New Year – New Customized
Coverage Just For You

By Mike Fish, February 2013

Customization is part of our lives. Many of us create a playlist for a workout or set our DVR to record our favorite TV shows. Today, we can order a pair of jeans based on our exact measurements, drive a car that syncs up to our preferences, or buy a cup of coffee made to our liking.

So, it stands to reason that we expect to tailor our benefits package at work, too.

A survey that we conducted in December showed 86 percent of consumers said it is important to be able to customize all their benefits to fit their individual lifestyle. And 76 percent said it’s important to design their own disability insurance instead of a one-size-fits-all coverage chosen by their employer.

This “design-your-own” benefits concept is a real thing. We recently launched DisabilityFLEX, group disability insurance that allows employees to customize their income protection in three ways – how much money they receive, when, and for how long if they are unable to work due to an off-the-job injury or illness. We’re excited about helping give customers the personalized paycheck protection that they want.

Why talk about disability insurance now? Many smaller companies have their annual enrollment in the spring. Now is a good time to get up to speed on the coverage.

If you are offered disability insurance as part of your benefits package, here are two essential questions to consider:

• “How long can I go without a paycheck?” – Your answer will help you determine your need for the coverage.
• “How much income do I need to cover expenses?” – Your disability benefits can be used for everyday items, such as groceries, as well as your monthly bills, such as a cell phone or student loans.

If you have already gone through benefits enrollment, don’t forget that you may have the chance to update your benefits after life-changing events, such as having a baby.

The New Year is a chance to re-boot your financial plan. Keep in mind that benefits, such as life and disability insurance, can be an important part of your finances.

Hope you have a healthy and happy 2013!

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