The One Beer a Day Experiment

I enjoy having a beer with dinner nearly every evening. Sometimes a glass of wine, but far more often, a single good beer. It’s something I’ve enjoyed for years. I knew moderate drinking had some health benefits. And with so many craft brews on the market now, there is always a new beer to try.…

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Summer-Proof Your Exercise Routine: Six Tips for Fun and Safety

The heat is on – and that can make exercise challenging. But there’s no reason to put your exercise habit on hold just because of the heat. It is important, however, to take some precautions to keep it pleasurable – and safe. Check out our suggestions to feel the burn, but not get burned.  …

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Health Insurance and Pregnancy: What You Need to Know

This article originally appeared on the American Fidelity blog.   From buying diapers to creating a birth plan, there’s a lot to prepare for when you’re expecting a child. While you probably won’t be gifted health insurance at a baby shower, it’s still a vital part of your pregnancy experience. Understanding your coverage can help…

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Why Apply for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits?

By Matt Imhoff, Assistant Vice President of Representation, Integrated Benefits, Inc. The hidden benefits that often accompany a SSDI award make the long and paperwork-intensive application process worthwhile for many claimants.   Why am I doing this? Social Security Disability Insurance claimants ask their representatives this question all the time.   SSDI provides a maximum…

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A “Return to Normal” Won’t be Good Enough for Caregivers

By John J. (“Jamie”) Kalamarides, President, Prudential Group Insurance People with disabilities and their caregivers deserve better than a return to the status quo. Now is the time to put the combined strengths of our government and private sector to work as we look to address the need for Paid Family Medical Leave and build…

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This Depression

By Carol Harnett If there is one thing you need to know about me, it’s this. I am a Bruce Springsteen fan. As a native Staten Islander, I found myself on the Jersey Shore more often than just about anywhere. And as the Jersey Shore goes, so goes being a fan of The Boss. I…

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The Impact of the SSDI Application Process on Applicants, Caregivers and Families

By Missy Biggs Applicants, caregivers, and families experience unexpected support and  frustrations during the Social Security Disability Insurance benefits application process. On the one hand, each family member (including a spouse, divorced spouse, children, and adult children disabled before age 22) may be eligible for a monthly benefit of up to 50 percent of the disability benefit amount.…

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Employers Can Begin to Address Burnout in the American Workforce

By:Tracey Ferstler, Assistant Vice President, U.S. Claims and Operations, MetLife   The topic of mental health took on an entirely new meaning in 2021. After a year of uncertainties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, employees and employers alike are focusing more closely on mental wellness and burnout. Employee anxiety, depression and burnout are at…

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Three Lessons I Learned Through Postpartum Depression

By Diane Russell, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategy, Lincoln Financial Group If you have children, you know there’s no shortage of advice from family, friends and sometimes even strangers. Yet, mothers dealing with postpartum depression often feel like they have no one to talk to about what they’re going through. At least, that’s…

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Disability can Happen – But Preparation Makes all the Difference

After Cris Martin discovered a lump on her chest wall, she went into self-advocacy mode – and learned several lessons along the way, including the importance of taking early action, and having group and supplemental individual disability coverage with a good carrier. Three years ago, my life was exactly the way it was supposed to…

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Finding Gratitude on the Crooked Path to Recovery

By Fred Schott, Director of Operations and Research, CDA. Around noon on January 6th, I got out of my car and strode into the Bone & Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital. Wait! Did I say “strode?” Actually, it was more like “walked guardedly, trying not to provoke my arthritic left hip into another flareup.” That’s…

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Protect Your Retirement and Other Long-Term Plans

By Bob Herum, MSFS, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC Editor’s Note: On July 28, 2015, I was struck by a car as a pedestrian. After the acute portion of my recovery ended, I met with my financial planner to discuss the potential implications to my retirement plan if I was out of work for an extended…

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