Millennials (ages 18-31), also known as Gen Y, are 80 million strong, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
As this generation climbs into leadership roles, they'll change many aspects of the workplace, including the benefits landscape.
To help better understand this giant generation of consumers and employees, it's time to dispel five common myths about who millennials are and what they want.>>
MYTH NO. 1) Millennials all live at home and don't have financial responsibilities.
True, many millennials are living at home today. Three out of 10 parents (27 percent) have at least one adult child, between the ages of 21 and 40, still living with them at home, according to the National Housing Federation. But that doesn't mean they don't have financial responsibilities: Mom and Dad might be asking Junior to chip in on rent or expecting him to pay off his student loans they co-signed.
The Hartford 2013 Benefits for Tomorrow Study found two-thirds of workers today have loved ones relying on their paycheck, with 10 percent of millennials reporting that their parents rely on their salary. That's all the more reason for millennials to protect their paycheck by signing for disability insurance at work.
For many millennials living at home, one of their primary financial responsibilities is dealing with student loan debt. The average debt for students graduating in 2013 is $35,000, according to Fidelity.
If parents are co-signers on those student loans, it's in their best interest to encourage their kids to sign up for disability and life insurance at work. Disability insurance can help keep an income coming in (and the ability to pay back loans) should the millennial worker become ill or injured off the job, while life insurance can help provide funding to pay off student loan debt.
Help the millennials make the connection between benefits and their very real financial responsibilities.
MYTH NO. 2) Millennials want all digital communications all the time.
True, millennials are considered “digital natives.” They'VE grown up with technology their entire lives. While they like digital options, many appreciate help in real life, as well. They appreciate an advisor who can provide advice in whatever way they desire—text, email, instant message, phone call, or an in-person meeting.
Help millennials by providing the benefits advisors that they're looking for. They want to be able to review their benefits options online but have a real-live person available to answer their specific questions. Help your clients make this connection possible.
MYTH NO. 3) Millennials all want to start their own companies like Mark Zuckerberg.
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