First-Ever Trenton Advocacy Day Brings Lawmakers, FPA New Jersey Members Together; On to Washington!

June 11, 2015 - PRLog -- Upper Montclair, NJ, May 2015 - The Financial Planning Association of New Jersey FPANJ) joined with members from their national organization to build relationships with lawmakers in Trenton, NJ during their first-ever Advocacy Day on May 14, and the momentum will carry into a national Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C. in June.

The goals of the trip was to meet with lawmakers and establish stronger lines of communication among the 40 districts, and to discuss current legislation on the floor.

John Crosby, Chairman of the FPANJ's Government Relations Committee, said the trip was the first step in establishing firmer relationships in the Capitol as well as from the district's home offices throughout the state. Initial discussions with state lawmakers centered on fiduciary responsibility, financial literacy and retirement planning issues.

"Our talks were a good set up for future relationships with these legislators," Crosby explained. "We had three areas that we covered in this visit, which included a disclaimer being discussed for financial professionals (fiduciaries), secure choice legislation and the need for financial literacy programs."

Secure choice legislation would offer retirement accounts to private sector workers who don't have them; the plan is backed by the leader of the State Assembly, Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson). Crosby said the net effect of this legislation is good for financial professionals as it provides opportunities for them to assist clients with their retirement funding decisions.

It will now be incumbent on FPANJ members to continue these discussions with their lawmakers who may have local district offices, he added.

The FPANJ will also join FPA members from across the nation to attend Advocacy Days events June 23 and 24 in Washington, D.C. Meetings with Senators Cory Booker and Robert Menendez are planned, along with other members of Congress.

Media interested in attending the Washington, D.C. event are encouraged to contact John Crosby at jcrosby@individual-financial-services.com.

About FPANJ and FPA:

Financial Planning Association of New Jersey is part of The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®). We are one of the largest chapters in the nation, comprising about 700 members representing Certified Financial Planners and other allied professions. FPANJ connects those who need, support and deliver professional financial planning. FPANJ believes that everyone is entitled to objective advice from a competent, ethical financial planner to make smart financial decisions. FPA members demonstrate and support a professional commitment to education and a client-centered financial planning process. Working in alliance with academic leaders, legislative and regulatory bodies, financial services firms and consumer interest organizations, FPA is the community that fosters the value of financial planning, and advances the practice and profession of financial planning.

The Financial Planning Association® (FPA®) is the largest membership organization for personal financial planning experts in the U.S. and includes professionals from all backgrounds and business models. FPA members adhere to the highest standards of professional competence, ethical conduct and clear, complete disclosure to those they serve. Based in Denver, Colo., FPA works in alliance with academic leaders, legislative and regulatory bodies, financial services firms and consumer interest organizations. For more information about FPA, visit www.OneFPA.org

or call 800.322.4237.For more information about FPA of New Jersey, visit www.fpanj.org.