By Bob Herum, Ameritas second vice president of DI and GSI Sales and Marketing The United States is approaching two months since COVID-19 descended upon us, and the U.S. economy was blind-sided by the effects of the virus. Millions of American workers have been laid off, furloughed or told to work from home. Millions of…
As the spread of the novel coronavirus and COVID-19 altered how we work, live and move about our communities, Americans started sending an increasing number of questions to The Council for Disability Awareness about Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). We turned to one of our member company experts – Ted Norwood of Integrated Benefits, Inc.…
When the unexpected, such as an injury or illness, suddenly occurs, small business owners may be greatly affected, both personally and professionally. Think about the investment you’ve made in your business. Chances are, it’s not simply a business to you, but rather, your life’s work. For many business and practice owners, their business provides…
When most people consider disability, they picture something catastrophic happening—an injury on the ski slope, or a speeding car hurtling into theirs—and, for the most part assume it can never happen to them. That’s why human resources experts often find it challenging to convince their employees of the importance of disability insurance even though you…
While health is everyone’s No. 1 concern these days, financial wellness is also top of mind. After all, many households are finding themselves in a budget bind as economic woes hit the economy at all levels. Even if your job is secure, you might be finding a partner or someone else in the household facing…
Say what you will about social media. It can be a highlight reel that evokes thoughts of “how is she possibly in Bora Bora again” or “does he ever work?” It can also reconnect you with people you haven’t seen in a decade, without even stepping foot in the same room as them. I hadn’t…
Is income-protection a “luxury good” like designer clothing, fine wine, or—dare I go there?—a Peloton? A look at Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Employee Benefits Survey data on availability of employer-paid short- and long-term disability insurance benefits suggests you wouldn’t be totally off-base if you answered “yes” to that question. For both STD and…
No one plans to have cancer. Aside from the shock and anxiety for the future a diagnosis brings, cancer also presents a financial situation that few people fully consider. Huge medical bills, on top of the typical expenses like college loans, mortgages, and car payments, can leave survivors concerned about their finances. Despite this, there…
Employers are offering more and more voluntary benefits—and workers want these benefits. A recent study showed that nearly one third of eligible employees were signing up for voluntary offerings (that’s a higher participation rate than in earlier years). Amy Hollis is the national leader of voluntary benefits for HR consultancy Willis Towers Watson. She recently…
Becoming a parent is an extraordinary and, at times, stressful endeavor. Your life is about to fundamentally change. And as you plan the myriad dimensions of this new reality, you may be wondering how you’ll cover all the bills while you take time off work. Family leave is a complex issue and it requires a…
