Supporting caregivers’ holistic well-being amid an evolving landscape through absence and paid leave offerings

As companies transition to an in-person or hybrid workforce, and paid leave mandates at the state level continue to shift, it’s increasingly important for employers to be aware of how this evolving landscape may affect their employees, particularly those like caregivers who may be impacted more than others, and how they can support them amid…

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The Rising Tide of Mental Health Support

Ian Bridgman Editor’s Note: The Council for Disability Awareness board member, Ian Bridgman, makes a point in this post that few in the group disability insurance industry are willing to discuss publicly: Are US carriers ready to remove the 24-month mental health claim limitation? It is most likely an understatement to say we need more…

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The Value of Asking: What If?

Editor’s Note: Financial consultant, Amber Stitt, is back with tips for consumers on how to plan for your family’s future. Life isn’t always smooth sailing. For many of us, finding time to think about the future seems impossible when we’re short on time in the present. While it’s important to live in the moment, preparing…

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Long Covid and the Whole Working Person

Fred Schott Editor’s Note: I never get the chance to “sit in the audience” of a Council for Disability Awareness podcast. But this time was different. My colleague, Fred Schott, moderated a must-listen-to discussion on long Covid and its impact on people who work – from a “whole person” perspective. Fred’s guests were Kerri Wizner,…

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Short- vs. long-term disability insurance: How it works

This article originally appeared on the American Fidelity Blog. Understanding the differences between short- and long-term disability can be tough and knowing which coverage is right for you is not always easy. However, disability insurance is an essential part of a solid financial plan, so it’s important to understand your options. What is disability insurance? Disability…

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What happens when a health event causes your income stream to run dry?

By Fred Schott, Director of Operations, Council for Disability Awareness Editor’s Note: The CDA staff participated in a webinar hosted by the Smith Group on May 4th entitled: “Why Don’t More US Workers Have Access to Disability Insurance?” One of the key discussion points was the importance of placing short- and long-term disability insurance within the…

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Disability income insurance: How to use it

By Kevin Dolan Editor’s Note: It’s happened. You’re too injured or sick to work for the foreseeable future and you need to use your disability insurance. What do you do? Recognize that periods of disability are financially challenging situations More than one in four 20-year-olds becomes disabled before reaching retirement age.1 Sixty-one (61) percent of surveyed wage earners…

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Is Disability Income Insurance Worth It?

By Kristina Smith Editor’s Note: You insure your most valuable assets like your home, your car, and your life. Most people would agree that they’re worth protection; however, disability income (DI) insurance is something people tend to be less certain about. They’re not sure if they really need it, or if it’s worth the cost. So, the…

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A Gambler’s Guide to Disability insurance

Duncan Stout Editor’s Note:  Would you like to place a hefty bet against your most of your savings and financial security? Unfortunately, there’s a good chance you made the wager already. One of the largest financial gambles in America takes place every day for millions of working people. It’s a gamble that’s easy to overlook,…

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Discovering the Real Value of Employer-Provided Benefits

One spring evening, around 8:00pm, my husband, my six-year-old son, my newborn son, and I were headed home after getting dinner. I don’t remember anything else from that night. My name is Emily, and I’ve worked at IBI for five years, assisting with all aspects of Social Security claims. Daily, I’d interact with dozens of…

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Are You Playing the Odds with Your Future?

Alexandra Ginieres Head of Disability Marketing, Individual Markets Guardian Life Insurance Company of America® Editor’s Note: Your chances of being struck by lightning are pretty slim – 1 in 700,000. But the majority of Americans will be out of work (for at least a temporary period of time) due to symptoms or conditions as common…

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