Gary Cappon, CLU, LUTCF, RICP, FSCP, CLTC is the President of NAIFA-NY and has been a loyal NAIFA member since 2006. He practices with Cadaret Grant & Co., Inc., in Syracuse, NY, where he is the Vice President of Sales and Fixed Annuity Insurance Solutions and assists financial professionals from all over the country with every aspect of the planning process. This role enables him to use his knowledge and skills to provide solutions to complex problems.

Mitchell “Mitch” Ostrove CLU, ChFC, LACP serves as the VP of Professional Development on the NAIFA-NY Board and has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1965. He practices with The Ostrove Group, in White Plains, NY, where he specializes in insuring small closely held corporations.

Legislative Session
With the enactment of the State Budget, the Legislature has shifted its focus to programmatic issues. The Legislature plans to complete the 2021 Session on June 10th. Both houses will likely pass virtually thousands of bills over the next six weeks. The Attorney General’s investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Governor Cuomo will undoubtedly impact the pace and agenda for the balance of the Legislative Session.

The New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, has ruled that state Insurance Regulation 187, “Suitability and Best Interests in Life Insurance and Annuity Transactions,” is unconstitutional. A 2018 amendment to Regulation 187 imposed a complicated new standard of care on annuity recommendations and broadened the scope of the regulation to include life insurance as well as annuity products.

Neil Himmelstein serves as the Vice President of Membership on the NAIFA-NY Board and has been a loyal NAIFA member since 1997. He practices with Main Street Planning Group, in Center Moriches, NY, where he specializes in high-net-worth programs such as Premium Finance and Restricted Property Trust and finding solutions for clients with health impairment needs.

Legislative Update from GreenbergTraurig, NAIFA-New York's lobbyists

Thank you to everyone that took time out of your busy day to complete our member survey. We truly appreciate it as your feedback will directly help to improve NAIFA-New York. We made notes of every single response that we received to ensure your feedback makes a difference.

NAIFA-NY has selected a new slate of officers to serve on its Board of Directors for 2021. The board is comprised of NAIFA members who bring a wealth of industry and association experience to their leadership roles. They will chart the course for the chapter’s 1,100 members over the coming year with a strong emphasis on state government advocacy.

Come together as NAIFA-New York on February 18 at 1:45 pm. Meet your 2021 NAIFA-NY Board of Directors and find out what's in store this year, as well as hear from industry legend, Joe Jordan. Joe will discuss the idea of using reverse mortgages as a bridge to social security and Medicare premiums driven by income, eating up social security, which is taxable.

The New York chapter of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA) has reached an agreement with Greenberg Traurig under which the firm will represent the advocacy interests of NAIFA-New York with state legislators and regulators. Greenberg Traurig is a global law firm with offices around the country, including in Albany and New York City.