2014 January/February OIC

OIC Accepts Additional NIPR Applications

The OIC has expanded the types of applications being accepted through the National Insurance Producer Registry (NIPR) online interface as of December 20, 2013.  New insurance license applications and renewals may now be submitted for the following license types:

Ø  Resident producer (full lines only)*

Ø  Resident surplus lines broker*

Ø  Non-resident surplus lines broker*

2014 January/February Advocacy

“2014 Day on the Hill Success!”

 

We had over 75 attendees at this year’s “NAIFA Washington Day on the Hill”.   Here are the Talking points:

I.          Protect the Role of NAIFA Members with Respect to Retirement Planning—Oppose Bills Allowing the State to Deliver Retirement Programs to Private Employers/Employees—Section 134(1), HB 2185/SB 6002 (Supplemental Budget Appropriation) and Policy Bills Yet to be Introduced

 

(a)   These Bills Would Authorize the Creation of Retirement Accounts to be Offered by the State Department of Retirement Systems to Private Employers and Employees;

(b)   The State Should Not Compete with NAIFA Members and Other Licensed Securities Professionals Who Assist Private Employers and Employees with Retirement Planning and Investments;

(c)    These Bills Threaten Jobs within NAIFA Membership.  These Bills Will Cost the State Money in Lost Tax Revenue in the event that Services Currently Provided by NAIFA Members are Transferred to the State.  These Bills Expose the State to New Liabilities if the State Takes on a Fiduciary Responsibility for Investors.

 

2014 January/February Lobbyist Report

House and Senate to Focus on Floor Action as Fiscal

Committees Complete Work on Policy Bills

House and Senate Fiscal Committees completed their review of policy bills on Friday, February 11.  With the Fiscal Committee Cut-off behind them, legislators have been working on the House and Senate floors to consider bills passed by committees in the House of origin.  Floor action will dominate activity in Olympia until the deadline for the House and Senate to act on their own bills.  The cut-off resolution calls for bills in the House of origin to be approved by Tuesday, February 18 at 5:00 p.m.  With rare exception, bills failing to be approved by the cut-off dates will not be considered further this session.

Divided House Approves Bill Allowing the State to Provide

Retirement Accounts to Private Employers—

Future in Senate Doubtful

Despite a wall of opposition from business groups, insurers, agents/brokers, and others appears, a controversial plan that would allow the State Department of Retirement Systems to provide private employers and their employees with retirement accounts was approved by a divided House on a final vote of 54-43 with one member absent.  SHB 2474 would require the State Department of Retirement Systems to design a plan for retirement savings accounts to be offered to private small and mid-sized employers and their employees.  The proposal was roundly criticized during hearings.  Additionally, opposition was voiced regarding Governor Inslee’s supplemental budget proposal, which includes a $250,000 appropriation to the Department of Retirement Systems “to explore alternatives for retirement savings accounts for employees of private sector…small and mid-sized firms.”  (See section 134 of HB 2185 and SB 6002).  

2014 January/February President's Message

"Wins and Challenges"

I want to take some time here to recognize the many NAIFA members that attended Day on the Hill to become more informed of the healthcare issues regarding the exchange and some life and retirement issues as well. They followed up the morning session with visits to legislators educating them and encouraging them to vote in a manor favorable to our profession and our clients, their constituents.  One issue remaining of concern was the plan to have retirement plans offered to small business by the state. We felt pretty confident the Senate would not condone it but the House was a different story. Thank you Sharon Sparling and Richard Ek, along with Mel Sorensen for testifying before the House Committee on our behalf! As I write this it appears the House will pass the bill.  This is where you as our members will be urged to contact legislators soon. Please open all of your NAIFA email and take action when asked.

Recently we have seen several new members joining our Association, thank you. To those who have sponsored a new member – Thank you! Remember the contest of bringing in 10 new members and having a week stay in Eastern Oregon at the very nice home of our National Committeeman Al Zalewski. If you have any questions contact Al or Jim Scott our Membership chair. While these are surely wins for our Association we are far short of where we need to be in numbers to remain a force for good in Olympia and Washington. I challenge each of you to sponsor at least one new member between now and the next newsletter, two months from now. Many of the companies have endorsed NAIFA to their agents and brokers so it may be as easy as asking. You can ask Linda for a brochure or just go to the NAIFA website and print one to give to the prospect. Ask them to join while you are there either online or with the paper form and check or bank withdrawal part completed. I want to thank you in advance for making the effort.

2014 January/February Health & Employee Benefits

STATE OF THE UNION

While discussing his healthcare agenda, President Obama also stressed how he’d have to go at it alone if Congress didn’t start cooperating with him more. Time after time, he promised to act via executive order or other regulatory action if Congress did not pass legislation to address his priority initiatives. The reality is that executive orders will only take you so far, but as we health nerds know all too well, if a law is already on the books on a topic, the president generally does have substantial authority to impose the technical parts of his agenda through regulations. With regard to health reform, he invited alternative approaches by saying, “If you have specific plans to cut costs, cover more people, increase choice, tell America what you'd do differently. Let's see if the numbers add up.” But the president made no pledge to support legislative changes to the law, even those that might make it work better for millions of Americans or help improve the law’s economic impact.

In contrast, during the GOP’s response to the SOTU, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) called for Congress to take action to change the law and replace it with something that works. She did not stress full repeal, as GOP leaders have in the past, but instead noted that “We’ve all talked to too many people who have received cancellation notices they didn’t expect or who can no longer see the doctors they always have. No, we shouldn’t go back to the way things were, but the president’s healthcare law is not working.” She went on to say, “Republicans believe healthcare choices should be yours, not the governments. And that whether you’re a boy with down syndrome or a woman with breast cancer, you can find coverage and a doctor who will treat you.” Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) provided a Tea Party response and called for repeal of the law and stated that the best way to stop Obamacare was to offer better healthcare solutions.

2014 January/February IFAPAC

The Best Time To Plant A Tree

In ancient Rome, Janus was the god of beginnings. He was often depicted with two faces--one looking back on the past, the other looking forward to the future. Some languages name the month of January after him because the beginning of the year was a time for reflection as well as planning. Thousands of years later, many cultures throughout the world carry on a tradition of making resolutions for the new year.

There is something incredibly hopeful about a fresh start. You have certainly realized this when you bought a new computer with a clean hard drive. For a time it works perfectly but as the days and weeks pass by and more programs get installed the computer begins to stall, and things it used to do quickly and efficiently become sluggish. Sometimes it doesn't work at all. Even getting it started can become a chore as the hard drive becomes cluttered with miscellaneous chaos and electronic debris. There are times when the only recourse is to reformat the computer and start over.

2013 December President's Message

Integrity, Honesty, Commitment and Service

These are just a few qualities that can be used to describe NAIFA members and how they run their business. NAIFA members believe that what they do really does make a difference in the lives of their clients and our society as well. If you are reading this you know what I mean and you live by them. You also make the commitment via your dues to promote these values within our profession as well as with our legislators. For this I commend you and thank you! This is a great organization and will continue to thrive, but only with your continued support and recruitment of new members as well as keeping the members we have. Together we can make great things happen.

Our winter Board Meeting took place December 9 in Dupont to conduct Association business and build stronger relationships. Mel Sorensen, our Lobbyist presented the latest information on the Healthcare Act and some things to look out for down the road. You will get timely information regarding topics of concern, possibly needing your attention and action. Our special guest was Jill Judd, newly elected NAIFA Trustee from California. She is assigned to our state and made a presentation from the National Board as well as giving valued input. Your Board is made up of officers, vice presidents, committee chairs and local association presidents, all volunteers – all committed to preserving our great profession. I believe we are called to this profession. I believe that any agent or representative that does what we do just for the money will not last, or at least not very happily. We are rewarded with the satisfaction of truly helping our clients to be in a better financial position after working with us and knowing they are prepared when tragedy or retirement happens.

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 October/November APIC

At a recent local NAIFA function, I was asked to say a few words regarding my involvement with NAIFA; specifically, why I am a member.  Seems like a pretty straight-forward question and answer.  Here’s the problem; I’m preaching to the choir.  If I were speaking to a group of non-members maybe my comments would be more impactful.  The reality is that there is nothing I’ve said that our local membership hasn’t heard before.  I decided to approach it differently. 

Just like handling an objection before the prospect or client brings it up, a pre-emptive strike so to speak, I acknowledged that there were those among us who have questioned the value of their membership, or will question it sometime in the future.  The reason I continue my membership is not because of meetings, CE, camaraderie, or any of the other legitimate reasons that a member will cite.  I’m a member because of my core belief that I am protecting my chosen career by contributing to the viability of our association.  I couldn’t possibly afford to hire a lobbyist or a team of attorneys to represent me so that I can continue working in the industry, unless I have the economies of scale that association membership provides.

It would be great to inspire people to join us, and maybe guilt works with some, but how about an appeal to common sense?  We can’t do this by ourselves and they (non-members) can’t survive without us. We all know a non-member or an unengaged existing member.  APIC is a great example of our strength in numbers.  Getting involved at a grass roots level is what we do.  Member and non-member alike; we need each other. That’s APIC!  

Richard l. Miller, CLU, ChFC, CASL, LUTCF

APIC Chair

2013 October/November IFAPAC

If Insurance is your profession, politics is your business.

Even if you are not involved directly with selling health insurance you cannot escape hearing about and seeing the problems with the debut of Obamacare. It is a perfect demonstration of why government should not be trusted with our health care.

People with common sense and reality-based principles understand that government programs are by definition political. Politicians and bureaucrats are not personally accountable for failure, as in the private sector, so failure is acceptable to them. Thus we get cost overruns, fraud and poor service.

Political consideration number one in the launch of Obamacare was the 2012 presidential election. Defenders of the incumbent did not want voters to know there would be a huge jump in the price of insurance for most people not being subsidized. They didn’t want supporters or critics to know about the rectal exam that would be required by the exchange website. They didn’t want the masses to know about the four, five and up to eight thousand dollar deductibles. They didn’t want people to learn of the limited (skinny) networks that may not include THEIR hospital, doctor or pediatrician. They knew that revealing those details too early would tip voters toward the challenger who promised to stop it.

2013 October/November President's Message

Greeting from your President

I think it is appropriate that I thank our outgoing National Committeeman Ralph Van Winkle for his outstanding service these past several years. He also did a fine job, along with our Executive Linda in putting together a delegation of 18 to attend the NAIFA National Conference in San Antonio Texas late this past month. Our national leadership once again proved themselves worthy of our praise in a wonderful experience including program speakers, workshops and NAIFA business. The controversial item of business was the proposed $25 increase in dues to help fund the fly in to Washington DC next May. This past April’s fly in was highly successful so the plan is to do it again next May. Please consider attending this opportunity to visit with your Congressional Representative and Senators to educate them of the work we do to serve our clients with the products we have.

If you attended the Financial Services Forum last month thank you. If you did not you missed some great speakers and opportunity to network and join in fellowship. John Nichols is your President Elect who chaired this event. He and his team were exceptional in picking the speakers as well as the location, right on the water.

2013 October/November Day on the Hill

Mark Your Calendars Now...for the 2014 Day on the Hill

January 21, 2014 at the Double Tree Hilton (formerly the Phoenix Inn) featuring representatives from the Governor's office, key legislators, the Exchange, the OIC, as well as leaders from the life and health insurance industries.

LOCATION DETAILS

DoubleTree by Hilton

(formerly the Phoenix Inn)
415 Capital Way N.
Olympia, WA 98501

Discounted overnight rooms are available for $129.00 per night and must be booked before December 20, 2013.  Reservations can be made by calling 1-877-570-0555 toll free and asking for NAIFA rate.  The DoubleTree by Hilton is located in downtown Olympia, just minutes from Washington State Capitol campus.  

Stay tuned...more to come...

2013 October/November Membership Contest

A New Kind of Contest with a Great Prize

Greetings from Al Zalewski, who was brought back, kicking and screaming,  from northern Saskatchewan fishing for giant northern pike to succeed the admirable Ralph Van Winkle, who did a superb job as your State National Committeeman for  the past 6 years. 

At President Gleim’s Summer Roundtable, and later fleshed out at our Planning and Development Committee meeting, we came up with a neat idea for a contest you can really WIN something pretty darn cool:

A 6 Night, 7 Day Vacation at our beautiful home in Sunriver, Oregon!

Have you heard of Sunriver?  Here’s the scoop:

2013 October/November In Memoriam

Tony was born in the steel town of New Castle, PA where he said the winter snow was always black. He really disliked shoveling snow!

Tony joined the Washington State Association of Life Underwriters (now NAIFA-Washington) in 1968. He served his state and local associations in many capacities including State President 1981-82 and most recently as State Employee Benefit Liaison in 2008.

He had a successful career in insurance for 43 years where he and his wife Pat worked together for 37 of those years. He was involved with many organizations, but was most proud of being one of the first people in Whatcom County to teach CPR at the Bellingham Technical School. He was very active in his faith and loved God with all of his heart.

Tony liked to putter around in his shop, watch movies, and fish when he could, and to spend every birthday in Mexico along with their wonderful friends.

He is survived by his wife Pat, son Ron (Lesley Norman) and daughter Amy. He was grandfather to Jason, Jenny, and Lillianne and great-grandfather to Braxton and Oliver.

2013 October/November Professional Development

Exciting News!!!  The American College has updated and reinvigorated what we have all come to know as the LUTCF/FSS designations!  Due to the changing sociological environment that we live in, new classes have been developed to assist the Agent/Producer to be better equipped to help society in these dynamic times.  The new designation is “Financial Services Certified Professional” or FSCP. 

For those who hold the LUTCF, there are steps to update and add this new certification.  If you are content to hold the LUTCF, you need do nothing.   If you are currently pursuing the LUTCF designation, and you want to complete it, you can do that too.  Plus, if you want to Transition from the already completed courses over to the new designation, you are given that option too.  Nothing has been taken off the table; only new more relevant classes have been added to the curriculum. 

2013 October/November In Memoriam

It is with deep sadness that we inform you that Jack Thomas passed away last night after a long and brave battle with cancer.  Jack started his career with New York Life in 1978. He was a mentor to many of us, and a great friend to all he came into contact with.  He was also a tremendous family man.

Jack was also NAIFA-WA membership chair in 99/00! His goal was 2000 in 2000!  I think we got to 1500?

During his 35 years with NYLIC he went to Africa (Uganda) twice to build orphanages for the children displaced by the wars. He personally raised over $100k for materials and brought friends from his church to help with the construction.

Jack was also a consistant leader in the NYLIC Tacoma GO. many times "THE" leader of all the agents.

Jack is survived by his wife Sandra, his daughters Kindra and Calli, his son-in-law, Scott and his grandchildren, Jaden and Dylan who bravely supported Jack in his fight.  The Thomas’ are a wonderful and caring family.  Please join me in offering them our sincere condolences at this difficult time.  

2013 August/September President's Message

Build Your Profession – Build Your Practice

 

I know for many of you a lot of time and energy has been spent on preparing for the Affordable Care Act and how it impacts your business as well as those you serve. I hope you know by now that your Association both at the state and national level have been actively involved and will continue to be.

We are in a most noble of profession! We provide financial security and guidance to widows and families. We are there with monthly checks to the disabled. We deliver money to pay for home care for dad so that mom doesn’t have to do the heavy lifting. We keep the family solvent when a serious illness or accident happens. We see to it that the golden years are truly golden. We help plan for college education. The list goes on and on. I challenge you to put serious thought into each of these problems/solutions and how you can better your service. Think of the last time you heard that a family member or friend or client for that matter passed away. Did you get that sinking feeling of “Wow, did they have enough life insurance?” Did you have and give them the opportunity to discuss the financial result of their death for the people left behind? 

September is Life Insurance Awareness Month. Americans are vastly uninsured and underinsured. Build Your Practice by seeing your existing clients and prospects with a special emphasis on “life insurance for the living.” Remember, “A wife does not know the value of life insurance, only a widow is qualified.” If your counseling skills are a bit rusty, go back to your company provided sales training or LUTC books or contact your local to hold a CE session at a regular meeting. Better yet, get other Reps together to hold LUTC classes. There is no better way to learn sales skills than LUTC. If you have trouble locating the right person, contact me. I’ll get you to them.

We as the premier Professional Association for Insurance and Financial Advisors are strong, solvent and viable. We do have room for improvement though in that we need to grow our numbers to have a bigger impact on legislators. The benefits we provide to the public are and will continue to be under watch and even attack for tax revenue. So please Build your Profession by asking other insurance agents and financial advisors to join you in paying dues for the benefits of membership they are currently enjoying. There are 300,000 Reps enjoying benefits of NAIFA but less than 50,000 are paying dues. Get them in and get them to local meetings and involved from the start. This improves the odds of them staying. Make sure they put your name down as sponsoring agent so you can get credit for them.

Coming soon are details of new member challenge and reward that you won’t want to miss.

 

Kevin Gleim, LUTCF, FICF

NAIFA-Washington President

 

 

2013 August/September Immediate Past President

Congratulations NAIFA Washington!

We did it! As a result of this state operating as a T.E.A.M., we have earned the coveted national award, The Jack E. Bobo Award of Excellence at the GOLD level! I am super proud of everyone’s effort and perseverance through some difficult challenges! The level of our achievement may or may not register with every member, but this award is our measure of success as an association and can be earned at both the local and state levels! The reason it’s a “big deal” is if you are earning this award, you are succeeding as an association. It matters! If your local did not earn this award, you should be asking your leadership why not.

NAIFA will be recognizing our achievement in San Antonio at the NAIFA National Convention! I look forward to seeing all who are attending and again…GREAT JOB! Let’s do it again and again!

Jeff Kyle, LUTCF, LTCP

2013 August/September Professional Development

Now is the time to assess your commitment to providing a LUTC course to your membership. This is a great way to get membership engaged.  You only need 5 students to get a class going.  If you have members that have taken classes but still don’t have an LUTCF designation, now is the time to complete it. 

Word has it that NAIFA and The American College is going to be ending the designation.   Yes, I got this from the Professional Development at NAIFA National.   Soon a new designation will be introduced and new courses rolled out.   Be a lifelong learner, it's almost impossible to stay current in our industry without taking courses and advancing your marketability.   Good luck and have a great year.

Roger McDowell, LUTCF

State Professional Development Chairman