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NAIFA-West Virginia
MOUNTAINEER NEWS: THE LATEST MEMBERSHIP NEWS FROM NAIFA-WEST VIRGINIA  ~  DECEMBER  2017
PLATINUM SPONSOR
The Brokers Source Ltd.
NAIFA

Hope, Health and Prosperity in 2018! 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the NAIFA - West Virginia Board of Directors!
NAIFA

OFFICIAL FAMILY: 

Click HERE for NAIFA-West Virginia's Officers and Board of Directors

NAIFA
Stanley Hefner, LUTCF
President's Message

Stanley Hefner, LUTCF
NAIFA-West Virginia President

Season's Greetings to all!

This is the season of love, joy and peace.  It's also the season that we slack off, many of us, from the normal sales activity of the year and take the time to spend with those we love and cherish.  What would life be like without our family relationships? It gives definition and meaning to our lives that otherwise would be void.  We all make our living helping to protect those families who may lose that loved one, who provides that love, joy and peace.  I guess we sell love for one another as it were.
 
I am thankful for our industry and what it has allowed me to do for myself and my family.  I'm also thankful for all the camaraderie of NALU and NAIFA over the years.  Many times it has been nice to attend a meeting and get a little love, joy and peace from fellow agents, as we all have the same experiences.
 
Looking ahead, there are proposed new regulations on the horizon.  Here is a headline from a NAIFA email recently:

State regulators propose annuity, life insurance best-interest standard.
 
I am still trying to get adjusted to the new "best interest contract" that our company has adopted for our retirement business, and now life insurance is in the cross-hairs.  There goes my joy and peace.  I'm not loving it.  It's a never-ending battle to influence people and governmental powers, all at the same time.
 
Well, in the meantime, we press on.  John and the board of directors have a great line-up of meetings for 2018 and I know that we would appreciate everyone being a part in some small way.  Just attending would be great and would probably go along with giving everyone in attendance some love, joy and peace.  Might make this the best year ever for everyone.
 
Merry Christmas!

Stanley Hefner, LUTCF
NAIFA-WV President

 
NAIFA
How to Check Your CE Credits with Sircon

Sircon-Vertafore You must complete 24 hours of CE each biennium to keep your WV Insurance License including a minimum of 3 Hours Ethics courses and 4 hours of LTC credits in order to be able to sell LTC insurance. 

All paid NAIFA-WV members as of 12/31/2017 will receive 2 hours CE credits for their NAIFA Membership.  Be sure to check your transcript and advise of any discrepancies.  All agents may carry forward up to 6 hours CE credits in excess of the 24 hour requirement each biennium.
IN THIS ISSUE...
President's Message
How to Check Your CE Credits with Sircon
NAIFA-Charleston Membership Meeting plus 3-Hour ETHICS CE Course on December 19th!
NAIFA - Charleston 2017-2018 Membership Meeting Dates
From the NAIFA CEO: Tax Reform Illustrates the Importance of NAIFA Membership
NAIFA 2018 Congressional Conference in Washington, DC
Leadership in Life Institute Taking Applications for 2018
NAIFA LACP Certification Program
Think BIG! Coaching & Training Newsletter for NAIFA-WV members
Free NAIFA Members-Only Webinar on December 13th: College Funding 101
Member Benefit of the Month: New NAIFA Solution Center
Government Advocacy: NAIFA's Mission Aided with IFAPAC and APIC
Thank You to our Sponsors!

SILVER SPONSOR
Hildebrand Insurance Services

 For information on Sponsorship Opportunities with NAIFA-West Virginia, please contact Executive Director John E. Pauley, CLU, ChFC, CLTC at (304) 345-4343 or email
johnpauley@
ft.newyorklife.com.

 

NAIFA-Charleston will be offering the 3-Hour ETHICS CE Course on Tuesday, December 19th.  See below for complete details and registration.

NAIFA
 
NAIFA-Charleston

3-Hour ETHICS 
CE Class Opportunity

Plus NAIFA-Charleston Membership Lunch Meeting
: .

Tuesday, December 19th, 2017

Edgewood Country Club: 

1600 EDGEWOOD DRIVE, CHARLESTON, WV 25302    ( MAP )

11:30 AM - 1:00 PM:


NAIFA Membership Lunch Meeting

NO CHARGE FOR NAIFA MEMBERS

1:00 - 4:00 PM:
3-Hour ETHICS CE Class ( #102471 )

$60.00 for NAIFA Members / $75.00 for Non-Members
 

RSVP Now


Or RSVP to Executive Director John Pauley, CLU, ChFC, CLTC at  (304) 345-4343 or  johnpauley@ft.newyorklife.com.

Make check payable and mail to:

"NAIFA-Charleston", PO Box 3586, Charleston, WV 25336

NAIFA
Save the Date!
NAIFA - Charleston 2017-2018 Membership Meeting Dates

NAIFA - Charleston Membership Lunch Meetings are held at  11:30 am at Edgewood Country Club, 1600 Edgewood Drive, Charleston, WV 25302. 

CE class opportunities prior to the luncheons will be announced on our website at www.naifawv.org as well as our email membership newsletter.
 
All NAIFA members encouraged to attend... 
SAVE THE DATES!

December 19, 2017
January 9, 2018
February 13, 2018
March 13, 2018
April 10, 2018
May 8, 2018

Sponsorships available for all NAIFA events! For more information, contact John Pauley, CLU, ChFC, CLTC at  (304) 345-4343 or  johnpauley@ft.newyorklife.com.

NAIFA
FROM THE NAIFA CEO

Tax Reform Illustrates the Importance of NAIFA Membership

"Laws are like sausages. It's better not to see them being made."
- Attributed to Otto Von Bismark (though he probably didn't say it)
Tax Reform Illustrates the Importance of NAIFA Membership
Dear friends,

Times like these are a big reason you are a NAIFA member.* Congress and the administration are deep in the sausage-making  process of tax-reform. I don't need to tell you how important tax laws are to the success of your family, your business, your clients, and our country. Though much is happening behind the scenes as negotiations occur, tradeoffs are made, and agreements are reached, you can rest assured that NAIFA is there to provide a  voice for the industry and to look out for your interests and those of consumers who need the products and services you provide.

When it comes to tax reform, we are in our element. Between NAIFA's professional staff, determined leadership team, participation in industry coalitions, and politically knowledgeable and active membership, we have a unique combination of expertise and clout to make a real difference in the ongoing debate (see our latest  side-by-side comparisons (PDF) of the House and Senate bills). NAIFA has had an impact on every national tax-reform initiative, back to and including the first permanent income tax law in 1913. And you can be certain we are having an impact on this one.

We've already seen some results. So-called "Rothification" of retirement plans received much attention during the initial crafting of legislative language on the bill. NAIFA leaders, staff, and key contacts  made it clear to Congress, the administration, and the media that protecting the ability of advisors and their clients to choose pre-tax retirement plan options ranks among our top priorities.

They heard us! Neither the House nor the Senate version of the bill includes a Rothification provision.

Original House and Senate drafts contained worrisome provisions. NAIFA and industry leaders raised concerns that enhancements to pass-through entities wouldn't apply to many NAIFA members, restrictions on non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements, and limitations on catch-up contributions for some retirement savers would harm our industry.

Again they heard us and changes to these proposals are found in the modified chairman's mark for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

But we are not going to win the battle just to lose the war. The situation is fluid, and negotiations are ongoing. So we remain focused on educating key members of Congress to ensure that the final tax law is as strong as it possibly can be.

If it's done right, tax reform has the potential to benefit advisors, the industry, and consumers. NAIFA will work painstakingly during this crucial time to shield you and your clients from harmful proposals and promote incentives to encourage those saving for retirement and promoting financial security.

Thank you for your involvement in NAIFA! It's what gives us strength, credibility, and influence with lawmakers, and that makes all the difference.


Best regards,

Kevin Mayeux
NAIFA CEO

* If you're not a member, it's a reason you should join!

NAIFA

NAIFA Congressional Conference
NAIFA 2018 Congressional Conference in Washington, DC

The 2018 Congressional Conference is scheduled for May 22-23, 2018!

In the past four years, over 3,000 NAIFA members from every corner of the country came to Washington, DC and visited Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers and advise them on how their decisions affect agents, brokers, and their clients.

NAIFA held its 2016 Congressional Conference to establish and cultivate relationships with lawmakers, to share the expertise of NAIFA members from all 50 states, and educate them on the value that NAIFA members bring to their clients and the solutions they provide for 75 million American families.

For the latest updates and registration details, visit  www.naifa.org/events/congressional-conference.

NAIFA

Leadership In Life Institute Leadership in Life Institute Taking Applications for 2018

The Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) is a six-month leadership development program devoted to advancing your personal growth and professional success.

The course offers:
  • The best in leadership and personal-development thinking
  • Tools to improve your practice and create a business plan
  • Increased understanding of self and improved interpersonal relationships
  • Expanded professional network and opportunities for growth through LILI alumni programs
  • Leadership opportunities in NAIFA
  • The One Page Business PlanĀ® by Jim Horan
  • The Kolb Learning Style Inventory
  • Emotional Intelligence (EQ) - the #1 predictor of success in business and leadership. Learn what your EQ is and how to increase it.
  • Credibility by James Kouzes and Barry Posner - all new and revised edition with sharpened focus on how leaders earn and sustain credibility
  • Study of Jim Collins' entire body of work on Good to Great companies, what drove some to fail, and others to thrive in uncertain times
Taking the course is an investment in oneself and the returns on the investment can be infinite. Graduates consistently report that LILI gives them the tools to succeed and 70% report a measurable increase in the growth of their business since graduating.

To learn more about the LILI experience and how to apply, CLICK HERE (PDF).

For more information about the program, please visit:

www.naifa.org/professional-development/leadership-in-life-institute

Mission: The NAIFA Leadership in Life Institute (LILI) develops leaders by fostering personal growth, enhancing business practices and developing skills necessary for effective leadership.

NAIFA
NAIFA LACP Certification Program NAIFA LACP Certification Program

The NAIFA Life and Annuity Certified Professionals (LACP) certification serves consumers by recognizing financial professionals with a mark of distinction for their product knowledge, consultative sales process and compliance to ethical, legal, and regulatory requirements. LACP practitioners are held to a standard of excellence that defines and differentiates them from their peers and to the clients they serve.


To become an LACP, practitioners will meet the  eligibility criteria and successfully complete the LACP examination.  For more information about NAIFA's LACP Certification Program, please visit: 

NAIFA
Think BIG!       Herman Dixon
Think BIG! Coaching & Training Newsletter

from Herman Dixon, CLU, CLF, LUTCF, LTCP

NAIFA-WV Past President, Speaker, Executive Advisor

Herman is the author of the forthcoming book, "Principles of Life and Leadership My Cat Taught Me" and guest speaker at the NAIFA-West Virginia 2017 State Convention in Charleston.

To connect with Herman Dixon, you may sign-up to receive his weekly Biz Tips or monthly Think BIG Newsletter here: 

NAIFA
NAIFA Members Only Webinar Series FREE NAIFA MEMBERS-ONLY WEBINAR:

College Funding 101: 

Sallie Mae and NAIFA Make You the Expert

Sponsored by Sallie Mae

Wednesday, December 13th, 2017  /   3:00 PM - 4:30 PM EST

Presenters: Brock Jolly, Chad Pisorchik, and Karie Bedford

Did you know that there are over $18 billion in scholarships available to college bound families throughout the United States? The only thing standing between your clients and this funding is their need for information. Developing the college funding expertise that you clients need begins with participation on the Sallie Mae/NAIFA webinar.

Join NAIFA Trustee and college funding expert Brock Jolly along with Karie Bedford and Chad Pisorchik from Sallie Mae for an enlightening webinar on the new Sallie Mae/NAIFA partnership. This partnership will provide NAIFA members with free college planning tools so that you can help your clients plan and pay for college.

During the webinar you will learn:

* The various types of student loans
* How to access a new robust suite of tools to assist with the college planning process
* Where your clients can obtain a variety of essential college planning resources
* How to expand your product line to include private student loans for both students and parents
* Details on the new NAIFA college funding sweepstakes coming this fall
* And much more

CLICK HERE for complete webinar details and registration.

NAIFA
NAIFA Solution Center MEMBER BENEFIT OF THE MONTH

Introducing the New NAIFA Solution Center

NAIFA's mission is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of its members. So to keep with our mission, we've designed this space just for you, your career and to help you be the best boss of you. 

In the Solution Center you will find expert tips and advice, certifications and ways to self-promote so that you can become the best advisor possible as well as take your career to the next level.

Go ahead and see for yourself! Visit solutions.naifa.org to get started.


For a complete and comprehensive list of all the exclusive benefits of NAIFA membership, please visit www.naifa.org/Practice-Resources.


Member Benefit of the Month Ask a non-member to join NAIFA today!
 
NAIFA is the largest financial services membership association in the United States, comprised of more than 700 state and local associations representing the interests of 200,000 members and their associates nationwide. NAIFA's goal is to protect your livelihood and your clients' financial security.

To join or renew securely online, please visit www.naifa.org

NAIFA
IFAPAC GOVERNMENT ADVOCACY

NAIFA's Mission Aided with IFAPAC and APIC

The core mission of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is advocacy. There is a common misconception that NAIFA membership dues include all the dollars needed to fund our national and state advocacy efforts. The fact is that NAIFA spends over 25% of its 12 million dollar annual budget to pay for lobbyists and programs to support our advocacy efforts. However, additional funds are needed to help gain access to our elected representatives. The source of these funds are from the Insurance and Financial Advisors Political Action Committee (IFAPAC). 

IFAPAC's goal is to help the associations advance the legislative and regulatory interests of the members of NAIFA. While any U.S. citizen can contribute to IFAPAC, only members of NAIFA may be solicited to do so. Contributions must be voluntary. Contributions are not tax deductible for federal income tax purposes. Of approximately 4,600 political action committees registered with the Federal Election Commission, IFAPAC ranks in the top tier. IFAPAC is the largest insurance PAC in the country. In the last election cycle, the national IFAPAC contributed approximately $1.8 million to federal candidates and committees.

For  Three Easy Ways to Contribute to IFAPAC, please click  HERE. To contribute online, please visit  www.naifa.org/advocacy/IFAPAC.

APIC
Insurance and Financial Advisors Political Involvement Committee (APIC)

 Our business is based on building relationships. The world of politics is no different. One of NAIFA's greatest strengths is that we have membership representation in each Congressional District in the country.

It is vitally important that we know which of our members know elected officials and how well they know them. Please click on the link below and complete the legislative contact form:


NAIFA
It Pays to Be a Member!
   

NAIFA-West Virginia  
     
Check our website for the latest news and updates: 

  

For more information, please contact NAIFA-West Virginia Executive Director John Pauley, CLU, ChFC, CLTC at (304) 345-4343 or email johnpauley@ft.newyorklife.com.