So we've finally come around to talking about a recession. I mean, if Alan Greenspan says it, it must be true, right?
The housing slump continues to rattle the entire foundation of the economy, while consumer confidence falls faster than the fortunes of low-fare airlines.
So now, some new numbers from The Hartford Financial Services Group comes along to reveal that most Americans occasionally find themselves in a precarious position financially. But at least they realize there's no safety net if they're stuck with a disabling illness or injury.
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Roughly 70 percent of respondents told researchers that they're making ends meet, but that there's next to nothing left after the bills are mailed out.
On top of that, a whopping 95 percent of those interviewed admitted they would have to change their lifestyle if they lost a chunk of the family income for three to six months.
But only about half of them confirmed that they owned short- or long-term disability insurance.
So what's the problem? Get ready for another shocker. It's not access. Products are everywhere. In these cash-strapped times, it's price. In a testament to our industry, most workers — 80 percent — said they could obtain income protection at the office. But, nearly half of those same workers said they're having a tough time paying for benefits like that.
But perhaps most telling, it looks like it still comes down to education. Most employees surveyed said they depend on information from their employer and the providers to make benefits. And nearly a quarter of those without disability said they didn't have enough information to make the call.
What do you think your clients' employees are saying?
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