AALU And NAILBA Form Partnership

(Fairfax, Va.) The Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) and the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) have entered into an agreement to share services that will strengthen both organizations and the life insurance industry, according to leaders and members from the two groups.

 "We live in critical times for the industry and for the country. As the premiere organization in the brokerage community, NAILBA's member firms and brokers expect us to be leaders in shaping the future of the industry," said Barbara Crowley, NAILBA 2014 Chair.

 "When the premiere organization for brokerage joins forces with the most effective advocacy organization for the distribution of life insurance, you know the result will be a greater impact on the issues facing us in the marketplace and the halls of government," said David Long, NAILBA 2014 Chair-Elect.

Under the agreement, the AALU will provide all government affairs services including opportunities for personal political involvement to the brokerage community represented by NAILBA. The AALU will also represent NAILBA in the Secure Family Coalition that supports the position that life insurance and related products are taxed appropriately today.

"More people need life insurance and annuities than have them. At a time when tax reform legislation and proposed regulations could make it more difficult for Americans to do their proper planning with life insurance, annuities, and related products, it's important that the people who sell these products have a strong, unified voice in Washington, DC," added Steve Finkle, AALU's Brokerage Task Force Co-Chair and former NAILBA Board Member. 

"We have to shift the public policy focus so that legislation and regulations encourage more people to get the financial and retirement security they need through life insurance and annuities. Our country's challenges are too great not to have the leading voice of Brokerage, and the tens of thousands of producers they represent, more engaged in making a difference. That's why we are so excited about our new venture with NAILBA," said Marc Cadin, AALU's Senior Vice President of Government Affairs.

NAILBA will provide content for the AALU's professional development programs targeted to the needs of the brokerage community and will continue to provide professional development and networking opportunities for life brokerage firms.

Both organizations will jointly promote membership and professional development opportunities.

"We have serious challenges in the marketplace – people, particularly younger Americans – need to have more life insurance and more annuities as part of a sound financial plan," commented Marc Schwartz, AALU Board Member and AALU/NAILBA Task Force Member.

Schwartz continued: "To meet the demand for our products, we need more highly skilled people to help get the right products into the hands of the clients who need them – and that means we need more professional development opportunities."

 "This comes at the same time we face public policy challenges that could make it harder to save, not easier. The AALU/NAILBA partnership with a unified advocacy message and a broader network for professional development can only make us stronger and more effective in Washington and the marketplace," said Chip Van Dusen, NAILBA 2014 Secretary/Treasurer and AALU/NAILBA Task Force member.

While members of the two organizations will directly benefit from the new partnership, industry leaders believe the life insurance sector, as a whole, will also see value.

"This is an exciting – and logical – move that will not only help AALU and NAILBA members," said ACLI CEO Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, "but everyone who sells - or buys - life insurance or related products will benefit from a marketplace with more highly skilled practitioners and a government landscape where lawmakers and policymakers know the value these products provide to their constituents."