Why Voluntary Benefits Matter More Than Ever

As a broker, I had countless meetings where cost containment dominated the conversation. Employers were trying to balance rising premiums, employees were worried about their paychecks, and benefits teams were stretched thin trying to make it all make sense. For those reasons, the benefits conversation would usually focus heavily on medical, dental, and vision benefits. It’s understandable to a degree, but it also leaves employees exposed to the very real financial gaps that show up when life happens.

But stepping into the carrier side, here’s what I’ve learned: voluntary benefits aren’t just a late add to the benefits conversation anymore — they’re central to an effective benefits strategy.

With healthcare costs climbing year over year, these added benefits matter more than we realize. And when designed and communicated well, voluntary benefits don’t just offset the cost of medical care; they add meaningful layers of financial protection and support that employees desperately need.

Seeing the Gaps in Medical Coverage Firsthand

Life With Long-Term Care

My perspective on voluntary benefits isn’t just professional — it’s personal.

Over the years, I’ve seen close family members and relatives go through situations where long-term care was needed. Sometimes that meant being cared for by a loved one at home, and other times it required moving into a care facility. These experiences opened my eyes to the realities families face when care becomes necessary.

The emotional toll is heavy, but the financial and logistical challenges can be just as overwhelming. Coordinating care, understanding options, and navigating next steps often feels like a full-time job.

Looking back, I often think about how different those experiences could have been if long-term care benefits and caregiver support resources were available. Solutions like those offered by Trustmark — pairing care benefits with services such as Cariloop® — provide guidance, financial support, and peace of mind that can make a tremendous difference for families.

Too often, long-term care is viewed as something far off in the future. But what I’ve learned is that life doesn’t always follow a timeline. When care is needed, it’s needed now, and the impact reaches far beyond the individual.

Critical Illness

In addition to life with long-term care, critical illness is a severely overlooked voluntary benefit. Especially with some of the new and innovative products on the market today – specifically, Trustmark Critical HealthEvents®.

The idea of Critical HealthEvents is quite simple but powerful. The more proactive you are about your health (I.e., going to the doctor, catching things early), the more value the product can provide you since it pays benefits for early identification and early diagnosis. With rising costs tied to tests, treatments, and follow-up care, having a benefit that pays when a covered critical condition is diagnosed can make a real difference.

But it’s important to note that it’s not just about financial protection after a major event. It’s about encouraging early detection, regular care, and better health outcomes — all while helping employees manage the costs that traditional medical plans don’t fully cover.

For younger employees, this kind of benefit can be a game-changer. When I think about the experiences I’ve seen among family members and relatives, it’s not just the “what if” of having long-term care benefits — it’s also the “what if” of having Critical HealthEvents coverage. If someone has access to Critical HealthEvents earlier in life, it might encourage them to seek a diagnosis sooner, helping them and their loved ones acknowledge the reality they’re facing. It could also provide an extra layer of financial protection, reducing the fear of overextending themselves during an already difficult time.

What a Strong Carrier Partnership Looks Like

As a partner to brokers, we have a chance to educate employers and employees to help them understand the need for these products. That’s what excites me most today — continuing the education and messaging that helps brokers and employers understand just how impactful voluntary benefits can be. Because when employees understand their benefits, they’re empowered to use them. And when you have modern benefits that are designed to meet the realities of today’s healthcare landscape, like those in the market today, everyone wins.

Voluntary benefits are a necessary response to a system that’s becoming more complex and more expensive. And right now, they matter more than ever.