Maureen Kirschhofer, CLU, ChFC

  

The 124th Annual Career Conference and Annual Meeting of Naifa opened at the San Antonio Convention center on Saturday, September 28th.  Frank Mantay and myself served as the NAIFA Jacksonville representatives at the meeting and our Executive Secretary, Cherri Coombs Ohmer, attended the Execs Sessions.  From the dynamic opening session on Saturday afternoon to the closing voting and announcing of Amendments, this was an excellent meeting.

   

There were too many sessions to discuss all of them but I would recommend looking at the information on the LIFE website, www.lifehappens.org, and check out the real life stories that were presented at the meeting live.  It will reinforce the importance of what we do everyday.  Bring a tissue because I will be surprised if you won't need one.

 

  
  
 

  

It seems I have been hearing that statement for the better part of 2 decades.  Is the legislative climate constantly becoming more challenging?  Are more legislators looking for tax dollars from the death benefit or the inside buildup in life insurance?  Are we as an industry becoming more complacent and allowing legislators to tax our products freely?  Has the economy gotten so poor that legislators will find revenue wherever they can?
 
The answer to all these questions is ... Maybe.   In my opinion though, things haven't changed all that much over the last couple of decades.  So why then, do we keep hearing, "Never has the danger to our livelihood been so great?"  The reason may be simply that our industry is always in danger of being misunderstood by legislators and will always be a target for a revenue grab.
 
One reason the PAC is so important is because things don't change.  Without our continued diligence and watchfulness, there is always a danger that misguided legislation will harm the products and services we deliver to our clients, and ultimately harm our business.
 
In addition to protecting our products and services, our PAC gives us a voice to change policies that are outdated and cumbersome.  An example of this is the current legislation in the Senate that was recently passed by the House known as NARAB II (a.k.a. H.R. 1155 and S.534) The National Association of Registered Agents and Brokers Reform Act of 2013 will allow those of us that transact business in states other than our home state to register with NARAB instead of having to carry multiple non-resident licenses.  This will save countless dollars and hours for many of us, and allow us to keep and service clients that move to other states.
 
Much of what our Political Action Committee does involves assuring that legislators friendly toward our industry get elected and re-elected.  Currently this burden is carried by fewer NAIFA members than you might think.  In our Jacksonville NAIFA, for example, the burden of funding the PAC is currently born by about 12.5% of our membership.  We need 61 more contributors to reach our goal of 35% participation.
 
If we can help our state reach a 35% participation rate by the end of December 2013 our State IFAPAC will receive 60% of all shareable contributions for the first six months of 2014.   
 
PLEASE HELP US!  $8.34 per month via check-o-matic is all it takes to become a Century member!
 
Finally, please allow me the opportunity to thank my Co-Chair, Steve Glenn and the PAC committee for their work smiling and dialing, and all the PAC contributors that keep the PAC funded.  Jacksonville has one of the better contribution rates in our state.
 
Let's hit our 35% goal.  Are you or one of your colleagues one of the 61 additional contributors we need?  If so, call Cherri Coombs, Steve Glenn, or me to learn how easy it is to be a Century member!
 
For more information about IFAPAC and to contribute securely online, please visit www.naifa.org/advocacy/ifapac.