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October 31, 2012 at 08:00 PM
I am proud to be an almost three decade member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA). I believe everyone who sells insurance and financial products should be a member.
I just returned from our national convention and the reasons for membership were dramatically reinforced at this meeting. Let me share some of those reasons with you in the hope that non-members will understand and be inspired to join.
I also want to reiterate the enormous value NAIFA membership provides to those who currently enjoy membership.
The number one reason to join NAIFA is that members make more money than non-members. This information isn’t just anecdotal; many major companies have done studies verifying this information.
Making more money is reason enough to be a member. I learned several ideas at the national convention that will help me help more people. That provides true value.
Ideas are shared
How does this happen? When you are around other agents and advisors on a regular basis, ideas are shared. They are shared at local, state and national meetings. Our industry shares more ideas than any other industry. Being a member gives you access to many of those ideas 24 hours per day, 365 days per year at the NAIFA website.
Another benefit of membership is friendship and mentoring. Selling our products can be very ego deflating at times. Many agents hear “no” so much more frequently than “yes.”
Also, being an agent can be a very lonely job. Whenever I am feeling down or need some inspiration I call one of my fellow NAIFA members. They very quickly remind me how important it is to be at my best emotionally. My membership has lifted my spirits many times.
Finally, a vital benefit of membership is advocacy. As our government’s debt rises, the tax-preferenced features of our products will suffer more scrutiny as a way to alleviate that deficit. Let me give you a list of all the changes being considered legislatively for our industry and our products:
• Taxing the internal buildup of annuities on an accrual basis
• Taxing the internal buildup of life insurance cash values on an accrual basis
