Dear editor,

This year, we have several significant challenges and opportunities facing all of us in the financial services industries. On one hand, we are blessed to be helping clients with their financial affairs. The demographers tell us the "baby boomers" will soon be retiring and ushering in a "golden age" for financial services and products. National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors Napa-Solano wants to help propel you forward into this era with education, networking tools and marketing opportunities. On the other hand, we seem to be facing some extraordinary challenges at the national and state levels that have the potential to "rock our world" as never before.

On Capitol Hill, the Presidential Commission on Tax Reform has advanced the notion of eliminating the tax-deferred build up for life and annuity contracts. Industry observers are saying the threat of losing the tax advantage is real and we will have to fight long and hard to defeat this measure.

At the state level, the legislature appears to be trying to implement universal medical care, which would eliminate an entire segment of our industry. Although Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed this bill, the effort to impose socialized medical care in California can be expected to continue, making the outcome of the governor's election more than just a matter of passing interest. Like the attack on tax-deferred life and annuity policies, NAIFA is working hard on your behalf to "protect and defend" the interests of our clients and our careers.

In closing, we all realize that the battles that NAIFA fights benefit not only us, the dues-paying members, but everyone in our industry. We may have won the latest battle over government-run health care, but here in California we still need to win the war. As a call to action, it's time that the "non-dues paying members" step up and support the organization that works hard for them every day. If you know of one of these "non-dues paying members," now is a great time to invite them to one of our monthly meetings or better yet, invite them to join the organization that fights for their careers at the state and national level each and every day of the year. It's definitely a win-win!

Rich Jacobson

President, NAIFA Napa-Solano