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'For Huntington Ingalls Industries employees, personal disability insurance is a vital financial protection that provides a stable source of income to replace lost earnings due to a disabling injury or illness, unless government programs are unavailable.'
'Given the recent changes in the government disability benefits, it is important for Huntington Ingalls Industries employees to purchase personal disability insurance to cover their needs in case of disability due to health problems.'
In this article we will discuss:
1. The need for personal disability insurance as an alternative to government benefits.
2. Workers' compensation and personal disability insurance: What are the differences?
3. The benefits of individualizing disability insurance coverage for the needs of each person.
As a Huntington Ingalls Industries employee, you should be aware that the Social Security Disability Insurance program paid out $143.7 billion in benefits in 2018. However, the number of applicants every year means that the fund is expected to be exhausted by 2034 unless the government acts. Instead of turning to the government's program to help them meet their financial needs during a disability, many people protect themselves with personal disability insurance.
Disability insurance helps by paying between 50% and 70% of your salary if you become disabled due to an injury or illness. Because disability can result in two forms of financial burden, this type of coverage may be very useful. Disabled people are usually unable to work and face other costs related to their condition.
What About Workers' Comp? Most people think that workers' compensation is a kind of disability insurance. However, workers' compensation is only available to workers who are disabled in the course of their employment. If your disability was caused by a car accident or other non-work related incident, you may not be eligible for workers' compensation. We would like to remind our Huntington Ingalls Industries clients that every state regulates its own workers' compensation laws and payments, which means that the availability of the coverage can be very different. Especially if you have a hazardous job, you may want to find out what your state offers and then make up for the shortage. Similarly, if any of our Huntington Ingalls Industries clients have an active pastime that may lead to disability, it may be wise to seek additional protection.
Private disability insurance can be purchased to pay weekly or monthly amounts during a period of disability. Provided you have paid up your premiums, the benefits are not taxable income. When buying a policy you may be able to adjust coverage to suit your needs. For example, you might be able to change the benefits or the elimination period. You may decide on general protection or decide to define coverage more specifically. Some policies also provide partial disability benefits, cost of living adjustments, residual benefits, death benefits, and pension benefits.
Because the purpose of insurance is to replace income, almost everyone decides to buy coverage only during their working years. Despite reforms being made to the federal disability programs, they usually provide only a small amount of money, and one must qualify for it. For the Huntington Ingalls Industries employees who do not want to depend on the government for funds in the case of an accident or illness, disability insurance can be a good way to secure their income and assets.
Out of Commission:
The unemployment rate of working-age disabled Americans is 19.6%. Chart Source: ACLI Life Insurers Fact Book 2018 Administration of Social Security, 2019 Policy coverage is written by participating insurance companies. Not all states offer all policy categories and product features. Any obligations are dependent on the insuring insurance company's ability to pay claims. This information is not intended to serve as tax or legal advice. It is prohibited from use to evade federal tax penalties. After-tax investment returns could be influenced by changes in federal and state laws and regulations. Contact a tax professional or an attorney for information that is applicable to your situation.
Added Fact:
According to the Harvard Business Review, the average length of a long term disability claim is 34.6 months. This means that if a Huntington Ingalls Industries employee was to get a disabling injury or illness, they could be out of work for over two and a half years without income. This is the reason why it is crucial to consider the need for personal disability insurance for Huntington Ingalls Industries employees to ensure that they are financially secure in the event of a disability. This way, they can have peace of mind knowing that they have a safety net to turn to in the event of a disability.
(Reference: Harvard Business Review, 'The Disability Disconnect: The Workers' Compensation System Fails to Protect All Workers,' March-April 2019)
Added Analogy:
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There is no protection for disability risks if one has no financial preparation. It is, therefore, not recommended to walk the tightrope without a safety net. As Huntington Ingalls Industries employees, you have strived to achieve financial freedom but a disability can undo all your efforts. As a tightrope walker, the safety net gives him confidence and security, personal disability insurance gives financial security. It guarantees that if you are unable to work due to a disability, you will not be left financially vulnerable. Disability insurance provides support, which means that it helps you by paying you a certain amount of money to help you sustain your financial status. It is therefore important to take disability insurance to ensure that in case you are unable to work due to an injury or illness, your financial future is secure.
Sources:
1. Social Security Administration. Annual Statistical Report on the Social Security Disability Insurance Program, 2018 . Social Security Administration, 2019, www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/statcomps/di_asr/2018/di_asr18.pdf .
2. Fort Pitt Capital Group. 'Should You Carry Disability Insurance Beyond Age 65?' Fort Pitt Capital Group , 24 Sept. 2020, www.fortpittcapital.com/blog/disability-insurance-in-retirement .
3. Special Needs Alliance. 'An Introduction to Private Disability Insurance.' Special Needs Alliance , 2021, www.specialneedsalliance.org/the-voice/private-disability-insurance-2 .
4. Guardian Life. 'Long Term Disability Insurance vs. Social Security.' Guardian Life , 2021, www.guardianlife.com/disability-insurance/long-term/vs-social-security .
5. MassMutual. 'Disability Income Insurance Policies for Individuals.' MassMutual , 2021, www.massmutual.com/insurance/disability-income-insurance .
How does the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) pension plan integrate with Social Security benefits for maximizing an employee's retirement income, and what specific strategies can HII employees use to understand this integration better?
HII pension plan integration with Social Security: The HII pension plan works alongside Social Security benefits, with no reduction in pension payments due to Social Security benefits at age 65 or later. However, if an employee receives workers' compensation benefits, the pension may be reduced. To better understand this integration, employees should review their Social Security benefits statement and consult with the HIBC (Huntington Ingalls Benefits Center) for detailed guidance(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
In relation to the Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) pension plan, what are the eligibility requirements for normal and early retirement, and how do these requirements affect long-term financial planning for HII employees approaching retirement age?
Eligibility for normal and early retirement: Employees are eligible for normal retirement at age 65 or after five years of service, whichever comes first. Early retirement is available from age 55 with at least 10 years of service. Early retirement benefits are reduced to reflect the longer payout period, which can impact financial planning. Employees should consider whether to defer retirement to receive full benefits or take a reduced early retirement benefit(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
How do changes in employment status, such as promotion or changing between hourly and salaried positions, affect pension benefits for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) employees, and what should employees consider when anticipating these changes?
Effect of employment status changes: Changes in employment status, such as a promotion or transitioning between hourly and salaried positions, can affect pension eligibility and accrual. For instance, transferring from an hourly to a salaried role might mean cessation of accrual under one plan and ineligibility to return to the previous plan unless specific conditions are met. Employees should check the plan rules and consult with HIBC before making such changes(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
For employees of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), what steps must be taken to ensure that pension benefits are properly claimed and administered upon retirement, and what role does documentation play in this process?
Claiming pension benefits: Employees should notify the HIBC at least two months before their intended retirement date to begin the process of claiming pension benefits. Proper documentation, including a birth certificate, Social Security information, and marriage certificates (if applicable), is essential. Delays in providing this information can result in delays or even forfeiture of benefits(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
How do the rules surrounding spousal consent impact retirement benefit elections for employees at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and what specific options are available for employees considering different forms of retirement income?
Spousal consent and retirement elections: HII requires spousal consent for retirement elections other than the standard 50%, 75%, or 100% joint and survivor annuity options. This ensures that spouses are aware of and agree to any reduction in survivor benefits. Employees should discuss these options with their spouse and obtain written, notarized consent when necessary(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
What are the implications of the pension plan provisions related to disability retirement for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) employees, including the eligibility criteria and the impact on social security benefits that employees should be aware of?
Disability retirement provisions: Disability retirement is available to employees with at least 15 years of service who qualify for Social Security disability benefits. Disability retirement benefits are not reduced for early commencement, making it a beneficial option for qualifying employees. It’s crucial for employees to apply to both HII and the Social Security Administration to claim these benefits(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
In what ways does the pension plan of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) accommodate employees who have service credits from other employers or previously merged plans, and what actions should employees take to clarify their benefits?
Service credits from other employers: The HII pension plan may accommodate employees who have service credits from previously merged plans. If an employee has transferred assets from another employer’s plan, they should contact the HIBC to clarify how these credits affect their pension calculation(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
How do the changes in IRS limits for retirement accounts in 2024 impact the retirement planning for employees of Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), and what resources does HII provide to assist employees in navigating these changes?
IRS limit changes for 2024: Changes in IRS contribution limits affect retirement planning by capping how much can be saved in tax-advantaged accounts. HII provides access to tools and financial advisors through the HIBC, allowing employees to review how these changes impact their pension and 401(k) contributions(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
What are the consequences for employees at Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) if they fail to notify the benefits center of their address changes or retirement intentions, particularly concerning the accrual and distribution of their pension benefits?
Consequences of failing to notify benefits center: If an employee fails to update their address or retirement intentions with the HIBC, it may result in delayed pension payments or the loss of benefits. It is crucial to maintain up-to-date contact information to ensure smooth benefit distribution(Huntington Ingalls Indu…)(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
If an Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) employee wants to learn more about their specific pension benefits or has questions regarding the pension plan, what methods can they use to contact HII for assistance, and what information should they have ready during this communication?
Contacting HII for pension information: Employees can contact the HIBC via phone or the online portal (http://hiibenefits.com) to inquire about their pension benefits. They should have personal identification details such as Social Security numbers, marital status, and anticipated retirement dates ready for efficient assistance(Huntington Ingalls Indu…).
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