IRI Honors NAIC President, Missouri Insurance Director John Huff

WASHINGTON, Dec. 12 -- The Insured Retirement Institute issued the following news release:

The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) honored Missouri Insurance Director and National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) President John Huff this weekend as the 2016 recipient of IRI's State Champion of Retirement Security Award. Huff, who was recognized during a ceremony held in conjunction with the NAIC's Fall National Meeting in Miami, was honored for his efforts to advance retirement security and promote retirement planning.

"Director Huff has been a tremendous advocate for retirement planning in his home state and has been a leader in rallying his fellow insurance commissioners to follow suit," IRI President and CEO Cathy Weatherford said. "He recognizes the challenges that Missourians -- like all Americans -- face in saving and preparing for a financially secure retirement, and he has become a leading example of how state insurance departments can help address these challenges through consumer-focused education initiatives on holistic retirement planning. We look forward to continuing to partner with the NAIC and insurance commissioners nationwide on similar efforts to help Americans prepare for a secure and dignified retirement."

As President of the NAIC, Huff announced a new NAIC Retirement Security Initiative in April 2016. As part of this initiative, the NAIC is using its consumer-education website, InsureU, to disseminate information and resources, and highlight the importance of planning for a secure retirement regardless of age. To encourage older Americans to develop a retirement strategy, the NAIC partnered with award-winning entertainer Rita Moreno, who offers a senior's perspective on retirement security through social media and a video series on InsureU.

In Missouri, Huff has been a retirement planning advocate. Under his leadership, the Missouri Department of Insurance has become an active participant in National Retirement Planning Week(TM), a campaign to help Americans focus on their long-term financial needs. The effort is organized by the IRI-led National Retirement Planning Coalition. During the past several years, Huff has participated in National Retirement Planning Week(TM) events, disseminated educational resources on retirement planning to Missourians, and urged his fellow state insurance commissioners to participate in the campaign.

Huff was appointed Director of the Missouri Department of Insurance by Governor Jay Nixon in 2009, and leads the department's efforts to protect consumers through its regulatory efforts. He also currently serves as President of the NAIC, a position he was elected to by his peers. In 2010, he was appointed by the NAIC to the U.S. Financial Stability Oversight Council. Before entering into public service, Director Huff spent 11 years as an executive with leading insurers and reinsurers, including SwissRe and GE Insurance Solutions.

The awards were presented by Kelly Tate, Product Leader-Annuities, Insurance and Annuity Products, Edward Jones. Tate is the Chair of the IRI Retirement Income Committee. The IRI Champion of Retirement Security Award was established in 2013 to recognize public policymakers who work to enhance retirement security in the United States. Recipients of this award demonstrate leadership in promoting retirement savings and financial security for all Americans. IRI expanded the scope of the award in 2014 to recognize state regulators who encourage retirement savings in their home states, and lead efforts to educate their constituents on retirement planning topics.

About the Insured Retirement Institute: The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) is the leading association for the retirement income industry. IRI proudly leads a national consumer coalition of 40 organizations, and is the only association that represents the entire supply chain of insured retirement strategies. IRI members are the major insurers, asset managers, broker-dealers/distributors, and 150,000 financial professionals. As a not-for-profit organization, IRI provides an objective forum for communication and education, and advocates for the sustainable retirement solutions Americans need to help achieve a secure and dignified retirement. Learn more at www.irionline.org.

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