News

The USPTA has announced two new benefits for USPTA-certified Professionals.

First, the USPTA has partnered with Digital Insurance and Woodruff-Sawyer & Co. to provide health care resources exclusively for USPTA-certified Professionals.

Digital Insurance, the nation’s largest and most technologically advanced agency, and Woodruff-Sawyer & Co., one of the largest independent insurance brokers, will work with USPTA to provide expanded resources along with expertise and education for members to help navigate the complexities of health care reform required by the Affordable Care Act beginning on Jan. 1, 2014.

“Working with the United States Professional Tennis Association, we’ll help members understand the impact of health care reform and the new individual mandate to enroll in health care coverage,” said Sheila Villaroman, Vice President of Woodruff-Sawyer. “Digital’s partnership with USPTA alongside Woodruff-Sawyer is a testament to our collaborative commitment to providing a best-in-class solution to the membership and their families.”

Digital Insurance combines the commitment of experienced, local market advisers with the sophisticated technology and innovative resources of a respected national company. Associations receive access to a broader variety of dynamic tools, proprietary products and enhanced services.

Beginning in October, USPTA-certified Professionals will be eligible to qualify for coverage at a lower rate before premiums are expected to increase in 2014. Approval is subject to medical underwriting.

“Offering a health care plan has been one of the two most requested benefits by our membership for years,” said USPTA CEO John Embree. “This partnership empowers our members and their families to make better health insurance decisions starting in 2014. This is one of many new, tangible and quantifiable benefits of being a USPTA member.”

Second, USPTA has partnered with High Street Securities, Goldleaf Partners and Paloma Financial Services to provide a retirement program exclusively for USPTA-certified Professionals. The retirement package and savings plan is the first of its kind to be offered to USPTA Professionals and is modeled after the Professional Golf Association’s (PGA) Golf Retirement Plus plan that has been in existence for the past 13 years.

“A lot of tennis-teaching professionals are looking to invest in a savings vehicle, and our members have requested a service like this for years,” said USPTA CEO John Embree.”

Founded in 1997, the PGA’s retirement program allows its professionals to make their own contributions or have their employers contribute to their account on their behalf. PGA professionals may also earn personal incentives by participating in sponsor programs.

Beginning on Oct. 1, 2013, High Street will provide investment support and insurance products and services for USPTA members, including offering non-qualified, tax-deferred savings plans, qualified savings plans and a variety of individual insurance and investment solutions for association members.

High Street will utilize the services of Paloma Financial to provide sales and support services to USPTA Professionals. Paloma will provide agents and/or advisors to plan participants and serve as a primary resource for sales, support and customer service issues of USPTA Professionals participating in one or more of the plan offerings.

Starting in 2014, USPTA endorsees will also make contributions from a percentage of sales of purchases from pro shops by investing into USPTA Professionals’ retirement accounts.

“We are very excited to partner with the USPTA to bring a broad array of retirement and financial planning solutions to its membership,” said John Terry, President of High Street Securities, Inc. “High Street, along with Paloma Financial and Goldleaf Partners, look forward to a long standing, mutually beneficial relationship helping USPTA Professionals customize a personalized financial solution to meet their individual needs.”

More information about both of these benefits will be in the October issue of ADDvantage.