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.
Whether you’ve been living with a disability for a long time or have recently experienced an unexpected one, seeking ways to nurture your career growth is important for personal and professional development. That said, it’s not uncommon for individuals with…
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The thing about budgeting is that we all know we have to do it, and often the hardest part is getting started. The challenge is even greater for adults with disabilities. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans with disabilities have a hard time finding employment and thus experience financial insecurity. Their economic situation is aggravated…
How has the real estate industry changed over the past year? From full-time remote employment to social distancing measures, 2020 has been a year that constantly questioned the status quo and the way we interact with the world. The home buying process is one of the best examples of how a well-established procedure has adapted…
Just like everything else about 2020, the holidays are looking extremely different. Since most of our traditions revolve around groups—whether your own social posse or attending large events—it might feel challenging to consider how you will celebrate this season. The good news is that you can still carry on most of the traditions you cherish,…
If there ever was a time to pull out all the stops for the holiday, this is it. Unfortunately, many companies are forgoing the traditional year-end celebration, with one survey finding that 44% of organizations say they won’t hold one this year. However, there’s no reason to be a Grinch, given that your team might…
Retirement is something we all dream about. We often envision it as a well-deserved reward after a lifetime of hard work. We imagine it as a time of rest and relaxation, golden years of worry-free ease. The reality is far different for the majority of us. Studies show, for example, 23% of Americans have less…
Inspiration for employee benefits research can come from unexpected places – like earthquakes and shooting ranges. In my work leading an innovation team, we use a variety of techniques to gain deeper insight into what an employee may experience while on disability leave or when enrolling in their benefits. Most absence and leave management companies…
It has been a year of uncertainty across the United States and the world, and now more than ever, many small businesses are at risk. The number of small business owners had been steadily increasing in the United States, but after April, that number decreased drastically (yet with a partial rebound in May).1 Despite small…
FMLA, PFML, and Disability Insurance: What are your options when you need to take care of yourself or a family member? Caring for your health is tricky enough, but being a caregiver with a full-time job can strain your finances, job, and overall mental and physical wellbeing. A 2020 report from AARP states the number…
Recently, I was on a call with a prospective client company’s human resource department along with representatives from a national employee benefits firm. The purpose of the call was a ‘finalist presentation’ for a voluntary Guaranteed Standard Issue (GSI) program for the executive class of employees. I provided the framework for an interesting ‘ask’ from…
Though COVID-19 threatens everyone, the elderly face the greatest peril, including – possibly –the United States Social Security Administration. SSA turned 85 years old in August 2020, and it is time to check in on how the pandemic is affecting the department. Social Security administers retirement, Social Security Disability Insurance, survivor, Supplemental Security Income…
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to impact millions of employees across the United States, nearly half of workers say open enrollment is more important this year. In fact, 75 percent of employees indicate there are benefits they are more interested in this year than last year, according to MetLife’s 2020 open enrollment survey. There…
A Canadian-based employee assistance plan provider, Morneau Shepell, conducted a study in 2017 in partnership with The Globe and Mail to better understand the one in five residents who experience a mental health problem or illness within a given year. The results indicated that 72 percent of surveyed employees who reported mental health challenges to…