The Partnership That Pays

By Ayo Mseka

Turn on the TV or surf the web, and the news that often awaits you is not exactly uplifting: The market continues to be volatile, interest rates are on the rise, consumer debt is at an all-time high, and Americans are not saving as much as they should for their retirement.

In addition, many Americans remain woefully under-insured. Though they know they need more life insurance to protect their families and loved ones from life’s numerous uncertainties, the product is not exactly flying off the shelves.

As LIMRA’s James Kerley notes in his article in this issue, according to the 2016 LIMRA Life Ownership study, only 44 percent of Americans owned individual life insurance in 2016.

But before you throw up your hands in despair, remember that behind every challenge is usually an opportunity, and there is no better time than now to provide knowledgeable answers to your clients’ nagging questions, assuage their financial concerns, encourage them to never stop chasing their dreams, and work with them to get pack on the path to financial security.

NAIFA: your trusted partner

Working side by side with you as you help your clients with this challenging but rewarding task is NAIFA, whose primary responsibilities are to create a business environment that is conducive to you and the clients you serve, enhance your business and professional skills, and promote ethical conduct.

As it has done in years past, NAIFA will be there for you to safeguard the products that help your clients protect their families and loved ones. And NAIFA will be there to drive your future goals and success by giving you the tools and resources you need to better serve your clients.

NAIFA will be there to drive your future goals and success by giving you the tools and resources you need to better serve your clients.

If you have not taken advantage of NAIFA’s numerous professional-development opportunities, you may be missing out on a wealth of benefits designed to expand your practice and positively affect your bottom line. Check out the NAIFA website at www.naifa.org today and discover some of the new products and services the association has recently introduced to help move your career forward.

NAIFA also provides you with numerous opportunities for networking, professional growth and idea exchange, such as this year’s Performance + Purpose Conference. This issue’s feature article showcases key highlights from this important “meeting of the minds.”

It was during this conference that members elected their new president, Jill Judd, FSS, LUTCF, with State Farm Insurance Companies. The cover story in this issue offers a rare inside look at the woman who is steering NAIFA as it re-invents itself to better serve you.

For more than a century, NAIFA has played a pivotal role in helping agents and advisors succeed. As we approach a New Year, NAIFA will continue this tradition of excellence and build upon its many successes. Good luck on building your own success and Best of Luck in 2019!