Financial fitness isn’t just about how you’re performing in the market or your career trajectory – it’s also about knowing you have the financial support when you can’t work.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, on the average week, one in five U.S. employees takes a leave of absence.1 That means, whether because of a planned or unexpected event, most employees will inevitably take some form of leave from work.
Typically, a leave of absence happens during an important and often stressful life moment such as childbirth, caring for a sick family member, or managing a serious health condition or disability.
The length of absence can include a short-term leave of a matter of weeks or a couple of months. In some cases, a leave can be longer-term and last over the course of many months to a year or more.
From an employee perspective, this can pose a serious financial risk. For many, missing a single paycheck can lead to devastating financial consequences. Nearly two in five (42%) Americans don’t have an emergency fund, while 62% say their savings could only cover four to six months of living expenses.2
For younger workers, the numbers are even starker. According to MetLife, nearly three in five (59%) Gen Z employees say they live paycheck-to-paycheck, and nearly half (47%) say they have trouble paying their bills.3
Across the board, the current economic outlook and cost of living are causing serious financial stress. Even for those fortunate enough to be gainfully employed, economic uncertainty and rising medical costs represent some of the top stressors impacting overall well-being. When it comes to financial health specifically, the cost of living is the #1 reason cited for poor financial health across every generation of U.S. workers.3
This is why disability insurance can play such a critical role in workers’ financial health and security. For many, disability benefits act as a safety net that can provide much-needed income during a leave of absence. And even for those who have yet to seek benefits, disability coverage can help them to feel supported if or when that time arrives.
According to a MetLife study, employees with disability coverage are 19%-points less likely to worry about unexpected health and financial issues. Meanwhile, 62% of employees disability coverage say they feel financially healthy, versus 54% of employees who do not have coverage – a 12%-point difference.3
Employers, too, see the value of disability benefits as adding to the financial fitness of their employees. MetLife found that 85% of employers who offer disability insurance report that their benefits help reduce employees’ financial stress, while 84% of employers say disability benefits help their employees achieve greater financial security.3
And while the federally mandated Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has long provided unpaid job protection, many employees are increasingly looking to employer-sponsored disability insurance and state-mandated Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) programs to provide an additional layer of financial protection.
According to MetLife, 95% of employees say paid leave is a ‘nice to have’ to ‘must have’ benefit. With 67% of employers offering paid leave, up from 62% in 2022, it’s clear that employers are listening.3
By offering a range of disability solutions – including short-term disability and long-term disability in addition to state-mandated Disability Insurance (DI) and Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) – employees have multiple options for greater control over their financial futures. And with it, greater financial fitness.
Citations:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Use of Leave in 2017-2018,” 2019. URL Reference: https://www.bls.gov/spotlight/2020/workers-access-to-and-use-of-leave/
- U.S. News & World Report, “Survey: 42% of Americans Don’t Have an Emergency Fund,” January 2025. URL Reference: https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/2025-financial-wellness-survey
- MetLife, “MetLife’s 2025 Employee Benefit Trends Study,” March 2025. URL Reference: https://www.metlife.com/ebts
