Financial Fitness: The CDIA’s Spring Campaign

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Working couple reviews their finances at the kitchen table. CDIA Financial Fitness Campaign.

This blog marks the kickoff of the Spring Campaign, which is themed ‘Financial Fitness.’ For over twenty years, the CDIA has been the leading source of information for working Americans and the agents, brokers, and employee benefit representatives who assist employers with their benefit packages. While our focus is on disability income, it’s essential to understand the broader range of protection products available in the marketplace. This post will reflect on our significant changes in 2024 and the initiatives planned for 2025.

In early 2024, the CDIA was rebranded by adding “Income” to its name. This change clarified our mission and broadened the definition of how American workers can protect themselves from income loss. Our revised mission statement also conveys a powerful message:

“To establish disability income protection as a key financial safeguard for every working American.”

The understanding of disability income has expanded to include all disability-related products and discussions about various state and federal programs. The aim is to inform working Americans about income protection options, such as individual and group disability insurance, critical illness coverage, accident insurance, and hospital indemnity coverage. These products, along with programs like SSDI, can help families manage the financial challenges associated with disabilities.

A major initiative in 2024 was launching the new website, thecdia.org. This site consolidates historical resources and enhances communication with diverse audiences. It serves as a valuable tool for agents and brokers, providing materials to support marketing and educational efforts for individuals and businesses alike. The website will continue to evolve in the coming months, and agents and brokers are encouraged to submit their names and contact emails for timely updates and insights that can aid in their sales and educational pursuits.

The focus in 2024 and into 2025 will be on expanding the number of member firms. This membership drive aims to enhance outreach to target audiences. Two new member firms joined in 2024, and collaborations with several other interested insurance firms are underway. Membership opportunities have also been expanded to include BGAs and group and individual reinsurers. As more organizations recognize the value of CDIA membership, the dues collected will support the education of working Americans and provide no-cost marketing materials for financial advisors.

As a trusted resource, the CDIA promotes its members’ publications, social media posts, and white papers, boosting their visibility and credibility. Members also participate in research initiatives that provide valuable insights into absence management, benefiting the income protection industry and supporting working Americans.

This Spring Campaign will further emphasize the importance of financial fitness and highlight the critical role of disability income protection in safeguarding the financial well-being of working Americans.

Bob Herum

Bob Herum, MSFS, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC, DIA, DIF, LTCP CDA President. Bob has over 30 years of experience in the insurance industry and has demonstrated success as a producer, a wholesaler and as a manager. Bob has been published in such magazines as The American College’s Wealth Magazine, National Underwriter, Life Insurance Selling, Broker’s World, NAIFA’s Advisor Today and Health Insurance Underwriters (HIU). Additionally, he has spoken at national, regional and state forums on a variety of disability and worksite sales topics and is a recipient of the W. Harold Peterson Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Disability Income Society (IDIS). Bob retired as a Colonel from the Army Reserves. He is a past President of the Columbus, Ohio NAIFA chapter, a two-time past President with the International Disability Society, past-chair of the NAHU’s Disability Insurance Advisory Group, and past-President for the Cincinnati Society of Financial Service Professionals (FSP). Bob is married to Teri and has one son, Nick.