Start Financial Planning With 3 Baby Steps

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financial planning session

Does the idea of financial planning — putting together a system for keeping your money matters and goals on track — seem daunting?

Then divide the task into smaller pieces.

Here are some small steps you can take immediately, in the coming week, and for the month that can help set a direction for your finances. These baby steps can be your start.

Financial planning steps for today

Make a budget. The first step in any personal finance effort is getting a handle on the amount of money you have coming in and going out. Making a budget lets you do that. And, in the process of putting one together, a budget helps you think about the priorities you have for your finances.

Here’s some guidance to help you put a budget together. For most people, the process isn’t that time-consuming.

If you already have a budget, you may want to revisit it and make adjustments, especially if your income has changed or you have incurred a major expense recently.)

Establish an emergency fund. If you don’t have an emergency fund, you need to start one. And you need to make consistent contributions to it as part of the budgeting process.

Generally, financial professionals suggest that the fund be held in a liquid interest-bearing account, like a money market account, savings account, or even a short-term certificate of deposit. Such accounts are generally straightforward and relatively quick to open. The money in your emergency fund typically should cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses, although recent bouts of severe unemployment have led many money mavens to suggest putting aside even more.

Get a Social Security account and report. Whether your retirement is looming or still a long way off, it’s a good idea to keep track of what your financial resources are likely to be. Social Security will likely be one of those resources. To find out how your personal Social Security account is shaping up, you need to go to myAccount on the Social Security web site and create your account. Then you can access your so-called “blue bar” report, which is a useful tool for those who want to know more about their benefits.

Many people don’t keep track. But it’s important information since it can flag retirement income issues you may face while you still have the time and the means to address them. So, take a few minutes to go to www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount and follow the prompts

Financial planning steps for this week

Check your retirement contributions. A lot of times, people take a set-it-and-forget-it approach to their retirement accounts, especially those that are part of their workplace benefits, like 401(k)s. But it is important to periodically review such accounts and make sure you are getting the maximum benefit.

First of all, make sure that you are signed up for the plan. Some companies have a waiting period, and employees, having fallen into a routine after a few months, forget to take action.

Once in the plan, keep vigilant.

For instance, if you got a promotion or raise, you may want to consider increasing your contributions accordingly. Or, if you are old enough, you may have an opportunity to take advantage of some of the catch-up provisions available for those looking to bolster savings as they approach retirement.

And, perhaps, your company has changed matching levels for its 401(k) or has added investment options since you last checked. You’ll need to reach out to your benefits department to get the latest information and updates on your company-sponsored retirement plan sent to you.

Prioritize your debt. As part of the budgeting process, you no doubt got an idea of your debt load. The next, deeper step is to sort out those obligations. Generally, you want to pay off higher interest debt — like a credit card — first, while keeping current on less impactful debt.

Find a financial professional. For many people, expert financial advice can end up saving them lots of time and money in the long run. But it’s a relationship that has to connect on a number of levels.

You may want to look at professionals or services near you and ask friends, colleagues, or family for recommendations. If there is a financial services firm you particularly like, you can reach out to that firm directly.

Financial planning steps for this month

Portfolio review. It’s important to go over your investments periodically, especially in the face of changing circumstances and environments. You should dedicate a little time to it.

First of all, you need to collect information and examine all your investments, be they retirement accounts, like 401(k)s or IRAs, or brokerage accounts holding stocks, mutual funds, bonds, or exchange-traded funds. Then, you should look at the performance and nature of those investments and assess whether or not they still fit your goals and risk profile.

Remember, your risk profile is likely to change over time. Younger investors can tend to take on more risk, since they have time to recover from downturns, while older investors likely want to have less risk in their holdings, since retirement is nearer.

With that in mind, you can look at the entirety of your portfolio and determine if you have the proper asset allocation in place. That is, whether you have the right mix of higher risk and lower risk investments.

Taxes. Most people only think about taxes at year-end or around the tax-filing deadline. But it can pay to assess where you stand more frequently.

Specifically, taxpayers should check their withholding and make sure they’re on track to pay what they owe and nothing more. If you withhold too much, you’ll get a refund, but you will have missed a chance invest that money for compounded growth or to pay off debt. On the other hand, if you withhold too little, you could be surprised by a tax bill (or worse, an underpayment penalty) when you file your income taxes.

Meet your financial professional. Assuming you took the step above, your meeting with your financial professional should come within the month. You need to prepare for it, especially if it is your first meeting.

You need to approach it with an idea of the goals you want to accomplish and the topics you wish to discuss. Some questions to consider include:

  • Is your retirement plan on track?
  • Do you need to adjust your asset allocation?
  • Do you need help setting up an estate plan?
  • Is the appropriate amount of insurance protection in place for your family should something happen to you?

Conclusion

Obviously, there are more personal finance planning steps you can take, throughout the year or even a lifetime, to help keep your financial situation grounded. But the steps here — for a day, a week, or a month — can give you a start.

Provided by Matthew Clayson, courtesy of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual). CA Insurance License # 0I01304
©2024 Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company, Springfield, MA 01111-0001 MM202708-310101

Emerging Wellness Trends in 2025

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The days of compartmentalizing physical, mental, financial and emotional well-being are over. In 2025, organizations are adopting a holistic approach that considers the entire employee. Expanding all aspects of wellness support is meant to help meet workers’ needs and expectations. While organizations may have already increased their mental health support in the past few years, some are now pivoting and ramping up financial wellness efforts in 2025.

This article highlights four employee wellness trends to monitor in 2025.

Addressing Employee Burnout

Many of today’s workers are burnt out; a recent report by talent advisory firm DHR Global revealed that 82% of employees are experiencing burnout. While health experts used to correlate remote work with positive mental health benefits, in 2025, they’re predicting equal levels of stress and burnout regardless of working location. So, unfortunately, employers shouldn’t expect employee burnout to disappear anytime soon.

Top drivers of employee burnout include long hours (58%), overwhelming workloads (35%), and difficulty balancing work and personal life (34%), according to DHR Global’s report. Burnout can be caused by stress, so employers are also looking at how stress shows up in the workplace and impacts employees. A recent survey by corporate wellness platform Wellhub found that nearly half (47%) of workers identify work stress as the primary cause of their deteriorating mental health—and that was consistent across most generations. Baby boomers are more concerned about inflation, while Generation Z, millennials and Generation X agreed that work stresses them out the most.

In an effort to prevent and alleviate rising levels of stress and burnout, more organizations are prioritizing flexible work arrangements, mental health days, realistic workload expectations and designated downtime to help employees maintain a healthy work-life balance. Employee assistance programs (EAPs), counseling services, stress management workshops and digital platforms for mental health assistance are increasingly becoming key components of workplace wellness initiatives. More employers are also investing in resources to destigmatize mental health (e.g., anti-stigma campaigns, mental health literacy training and EAPs) and foster a culture where employees feel comfortable seeking mental health support.

Prioritizing Financial Wellness

Money is a significant stressor for employees, and concerns have been exacerbated by prolonged inflation pressures over the past couple of years, growing debts and skyrocketing medical costs. In fact, more than 6 out of 10 Americans currently live paycheck to paycheck. PYMNTS Intelligence data also revealed that people say the top reason is that they don’t earn enough. While many organizations’ budgets are prepared for salary increases in 2025, they may still be insufficient to keep up with inflation.

Moreover, health care costs will once again increase substantially this year. Add all these financial responsibilities up, and it’s no wonder that workers today are worried about how they will earn a living and pay their bills.

Employers can help reduce employees’ financial stress by exploring financial wellness resources and support options and offering attractive programs for current and prospective employees. In addition to raising wages and offering competitive benefits, employers are exploring financial wellness resources, such as emergency savings funds, retirement savings, financial literacy workshops and one-on-one financial counseling. Financial wellness is a critical component of well-being and can be a competitive offering, especially as workers closely examine their salaries, medical bills and everyday expenses. Today’s workers are not only asking for but now expecting these lifelines from employers.

Engaging Employees Through Social Connections

According to Gallup, employee engagement in the United States reached an 11-year low in 2024. Additionally, employee satisfaction returned to a record low, and workers are seeking new job opportunities at the highest level since 2015. Organizational changes (e.g., team restructuring, additional job responsibilities and budget cuts) often cause employees to feel frustrated or disconnected from their jobs. Remote and hybrid work models can also make employees feel physically distant from their colleagues and teams.

While employee quit rates haven’t increased yet, a troubling trend is at play. Workers are staying with their current employers but feel more disconnected than ever. Gallup has coined this new era as “the Great Detachment.” Before workers start switching employers by the masses in 2025, organizations have an opportunity to reengage their workforce and rebuild employee commitment. Some ways to accomplish this can be by confirming organizational priorities and, if needed, resetting work expectations. More than ever, workers want to feel like their work is meaningful and has a purpose, which can further motivate them. Managers and supervisors can help direct reports connect their contributions to a mission or purpose.

Personalizing Wellness Programs With AI and Data

Recent technological advancements in employee wellness incorporate digital health platforms, wearable technology, artificial intelligence (AI) solutions and data analytics. More employers will explore leveraging technology to personalize employee wellness benefits.

Technology can enable real-time health monitoring, personalized wellness plans and immediate, 24/7 access to health resources and services. Virtual health platforms can help overcome barriers to health care access. With AI, organizations can also gather data on employee health metrics, work habits, stress levels and preferences. This kind of data can be used to customize wellness recommendations and detect or manage health issues. Nutrition, exercise, mental health and stress management are different for everyone, so AI and data analytics can help tailor support to match each person’s unique needs. As AI becomes more commonplace in 2025, technology has the potential to help personalize and improve employees’ well- being experiences and encourage preventive care.

Summary

This renewed focus on holistic wellness is not just a trend; it’s a fundamental shift in how companies approach employee care. By prioritizing mental, emotional and financial well-being in health and wellness initiatives, organizations can create a supportive culture that encourages education, open conversations and utilization of available resources.
Organizations can start by evaluating current wellness initiatives and considering ways to improve them. To ensure offerings and investments resonate with the workforce, it can be helpful to survey employees first to see what they find most valuable and necessary for their overall well-being. Contact us for more wellness-related workplace guidance.

This Benefits Insights is not intended to be exhaustive nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. © 2025 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.

Drones, Electric Bikes, and Scooters: Is Insurance Necessary?

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Drone flying - do you have insurance

Recently, there has been extensive media coverage regarding notable drone activity along the East Coast. Analysts and commentators are emphasizing a notable and rapid increase in the usage of drones across various settings, which raises important conversations about safety and liability.

If you’ve spent any time in urban areas recently, you may have noticed the prevalence of electric scooters and electric bikes alongside the growing number of drones in the skies. These new modes of transportation are becoming part of the urban landscape, and they share a critical issue: a significant majority of private operators and users do not have adequate insurance coverage.

There are several reasons for this lack of insurance:

  • Most homeowners’ and auto insurance policies explicitly exclude coverage for aircraft-related activities, which encompasses drone usage.
  • Standard homeowners’ insurance typically does not extend coverage to electric vehicles, including electric scooters and bicycles.
  • Auto insurance policies are usually limited to registered vehicles, leaving many users of electric scooters and bicycles vulnerable in the event of an incident.

All three—aerial drones, electric bikes, and electric scooters—possess the potential to cause considerable bodily injury to others in case of an accident. This highlights a substantial gap in liability protection for users of these vehicles.

If you are actively operating drones, or using electric bikes or scooters, it is crucial to take proactive measures. We strongly encourage you to reach out to your Cleary Account Manager to discuss your current situation and explore the coverage options that may be available to you. Understanding your insurance needs can help protect you and others from unforeseen incidents.

Employer of Record and Drones: Two Challenges Employers Face

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Commercial owned drones and Employer of Record

As we enter 2025, two common issues have emerged that pose potential coverage problems for an organization’s financial well-being: Employer of Record Agreements and the use of drones.

**EMPLOYER OF RECORD AGREEMENTS** 

More U.S. companies are hiring talent from around the globe, thanks to advancements in technology that simplify communication, expand operational hours, and facilitate talent acquisition. To manage global hiring, organizations often turn to Employer of Record (EOR) services such as Globalization Partners, Oyster HR, and Velocity Global. These EOR organizations handle payroll, taxation, benefits, and local legal compliance for the U.S. entity.

However, an unintended consequence of this arrangement is that an organization might discover it lacks coverage after a loss caused by an EOR employee. Insurance policies typically have clauses that define “Who is an Insured.” While employees are generally considered insureds, policies also specify what constitutes an employee. If a policy’s definition excludes EORs, coverage for losses arising from EOR employment issues will not be available for the U.S. organization or the individual named in a lawsuit.

Furthermore, different policies issued by the same carrier may have varying definitions. For instance, General Liability coverage might include protections that are absent in Professional Liability policies.

When reviewing insurance programs, it is critical to:

  • Identify where the organization has “employees” and determine if any non-U.S. talent falls under an Employer of Record program. If so,
  • Collaborate closely with insurance carriers and underwriters when applying for or amending coverage to ensure that EOR employees are properly covered.

Many organizations, insurance brokers, and carriers may not be aware of this challenge, making it essential to recognize and address it promptly. Please reach out to your Cleary Account Manager to discuss whether EORs are being utilized.

**DRONES** 

Drones are increasingly used in commercial operations, benefiting industries such as roofing, real estate, and insurance adjusting. They allow for safer and more efficient property inspections, often from a distance, which can be beneficial for risk management in Workers’ Compensation.

However, this innovation presents potential challenges for an organization’s General Liability (GL) exposure. GL insurance typically provides coverage for bodily injury and property damage to others. If a drone causes injury or damage, one would generally look to the GL policy for defense and settlement coverage. The complication arises from the GL policy’s list of exclusions, which commonly includes the use of aircraft.

If your organization is using drones, please contact your Cleary Account Manager to discuss the implications for your coverage.