating a case of jitters among lobbyists and interest groups, who are scrambling to build a case for their particular exemptions before next year's legislative session.
Any business or industry that benefits from current tax exemptions or exclusions would be well-advised to watch the interim hearings and be very involved in the session, says NAIFA-TX CEO/lobbyist Des Taylor, adding that there will not be many exemptions that are not "on the table" for scrutiny by lawmakers.
Tell Us What YOU Think Survey Conducted
NAIFA-TX members were asked recently to respond to a short survey, letting the state office know how they would prioritize a number of legislative issues that may emerge when the 82nd Texas Legislature convenes in Jan. 2011. They were asked to select their top three from among a list of ten.
The following priorities were ranked highest: protecting current provisions in the Insurance Code that shelter life insurance policies and annuities from a demand in bankruptcy or other seizure; preservation of state based insurance regulation and continuation of the Texas Department of Insurance; and tied at third were preventing the Insurance Commissioner from modifying commissions paid annuity producers and making health insurance in the private markets more affordable for Texans.
A total of 139 responded to the survey and indicated that blast e-mails and monthly eNewsletters were the best ways to communicate legislative/regulatory issues. Members also indicated how they would assist NAIFA-TX in its grassroots lobbying activities.
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Sen. Hegar, Chair of Sunset, to Lead Review of TDI
Senator Glenn Hegar (R - District 18) was recently appointed Chair of the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. Hegar will lead a review of insurance regulations as a part of the TDI's sunset process which will warrant close attention from NAIFA-Texas.
Click here for a review of the Sunset Advisory Commission process.
Senator Glenn Hegar, Glen Baecker of NAIFA-TX Gulf Coast and Rolando Barrera of NAIFA-Corpus Christi visited with Sen. Hegar at a fundraising reception in Beeville on March 26 and presented him with a TX IFAPAC contribution. |
"70/10" Standard for Annuities Takes Effect June 1
Texas has enacted House Bill 1919 [81st Texas Legislature, authored by Carol Kent (D-Dallas)] that mandates the same 70/10 maturity date standard for annuities used by the Interstate Insurance Product Regulation Commission. Annuities with fixed maturity dates are required to adhere to a 70/10 standard which is currently the standard for optional maturity date annuities. The new law applies to all annuities delivered, issued or renewed on and after June 1, 2010. HB 1919 became effective on September 1, 2009. Click here to read the full text of HB1919. |
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Texas Healthcare Reform May Cost Billions
Estimated costs to the state to implement the recently enacted healthcare reform legislation will run into the billions, according to a state official who provided testimony March 31 before a joint hearing of the Senate State Affairs and Senate Health and Human Services Committee.
Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner Tom Suehs told Senators that he believes costs may be as high as $27 billion over a ten year period, adding that health costs likely will surpass education as the number one appropriation category in the state budget. The HHSC official said in Texas alone, 2.1 million people will be added to the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance rolls as a result of the health care reform bill.
Click here for answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about the new healthcare legislation. |
New Certification and CE Rules Impact Agents Selling Annuities and Medicare Products/Plans
The Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) has adopted rules to implement legislation passed by the 81st Texas Legislature. The legislation relates to certification and CE requirements for the sale of annuities and Medicare products/plans, and to agents who wish to obtain voluntary specialty certification to market small employer group health insurance. Click here for additional information and to view the adoption order and rules in their entirety. Will Same Fiduciary Standard Apply to All Advisors?
SEC Commissioner Luis Aguilar, speaking to a conference of investment advisors March 26 in Washington, defended the idea of applying a fiduciary standard of care to all advisors who give retail clients personalized investment advice, requiring them to act solely in the interests of the consumer with undivided loyalty. Today, the government requires investment advisors to meet a fiduciary standard, but it requires broker-dealers, and life insurance agents affiliated with broker-dealers, to verify only that the products sold to consumers suit the needs of those consumers. Broker-dealers and life agents argue that the suitability standard fits their role, because they openly sell financial products for just one company, or a limited number of companies, and cannot necessarily sell consumers what appear to be the very best products not on the list of products that they are allowed to sell. The Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee has been working on a bill, the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2009, that originally was going to apply the same fiduciary standard to all providers of retail personalized investment advice. The version of the bill approved by the Committee in March requires only that the SEC study the issue and report to Congress on its findings. NAIFA opposes the position taken by the SEC Commissioner and called, instead, for a study.
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Mark Garrett to Address TLRT Roundup on July 16
 Mark Annthony Garrett is recognized as one of America's most compelling speakers and is a leading expert on service excellence and maximizing human potential. His enthusiam and electrifying speeches empower audiences to become dynamic leaders and to live life with purpose. Mark owns three successful businesses, is a former actor and international radio talk show host, has contributed and published articles to various newspapers and professional publications around the country, and is author of two inspirational books:
- S.E.R.V.I.C.E. is Everything, 7 Secrets to Enhancing Personal and Business Relationships While Delivering Outstanding Service
- S.E.R.V.I.C.E. is Everything Inspirational Quote Book
The TLRT Roundup is open to all members of NAIFA-Texas, but qualifying members of the Texas Leaders Round Table receive a $100 discount on registration
If you are not a TLRT member and would like to become one, there is still time. The TLRT Board has extended the membership application deadline until May 1, 2010.
Click here to download a TLRT application.
Click here to download a TLRT production certification form.
Click here to view the full lineup of speakers at the 2010 TLRT Roundup.
Click here to register for the TLRT Roundup Online
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Gen Y's Top 5 Characteristics At Work
© 2009 Jason Ryan Dorsey, The Gen Y Guy
Employers always seem to be asking me, "What in the world is Gen Y thinking when they do some of the things they do at work?" As a researcher and member of Gen Y, which I define as being born from 1977 to 1995, I think it's important to shine a spotlight on what my generation is thinking when we show up to work (and then immediately ask for a coffee break). The more employers understand Gen Y's perspective, the easier it is to identify the strategies and actions that can transform us into highperforming, loyal employees. Click here to read the article in it's entirety.
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 
