2014 September/October National Committeeman

Where In The World Is Carmen San Diego?

Well, sunny San Diego of course, along with the rest of the NAIFA Washington delegation to the 125^th Anniversary National Conference of NAIFA (the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors) September 6 – 8, 2014.  It was historic for not only its anniversary but also for the election of our first woman President, Juli McNeely.  And your Washington delegation, led by President John “B.” Nichols, President Elect Scott Fowler (recently released from Injured Reserve to Active Duty after foot surgery), and Sec-Treas Neal Kloke plus 17 more local members, were there to learn, vote, contribute, and have a lot of fun and conversation.

The Conference was shortened to two full days this year in response to member requests, from Saturday afternoon to Monday so we packed the time with meetings and seminars; we made the most of our time with an afterhours cocktail party hosted by National Committeeman Alan Zalewski, CLU, ChFC, still LUTCF, whose suggested voting mantra remains: “vote in the time honored tradition for the candidate who provides most swag”.  We had a lot to celebrate:

December 2013 Advocacy

NAIFA Washington “Day on the Hill” 2014

 

“Day on the Hill” is scheduled January 21st in Olympia.   When it comes to political advocacy and protecting the interests of its members, NAIFA is one of the best in the business.  Our many successes have hinged on NAIFA Washington's favorable relationships with their legislators.


Challenges remain to bring the uninsured Washingtonians into the system and to reduce the high cost of health care for everyone.  We will have an update from the CEO of the Washington Health Benefits Exchange.

2013 December IFAPAC

There are no shortcuts

Brian Tracy said, "There are no shortcuts. To be a big success, start a little earlier, work a little harder and stay a little later." 

In the world of sales we are playing in the major leagues. We are still here because we didn't seek shortcuts.  We sell a product that is for the most part invisible, without an aroma, taste or feel. We work in an environment akin to the Great Wallendas; without a safety net. We survive and prosper by working hard and smart, beginning early and finishing later than most others. We have learned that work spares us from three great evils; Boredom, Vice and Need.

2013 August/September IFAPAC

Pay It Forward

 

Pay it forward is a term describing the beneficiary of a good deed repaying it to others instead of to the original benefactor. The concept is old, but the phrase may have been coined by Lily Hardy Hammond in her 1916 book In the Garden of Delight. She wrote, “You don’t pay love back; you pay it forward.”

The phrase is even older than that. Pay it forward was used as a key plot in the play by Menander, Dyskolos (a title which can be translated as “The Grouch”). Dyskolos was a prizewinning play in ancient Athens in 317 BC; however, the text of the play was lost and it was not re-published until 1957.  The concept was rediscovered and described by Benjamin Franklin in a letter to Benjamin Webb dated April 25, 1784: “I do not pretend to give such a deed; I only lend it to you. When you meet another honest Man in similar Distress, you must pay me by lending this Sum to him; enjoining him to discharge the Debt by a like operation, when he shall be able, and shall meet with another opportunity. I hope it may thus go thro’ many hands…This is a trick of mine for doing a deal of good with a little money.”

2013 August/September APIC

It is summer recess and most congressmen/women are currently in district.  If you are an APIC contact for your local association, or involved in a key position such as President or National Committee person, you have received two email reminders in the last few weeks from yours truly asking you to set up a face-to-face meeting with your representative or a staff member for the purposes of reinforcing NAIFA’s position on tax reform.  To date I have had two responses regarding meetings with legislators; NAIFA-Snohomish and NAIFA- Tri-Cities.

It is particularly important to contact and meet with legislators who sit on key committees. Four of our Congressmen/women serve on key committees; Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, 5^th district, Energy & Commerce; Jim McDermott, 7^th district, Ways & Means; Dave Reichert, 8^th district, Ways & Means; and Denny Heck, 10^th district, Financial Services. These committees and the decisions they make directly impact our industry, the clients we serve, and the legislator’s constituents.

2013 June/July Advocacy

NAIFA Washington Advocacy for Members in Constant Motion

Whew…what a year 2013 turned out to be!  But there is no time to rest on past successes.  Let’s look at NAIFA-Washington’s successes:

· “Day on the Hill” huge success.  Information, Attendance, Speaker line-up,  Legislative Contacts, 13 Locals represented, Profitability

·  “Call to Action” stopped a 271% increase for ALL Agents/producers paying B&O Taxed.  Leadership Coalition testifies in Olympia, NAIFA WA, WAHU, IIABW, PIA, Farmers, American Family, 1000’s of the Producer Community call their legislators!

Strong NAIFA WA representation on the Office of the Insurance Commissioner’s Agent/Brokers Life, Health, Disability Advisory Council…keeping NAIFA WA informed and involved with the OIC.

NAIFA WA Members: (L/R   )Sharon Sparling, Kathy Smithson,
Andrew Hooper, Brian Berg, Alan Zalewski, Robert “Bob” Mertz, Matt Ryan

·  **NEW VICTORY**  “Agent/Producer” presence on the new Washington healthplanfinder.  Mel Sorensen, NAIFA WA Lobbyist notified us that after the June 16^th Washington Health Benefits Exchange meeting with the Exchange’s Agent/Broker Advisory Group raised a number of priority issues for the producer community. The meeting was about the Exchange website and making sure that agents/brokers get credit for bringing business to the Exchange.

2013 June/July APIC

What is the number one issue we should be discussing with members and non-members alike as we point up the importance of our association and the impact we have?  B & O tax.  Some of the usual objections we get from potential members such as “I don’t sell much life insurance” or  “ I’m primarily an investment advisor” don’t wash.  The B & O tax is an equal opportunity tax for those in our industry.  We are all subject to it and we can’t necessarily pass it on to our clients, not that we’d want to!

Now just how did we manage to defeat a potential 271% increase in the B & O tax?  With a classic grassroots effort, of course!  Our lobbyist put out the call to action, our State advocacy team contacted the local chapters, and the locals contacted their individual members.  In addition, many of us contacted non-members and ask them to voice their concerns to legislators as well.  The end result was Olympia getting a loud and clear message not to increase our taxes.

So what’s on tap for APIC this summer?  Our Congressmen/women will be in district during the month of August for summer recess, and we should continue solidifying our relationships by scheduling meetings to discuss issues and offer to be a resource.  You will receive additional information from me in July.
One final note; we do not have listed contact for our newest congressman, Denny Heck of the 10^th district.  Who knows this guy?!  Let your APIC chair know!  NAIFA is relevant and powerful!

Richard L. Miller,

NAIFA-WA APIC Chair

2013 April/May IFAPAC Report

Volunteers are really the back bone of a society or association. Volunteers, like heroes, give of themselves freely for the comfort, safety and freedom of others. Volunteers are not made up of a certain class of people, a particular race, a level of wealth or lack thereof. Elizabeth Andrews said that, "Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart."

(l-R)Drew Hooper, James Scott,

Glenn Stocker, Ken Beers,

Richard Ek in D.C. representing

the 8th Congressional District 

There have been thousands of communities formed since the beginning of time and how civil they were might be determined by how they cared for each other; whether there was love and humanity there. Were there heroes and volunteers in their midst? Someone asked the anthropologist Margaret Mead (1901-1978), "What is the first sign you look for, to tell you of an ancient civilization?" The interviewer had in mind a tool or other artifact. Ms. Mead surprised him by answering, “A healed femur. When someone breaks a femur bone, they can't survive to hunt, fish or escape enemies unless they have help from someone else. Thus, a healed femur indicates that someone else helped that person, rather than abandoning them and saving themselves." I would never have guessed that a healed femur was a sign of a civilized community and/or even a significant find for an Anthropologist.

2013-03 Legislative Report

House Committee Considers Measure
Establishing a Single Payer Health Plan

On Friday, February 1 the House Health Care and Wellness Committee held a hearing to consider HB 1085—a measure introduced by Rep. Sherry Appleton (D, 23^rd Legislative District) which would establish a single payer health plan—the “Washington Health Security Trust” to provide coverage to all residents of the State of Washington.  NAIFA, WAHU, business groups, and health carriers noted their opposition to the measure, but proponents greatly outnumbered opponents as the bill was considered.  The bill would abolish the Washington Health Care Authority, and require all Washington employers to pay an assessment to the Department of Revenue to fund the Washington Health Security Trust.  The bill would also require the submission of an application to the Federal Government to allow for a waiver from the Affordable Care Act and abolishing the Health Benefits Exchange.  A fiscal note for the measure estimates expenditures at over $770 million by the 2017-’19 biennium, but there are many unknown aspects of the prospective costs because HB 1085 relies upon a variety of federal waivers which may or may not be granted.  Even if the House Health Care & Wellness Committee chooses to move the bill, it is very unlikely that the measure will be seriously considered by the House Appropriations Committee. 

Senate Committee Considers SB 5065—

ACLI Proposal to Adopt Section 711

of the NAIC Insurance Receivership Model Act

The Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee held a hearing on Thursday, January 31, to consider SB 5065—a measure that would enact section 711 of the NAIC Insurance Receivership Model Act (IRMA), establishing a framework for recognizing netting agreements of qualified financial contracts between a life insurer and one or more counterparties.  The bill was requested by the American Council of Life Insurers. 

At the Senate hearing Representatives from the American Council of Life Insurers and Symetra Financial testified in support of the bill—noting that this language has been enacted in at least 20 states and was adopted unanimously by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Model Act.  Symetra commented that the language is necessary to provide a competitive regulatory structure for Washington-domiciled life insurers who compete in the same market space with life insurers who are domiciled in states that have already adopted the language.   In a surprising development, Senator Marilyn Chase (D, 32^nd Legislative District) and one of her constituents—Brian McCullough (a former candidate for Insurance Commissioner)—testified in opposition to the bill.  It does not appear that their testimony damaged the bill.  The measure is scheduled for a vote on Thursday, February 7.  A companion measure in the House—SHB 1033, has already been considered and approved by the House Business & Financial Services Committee.  The House measure was approved on a committee vote of 14-0.  The measure has been referred to the House Rules Committee in preparation for consideration on the House floor. 

OIC Prepares Legislative Proposals

Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler has prepared a slim package of legislative proposals that he intends to submit to the 2013 Legislature.  His proposals can be found on the OIC’s website at http://www.insurance.wa.gov/laws-rules/legislation-rules/legislation/ .  Commissioner Kreidler’s proposals include an NAIC model bill addressing long term care insurance claims (SB 5216), a renewed effort to allow him to consider the surplus and reserves of non-profit health plans when reviewing rate filings (HB 1349), and a technical corrections bill. 

Legislature Adopts Cut-Off Resolution for the Consideration of Bills

On the first day of the 2013 session the legislature adopted a cut-off resolution establishing dates for the consideration of bills.  Key dates are as follows:

 

February 22—the last day for committees in the House of origin to take action on bills;

March 1—the last day for Fiscal committees in the House of origin to take action on bills;

March 13—the last day for the House of origin to take action on bills;

April 3—the last day for committees in the opposite House to take action on bills;

April 9—the last day for Fiscal committees in the opposite House to take action on bills;

April 17—the last day for the opposite House to take action on bills (except exempt bills and bills passed by both Houses in different forms);

April 28—the last day of the 2013 Regular Legislative Session

Melvin Sorensen
NAIFA-Washington Lobbyist

 

Participate in Day On The Hill

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Day On The Hill 2013 (NAIFA/WAHU) Jointly presented by NAIFA Washington and the Washington Association of Health Underwriters (WAHU) 19 days left - REGISTER TODAY! Now includes 3 hours of WAOIC approved CE credit! (Course #609070)  WHEN Tuesday January 29, 2013 from 7:30 AM to 11:00 AM PST Add to Calendar    WHERE Comfort Inn 1620 74th Avenue SW Tumwater, WA 98501 Driving Directions COST $45 Members (NAIFA or WAHU) Register Now! I can't make it This event sponsored by:   Thank our Annual Sponsors!  PLATINUM PARTNER GOLD SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS   Greetings! If INSURANCE is your profession, POLITICS is your business! Never before has there been such a need for lawmakers (both federal and state) to hear from us about the invaluable services we provide to their constituents, our clients. This event is held for you to meet with them; the State Representatives and Senators in your district. January 29 is your opportunity to shake hands with these elected officials in their Olympia legislative offices and make sure they know you and learn how to call upon you when they are faced with important decisions about this great industry. The morning program will include: > 2013 Health Policy Priorities for Health Carriers <  Leanne Gassaway, Regional Vice President America's Health Insurance Plans > 2013 Legislative Priorities for Life Insurers <  John Mangan, Regional Vice President American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) > Update on Activities and Legislative Priorities of the Washington Health Benefits Exchange <  Richard Onizuka, CEO & Keith Bell, SHOP Director Washington Health Benefit Exchange > Issue Briefing - Health and Life Insurance Priorities for NAIFA and WAHU Members < Mel Sorensen, State Lobbyist NAIFA Washington & WAHU Following the morning session you will have the opportunity to meet with your legislators.  If you do not know who your elected officials are you can find your state legislators and their contact information here.  If you have never setup a meeting with your legislator or need material or information on how to conduct a legislator meeting the NAIFA Association Political Involvement Committee (APIC) has a list of resources available online.    Thank you for participating in your NAIFA association!  We look forward to seeing you in Olympia.    Sincerely,    Linda Fox, Administrator NAIFA Washington office@naifawashington.org (360) 350-0521

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Happy New Year!

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Tax Treatment of Life Insurance Turns 100! Greetings!    In addition to wishing you every success for the New Year we at NAIFA Washington want to remind you that 2013 is a special year.  This year marks 100th anniversary of the tax treatment of life insurance! Life insurance is only one of the products and services NAIFA advocates to protect, but it is the one that most commonly comes under attack.  CLICK TO VIEW THE VIDEO In 1913 the US Congress passed the Revenue Act of 1913 which is more commonly known for it's reinstitution of the income tax, following ratification of the Sixteenth Amendment to the US Constitution. In an unprecedented move Congress made a last-minute amendment to the Act to exempt life insurance death benefit proceeds and inside buildup (cash value) from income taxes. This only happened because of the efforts of NAIFA members.    In the past 100 years NAIFA has successfully warded off 14 serious attempts to amend this provision. Learn more... History of Life Insurance Taxation (YouTube, 9/17/2012, NAIFA) Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, President of ACLI, on Advocacy for the Life Insurance Industry (JHAM Radio, 12/4/2012, John Hancock, MP3) In the words of John F. Kennedy... Don't ask what your industry can do for you. What can you do for your industry? Help NAIFA protect our industry.  Get involved.  Participate. Members: Contribute to IFAPAC, Attend the Congressional Conference (DC), & Participate in Day On The Hill (Olympia) | Non-Members:  Join NAIFA today!

Forward this email NAIFA Washington | 7717 50th Avenue SE | Lacey | WA | 98513

You Are Not a Twinkie! (Newsletter 2012-12)

One of the most enduring icons in the business world is the commissioned salesman. Call yourself what you want – agent, advisor, financial planner, problem solver, producer – we are all salesmen. We are good at what we do and we are always getting better. We have been successful at surviving in this business, the major leagues of selling, because we enjoy working with people and we know our product has real value. We don’t let discouragement get us down, at least not for very long. We demonstrate commitment to the people we serve and always seek to provide what is needed. We work when it is sunny; we work when it is raining or snowing. We work in the daytime; we work at night. We work when we feel good; we work when we are not feeling so good. We are not deterred by a depressed economy - we adjust to find the money. We are not held back from our goals by regulations that change the playing field - we are free to bob and weave into new markets.

And yet there are some in this world that fail to see our value to the community. They are ignorant to the facts that the work we do keeps families together, makes it possible for businesses to survive and jobs to be retained. They are of the [false] impression that government can do it better. Call it socialism, progressivism or any other “ism.” But the challenges to our great industry are much greater today than they have ever been. Many of our “seasoned” members have seen threats to this great force for good in the past and yet they endured. They endured partly because they were smart, committed to their work and resilient.They endured, in large part, because they had advocates in the power centers of their state and in Washington, DC to thwart the enemies of free enterprise. They had NAIFA.

The challenges you and I face today are real. The challenges you and I face today are greater than before. The challenges to our clients and our livelihood are found in both Olympia and in Washington, DC. They are found in committees and caucuses, meeting rooms and councils of men and women who know very little about what we provide to their constituents. When we fail to show up at hearings, when we fail to call or meet with legislators to tell our story our futures are in more jeopardy than we realize.

NAIFA is our collective voice that tells our story to lawmakers when we are busy doing what we do best – selling. NAIFA is our voice to Congressmen, Senators and Governors. NAIFA shows up at those hearings, meets with legislators to tell our story and works day after day to represent you and me. Your NAIFA dues help keep our name in front of “them” but dues alone are not enough. That is why we have a political action committee – IFAPAC. NAIFA needs more members to participate in the PAC to get the EARS of legislators who have the power to affect our future.

If you feel it is time to stand at the window and shout, “I’m a valuable provider of money when it is needed and I’m not going to take it anymore!” then join me and other NAIFA members by contributing to IFAPAC. Participate with at least $5 per month. No, make it $10. If you think about it, $30 per month – a dollar a day – is affordable for anyone in this business. Invest in your future. Look at your PAC participation as career insurance. Your PAC contributions keep our collective voice heard in Olympia and in Washington, DC and make it possible to inform lawmakers of your value to their constituents, their own families and to the community as a whole.

You are not selling Twinkies or Ding Dongs. You are not going to let outside forces drive you into oblivion. No. Instead, stand tall, gird up your loins, carry the shield of justice and wield the sword of truth and virtue. Get involved. Participate! Join IFAPAC.

Written by Richard Ek, LUTCH, IFAPAC Chair