Patient in examination room facing a long wait to see a physician

How the Physician Shortage is Affecting Those With Disabilities

The physician shortage is a real, persistent, and worsening problem, not only in the United States, but around the globe. Studies suggest that there is currently a worldwide deficit of more than 4.3 million healthcare providers. And it is typically the most vulnerable populations who are most starkly affected, including those individuals who are living…

Illustration of a sad young woman with a dark cloud over her head

Overcoming Barriers to Getting Mental Health Help

In the era of COVID-19, a lot of attention has been given to maintaining physical health. However, mental health challenges are as pressing a concern as physical health, particularly in today’s era of uncertainty and social isolation. Unfortunately, access to consistent and quality mental healthcare is not always easy to find. This article looks at…

Lizzette Villeda and her husband, Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

Recognizing the Value of Being Prepared

What happens to everyday expenses when an illness or injury prevents you from working and earning an income? Medical insurance helps cover the costs associated with treatment. But How do you pay your mortgage or rent? Do you have enough savings to buy groceries and cover your bills?   Lizzette Villeda discovered the real value…

Social Security Act 2100, Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

Social Security Act 2100: Unlikely to Pass, but a Step in the Right Direction

By Michael Mattison     There’s been a lot of buzz around the industry about the recently introduced Social Security Act 2100. If passed, this bill would:   Eliminate the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits Provide caregiver credits for individuals that left the workforce to care for children or other dependents Extend student benefits…

Family raking autumn leaves, Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

Holistic Protection Includes Income Protection at Every Stage

Alexandra Ginieres Director, Marketing Communications, Individual Disability Guardian Life Insurance Company of America®   Editor’s Note: When it comes to protecting yourself and your family, holistic protection is key. As we begin open enrollment season, start thinking about which benefits will be a good fit for your financial needs. When considering your options, understand the…

3 out of 10 American adults can't pay an unexpected $400 bill without having to carry a balance on their credit card or borrow money from friends, family, or the bank. Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

Take Advantage of ALL of Your Employer’s Benefit Offerings

Bob Herum, MSFS, CLU, ChFC, RHU, REBC Editor’s Note: When the leaves start to fall, it’s usually the time for you to enroll in your employer’s benefits offerings. A lot of us focus our time on understanding the health insurance benefits, but you could be leaving a lot of money on the table with that…

Young professional employee reviews voluntary benefits with HR: Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

Catching up with Reality: The Full Value of Voluntary Benefits

By Jeremy Parr, Director, Voluntary Benefits, Lincoln Financial Group Editor’s Note: It’s time that companies structure, prioritize, and present benefits to reflect today’s financial and societal realities. Employees often must turn to voluntary benefits to help them shoulder higher out-of-pocket costs. And that means employers need to offer a well-rounded benefits package to help their…

Managers being trained on employee benefits. Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

Inspiring a More Resilient Workforce: Why Employers should Provide Support to Managers Who are Shouldering the Challenge of Propping Up Employees’ Well-Being

By Missy Plohr-Memming, senior vice president, Group Benefits, MetLife   Acting as a vital bridge between employers and individual contributors, a managers’ role has become even more critical over the last year and a half. Indeed, managers have not only stepped up to the challenge of navigating recent shifts in the workplace, but also meeting…

Mature woman accessing the Social Security Administration online portal: Choosing Resilience, Living Fully: Open Enrollment 2021

The Positive Impact of COVID-19 on the Social Security Administration

By Michael Mattison Editor’s Note: The Social Security Administration was not immune to COVID-19. Like every other aspect of life that changed with the pandemic, the SSA needed to pivot in order to serve the public.  While this was a daunting task, the organization transitioned into an almost entirely remote workforce over the span of…