With 43 legislators in the freshman class and 24 more who were new after the 2010 elections, the Texas House alone boasts a lot of new blood.

These green House and Senate members likely do not know about NAIFA-Texas, much less the issues facing our association members this session. NAIFA-Texas Legislative Day offers the opportunity to introduce these legislators to our association and to tell them about our clients, our businesses, and the challenges that we face.

TX Attorney General Greg Abbott

A luncheon co-hosted by NAIFA-Texas, the Texas Association of Health Underwriters (TAHU), and the Texas Association of Life & Health Insurers (TALHI) will also permit us to salute the state's decision makers and thank them for their dedicated service.

Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott will deliver the luncheon's keynote address. First elected in 2002, Abbott has won decisively in every election since and is considering a run at governor in the future. His tenure as Attorney General has been marked by high profile cases, often national - and even international - in scope.

The deadlines to receive discounted registration and hotel rates are December 19 and 20, respectively. For more information and to register today, visit naifa-texas.org/conference.

Across Texas, newly-elected and veteran legislators alike are preparing for the opening of the 83rd Texas Legislature on January 8, 2013. They are setting up office, hiring staff, and filing bills. In fact, already over 300 House bills and 100 Senate bills have been filed since the two-month pre-filing period began November 12.

Lobbyists, consultants, and grassroots organizations are gearing up for the 140-day legislative session, as well. In preparation for the session, NAIFA-Texas has formed the following legislative review committees:

These committees will be called upon throughout the session to weigh in on bills affecting our industry. Thank you to the individuals already listed for their commitments. For others that are interested in joining, this is the perfect opportunity to become more involved in your professional association's advocacy efforts. Contact CEO/Chief Legislative Officer Des Taylor with your area of expertise or for more information.

As Americans watch and wait while Congress and the Administration debate the issues surrounding the fiscal cliff, NAIFA's Assistant Vice President of Federal Government Relations Jill Hoffman advises that, for the immediate future, the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) should be top of mind for all Americans, followed by comprehensive tax reform in early 2013.

Jill Hoffman, AVP of Federal Government Relations

"If Congress doesn't address [the AMT] by the end of this year, it's going to hit about 30 million households in April of next year," said Hoffman. "As the negotiators look at these things, they're looking at where the immediate hits are going to come from, who is it going to hit and do we need to do try to avert that crisis for those Americans and individuals and families. They are going to have to lay out some kind of framework for comprehensive tax reform in 2013."

Hoffman said that "the single biggest threat" Congress is looking at for the insurance industry is what to do about the inside buildup of life insurance and annuities, and whether the inside buildup should continue to be a tax deferred build up.

NAIFA will host its first ever Congressional Conference in April 2013. Hoffman urged NAIFA members and all insurance advisors to join in our efforts to inform Congress about the benefits of life insurance products. "All the financial advisors who are selling life insurance and annuities need to pay attention, and we want you to come to Washington to tell your stories about your interaction with you clients. Talk about your real life stories and how our our products have helped save so many families from financial distress in the event that someone lives too long or dies too soon."

NAIFA has set a goal of being represented by at least two association members from each congressional district nationwide. Texas has made considerable headway towards that goal, with nearly 60 members registered towards our goal of 76. However, members living in the districts of: Rep. Jeb Hensarling, Rep. Joe Barton, Rep. Kevin Brady, Rep. Randy Weber, Rep. Bill Flores, Rep. Gene Green, Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, Rep. Filemon Vela, and Rep. Steve Stockman are still needed to come forward and register for this grassroots advocacy event.

REGISTER TODAY. Conference registration is free. Reimbursement funds for travel expenses up to $500 from NAIFA-Texas may still be available in certain instances. Please call the NAIFA-Texas offices at 512-716-8800 for more information. 

Election season kept the NAIFA-Texas IFAPAC Executive Committee busy in 2012 as they approved contributions to the campaigns of 42 candidates for office. Overall, more than $60,000 in contributions were hand-delivered to candidates across the state.

Pictured, two of IFAPAC's most recent check deliveries. Left: Andy Garcia, Representative-Elect Abel Herrero (Dist. 34), and Roland Barrera. Right: Chris Hatton, Representative-Elect Ron Simmons (Dist. 65), and Lane Boozer.

December 8 marked the final day to make contributions to political campaigns until the conclusion of the legislative session next May. The moratorium provides Texas IFAPAC a chance to replenish its depleted coffers, but only if more NAIFA-Texas members are willing to support the PAC.

Currently, roughly 25% of members are generously carrying the load of all members. Help pull the wagon by making a contribution today. Contributions must be received by December 27, 10 am to count for the 2012 year.

As we close out 2012, it's the perfect time to consider the Top 10 ways to avoid E&O claims:

1) Put it in Writing - A frequently heard phrase in the world of claim documentation is "if it's in writing, it didn't happen." Obviously not always true, but a reference to the difficulty in defending an insured who doesn't have good documentation 

2) Listen to the Client  - Don't let your own bias keep you from hearing what the client wants or needs

3) Don't Assume Anything - Trust, but verify. Make sure you have a plan for each client and each transaction and follow through 

4) Don't Generalize - Stick to the facts! Avoid statements like "this policy is just as good as the old one."

5) Stay in Your Area of Expertise - Know your products and seek qualified and insured help when you don't

6) Do Your Own Due Diligence - Investigate the companies and individuals you do business with

7) Standardize Policies and Procedures - Act consistently! Checklists, procedures manuals and diary systems help

8) Train Your Staff - Train your employees, hold regular meetings and emphasize loss prevention

9) Stay Current - Keep up with current state and federal laws, participate at professional conventions and associations and subscribe to trade journals

10) Think Defensively - Maintain a defensive, professional attitude

For more information about CalSurance and/or to apply online, visit www.naifaeo.com or call 888-833-2304.

Additionally, save 10% on your premium by completing a new online risk management course available exclusively to NAIFA members. The course is free, or pay a nominal fee to receive CE credit as well. For more information, visit naifamember.smartpros.com.

Dec. 14 has come and gone, and President Obama's Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - better known as Obamacare - has received a stunning blow. Texas and 24 other states have rebuked the exchanges, refusing to participate in this critical component of the act. Full story.

Many retirees will live 20 to 25 years beyond age 65, so financial advisers need to focus on helping clients understand the need for adequate savings and other essential aspects of retirement planning, writes Lloyd Lofton of American Eagle Financial Services. Advisers also should address quality-of-life issues such as security and independence, as well as the distribution and preservation of assets; options for health care; and the role of life insurance, annuities and Medicare in meeting clients' needs, he writes. Full story.

State and federal regulators are developing procedures that could be used to regulate the new health insurance exchange "navigators," or consumer assistance providers. Full story.

A cadre of Senators, backed by life insurance and retirement product associations and interest groups, have introduced a resolution that calls for maintaining the tax incentives in place now that spur retirement savings. Full story.

With House Speaker John Boehner's announcement that Rep. Michael McCaul of Austin was selected to chair the House Homeland Security Committee, Texans' influence in the 113th Congress will be strong. Full story.

Washington is again focusing on the so-called fiscal cliff now that the election is out of the way and there is strong evidence of a "grand bargain" being agreed to by Congress and the White House by year-end in order to avert a dramatic impact on the economy. Full story.