Are Americans Financially Prepared for an Unexpected Absence from Work?

By Dan Iskra, assistant vice president, Group Disability, MetLife No one enters the workforce thinking about how to prepare for an unexpected leave of absence or disability. But the odds of such an event are higher than you think. Over a quarter of today’s 20-year-olds will experience a disability before they retire. That should be…

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Where do Voluntary or Worksite Products Fit into an Employee’s Benefit Package?

With the arrival of fall, two things are guaranteed to happen: leaves will begin to change color, and “Open Enrollment” will start for most employers. Employers will inform their employees about new benefits and price changes to existing ones. They will often add new benefits to these packages. Increasingly, voluntary payroll deduction products are offered…

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Understanding the Fundamentals of Employee Benefits

Creating an attractive and motivating compensation package for employees requires more than structuring an annual salary. Today, most employees are looking for comprehensive benefits that support themselves and their families throughout the year.   However, with so many benefits options available, it can be overwhelming for organizations looking to make smart choices for their employees.…

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Do I need disability income insurance? Yes — and here’s why

We all know that life insurance is a must when it comes to protecting our family’s financial well-being, but paying an additional premium for disability income (DI) insurance can feel like a low priority given the many demands on our budget. Younger workers, in particular, often dismiss the need for private disability income insurance, unaware…

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When Income Matters, Consider Stay-at-Work Services

Dan Jolivet, Ph.D., Workplace Possibilities Practice Consultant, The Standard   Income matters to virtually all workers, and the replacement of a percentage of income by disability insurance payments can make a tremendous difference for people who face a disabling injury or illness. But what if their disability insurance could help them remain on the job…

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2024-25 Open Enrollment Trends

This article originally appeared on the American Fidelity Blog   Employers know that each open enrollment season presents unique challenges and opportunities. With enrollments bound to change year to year, how do you keep up with the needs of your employees? An important step is to be aware of the current trends. Listening to what similar…

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Why People Switch To Medicare From Their Employer’s Group Health Plan

By Bethany Cissell   Your employer’s benefits open enrollment season is an ideal time to consider enrolling in Medicare if you are eligible – meaning you are turning 65 in three months or less, or have been working past age 65. You might be surprised to find that Medicare offers extensive coverage at an affordable rate when…

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Recruit and Retain with the Right Benefits Package

Alexandra Ginieres Chief Marketing Officer, MGIS   In a constantly evolving hiring market, employers are looking for ways to recruit and retain the best workers and must competitively search for the right talent.  Employees have gained negotiation leverage and want higher salaries, a better benefits package, career advancement opportunities, and improved work-life balance. The labor…

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How Does PFML Fit into the Picture of Benefits?

I have noticed a lot more mention of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) online and in the print.  It got me asking questions . . . how does PFML relate to disability income insurance, group STD and group LTD, FMLA, and other state and federal programs that already are on the books? For the…

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Behavioral Economics and Employee Benefits – What can we learn and apply?

Before writing this, I was reading something on Behavioral Economics.  I’ve read lots of related material before and always found it interesting.  But after this read, I was thinking, “you know, I feel like the Employee Benefits industry is under-utilizing Behavioral Economic concepts.”  The more I thought about it, the more I started thinking about…

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Can Grief Become a Disability?

The short answer is “yes.” Grief is a natural and powerful response to loss that can sometimes overwhelm us. And, few of us grieve in the same way. We might experience it emotionally, physically, or cognitively, but for most of us, grief becomes manageable over time, even if the pain doesn’t fully go away.  …

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Ready for Open Enrollment? Three Steps To Getting In Shape for a Great Season

For HR folks, the fall is sort of like their own version of the retail holiday season or the big football final…that’s because it’s open enrollment, the time when employees are able to make major changes to their benefits plans without penalties. And just like retailers start planning their holiday promotions early, so should the…

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