Position Individual Disability Income Insurance Effectively

Scott McCarthy, Regional Vice President, Sales & Distribution, Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. Managing and understanding risk is not a strength for many people. It’s also why financial professionals need to be effective at helping clients make changes that address long-term financial needs. Changing the conversation In discussions with colleagues, I frequently comment on the need…

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Autumn’s Story: An Inspiration

Editor’s Note: In 2017, Autumn attended the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, and her world turned upside down. One of the many victims of the tragedy, Autumn was seriously injured and found herself facing a long recovery. “I woke up and was wired shut,” she said. “I had a tracheostomy because the blocked…

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The Effect of Inflation on Benefits Enrollment: Reducing Benefits Means Increased Risk

By: Kelsey Bradbury, AVP Market Intelligence, Lincoln Financial Group   Editor’s Note: With many competing financial priorities, it’s not surprising that some employees may choose to decrease their benefit expenses as a way of managing their personal impact from inflation. Which is why it’s important that when enrollment time arrives, employees fully understand the purpose…

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Beyond Your Benefits Package: Why Open Enrollment is a Great Time to Focus on Your Financial Wellness

Alexandra Ginieres Head of Disability Marketing, Individual Markets Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®   Editor’s Note: It’s that time of year when many employees are reviewing their employee benefits, renewing their previous choices or selecting new options, and considering financial products they can (or did) buy on their own such as disability and life…

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How to “Enroll” in Social Security Disability Insurance

By Steve Perrigo   Editor’s Note: When most of us think about “open enrollment” for benefits through our employers, we rarely—if ever—think about benefits we passively pay into through our payroll FICA taxes, such as Social Security Disability Insurance. Steve Perrigo from CDA member company, Allsup, writes an easy-to-read post on this important benefit. October…

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Key Considerations for Employers Looking to Close the Disability Inclusion Gap

By Anthony Favry Editor’s Note: Today, around 17% of the world’s population experience some form of disability – making individuals with disabilities the largest minority group in the world. Despite making up a large percentage of the world’s population, individuals with disabilities often lack access to employment. In fact, compared to non-disabled workers, the global…

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Important Employee Benefits in a Hybrid Workplace

By Amy Fontinelle Editor’s Note: The pandemic changed how we work and how employers must prioritize benefits to support their workforce. Pre-pandemic, employee benefits like health insurance and retirement funds were always top of mind. These cornerstone benefits remain important, but the widespread shift to remote and hybrid work, combined with the unique challenges brought…

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Understanding Disability Income Insurance Offered Through Work

By Tara Mallaley Editor’s Note: If there’s one lesson we took away from the pandemic is our salaries may not be replaced when we leave work with an illness. About 50 percent of employees have some form of income protection coverage available to them through their employers.  Typically, employers who provide disability insurance offer both…

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Balance: Finding the Right Harmony in a Modern Work Environment

By Matt Jensen Editor’s Note: The pandemic has brought a new lexicon to workplace design. Should we move forward with remote, hybrid, or onsite work models? Matt Jensen, a Council for Disability Awareness board member walks us through the pros and cons of the different approaches and shares where his company landed. In March 2020,…

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Working with a disability? Steps for self-advocacy

By Shelly Gigante Editor’s Note: Employment is the key to financial independence for all Americans, but the obstacles are greater for those with disabilities. To set yourself up for success in the job market today, you must know your rights, advocate for inclusivity, and ask for what you need. With assistive technologies, flexible work schedules,…

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Social Security Disability Benefits Include Protections for Returning to Work

By Steve Perrigo Editor’s Note: When you’re approved for Social Security Disability Income benefits by the Social Security Administration, you receive monthly financial payments (upon approval) and Medicare (after 24 months). A secondary benefit of SSDI is the ability to participate in the Ticket to Work program that allows beneficiaries of SSDI to return to…

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Can You Use Disability Income Insurance if Your Injury or Illness Isn’t Total?

Alexandra Ginieres Head of Disability Marketing, Individual Markets Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®   Editor’s Note: Experiencing a disability doesn’t have to be career ending. Being prepared for those “what if” moments is important. If you have the right coverage in place when an injury or illness strikes, you can ensure your income is…

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