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.
Launching a small business can feel overwhelming — and for parents with disabilities, it often requires additional planning and problem-solving. Still, entrepreneurship can offer a flexible, meaningful way to work when it’s designed around real life rather than traditional expectations,…
Read more
The potential need for disability insurance isn’t something most people think about. It’s not as visible as health insurance — there’s no monthly bill or prescription pickup to remind you it exists. For many, it only becomes real after a disability happens. At its simplest, disability insurance replaces part of your income if you can’t…
If you’ve had to stop working due to a long-term illness or unexpected injury, it can be comforting to know that there is a path back to work. Your Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits come with incentives to return to work through a program called the Ticket to Work (TTW) Program. The TTW Program…
For employers, open enrollment isn’t just about paperwork and deadlines. It’s one of the most important touchpoints you have with your workforce each year—a chance to show employees that you value their wellbeing, financial security, and future. When handled well, open enrollment can boost trust, engagement, and even retention. When handled poorly, it can create…
As we launch our 2025 Fall Campaign, our theme highlights something fundamental about human nature: when faced with serious illness or injury, many people find that the ability to keep working—or to return to work—becomes an essential part of recovery. Work is more than income; it offers structure, purpose, and connection. For those navigating disability,…
Imagine waking up tomorrow unable to work due to an illness or injury. How long could you keep paying your bills, covering your mortgage, or supporting your family without a paycheck? If you answered “not long,” you’re not alone. Forty-two percent of Americans say they could only cover expenses for a month or less if…
Compensation Survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) plays a critical role in shaping public policy. As policymakers consider the future leadership and strategic direction of the agency, it is essential not to overlook a longstanding issue: the BLS’s National Compensation Survey (NCS) includes a question that distorts the true picture of how…
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 to the ER, too.…
The lazy days of summer are great—until “summer fever” hits the office. Sure, everyone wants to be at the beach, pool, or park, but the work still has to get done. At the same time, employees today are more vocal about wanting meaningful work-life balance. Offering summer-friendly policies isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a smart…
Where the members say, “Welcome, however, we’re sorry you’ve joined”. Thus began my breast cancer journey. The Diagnosis and Timeline: The Practicality I was diagnosed with Invasive Pleomorphic Lobular Carcinoma (IPLC), Stage 3, last November. It started with a routine mammogram in late September—just something I thought I was checking off the to-do list. I…
My first job after college was as a disability benefits specialist for a local insurance company. It was never meant to last. I was an English major after all and dreamed of writing the Great American novel. Nearly 40 years later, I am left wondering if landing there was some sort of divine intervention. I…
A university professor unable to sit for extended periods. A social worker anxious to get back to work while closing out cancer treatments with ongoing radiation. A grocery store employee injured in a car accident. All three are but a few examples of how a consultative process established early on in a disability claimants’ journey…
When people think about disability insurance, they often picture someone scraping by, living paycheck to paycheck, and desperately needing a backup plan. That’s not you, right? You’ve built something: a strong portfolio, real estate, a few investment accounts, and maybe a vacation home. You’ve done well, and your net worth proves it. But here’s the…