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stockfresh_4170119_what-is-next-black-marker_sizeM-300x200We all were required to adjust during the pandemic. Furloughs and cuts in hours were all part of the sacrifices employees accepted, but there were still financial problems. Stimulus checks certainly helped but people still struggled.

The working world is now coming out of the COVID-19 restrictions. It is great to get back to work but many people are carrying some money burdens. Young employees must deal with college debt obligations and perhaps face decades of paying off the balances. Older employees might have medical bills that require payment, and these will cut drastically into disposable income. Continue reading

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stockfresh_8628298_sort-index-card-with-referrals-3d_sizeS-300x200We admit our group legal plans do not cover everything. Our nationwide network of attorneys will assist group legal plan members with everyday legal situations. They do an amazingly effective job, but the law has many niches.

A Specialist May be Necessary

There are many avenues in jurisprudence. Marine, Immigration, Real Estate, and Divorce are only a few areas of law that require specific knowledge. A legal problem could need a specialist to be resolved. It seems logical, but there are plan members who worry about referrals. Continue reading

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3-employerEmployees need service, which is the primary reason for employee benefits. Employers are good at providing traditional assistance such as group health and life insurances, but employees will need more in the coming months. We are returning to work from COVID-19, and people must have some help to get things back to normal. Organizations must step up and respond with the right services.

The 2021 PwC Employee Financial Wellness Survey paints a picture of significant financial stress caused by the pandemic. Increased economic anxiety has been mentioned by noticeable majorities of respondents from Millennials (72%), Gen Z (68%), and Gen X (62%). Continue reading

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stockfresh_1369833_legal_sizeS-300x199Anyone who pays taxes has a right to request those government services they are entitled to receive. These might not be significant issues like immigration visas or housing assistance, but perhaps transportation allowances or help with assisted care for elderly parents. Employees will now and then need the help of the government, especially local agencies. It is very frustrating when there are delays or misunderstandings, and these will happen, sometimes regularly.

 Doing the Right Thing

It has less to do with integrity than filing accurate information with the right agency. The government relies on data, much of it personal, to do its job. Mistakes are what cause the most delays. Incorrect data will put a person back to square one, and everything must be resubmitted. Continue reading

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stockfresh_5802529_generation-z-y-x-boomers-millennials-3d-word-gears-demographics_sizeS-300x300The 2021 PwC Employee Financial Wellness Survey has sobering information for organizations as they begin adjusting to business after the pandemic. Financial stress has become a serious problem that employers cannot ignore. Approximately 63% of those surveyed reported that financial stress has increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 60% of the millennial, Gen X, and Gen Z respondents said that worry over money was a significant issue. The anxiety has led to decisions such as taking out payday loans, applying for a loan from a retirement account and postponing retirement decisions. The survey shows a significant impact on household expenses brought on by the pandemic. Continue reading

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stockfresh_181218_last-will-and-testament_sizeS_72a2cb-300x225We want to think that family reunions are a time of love and sharing, a chance to recall fun days and sentimental times gone by. But unfortunately, it is a nice thought that does not always happen. Instead, family gatherings might be a scene of anger where accusations fly and hurt feelings are exposed. One reason for this hatred is a contested estate where there was no last will and testament.

People lead busy lives and will forget about some important matters. Drafting a will is one of those tasks that are exceptionally low on the bucket list. No one wants to think about death, and, sadly, some are not thinking about the consequences of dying intestate (without a will). Therefore, the probate court is left to decide how the estate is distributed, and that is a long process that allows survivors to argue over what each feel entitled to a portion of the estate assets. Continue reading

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stockfresh_3266726_benefits-concept_sizeS_39f284-300x200Dealing with money became a severe issue at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it has not gone away. People are frustrated and nervous about what to do with personal finances.  Research supports this observation. The 2021 PwC Employee Financial Wellness Survey discovered that approximately 63% of respondents reported their financial stress increased during the pandemic. They can use some help in addressing cash problems. Employers, fortunately, are doing their best to respond to this personal crisis. Continue reading

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o-POWER-OF-ATTORNEY-facebook-300x200There are many actors on the legal stage, and each plays an important part. The main objective is often protecting someone else or seeing that a person’s wishes are respected and carried out. The executors of an estate come to mind immediately, and there is a designated person who will take on what is nearly the same type of responsibility. That individual is granted medical powers of attorney.

Expecting the Unexpected

Medical powers of attorney are part of a living will. It is a document that addresses a medical emergency that may come from out of nowhere and generate unanticipated consequences. An accident or a cardiac arrest may leave the victim unresponsive. It is critical to have someone designated to represent the victim, and that individual is authorized with the medical powers of attorney. Group legal plans will combine writing a living will and medical powers of attorney into one service. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services offers this kind of two for one benefit option. Continue reading

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stockfresh_215939_questions-and-answers-signpost_sizeS-300x200Financial advisers will tell their clients that planning is critical for security. Such suggestions became very sound advice when COVID-19 hit the economy. Many people were not ready for the emergencies that cropped up, and the pandemic placed their financial wellness in serious jeopardy. A good resolution is never to be caught by such surprises again!

Financial planning is essential, and it requires information that comes from paychecks and bank accounts, among other sources. A serious problem is people often have no idea about their finances. It sounds incredible that highly paid employees live from paycheck to paycheck, but it is true. Employers have an opportunity to help their subordinates get a better understanding of their individual value by offering some assistance. Countrywide Pre-Paid Legal Services can provide meaningful support. Continue reading

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stockfresh_3962479_identity-theft-revealed-in-computer-code-through-a-magnifying-gl_sizeS-273x300We talked about Identity Theft and Credit Monitoring Plans for individuals a few weeks earlier. We would like to bring to your attention the group plan we offer. Identity theft is a serious problem and high-tech employees are justifiably nervous about their security being hacked. An employer has a chance with Countrywide to assist those employees, and even use identity theft and credit monitoring as a recruiting incentive.

Identity theft is a significant crime that uses many strategies to get to personal information. Hacking is a common means of breaking through security to steal your data. It is not the only avenue the thieves will walk down, Phishing, robocalls, and bogus warning are employed. The damage is horrific. Continue reading