The open enrollment period for 2020 has already started, but you still may have time to enroll if you get ready and do it before 15 December. (In some states, enrollment periods may continue for even longer.)

In recent years, fixed index annuities (FIAs) have become more popular than ever and, at the same time, have moved to the center of controversy among investment-minded individuals.

Employee benefits cover a wide range of possibilities, and there are several ways to classify them, but one of the most important benefits as traditionally classified is called "fringe benefits."

When in the midst of your "working years," focused on paying bills and making ends meet, it would be easy to forget about long term needs like retirement income. And even when you have the foresight to form a basic retirement plan, there are many factors that are easy to overlook and that could become potential financial pitfalls in the long run. 

It's that time of year again - open enrollment for the health insurance marketplace. Those who went through 2019 without any coverage will be preparing to change their uninsured status, while those who already have a health plan will be working to keep it or switch to a better one.

It's never too early to start thinking about retirement. It comes up on you fast, and when you are focused on working and living your life from day to day, it's easy to forget about it and neglect to prepare. But that would be a major mistake.

Using a health insurance agent or broker to help you quickly find your next policy is a huge help. But you want to come to the conversation fully prepared. After all, coming unprepared could mean having to "get back to you later" on that with more information OR a long, stop-and-start call.

It goes without saying that your workforce is eminently diverse, and with that diversity comes a corresponding diversity in the kind of employee benefits they would most prefer. The answer is clear: a benefits package that is only intrinsically valuable but that is also broad and variegated so as to cater to diverse needs and preferences. 

Perhaps, you are suddenly without health insurance and fear you may just have to wait till next year to get coverage. Not so! There are options available all year long.

Open enrollment for 2020 health insurance coverage only lasts a month and a half in most states - and given the complexity of these kinds of decisions, it always pays to start the research process as early as possible.