NAIFA-Texas teamed up with industry all-stars to bring long-term care experts together for a focused webinar session. Guest speakers included, Karry Ballinger of Ballinger Insurance, Wendy Boglioli who is an Olympic gold medalist and healthy aging advocate, and Jeremy Veryser of OneAmerica. The session was moderated by Derek True, NAIFA-Dallas Secretary.
9 min read
NAIFA-Texas Long Term Care Webinar & Resources
Topics: Long-Term Care #NAIFAProud Long-Term Care Insurance Webinar Texas Recording Resources
7 min read
NAIFA-Texas & TALHI Host Financial 101 Panel
NAIFA-Texas and TALHI (Texas Association of Life & Health Insurers) hosted a Financial 101 panel discussion in Austin, Texas on October 16, 2024 with staff from the Senate Business & Commerce Committee and the House Insurance Committee.
Panelists for the event included Jason Talley, NAIFA-Texas Government Relations Chair, Rick Demko, NAIFA-Texas President Elect, and Jennifer Cawley, CEO of TALHI. Also in attendance was NAIFA-Texas Lobbyist, Caitlin Flanders. The event was well attended and topics included discussions on budgeting, protection products and investing for the future. Another great example of industry collaboration leading up to the start of the 89th Legislature.
Please enjoy a few photos captured from the session.
Topics: #NAIFAProud Texas TALHI
7 min read
NAIFA Houston Virtual Meeting with Diane R. Boyle
NAIFA Houston held a virtual meeting on Tuesday, October 15, 2024 featuring NAIFA National's Diane R. Boyle focused on the topic of taxes, "Taxing Exercises Beyond Shaking Hands and Kissing Babies".
2025 will be a year of enormous risk in the tax policy debate needed to address expiring tax provisions, government spending and the federal debt. The scope of potential adverse changes will certainly include tax rules governing life and health insurance, annuities, retirement savings, and employer-provided benefits. Explore how to shape the legislative outcomes to benefit your business and clients regardless of the election results.
Learn how to prepare for this tax showdown with:- Insights into elections and tax challenges
- Methods to positively influence policy
- Techniques to leverage storytelling
Topics: #NAIFAProud Texas NAIFA Houston Recording
6 min read
NAIFA Pineywoods Membership Luncheon with Congressman Moran
NAIFA Pineywoods of East Texas was honored to have U.S. Congressman Nathaniel Moran speak during their October 2024 membership luncheon meeting this past week. Congressman Moran discussed a 'Summary of Financial Services Legislation on Capital Hill".
Other notable guests in attendance included Congressman Moran's Senior Advisor, Jalam Lewis, the East Texas District Director for Senator John Cornyn, Sara Butler, the District Representative for Congressman Pete Sessions, Melinda Kartye, a Senior Staffer for State Senator Bryan Hughes, Reece DeWoody, State Representative Cody Harris, State Representative-Elect Daniel Alders, as well as Representatives for State Senator Robert Nichols' office.
Topics: #NAIFAProud Texas NAIFA Pineywoods of East Texas NAIFA POET
6 min read
Shark Mindset presented by Walter Bond
NAIFA-Texas was joined by former NBA player, Walter Bond for a Performance Workshop, Shark Mindset. Watch the recording and discover how to elevate your sales game and dominate the competition!
Topics: #NAIFAProud Texas NAIFA Texas
8 min read
NAIFA-Texas Welcomes New Lobby Team
The staff and board at the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Texas Chapter (NAIFA-Texas) is pleased to announce the hiring of the highly reputable lobbying firm Wittenburg & Associates LLC with lead lobbyist Michelle Wittenburg. Michelle and her team have a long history of success at the Capitol and are looking forward to supporting and representing NAIFA. NAIFA-Texas will also be working with Public Affairs Specialist Caitlin Flanders, who has a keen understanding of the legislative process and has extensive experience working with key stakeholders at the Texas Capitol.
The role of lobbyists at NAIFA-Texas is to represent NAIFA’s legislative priorities at the Texas Legislature and to advocate for the insurance and financial industries. The lobbyists will work with our staff, board and members on strategy, talking points and will develop key relationships throughout the state. They will also help to lay the groundwork for a successful NAIFA Centennial State Conference and Day at the Capitol event as the date approaches.
Michelle Wittenburg shared "we are thrilled to be your advocates before the Texas Legislature in the upcoming session and look forward to elevating the NAIFA-Texas profile with legislators, key leaders and stakeholders so that their perception of NAIFA-Texas is parallel to the reality of your position in your communities and around the state".
Topics: #NAIFAProud Texas NAIFA Texas Lobbyist
20 min read
NAIFA's Apex & National Leadership Conference Spotlights Texas Members
This year the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors combined two signature events, Apex and the National Leadership Conference (NLC). Apex focuses on growing your business, encouraging leadership skills, and developing your personal brand. It appeals to a wide range of professionals and helps you reach your highest level of success. The National Leadership Conference (NLC) optimizes how we work together as NAIFA leaders to bring us continued success as the number one association for financial services professionals in the United States. NLC and the associated Belong Awards Gala inspire and recognize servant leaders who are called to serve a greater purpose and understand that they are working for the success of something bigger than themselves.
Topics: #NAIFAProud Apex Texas NLC NAIFA Texas
8 min read
NAIFA-Dallas 2nd Annual Texas Hold 'Em Tournament
NAIFA-Dallas held their 2nd Annual Texas Hold 'Em Tournament at Oak Highlands Brewery on Thursday, September 12th, 2024.
NAIFA-Dallas Immediate Past President, Staley Shiller, kicked off the event by welcoming the attendees an starting the 'introductory round' for the group novices and then the tournament was off!
Topics: #NAIFAProud NAIFA-Dallas Texas
4 min read
Federal Court in Texas Halts the DOL's Fiduciary-Only Rule
INFORMATION PUBLISHED ON AT.NAIFA.ORG
On July 25, 2024, a federal court in the Eastern District of Texas issued a stay barring the enforcement of the DOL fiduciary-only rule (and amendments to PTE 84-24) while the case in FACC v. DOL is pending. An appeal of the stay to the 5th Circuit is likely.
Meanwhile, NAIFA’s challenge to the fiduciary-only rule, brought with ACLI and other industry groups, is under review in the Northern District of Texas, where we seek a preliminary injunction and stay against enforcement of the fiduciary-only rule and amendments to PTE 84-24 and 2020-02.
Update: A Federal Court has granted a stay in the case brought by NAIFA, ACLI, and others.
The court in the FACC case ruled that plaintiffs are likely to succeed on the merits because the fiduciary-only rule conflicts with ERISA, and with the 5th Circuit’s decision in Chamber, by impermissibly expanding the definition of fiduciary and exceeding the DOL’s authority.
The court in the FACC case found the following:
- The fiduciary-only rule improperly treats one-time rollover recommendations as fiduciary relationships, by improperly redefining fiduciary relationships to include non-trust-and-confidence relationships.
- The fiduciary-only rule improperly (i) eliminates the requirements that fiduciary advice be given on a regular basis, pursuant to mutual agreement, and as primary basis for investment decisions, (ii) ignores the requirement that fiduciary advice be given for a fee, and (iii) ignores the distinction between the DOL’s authority under ERISA Titles I and II.
- The amendments to PTE 84-24 are arbitrary and capricious by imposing fiduciary duty requirements and liabilities on all agents and brokers who interact with retirement investors.
- The FACC plaintiffs demonstrated a substantial threat of irreparable harm if the fiduciary-only rule goes into effect, including compliance burdens and potential liability.
The court gave its stay nationwide effect, not limited to the parties in the FACC case, because the fiduciary-only rule affects all similarly situated financial professionals; because investment rules should be uniform; and because the rule impacts various parts of the financial services industry.
"NAIFA is very pleased that a federal court has halted enforcement of the Department of Labor's fiduciary-only rule," said NAIFA CEO Kevin Mayeux, CAE. "While we await a decision in the case NAIFA filed with NAIFA Chapters, ACLI, and other industry groups in opposition to the DOL rule, this is an important step forward towards protecting the businesses of NAIFA members and consumers who rely on them for financial products and services. The decision means that the DOL's rule will not go into effect September 24, and the courts will have time to fully consider the merits of our lawsuit. We are encouraged by this decision and are confident that we have put forward a strong argument to have the DOL's rule vacated in its entirety."
The NAIFA chapters that are parties to our lawsuit are NAIFA-Texas, NAIFA-Dallas, NAIFA-Fort Worth, and NAIFA-Pineywoods of East Texas. NAIFA will keep you posted on important developments in these cases.
Topics: #NAIFAProud Federal Advocacy Texas Advocacy DOL Texas Fiduciary NAIFA Texas
5 min read
Who's Coming to NAIFA's Apex and National Leadership Conference?
INFORMATION PUBLISHED ON AT.NAIFA.ORG
Join your friends and colleagues at the Arizona Biltmore, September 19-21, for NAIFA's combined signature events, Apex and the National Leadership Conference. You can see who will be there on our Apex Who's Coming? page. Add your name to the list by registering today!
Members from Texas registered to attend include:
Lena Allouche, NAIFA Houston President
Erni Davis, NAIFA Employee
Renae Davies, NAIFA-Texas Executive Director
Rick Demko, NAIFA-Texas President-Elect
Karen Easterling, NAIFA Austin Board Member
Susan Faykus, NAIFA Austin President
Keith Forster, San Antonio Member
Hollie Gandy Donohue, NAIFA Amarillo Area Leadership Team Member
Robin Johnston, Austin Member
Chuck Laubach, San Antonio Member
Douglas Massey, NAIFA National President-Elect
Shane Minks, NAIFA Houston Board Member
Michael Steadman, San Antonio Member
Jason Talley, NAIFA-Texas Industry Relations Task Force Chair & LILI Chair
James Thompson, NAIFA-Texas Board Member
Joey Ussery, Houston Member
John W Wheeler Jr., NAIFA-Texas Board Member
NAIFA's Apex and National Leadership Conference has what you need to take your business to the next level and boost your bottom line.
- Breakout workshops on the hottest topics in insurance and financial services.
- Mastering AI to bolster your insurance or financial business.
- Discovering knockout networking techniques.
- Exploring the digitalization of life insurance.
- Using CRMs, SOPs, social media, and other tools to build a high-performing agency.
- Providing business owner clients with advanced-planning solutions.
- Keynote speakers to entertain, education, and inspire.
- Ample networking with the best professionals in the industry at a world-class resort facility.
NAIFA-Texas is proud to announce that John M. Ruckel, LUTCF, a Financial Professional with MassMutual and owner of Ruckel Insurance and Financial Group in Nacogdoches, Texas, is the 2024 recipient of NAIFA’s Terry Headley Lifetime Defender Award. John will receive the award at the celebration on September 21. Learn more about this prestigious honor here: NAIFA-Texas Member John Ruckel to Receive NAIFA Terry Headley Award.
NAIFA's room block and conference rate at the Arizona Biltmore is reserved through August 12, so act now to avoid missing out.
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