Description

Episode Info
David Chavern is President and CEO of the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) whose mission is to help Americans build financial security through every stage of life. ACLI's 275 member companies represent 93 percent of industry assets and provide financial protection products and services to 90 million families.

In his first year in the position, Chavern led the charge in a major tax fight — delivering a win that positioned the industry for long-term success and growth. Now, amid rising costs and longer lives, he is elevating the industry's unique role in providing financial guarantees to Americans that can last for decades.

Before joining ACLI, Chavern has built a career spanning 30 years in executive, strategic, operational and legal roles, including serving as the President and CEO of Consumer Brands Association, the trade association for America's $2.1 trillion food, beverage and consumer products industry.

Chavern is a founding investor in several new companies and has been named in The Hill's "Top Lobbyists" and was one of the Washingtonian's "250 Most Influential People." He holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh, an MBA from Georgetown University and is a graduate of Villanova University's School of Law. He lives in Falls Church, Virginia with his wife and has adult children.

Episode Overview:

Role of ACLI

• ACLI serves as the primary trade association for life insurance carriers in the U.S., representing over 200 members and about 95% of the industry.

• The organization focuses on advocacy, lobbying, and telling the industry's story.

Industry Challenges

• A significant challenge is the low level of understanding about the life insurance industry among the public and policymakers.

• The industry faces difficulties in conveying the breadth of its products beyond just term life insurance.

Opportunities in the Industry

• The aging society presents opportunities, with many people transitioning from planning for retirement to entering retirement.

• Life insurance is uniquely positioned to offer long-term promises, which are increasingly valued.

Future Outlook

• ACLI is investing in projects to better communicate the industry's role and contributions.

• The organization is also focusing on regulatory issues and new sources of capital.

Importance of Insurance

• Insurance is crucial for enabling various life activities by mitigating risk.

• Without insurance, the cost of risk would be too high for individuals to bear, affecting their ability to start families, retire, or buy homes.

Policy and Regulation

• The life insurance industry is state-regulated but also significantly impacted by federal policies, especially tax policy.

• ACLI works to ensure that both state and federal policymakers understand the industry's perspective.

Conclusion

• David Chavern emphasizes the need for the industry to improve its communication strategies and adapt to evolving market conditions.

• The podcast concludes with a discussion on the importance of providing tools that give people a sense of safety and optimism about their future.