We post blog articles here regularly about financial, physical, and emotional wellness, and the steps working Americans can take to protect their income and strengthen their resilience, at home and in the workplace.
Why Traditional Employer Coverage May Not Fully Protect Executive Income – and What to Consider in Addition Spontaneity can add excitement to life—whether it’s a last-minute getaway or an unplanned purchase. However, while some surprises can create lasting memories, others,…
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Why Supplemental Coverage Matters in a Workforce That Keeps Changing As part of Disability Insurance Awareness Month, many conversations are centered around a simple but important theme: Protect Tomorrow Today. For working professionals, that message has become increasingly relevant in a workforce where careers, employers, and income structures are constantly evolving. Many employees assume the…
Once you’ve had cancer, the world can go quiet. When the treatment ends, everyone exhales. Except you. I’m a cancer survivor and the Membership Director for the CDIA. As someone from the insurance industry, I never fully grasped the importance of income protection until my own personal experience. After cancer, your body doesn’t leap gracefully…
A short letter from your future self about the decision that kept life moving forward when the unexpected happened. Dear Me, I know you’re busy. You’ve got plans stacked on plans. A calendar full of “someday.” A mind full of “next year.” A life that runs on momentum. And right now, things are fine. That’s…
Over my career as an actuary and business leader at Principal, disability income protection has been an important and consistent area of focus for me because I’ve seen how essential it is to have it when life takes an unexpected turn. That conviction is deeply shared across Principal, and it’s one of the reasons we…
Affordability is a major concern for employers, with discussions frequently focusing on healthcare expenses, out-of-pocket costs, and wage pressures. Employees are facing similar financial challenges – and it’s impacting how they use and experience their benefits, including disability and leave. Recent findings from MetLife’s 2026 U.S. Employee Benefit Trends Study (EBTS) find that half (50%)…
When considering the theme “Protect Tomorrow Today,” an important question comes to mind: whom are we protecting? From the perspective of a disability insurance professional, the obvious answer is the employee covered by the policy. But disability insurance protects much more than the individual worker. It can also protect families, employers, and communities. The importance…
Disability Income Planning Disability income planning generally focuses on replacing lost work earnings. Many employer-sponsored long-term disability (LTD) plans replace 60% of salary, which may initially appear sufficient. Consumers and financial advisors often evaluate whether this reduced income level would still support the household’s expected monthly expenses. Some expenses may decrease during a period of…
Today, individual disability income insurance sales are less than half of what they were in 1986. Take a moment to consider that. Forty years ago, in a country with 60 million fewer people, significantly lower incomes, and participation limits a third of what they are now, our industry was selling more than twice as much…
When “the accident” happens, your first thought may be, “Did I really just do that?” Or perhaps something stronger. But yes, it happened. And after the quick-care doctor says you’ll be out of work for weeks, the questions will pile up. How did this happen to me? Accidents are not a question of if. We…
If you’re a homeowner, you likely have a sense of what your home is worth. Many people check periodically, keeping an eye on how that value changes over time. But there’s another asset that often goes unmeasured—and it can be significantly more valuable over the long term: your ability to earn an income. Consider a…
Most employers insure their buildings, equipment, and operations—but often overlook the one asset their workforce depends on most: income. Today, a majority of U.S. workers are financially vulnerable. In 2025, 67% reported living paycheck to paycheck, and 78% said they would face financial difficulty if their paycheck were delayed by just one week. When an…
In today’s economy, protecting your income is more critical than ever. While the cost of everyday items and interest rates remain high, many working Americans are feeling the financial strain on almost every front. In this environment, financial stability can change quickly—especially if a serious illness or injury prevents you from working. That’s why understanding…