CDA Adds Online Help for Advisors

Portland, Maine — To help advisors, financial planners and brokers communicate to their clients the value of planning ahead for disability, the non-profit group Council for Disability Awareness (CDA) recently added a new Advisor Information & Resource Center to their Web site.

Unexpected off-the-job illnesses and accidents continue to grow rapidly, impacting the financial security of more and more American workers and their families. The number of workers experiencing an income-limiting disability has risen 32% since 2000, while more families struggle to make ends meet. And yet, according to a recent survey, most Americans have not even discussed with anyone how they would pay the bills if they were unable to work during a period of disability. It is more important than ever for advisors to counsel their clients about financially preparing for a disability.

“It’s critical that financial advisors and planners make sure that managing a disability-related loss of income is included in each client’s financial planning strategy,” explains Robert Taylor, the president of the Portland-based Council for Disability Awareness, a non-profit group dedicated to helping the American workforce become aware of the growing likelihood of disability and its financial consequences. “The new CDA advisor section is a valuable resource to help advisors elevate disability planning as an essential part of the financial planning process.”

The site contains information and tools for financial advisors to help their clients to better understand the consequences of disability and the value of disability planning, including:

  • The “Advisor Disability Awareness Toolkit” – downloadable tools to help clients become aware of disability, lead healthier lifestyles and develop a disability financial plan
  • Client Disability Discussion Guide – questions and discussion topics to assist with the planning process
  • CDA Surveys, Studies and Disability Statistics – trends, claims data and information to reference in conversations with clients about the importance of planning for disability
  • Real Life Stories – stories of people whose financial security has been significantly impacted by disability

The site also offers resources specifically for advisors, such as links to CDA member company Web sites for disability product ideas and a forum to discuss best practices. Member companies include: Assurant Employee Benefits, Berkshire Life, Guardian, The Hartford, Illinois Mutual, Lincoln Financial Group, MassMutual, MetLife, Mutual of Omaha, Principal Financial Group, Prudential, The Standard, Sun Life Financial, Union Central and Unum.
Source: The Council for Disability Awareness

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