Insurers Urge New Jersey to Preserve the Independence of Financial Professionals, Protect Options for Consumers

WASHINGTON-Representatives of financial professionals and companies that serve millions of New Jersey residents today urged the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development to amend a proposed regulation and preserve insurance advisers' ability to operate as independent contractors.

Testifying before a department hearing, these representatives warned that proposed changes would greatly limit financial professionals' ability to serve consumers. The proposal would reclassify independent contractors as company employees. Today, independent financial professionals can offer a broad range of choices for their clients and help them find the right financial protection solutions for their individual needs.

"Our clients don't need us to be employees," said Tema Steele, a licensed insurance agent with New York Life based in Cherry Hill, NJ. "They value our ability to offer products from multiple companies, our availability outside normal business hours, and the personalized service we provide. Reclassifying financial professionals as employees would reduce choices for families seeking financial protection."

"Preserving life insurance producers' status as independent contractors is essential to keeping life insurance products accessible for New Jersey families," said American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Regional Vice President, State Relations Vincent Ryan. "Reclassifying them as employees and forcing them into an employment relationship will mean fewer personalized options for people looking to address their retirement and financial security needs."

Ms. Steele and Mr. Ryan joined dozens of other financial industry representatives who testified on the proposal's adverse consequences for New Jersey consumers and urged the department to exempt licensed insurance producers from the proposed rule.

The American Council of Life Insurers is the leading trade association driving public policy and advocacy on behalf of the life insurance industry. 90 million American families rely on the life insurance industry for financial protection and retirement security. ACLI's member companies are dedicated to protecting consumers' financial wellbeing through life insurance, annuities, retirement plans, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, reinsurance, and dental, vision and other supplemental benefits. ACLI's 275 member companies represent 93 percent of industry assets in the United States.