Stories about financial, physical, and emotional wellness.

Stories about financial, physical, and emotional wellness.

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.

Latest Article

Income Matters, CDIA. Young professional considering disability insurance.

Do I need disability income insurance? Yes — and here’s why

We all know that life insurance is a must when it comes to protecting our family’s financial well-being, but paying an additional premium for disability income (DI) insurance can feel like a low priority given the many demands on our budget. Younger workers, in particular, often dismiss the need for private disability income insurance, unaware…

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Income Matters, CDIA. Employee happy at work in the office.

When Income Matters, Consider Stay-at-Work Services

Dan Jolivet, Ph.D., Workplace Possibilities Practice Consultant, The Standard   Income matters to virtually all workers, and the replacement of a percentage of income by disability insurance payments can make a tremendous difference for people who face a disabling injury or illness. But what if their disability insurance could help them remain on the job…

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Income Matters, CDIA. Open Enrollment Trends

2024-25 Open Enrollment Trends

This article originally appeared on the American Fidelity Blog   Employers know that each open enrollment season presents unique challenges and opportunities. With enrollments bound to change year to year, how do you keep up with the needs of your employees? An important step is to be aware of the current trends. Listening to what similar…

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Income Matters, CDIA. Professional man reviewing his employer's group health plan

Why People Switch To Medicare From Their Employer’s Group Health Plan

By Bethany Cissell   Your employer’s benefits open enrollment season is an ideal time to consider enrolling in Medicare if you are eligible – meaning you are turning 65 in three months or less, or have been working past age 65. You might be surprised to find that Medicare offers extensive coverage at an affordable rate when…

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Income Matters, CDIA. New employee being welcomed by HR.

Recruit and Retain with the Right Benefits Package

Alexandra Ginieres Chief Marketing Officer, MGIS   In a constantly evolving hiring market, employers are looking for ways to recruit and retain the best workers and must competitively search for the right talent.  Employees have gained negotiation leverage and want higher salaries, a better benefits package, career advancement opportunities, and improved work-life balance. The labor…

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Open enrollment 2024, Income Matters/CDIA. Paid Family Medical Leave.

How Does PFML Fit into the Picture of Benefits?

I have noticed a lot more mention of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) online and in the print.  It got me asking questions . . . how does PFML relate to disability income insurance, group STD and group LTD, FMLA, and other state and federal programs that already are on the books? For the…

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Open enrollment 2024, Income Matters/CDIA. Working couple managing bills.

Behavioral Economics and Employee Benefits – What can we learn and apply?

Before writing this, I was reading something on Behavioral Economics.  I’ve read lots of related material before and always found it interesting.  But after this read, I was thinking, “you know, I feel like the Employee Benefits industry is under-utilizing Behavioral Economic concepts.”  The more I thought about it, the more I started thinking about…

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Two friends comforting each other - Personal Stories

Can Grief Become a Disability?

The short answer is “yes.” Grief is a natural and powerful response to loss that can sometimes overwhelm us. And, few of us grieve in the same way. We might experience it emotionally, physically, or cognitively, but for most of us, grief becomes manageable over time, even if the pain doesn’t fully go away.  …

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Co-workers getting ready for open enrollment season

Ready for Open Enrollment? Three Steps To Getting In Shape for a Great Season

For HR folks, the fall is sort of like their own version of the retail holiday season or the big football final…that’s because it’s open enrollment, the time when employees are able to make major changes to their benefits plans without penalties. And just like retailers start planning their holiday promotions early, so should the…

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Professional woman with laptop in home office

Redesigning for Independence: Home Upgrades That Empower

These days, it’s not uncommon to spend much more time at home, especially if you work remotely. The situation can be tricky if you’re an individual with a disability and your house was not made with your needs in mind. Luckily, you can make many changes and upgrades around your home to be happier, healthier,…

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Young professionals meeting in a conference room

Six Ways to Enable Long-Term Employee Success

Your organization’s ability to achieve goals depends on its biggest stakeholders—the employees. Happy, engaged, and productive employees can steer your company toward success. But how can you steer them toward long-term employee success?   What employee success means can vary from company to company. For many, it’s related to the customer success rate and how…

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Listen to your body to avoid injury while excercising

Your Body is Smarter Than You. Are You Listening?

Do you swim for exercise? Walk? Take a group fitness class? Play pickleball? Run long distances? Bicycle? Hike?   Good for you. The benefits of exercise are undeniable. And yes, there are risks, too. A few million adults annually visit the emergency room for a sports injury. Cyclists top the list, but pickleball players get…

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