Ads will highlight concerns with proposed Department of Labor fiduciary regulation.

Washington, D.C., (August 13, 2015) — The Americans to Protect Family Security Coalition has launched a new national cable advertising campaign to raise awareness of the onerous effects of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed fiduciary regulation on small businesses and people saving for retirement.

The television ads also encourage viewers to urge Congress to fix the proposed regulation.

The proposed regulation would drive up small businesses' retirement plan costs while also making it harder for workers at small-sized companies to access the information they want and need to make smart retirement planning choices. Small businesses depend on life insurers for retirement plan products and services. Sixty percent of the employees at such businesses offering an employer-based retirement plan rely on life insurer products.

At the same time, the proposed regulation would make it harder for many ordinary Americans who rely on financial advisers to get the financial guidance they need.

In addition, the rule could also make it harder for people nearing retirement to receive the education and information they need about guaranteed lifetime income that can be secured through an annuity. Life insurance companies alone underwrite annuities, which financial advisers often recommend to clients seeking ways to supplement Social Security. According to a 2013 Gallup survey, 60 percent of individual annuity owners have total annual incomes below $75,000.

The coalition’s website, www.securefamily.org, also connects visitors with their members of Congress to express concerns with the proposed regulation.

The American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) is a Washington, D.C.-based trade association with approximately 300 legal reserve life insurer and fraternal benefit society member companies operating in the United States. ACLI members represent more than 90 percent of the assets and premiums of the life insurance and annuity industry. In addition to life insurance and annuities, ACLI member companies offer pensions, 401(k) and other retirement plans, long-term care and disability income insurance, and reinsurance. ACLI's public website can be accessed at www.acli.com.

The Association for Advanced Life Underwriting (AALU) is the leading organization of successful life insurance professionals who are a trusted voice on the unique public policy issues involving the advanced life markets.  The AALU also offers professional development tools and learning opportunities to help members grow their practices. Founded in 1957, the AALU counts more than 2,200 insurance professionals as members. www.aalu.org.

GAMA International is a worldwide professional association serving 5,500 field leaders in the insurance and financial services industry. Its members recognize their critical role in finding, building and inspiring the next generation of top performers who will, in their turn, lead the industry into the future. To help build these leaders, the association provides its members with professional development resources and opportunities, including educational, networking and leadership. GAMA International’s website is located at www.gamaweb.com.

The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) is the leading association for the retirement income industry. IRI proudly leads a national consumer coalition of more than 30 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.

The National Association for Fixed Annuities (NAFA) is a trade association exclusively dedicated to educating regulators, legislators, journalists and industry personnel about the value of fixed annuities and their benefits to consumers. NAFA's membership represents every aspect of the fixed annuity marketplace, covering 85 percent of fixed annuities sold by independent agents, advisors and brokers. NAFA was founded in 1998 and recently celebrated its 15th year of serving the fixed annuity industry. To learn more, visit www.NAFA.com.

The National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) is a nonprofit trade association with over 370 member agencies in the U.S. and Canada. NAILBA is the premiere insurance industry organization promoting financial security and consumer choice through the use of independent brokerage distribution. The purpose of NAILBA is to serve as the national association of life, health and annuity insurance distributors. www.nailba.org.