About

History

One of the oldest and largest trade organizations in the insurance field, NAIFA was founded on June 18, 1890 in Boston as the National Association of Life Underwriters. NAIFA celebrated 100 years of industry leadership with Voices From the Field.

Timeline

• In 1928, NALU transferred its headquarters to New York City and eventually relocated to Washington, D.C., in 1956.
• In 1951, NALU created a conference, General Agents and Managers Association (GAMA), to enhance the quality and capability of the insurance industry's field management.
• In 1957, NALU formed the Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) to support advanced life insurance underwriters, agents engaged in complex areas of life insurance such as business continuation planning, estate planning, retirement planning, deferred compensation, and employee benefits planning.
• In 1990, a third conference of NALU, the Association of Health Insurance Agents (AHIA) was formed to sustain and enhance the business environment for health insurance agents and to improve the financing and delivery of health care in the United States.
• On September 29, 1999, the National Council delegates voted to change the association's name from the National Association of Life Underwriters to National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.
• NAIFA has been committed to improving the quality of life for Americans and addressing social problems since 1956 when the association first started developing community service programs. NAIFA local associations currently volunteer in social programs for health care, homelessness, youth education, AIDS awareness, drug/alcohol awareness, the family, senior citizens and U.S. crisis relief efforts. Between 1981 and 1989, NAIFA public service programs were honored six times by the Reagan and Bush Administrations' Private Initiatives Program.
• In May 2000, NAIFA moved into its new headquarters in Falls Church, Va., after 40 years at 1922 F Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Mission Statement

The mission of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors is to advocate for a positive legislative and regulatory environment, enhance business and professional skills, and promote the ethical conduct of our members.

Vision Statement

The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors protects and promotes the critical role of insurance in a sound financial plan and the essential role provided by our professional agents and advisors.

NAIFA's Membership

Traits of NAIFA Members:

• Value personal leadership and have typically held leadership roles throughout their life in school, sports, and the community
• Wholly support the American values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• Value the democratic process and actively understand the power of their voice and vote
• Are dedicated and determined to create unique solutions that are optimal for each client
• Passionately pursue personal and professional excellence 

NAIFA Members Include:

• Insurance Agents/Advisors (Captive & Independent)
• Financial Advisors & Financial Planners
• Investment Advisors
• Broker/ Dealers
• Multiline Agents
• Health Insurance and Employee Benefits Specialists
• Owners of Agencies
• Staff of Carrier Corporations
• Independent Marketing Organizations

NAIFA Advocates at the State & Federal Levels

When funds need to be raised in government, politicians turn to the tax code to find revenue. NAIFA advocates at both the state and federal level on issues that affect the well-being of both your clients' assets as well as your own advisor business.  NAIFA membership is the best insurance you can buy to protect your business.

NAIFA Members Educate Consumers

Every day NAIFA members work one-on-one with consumers to educate them about budgeting, savings and investment options, and more. NAIFA members also participate in community service work to provide financial literacy courses and/or volunteer time to help community organizations increase their understanding of the journey to financial security.

NAIFA Members Create a Community that Cares

NAIFA members help each other to be the best advisor possible. Study groups, mentorships, and accountability groups are regularly formed within NAIFA.

NAIFA Members Provide Peer-to-Peer Education

NAIFA members regularly speak and write about their specialty areas for the benefit of the greater group. Whether at the local or state chapter level, or for the benefit of all of NAIFA Nation through webinars or Apex, members are expected to participate in and provide peer-to-peer education.

NAIFA Members Serve Clients' Best Interests First

NAIFA members are listed and promoted on the consumer site www.financialsecurity.org. Consumers know working with a NAIFA member means working with professionals who adhere to the highest standards in the industry. 

NAIFA members provide products, services, and guidance that increase financial literacy in our society, protect their clients against life’s inherent risks, help hard-working Americans prepare for retirement, and create financial security and prosperity so their clients can leave a legacy for future generations. They serve individuals, families, and businesses in communities across the United States, building long-term relationships and often living and working in the same communities as their clients.

While NAIFA members’ clients span the entire range of incomes and assets, the majority are Main Street Americans. They are the teachers, police officers, small business owners, and others who form the backbone of our communities. Almost half of NAIFA members say the “typical annual household income” of their clients falls between $50,000 and $100,000; 34 percent say their typical client’s annual income falls between $100,000 and $150,000; and 4 percent say their typical client earns less than $50,000 annually.

Among the products and services NAIFA members provide to address America’s financial security needs are:

• Life insurance
• Annuity products
• Retirement plans and products
• Long-term and extended care solutions
• Mutual funds and investments
• Individual and group health insurance
• Disability income insurance
• Property & casualty insurance
• Work-site benefits packages
• Education funding plans
• Financial literacy education

NAIFA is the largest, most influential, and oldest association of insurance and financial professionals in the United States. We represent the lifeblood of an industry that contributes to the financial security of 90 million American families. Our members are motivated to succeed and aspire to reach the top ranks of their profession. They are similarly driven to ensure the success of their clients. NAIFA membership carries an obligation to abide by NAIFA’s Code of Ethics, which requires agents and advisors to always serve their clients’ best interests. They are talented, trusted financial professionals.

The best insurance and financial advisors in the business are NAIFA members.