I am reaching out to you today on a matter of the utmost importance in asking you and your fellow lodge members to help Sons of Norway and the fraternal life insurance community as a whole.
Recently Sons of Norway was alerted to the Senate Finance Committee’s proposal for a “blank slate” tax reform that would potentially remove Sons of Norway’s tax exempt status, as well as that of all other fraternal life insurance organizations. It “operates from an assumption that all special [tax] provisions are out unless there is clear evidence that they: 1) help grow the economy, 2) make the tax code fairer, or 3) effectively promote other important policy objectives.” The leaders of the Finance Committee – Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.) and Senator Orin Hatch (R-Utah) – asked their colleagues in the Senate to provide them feedback on which tax preferences should be preserved by July 26.
Sons of Norway, along with the American Fraternal Alliance and its member organizations are taking steps to avoid this change in the tax code because its effect on our industry, all the way down to local lodges, would be catastrophic. Without these tax exemptions, fraternal life insurance organizations would no longer be able to provide members with the benefits they have come to enjoy. But in order to be successful, we need your help.
As part of a grassroots campaign Sons of Norway and the American Fraternal Alliance are asking all employees, agents and members to reach out to their senators and express support for the fraternal system and its tax exemption. To help with this, the Alliance has created an online resource where all you have to do you just fill in your name, address, and society information and instantly a message to your Senators will be created for you. If you believe in Sons of Norway and all the great work it does in your lodge or community, I urge you to click here to take action.
Because of the tight July 26 deadline for Senators to provide their feedback to Senators Baucus and Hatch it’s important for you to take action as soon as possible. If we don’t join together with one unified voice, expressing our displeasure with this proposal, it will not only affect Sons of Norway, but also churches, charities and credit unions. So, please, if you believe in the important role Sons of Norway plays in your community, join me letting our senators know who we are and what we do.
In closing, please take action today and if you know someone who may not have received this email, please forward it on to them so they can join in the effort to support Sons of Norway and the fraternal life insurance community.
Fraternally
Eivind Heiberg
CEO
Sons of Norway
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