DI GEEK- Disability Insurance Geek

05/13/2026

04/09/2026

ADVOCATING FOR OUR CLIENTS - It's our top priority, always.

I wanted to second this post made by my long time colleague, and president of the Minnesota chapter of NAIFA, Lori Gubash. The strain that these delays have put on our process for providing our clients with the most informed options of coverage has been tremendous. Please take the time to read this request, and boost, share, and comment as you see fit!

Dear,
Tim Walz & Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
I am writing to register serious concern about the ongoing delays in approving private Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) insurance policies. In many cases, approval timelines are now extending to a month or longer, creating significant uncertainty and operational strain for insurance brokers and employers that are actively working to comply with the state’s requirements.
These prolonged delays are impeding employers’ ability to finalize their PFML strategy, update policies, and communicate benefits clearly and accurately to their employees.
Employers that are making a good-faith effort to secure private plans that meet or exceed state standards are being placed at heightened risk of inadvertent noncompliance solely because of extended state review times.
The impact on the private insurance sector is also substantial. Carriers and brokers developing compliant PFML solutions are experiencing material disruption to their business operations, along with reputational harm when clients perceive them as slow or unresponsive—even though the bottleneck lies in the state approval process. This dynamic undermines confidence in both the program and its administration.
Given these concerns, I respectfully but urgently request clarification on the following:
The current expected timeline for private PFML policy approvals
The primary causes contributing to these delays
Specific steps being taken to improve processing efficiency in the near term
Clear guidance for employers and insurance providers seeking to remain compliant while approvals are pending
Prompt, transparent communication and measurable improvement in processing times are essential to ensure that employers, brokers, and carriers can meet their legal obligations and provide uninterrupted, compliant coverage to Minnesota workers.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. I look forward to your timely and substantive response.
Sincerely,
Lori Gubash
President, NAIFA MN
National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

03/25/2026

If you’ve been engaged in financial services for some time, then you most likely know Jeff Tegeler, which also means you know his upcoming presentation at the NAIFA-MN Lunch & CE on April 2nd won’t be your typical CE.

Jeff is presenting “Financial, Retirement and Estate Planning for Mortals”—and if you’ve heard him speak before, you know he has a way of connecting the dots between technical planning and the bigger picture of how people actually live, think, and make decisions.

You’ll gain insight into:
How cognitive changes impact client decisions—and how to adapt your communication.
The role of deep work and flow in delivering more thoughtful, effective advice.
A modern perspective on retirement in today’s evolving economy.
How happiness, ethics, and life purpose intersect with financial planning.

Please join us and come say hello to Jeff, Thursday, April 2 for this compelling Lunch & CE program.
Topic: Financial, Retirement and Estate Planning for Mortals
Speaker: Jeffrey W. , CLU, ChFC, CFP® | Garrity, Tegeler & Varley Wealth Strategies, Llp
Midland Hills Country Club | Roseville, MN
11:30 AM arrival | Lunch at 12:00 PM | CE begins at 12:30 PM
CE: Approved 1 standard credit MN Insurance, CFP, and MN CLE (Legal)

Register today via the NAIFA-MN website calendar

This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn

08/22/2025

JOIN US!

NAIFA is pleased to extend an invitation to the 2026 Financial ConNEXTion cruise conference, an experience that goes beyond professional development and taps into the future of our industry.

06/19/2025

I couldn’t agree with this more! So thankful for you Stacey Anderson!

04/07/2025

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At first glance, supplemental and voluntary benefit products, dental insurance, long-term care insurance and disability income insurance share one key attribute: they provide millions of American families with crucial financial support when they need it most. But a proposal put forth by the Walz A...