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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When we talk about “benefits,” we usually mean financial ones—medical insurance, retirement security, and, of course, income protection. But there’s another kind of benefit that often goes overlooked: the health benefit of work itself. That was the focus of our recent CDIA webinar, Beyond the Paycheck: The Health Benefits of Work, which brought together voices from across…
My mom needed a lung transplant. Our family nearly faced the unthinkable: cutting off financial support to someone we loved most, at the hardest moment of her life. Almost — because she had a plan. And that made all the difference. What happened to us isn’t rare — it’s just rarely talked about. America’s financial…
Turning 60 felt like no big deal. I was in great shape and looking forward to a long, full future. Then everything changed overnight. After I saw my doctor for back pain and fatigue, blood tests revealed the awful truth: incurable cancer. When the call came, my wife and I sat in stunned silence. Me?…
An Introduction by Bob Herum, President, CDIA: The Fall Campaign and its theme reminded me of a recent blog written by Rick Cordaro, a peerless disability income sales representative. I met Rick at the first IDIS meeting in 2004 and was instantly drawn to his energy and ‘can-do’ attitude. He later served with me on…
It’s been more than 30 years since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law — and what a journey it’s been. The ADA transformed how our nation views access, inclusion, and equality. We’ve made tremendous progress, yet there’s still more work to do. Looking Back: What the ADA Changed The ADA was a game-changer.…
Esther has been a certified secondary math teacher at Memphis Shelby County School District for over 20 years. She enjoys traveling, eating good food, attending church, and shopping during school breaks. However, during one shopping trip in 2022, she received some news that changed her life. From Shopping to Survival During Esther’s Spring break trip…
When you work in the benefits business, you’re focused on big numbers. How do we get the most people the protections they need? What’s changing in the relationships between employees and employers? What’s the latest in office-versus-remote work? What health trends are emerging? We ask these questions constantly. We want to understand the macro trends…
In conversations around mental health and disability, it’s easy to assume that rest is synonymous with recovery. We often default to believing that stepping away from responsibilities—especially work—is inherently healing. However, we think this well-meaning instinct can inadvertently hinder recovery. Why Work Matters in Mental Health Recovery Work is more than just a source of…
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,…