Life insurance companies have a both a difficult and morbid job: figuring out how likely applicants are to die at a given age. This means you’ll be asked questions about your health, family history, lifestyle and depending on the type of life insurance you apply for you may also need to take a medical exam. Here’s what you need to know about the life insurance underwriting process.

What is life insurance underwriting?
Underwriting is the process a life insurance company uses to decide whether you’re eligible for a policy and establish your risk factor and premium. This process is carried out by an underwriter, who’s job is to analyze risk. Because the underwriting process varies by policy; it may be as quick as 24 hours or as long as 4 weeks.

What is your risk factor?
When you apply for life insurance your application will contain various questions relating to your health, family medical history, habits, and in some cases financials or what you do for a living. Some policies, known as fully-underwritten policies, will require a medical exam but at no cost to you. This medical exam is much like an annual physical where a nurse draws blood, measures your height, weight, blood pressure, etc. It is usually done in the comfort of your home or office and at your convenience.

Whether your policy requires a medical exam or just a questionnaire, these are some of the factors insurers take into consideration when evaluating your risk level:

Age: Younger people usually pay less for coverage.

Gender: Women typically live longer than men, so women almost always pay less than men of the same age and health.

Health History: Cholesterol, BMI, blood pressure, as well as any preexisting conditions are some of the factors underwriters use to determine your risk level.

Family Medical History: Any family history of early deaths or serious health conditions like cancer, heart disease or diabetes may be factored in your rating.
Criminal History
Alcohol and Drug Use

Smoking Habits: Life insurance for smokers is typically more expensive.

High Risk Hobbies: Participating in risky activities like skydiving or flying airplanes can increase your risk level and premium.

Occupation: If you work in a high risk job or hazardous workplace, you’ll be considered riskier.

Driving Record: DUIs, DWIs, and major traffic violations will also be factored in.

Financials: Some insurers will want to know you can afford to pay the premiums, and may even run a credit report.

Citizenship Status: Some life insurance companies won’t issue policies to Non-US citizens or temporary visa holders.

Prescription Medication Record: Many companies will pull up your prescription record for the past 7 years to ensure you don’t have any medical conditions that have not been disclosed on the application.

A life insurance underwriter will analyze all these factors and then calculate your life expectancy. Based on this information you will then be assigned a life insurance rating class.
The higher you life expectancy, or rather, the lower the probability that you will die while the policy is active, the lower your premium will be.

Keeping your employees happy is a challenge in today’s economy. Happy employees are more creative and productive. They’re also less likely to quit. While more money is always a good thing, its not always an option. Check out these tips for keeping your staff satisfied and productive when a raise isn’t possible.

1. Never Underestimate a ‘Thank You.’ A simple thank you goes a long way in reassuring employees their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Recognizing each individual’s contributions lets them know they are appreciated.

2. Connect with your People. If you want your co-workers to be satisfied and productive, take an interest with who they really are as people! Bosses who take an interest in who employees are and care about them as individuals create a culture that encourages teamwork and respect for each other’s opinions/ideas. Take a few moments each day to connect with each person.

3. Keep it Light! Have you ever noticed how employees who work in an environment where people can joke around occasionally with each other tend to be much more engaged at their job? By encouraging a relaxed work environment you allow people to feel more comfortable, which fosters a work culture focused on creativity and productivity. A sense of humor can act like an energy tonic for your company!

4. Fun Fridays aren’t just for Kids. Once a month (or once per week) host a ‘Fun Friday.’ This can be anything from relaxing the dress code, playing music, and bringing in staff’s favorite treats or ice cream, to buying lunch or going for happy hour at the end of the day.

5. Encourage Work-Life Balance. It’s common for employees to feel like they’re always working and can never disconnect, which makes them stressed out! Helping your employees prioritize their work-life balance can make them feel more energized and less stressed. The key is to create a culture where people are encouraged to take the time to attend to their family and personal obligations, not pressured into staying late hours at the office or taking on additional projects. They should feel completely comfortable asking for time off, for whatever reason.

6. Be Flexible. With the technology that exists in this day and age, there is no need for anyone to be tied to an office space or cubicle 24/7. Offer more flexibility to your employees. Some options include flexible work schedules, flexible work hours, and flexible work locations. Embracing and adopting this type of flexibility encourages productivity and fosters a greater sense of commitment between employee and employer.

7. Get Creative with Benefits. A benefit package can be more than just money; it’s an opportunity to show you are attentive to the needs of your employees. Technology allowance for cel phones or tablets, gym memberships, spa treatment certificates, extra vacation days, and gas gift cards are a few ways you can compensate staff when a raise or bonus isn’t possible. When you tailor these benefits to the needs of your employees it demonstrates that you are paying attention; that you are aware and mindful of their well-being…and that is more valuable than the benefit itself.

There’s no question that being a working mom is tough. Juggling work and home life can be a challenge, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll ever do. If you’re looking for ways to make your life a little bit easier, here are seven time-saving tips proven to help.

1) Meal Prep on Sunday for the Work week. Cook meals that can sit for a long time. Double a recipe (like lasagna) and freeze half for another meal. Prepare two days worth of side dishes, like pasta and rice, and store for the following nights. Designate your most hectic night as order-out night. Invest in a slow cooker to save you time. The key is to always have something on hand when those schedules change unexpectedly.

2) Plan your Mornings the Night Before. Mornings can be a juggling act. Get everything you’ll need for your morning routine in one shot the night before so that when it’s time to get up and go, there are no surprises waiting on standby! Pack lunches, lay out kids uniforms, ensure homework is done, pack backpacks. Prepare as much of breakfast as possible – lay out plates, boil eggs, coffee machine primed…you’re all set

3) Mommy Prep. Plan your outfit the night before – including purse and other accessories. Wash and Style/Blow-dry your hair the night before. Save the make-up for after school drop-off. Red lights are prefect for applying lipstick or mascara.

4) You have a right to your own lunch break! If you’re at work during lunch, use that time for anything YOU want. Use it wisely and don’t be shy about sneaking in an errand or taking time out for yourself. You could even devote one day each week just for self-care–like exercising (yoga), meditation & more.

5) Flexible schedules are the new normal. If you’re looking for a way to increase productivity, decrease stress and improve work-life balance – request flexible scheduling! Having open conversations about your needs as well those of employers or team members can lead the way towards solutions. Some ideas include telecommuting one day per week (or every two), working an earlier or later shift, or requesting a compressed workweek schedule. There’s a lot of flexibility available that you might not have considered before now.

6) Get rid of push notifications. If we don’t turn off our mobile alerts they will nag at us until there’s nothing left but an anxiety-inducing urge for distraction with no productivity benefits whatsoever! Turning off these pesky little messages from popping up on screens helps us stay focused on what matters most without being distracted by other things such as Twitter or Facebook updates.

7) Use the Eisenhower Matrix. Are you focusing too much time on urgent tasks? Is your to-do list never ending? Improve your productivity with this simple prioritization framework. The Eisenhower Matrix splits your tasks into four boxes – important, not important, urgent, and not urgent. This allows you to prioritize which tasks you should focus on first, which to schedule, which to delegate, and which to delete! (Include a link to a webpage explaining it?)

Lastly, It Takes A Village! You don’t have to do everything. Delegate when you can and find your balance. A successful life means finding that perfect harmony between work and home.

Once you have determined the total amount and type of life insurance policy you need in certain cases you will be required to take a medical exam. This exam is similar to a yearly check-up: blood pressure will be checked, urine specimen, blood drawn, height & weight measurements, etc. Depending on the results of this exam, along with the answers on your application, the Insurer will give you a rating which determines the premium you will have to pay on your policy. A better rating means less money you have to pay each month! That’s why its so important to properly prepare for your medical exam. Here are a few simple tips to help you secure the best rate possible.

Before You Schedule Your Exam:
Eat Healthy. In the month leading up to your exam it’s a good idea to clean-up your diet. Limit salt intake and skip the processed foods.
Check Your Cholesterol and Glucose Levels: Get a lipid panel and glucose screening test so you know where you stand. Cholesterol and Glucose levels that are out of normal ranges can affect your rating and monthly premium.
Drink Water. Drinking 8 glasses of water a day helps clean out toxins from your system. In the weeks leading up to the exam drinking more water can make a huge difference in your results.
Cut back on Alcoholic Beverages. Drink in Moderation. Alcohol can affect your liver enzymes and blood pressure.

24 Hours Before Your Exam:
Avoid Fatty Foods and Dessert. The day before your test avoid eating fried foods, fatty meats and sweets.
Avoid taking non-prescription drugs. Stay away from aspirin, cold medication, vitamins and other non-prescription drugs.
No Alcohol. Drinking the night before (or even 48 hours before) can seriously alter your test results.
No Smoking or Drug Use. This will show up, resulting in a sub-par rating or flat out denial of coverage.
Rest. A good night’s sleep can positively affect your blood pressure and pulse.
Avoid Strenuous Exercise. Take it easy at the gym the day before your test. A light workout is fine but intense cardio can negatively affect your results.

The Morning of Your Exam:
Make sure you have fasted for 8 hours before the exam.
Answer only the questions you are asked.
Disclose any current prescriptions. Insurance companies have access to your prescription history (usually up to 5 years back). Most conditions are a non-issue, what’s important to the Insurer is that the condition is controlled.

Most importantly, remember you can always postpone the exam. If you slipped up the night before or are not confident that your results will be satisfactory there is no penalty for cancelling and rescheduling the exam. Don’t be afraid to do so.

Cant stay focused? Have trouble listening? Constant fidgeting? Does it seem like your child (or you) is always losing things? Learning how to deal with ADHD is a lifelong task. Over time as you get to know how your child’s brain (or yours) works, getting things done gets easier.

Below are some simple and effective ADHD techniques that can be used to deal with hyperactivity, increase productivity, and help maintain focus on day-to-day tasks.

Visual Aids

Visual aids such as checklists, schedules and reward charts, can work wonders. When we can see a schedule or a to-do list, rather than relying on memory, daily tasks becomes easier because we know what is expected of us. This means creating several schedules and placing them where they can be seen. For example a step-by-step morning routine cardboard and a nighttime routine cardboard, where time limits are assigned for each step, posted where your child can see. At school (or work), using a color-coded daily planner to keep track of assignments and an end of day checklist when packing his/her backpack. A weekly reward chart can also help keep your child motivated. The best part about visual aids is a simple google search can provide you with hundreds of options; just choose the ones that apply, personalize and print.

A great online resource for visual aids is https://www.teacherspayteachers.com , tools created by teachers but you do not have to be a teacher to access it!

Fidget Toys

There is an abundance of inexpensive fidget aids available on the web that are very helpful for regulating hyperactivity and promoting concentration and focus. These tools keep hands busy, feet moving, mouth chewing – basically whatever works to keep you focused. Its impossible to list them all but these include stress balls, finger poppers, fidgeting foot band (placed across desk chair to bounce feet on), chewy pencil toppers, chewable jewelry, weighted lap pads, etc.

If you are unsure of which fidget toys will actually be effective, observe your child for a week while doing homework. At the end of a 20-25 minute work period, do they start to squirm? Bounce their legs? Play with their hands? Bite their pencils? Constantly ask for snacks and/or water? This will provide you with the clues to what type of stimulation they need to keep focused. This also applies to adults!

Many sites also offer a starter kit with various options to help you narrow down. A good resource for fidget toys is https://therapyshoppe.com.

Focus Music (or Silence!)

Many studies have shown how music can help attention and focus in people with ADHD. Because everyone is different, knowing which type of music or genre helps you best has to come from trial and error. Luckily there are many “focus” playlists available on the web (Youtube, Spotify, etc) to sample. These preset playlists span different genres and tempos – rock, classical, electronic, binaural beats, low tempo, up tempo, etc., so you will be able to find the type of music that is right for you.

On the other hand, you may find music or any type of other background noise a complete distraction. In this case noise cancellation headphones may be the answer. For your child what’s important is figuring out what type of headphones he/she is more comfortable with – over the ear headphones or do they prefer discreteness (in-ear headphones)?

Timers

Its very easy to lose track of time, especially if we are hyper-focused on something. Timers are an invaluable aid to keep track of time spent on a particular task or activity. A visual timer should be placed in an area where you or your child have the ability to glance and it and see time remaining for the particular task. For example, for homework, setting the timer for 20 minutes, then another 5 minutes for a break, and so forth. Breaks are very important and should be incorporated into tasks.

Timers can also be used to keep track of screen time breaks. Which leads us to the next point…

Technology (the negatives)

For the most part, technology can be a great tool to aid focus and attention. That being said, its important that we set and adhere to daily/weekly screen time limits. For kids, the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry provides a general guideline here: https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Children-And-Watching-TV-054.aspx.

For adults setting limits is also very important. One place to start is utilizing the 20-20-20 rule. For every 20 minutes of screen time, take a 20 second break, looking at something 20 feet away. Then slowly incorporate extended break periods when possible.

Technology (the positives)

The good news is that technology provides us with a multitude of options to help manage ADHD symptoms. These run the gamut from smart phone apps and wearable digital therapies, to video games and software. A simple web search can point you in the right direction. Some of these technologies include:

Smart phone apps for time management such as Teux Deux, 2Do, and 30/30;

Revibe Smart Watch: is a wearable device and app that sends vibration reminders to cue kids to focus in the moments when they need it most. It learns over time and adapts to provide personalized prompts. AI continually analyzes the child’s movements, behavior, and focus to provide reports.

Video games designed to increase concentration, such as Play Attention, Captain’s LogAhoy, and SmartDriver3

Software Programs designed to increase attention and working memory, like the CogMed training program.

These are just a few simple hacks to help you or your child stay focused and organized. The trick is to find the ones that work best for you!

Life insurance is an important investment that can provide peace of mind and security for your family.

The peace of mind that comes with owning life coverage is invaluable.  Although your personal life insurance needs depend on a lot of factors, the two questions you’ll ultimately face when looking for life insurance are what type is best suited to your needs and how much do I need? It can be difficult deciding which one will work out the most financially but don’t worry-we’re here with some insight on both topics!

The two main types of life insurance available are term life insurance and whole life insurance. We break down the pros and cons of both…

Term life insurance

With Term life, you’re family (aka beneficiaries) receives a payment if you pass away during a set period (or term) stipulated in the the policy coverage period. Term periods typically offered are 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years.  So, if you buy a 30-year term life policy with $1,000,000 in coverage, you’ll make a monthly payment for 30 years. If you pass away during those 30 years, the insurance company will pay your family $1,000,000 (aka the death benefit).

Pros: Term life insurance is the more affordable and simplest option. Your beneficiaries could use the money to replace your income and cover expenses like education, mortgages, outstanding debts, or whatever they please. It’s basically a way for you to ensure your loved ones are taken care of when you are gone.

Cons: If you outlive the term period no death benefit will be paid out; essentially, if you don’t use it…you lose it.

Who’s it Good For: Ages 20s-60s; a financial obligation to provide for family; limited budget.

Whole life insurance

Whole life insurance is a type of cash value insurance, meaning the policy builds up a cash value in addition to the  death benefit. Whereas term life insurance provides coverage for a set time period, whole life insurance provides coverage for your entire life. For this reason it is usually much more expensive than term life insurance, you pay much higher premiums.

Pros: You can’t outlive a whole life policy; as long as you continue to pay monthly premiums the policy will pay your family a death benefit.  Whole life policies also build cash value over time, an additional bonus over the death benefit.  

Cons: The Cost! Whole life policies are expensive.

Who’s it Good For: Ages 20s-50s; a financial obligation to provide for family; considerable disposable income; business owners needing to fund a buy-sell

Of the two, the most affordable option is a term life insurance policy that allows you to choose the policy length and pay a lower premium.  It is the cheapest way to protect your family long term especially during those critical years when they need it most (school, college, mortgage, etc).

In terms of coverage, the recommended amount is 10-12 times your annual income – or as close to that amount as your budget permits. This way, your income will be replaced in the event that you are no longer around to provide for your family.

In the long term, a good life insurance policy can provide your family with financial security if you’re no longer able to take care of them. And in the short term, it can offer some serious peace of mind. Buying life insurance is an important decision, so it’s worth doing some more research to find the best types of life insurance and the specific policies that make the most sense for you.