Advocacy

As a NTSA member, you do not just get access to career-enhancing networking opportunities, publications, conferences, and educational programs, but you get the support of a full-service team that champions issues near and dear to the 403(b) and 457 plan-professional community. NTSA’s state and federal-level advocates, led by Executive Director Brent Neese, are and have been focusing their energy on defending teacher and public-employee choice when it comes to their workplace-sponsored savings options.

NTSA and ARA representation in state capitals and Washington, DC ensure regulatory initiatives at the federal and state level protect the industry, American workers and the plan professionals who serve them. Each year, Congress introduces 5,000+ bills for consideration. Simultaneously, state and local lawmakers introduce new policies that may conflict with federal or other state rules. This constant whirlwind of legislative activity makes compliance unrealistic, if not impossible. As a result, millions of 403(b)/457(b) participants can be adversely affected. 

NTSA tracks, analyzes, and distills these bills down to their core, presenting its membership with succinct calls to action, fighting for uniformity in state and local rules across the country, and flexibility to design benefits that suit the needs of a unique workforce.

Effectively monitoring and combatting threatening state legislation; as well as putting forward proactive legislation, is a daunting task. This is even tougher when a well-funded and politically savvy opponents are behind it. We achieve legislative success on behalf of our members by implementing a thorough and tactical approach that goes well beyond monitoring state legislation. 

Our state legislative advocacy program ensures that members are ahead of the curve on the initiatives that matter as we determine which proposals are truly threats and where opportunities lie. Our deep level of analysis allows us to provide members with greater insight into which proposals will affect our industry as we collaborate with Partners in crafting the best strategies on our memberships’ behalf.

NTSA advocacy includes: 

• ARA/NTSA Government Affairs Committee 
• NTSA Advocacy Resource Center
• Regularly scheduled phone conferences with NTSA and the ARA governmental affairs team to discuss overall strategy, strategy refinement and the issues affecting NTSA Partners
• Monthly reports on all of NTSA’s comment letters, bills as introduced and amended; as well as where they are in the legislative process
• Quarterly governmental update webcasts to help you keep up with what’s going on
• Grassroots campaigns through NTSA members and coalition partners
• Local consultant engagement and management in each targeted state where the threat level is highest

NTSA PAC

With members of various legislatures from around the country fighting to dismantle their public retirement programs, it is more important than ever to make sure our voices are heard. Learn more about the NTSA Political Action Committee and to show your support for 403(b) and 457 plans. Your contribution really does make a huge difference, and will go towards supporting those elected officials who will work on behalf of all of us.

Donate today!

NOTE: Contributions to the NTSA PAC can be made only by NTSA members, employees of NTSA, or their family members. Federal law prohibits soliciting contributions from individuals who are not NTSA members, employees of NTSA, or their family members. Any contribution received by NTSA PAC by an ineligible contributor will be returned.