NAIFA government relations NAIFA: Strengthening the Voice of the Industry

With its top-notch advocacy program and industry-leading PAC, NAIFA is uniquely positioned to serve as the voice of the industry.

By Diane Boyle

After the 2016 election, policymakers are listening to everyday Americans more than ever. There is a strong populist tone and rhetoric in today’s politics, which requires advocacy groups to convey the opinions, feelings, and viewpoints of Main Street America.

A National Journal’s annual study on advocacy and reputation—which sourced feedback from over 15,000 policymaker responses to draw insights regarding 100 prominent advocacy organizations—reported that associations are better positioned than their corporate peers to serve as the conduit between everyday Americans and Washington, D.C., policymakers. This is particularly true for associations that represent professionals such as doctors, teachers, and financial advisors.

Associations are highly effective and efficient because they’re able to capture the perspective of different interested stakeholders, as opposed to hearing from the 182 different component companies that make it up.

Policymakers rate NAIFA’s grassroots efforts higher than all other financial-services associations and prominent corporations that are engaged in Washington advocacy. Senior government officials engaged by the National Journal have praised NAIFA’s annual fly-in to Washington, D.C., its local grassroots organization, and its ongoing representation of its state and local members.

As noted by a Senior Advisor on Capitol Hill: “NAIFA’s grassroots advocacy is strong. We hear from their stakeholders, and that has an effect. One of their officers testified here in Washington. She wasn’t a hired lobbyist or lawyer; she was an insurance agent and she was able to testify in front of a bunch of Washington bureaucrats.”

And as a Senior Advisor with the Executive Branch noted about the impact of NAIFA’s fly-in: “NAIFA does an annual fly-in. It’s a smart move because you meet with actual constituents and you are talking about the impact that they will have back home.”

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Policymakers rate NAIFA’s grassroots efforts higher than all other organizations engaged in Washington advocacy.

NAIFA is also a force to be reckoned with on the local level. According to a Director with the Executive Branch, “On a local level, NAIFA has a formidable grassroots organization that they can, and did, mobilize very quickly, which I was impressed with.”

NAIFA’s advocacy strength is unparalleled in size and scope. NAIFA members are insurance professionals from every Congressional district in the United States. NAIFA is the largest insurance and financial-services association. Having 15 times as many members as the next largest insurance advocacy association allows the association to have a more influential presence across every Congressional district.

Industry-leading PAC

NAIFA also has the largest insurance and securities industry Political Action Committee (PAC), contributing $2.3 million in the last cycle to 392 federal candidates and four committees. NAIFA members contributed almost $5 million to support federal and state candidates. This allows members to engage at in-district events and bolsters grassroots strength before policymakers.

NAIFA members more successful than others

With the support of NAIFA’s programs, NAIFA members are also flourishing. They are 2 times as likely as other professionals to be high earners, and they produce 52% more premiums in their first year alone than their nonNAIFA counterparts. In addition, while 85% of new advisors leave the financial-services industry in their first 5 years, NAIFA members are twice as likely to make it past the 5-year threshold.

Diane Boyle is Senior Vice President of NAIFA’s Government Relations Department. Contact her at dboyle@naifa.org