Advocacy Activities – December 2020

Our STEP UP Task Force (State Tax Exemption Protection) has been busy each month cataloging our local connections and champions by state to prepare for any situations that may arise next year. While no immediate threats are on the horizon, our industry must brace itself as states with budget shortfalls may start looking for revenue. The fraternal sector’s impact in communities is more significant than ever as charities and other non-profits struggle to mobilize and raise funds during the pandemic. Because our members are structured to give back locally in good times and in those of great suffering, we can demonstrate just how effective fraternals have been this year. But we may need each society’s help in 2021 to tell our stories virtually and to identify state legislators that understand and appreciate our model. The STEP UP Task Force will be reaching out to our fraternal executives individually to collaborate on this effort.

Alliance Virtual Education Opportunities

ENCORE
December 15-16, 2020

ENCORE Is Coming Up – Last Chance to Register! ENCORE will provide all members and industry friends with exciting Alliance news, voting by delegates, fraternal-specific education and a way to celebrate what motivates all of us – the chance to make a difference in our communities and our members’ lives.

The complimentary, two-day event will come to a networking crescendo for our fraternal leaders as they connect with each other and with sponsors through an astonishing new platform called Remo.

DAY 1 – December 15 | 12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Central
Leadership Update, Economic Update, Fraternal Education, Delegate Voting

DAY 2 – December 16 | 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Central
Future Plans, Fraternal Education, and Roundtables in the Virtual Theater

Virtual Theater | 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Central

* Member Society Employees, Executives, and Board Members Will Connect “Zoom-Style” at Dozen of Hosted Tables for 90 Minutes via Amazing New Platform

GREAT PRIZES WILL BE PROVIDED BY OUR SPONSORS INCLUDING IPADS, YETI TUMBLERS, AND DONATIONS TO FRATERNAL’S FAVORITE CHARITIES!

DID YOU GET AN ENCORE PACKAGE? Fraternal executives who registered for ENCORE have been invited to a “virtual reception” on December 8 from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Central. Packages were sent to registrants for this virtual reception which will acquaint attendees with our cool new roundtable platform. During the reception on the 8th, see how much you know about the fraternal system during our Fraternal Trivia Contest.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SCHEDULE AND REGISTRATION

2021 Virtual Education

Free to Members; $100 to Non Members

What’s New with Drew – Notes from Our DC Lobbyist

January 12, 2021 | 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. Central

With the inauguration a few days away, let’s look ahead at the landscape with Drew Goesl, our Washington insider and dedicated DC lobbyist.

Actuary Virtual Roundtable

January 19, 2021 | 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. Central

Calling All Actuaries!
It’s time for one of the Alliance’s most interesting sub-groups to get together and talk shop. This informal discussion will include predetermined topics identified by the attendees. We don’t know what they’re talking about, but they do, and that’s all that matters! It’s our pleasure to be the ringleader and foster the dialog of this critical group of fraternal experts.

Fraternal Board Success Starts Here

January 27, 2021 | 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Central

Take advantage of the Alliance’s new partnership with The Board Builders, and join us for this first-of-three webinars on good governance. This interactive course gives you the framework you need to get your board on the same page when it comes to governance. Once you are speaking the same governance language, you’ll be able to have a greater impact. During this session, we will play several short videos, and between these, we will engage in robust discussion about how fraternals can apply these concepts.

Fraternal Benefit Society Member News

National Mutual Benefit and Western Fraternal Life Association Announce New Name for Consolidated Organization

On January 1, 2021, National Mutual Benefit (NMB) and Western Fraternal Life Association (WFLA) will officially consolidate as equals to create a new company named BetterLife. Read More

Royal Neighbors of America Awards $100,000 to Non-Profits Empowering Women and Girls Across Nation

Royal Neighbors’ signature women’s empowerment program, Nation of Neighbors, provides financial support to ordinary individuals doing extraordinary things to help women and girls in their communities. Read More

Fraternals Respond: COVID Aid by Alliance Members Making a Significant Impact

Alliance members are fulfilling their missions through swift and substantial actions since the start of the COVID-19 crisis. Read here how our societies are helping members and communities through a wide variety of programs. Email info@fraternalalliance.org with details on how your fraternal is making a difference.

Member Servicess

CalSurance – Risk Reduction and Loss Prevention Newsletter

CalSurance provides a closer look at timely processing of policy change request. Read More

Associate Members

KBRA Affirms Insurance Financial Strength Rating for Catholic Order of Foresters

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) affirms the insurance financial strength rating (IFSR) of A-, with a Stable Outlook, for Catholic Order of Foresters (COF or the Order). COF is a fraternal benefit society based in Naperville, Illinois. Read More

Equisoft Article: 2 Ways Digital Agent and Customer Self-Service Portals are Good for an Agent’s Practice

Much of the news around tech disruption in life insurance in recent years has been about the rise of digital advice and purchasing solutions like self-service portals. This new technology has been consistently positioned as a competitor to traditional agents,  creating  an  “us-against-them mentality.” The reality is digital transformation isn’t a zero-sum game. Rather than signaling the end of the age of the agent,  self-service portals could empower agents to offer even better member service and even more solutions for their best clients. Read More

Compliance

First Consulting Compliance Updates by State

Check out this latest information from First Consulting on their Legislative Monitoring Tracking Chart Read More (login required)

The Alliance would like to bring your attention to:

Iowa Bulletin 20-12

Iowa has approved an “Annuity Products Best Interest” continuing education course. Effective October 1, 2020, carriers may rely on transcripts of producers who pass this course as fulfilling the one-time annuity, sales practices and replacement/disclosure training requirement when they make producer appointments.

Louisiana Bulletin 2020-06

Louisiana requires all insurers and entities licensed or authorized to do business in Louisiana to file a Demographic Hiring Survey by December 23, 2020. The survey covers the period January 1 through December 31, 2019 and can be accessed here.

Mississippi Bulletin 2020-14

Mississippi issued this bulletin to clarify unlawful producer rebates and inducements and to present guidelines for acceptable compensation arrangements. A Rebating Task Force assisted in examining ideas such as value added services and reducing commissions in order to obtain business.

New Jersey AB 1263

New Jersey passed a law that “Stranger Originated Life Insurance” is not a viatical settlement contract and is not allowed in New Jersey. Carriers may contest a life insurance policy based on STOLI.

Rhode Island Insurance Bulletin 2020-10

Rhode Island is reminding insurers, producers, third party administrators, managing general agents and other licensees as well as their vendors and contractors that they must file notice with the Rhode Island Insurance Division when a “breach of the security of computerized unencrypted data that poses a significant risk of identity theft” occurs. This requirement has been in place more than 15 years. The bulletin contains instructions on how and when to send the Data Breach Notice.

Washington Regulation R 20-21-044

Washington has amended its regulation on standard valuation law to bring it current with the NAIC Valuation Manual requirements. This applies to the Statement of Actuarial Opinion filed with the annual statement on and after December 31, 2020. The regulation applies to all life insurance companies and fraternal benefit societies doing business in Washington.