Employee Benefits

Do You Understand Your Employee Benefits?

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As we approach the end of 2018, many employers are scheduling their benefits meeting requiring you to select yours before the end of the year. Not all benefit options are the same and understand each is crucial to making an informed decision. Ask your HR department or the advisor or agent representing the benefit what you don’t understand or ask them to provide you additional information prior to the benefits selection deadline. Many insurance and health benefits don’t allow you to change them once selected. However, employer-sponsored retirement plans allow you to select different funds, rebalance and change payroll contributions at any time per federal law.

Retirement Plan Options & Employer Match

You may have multiple choices of providers or funds available for you to choose from. Not all employer retirement plan providers provide assistance on fund selection or on-going advice. We can help you with the following:

  • Determining how the retirement plan fund options fit your risk profile
  • Including your company retirement plan assets in your financial plan
  • Monitoring the fund options and offer guidance on rebalancing
  • Rolling over your former employers plan into an IRA

Employer-Sponsored Life Insurance

Life insurance is the most inexpensive way to add protection to your family and your assets if you die. Employer life insurance plans ‘group’ you with other employees to reduce the cost of the insurance. Many times there is a need for additional life insurance outside of their employer plan since the death benefit is usually limited and based on your income.

Questions to ask:

  • Is this life insurance portable if I leave?
  • Will I still be insured after age 65 (some plans drop you after this age) if I’m still employed?
  • Can I add more insurance or am I committed to a certain death benefit amount?
  • Can I insure other members of my family?

Note that death can cause the early liquidation of assets if there isn’t adequate life insurance.

Employer-Sponsored Disability Insurance

Not being able to work due to injury can quickly deplete financial assets. Disability insurance replaces lost income from a short-term injury or disability or a permanent disability. Social Security Disability benefits won’t replace 100% of your income. Purchasing additional disability insurance coverage is a good idea if you’re in your prime earning years. Ask, so you understand:

  • Is disability insurance is underwritten based on my profession, age, and my possible risk of injury at work?
  • If I take Social Security Disability Benefits if I’m injured, is my Social Security Retirement Benefit reduced or eliminated in retirement?

Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance Solutions

Your company may provide you with health insurance choices that you are unable to modify. Ask your insurance provider:

  • Are there additional coverage choices for vision, dental, wellness, or indemnity insurance coverage based on my job role?
  • Can I customize a health insurance plan based on my specific needs?
  • Can I insure additional family members?

Part of asset protection is having insurance coverage in place so that you don’t have to prematurely liquidate personal savings, investment accounts or retirement accounts.

We are here to assist you in any way we can with the information you’re being provided regarding your employee benefits. Contact us today for a simple, no-cost conversation.

© 2024 Trajan® Wealth LLC. Nothing in this blog is intended as investment advice, nor is it an offer to buy or sell any security. Please consult your financial advisor for questions about your personal financial situation. All investments involve risk, including the potential for loss. Trajan Wealth clients and employees may have a position in any of the securities mentioned. Portfolio holdings and other data are subject to change at any time and without notice. Additionally, the above links provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by Trajan Wealth, L.L.C., of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. Trajan Wealth, L.L.C., bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. These materials are for informational and educational purposes and are not designed, nor intended, to apply to any person’s individual circumstances. It does not take into account the specific investment objectives, tax and financial condition, or particular needs of any specific person. Please consult with your legal and/or tax advisor before making any tax-related decisions.

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