Aging Workforce Increases Need for Certain Benefits

The Standard notes that since many Baby Boomers are forced to delay retirement, they are inadvertently creating a workplace with higher likelihood of serious illness or injury, which can strain employer health care costs. Research from the Center on Aging and Work at Boston College shows that the cost of health care claims increases every 10 years for men beginning at age 45 and for women beginning at age 35. 

To keep Baby Boomers productive and reduce the likelihood of a disability leave, it is increasingly important to have return-to-work, stay-at-work and wellness programs available.

In addition, according to The Standard, younger age groups are facing their own financial challenges, often doing more with less. Their personal wealth is suffering for many reasons, including slowed upward movement and increased family responsibilities—such as caring for children and aging parents.

“We’ve seen the cost of caring for children and aging parents rise over the last 10 years, placing a significant financial burden on Generation X and Millennials,” Dumont said. “These generations—sometimes referred to as the ‘sandwich generation’—are more likely to use family and medical leave benefits to care for family members. They are not afraid to use these benefits, especially since they can’t always afford to pay for family care services.”