Available as an option on short-term disability
policies, Guardian becomes the only carrier to offer a paid leave
benefit rider option at scale
NEW
YORK, July 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Guardian
Life Insurance Company of America® (Guardian) has announced the
launch of its paid leave benefit rider to its short-term disability
policies, further demonstrating its commitment to supporting
caregivers and their well-being.
The expansion of Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) programs
in various states across the U.S. is fueling a demand for paid
leave as a standard employee benefit. However, just 27% of
Americans currently have such access1. In states without
mandated PFML programs, Guardian's new paid leave benefit
rider will help expand coverage for a variety of paid leaves. In
turn, employers can offer benefits that help attract and retain
talent, meet their employees' financial and well-being needs, and
provide equal access across their workforce.
Additionally, Guardian's paid leave benefit rider helps provide
employers with flexibility, including the option of whether to only
offer parental bonding leave or extend coverage to include family
care. If family care is selected, the rider covers an expanded
array of leave types, including leaves associated with a military
exigency or to respond to the impacts of domestic violence and
abuse—the latter of which is not always included in paid leave
offerings.
Currently available in 30 states and counting, Guardian's paid
leave benefit rider is the industry's most widely available
offering. With the addition of the rider, Guardian also offers one
of the industry's most comprehensive short-term disability plans
that includes a suite of caregiver-focused support and
resources.
"No two caregivers have the same experience, and Guardian is
committed to supporting our members wherever they are on their
journey," said Jessica Vanscavish,
Head of Disability, Absence, Life, and Supplemental Health at
Guardian. "For those who might be embarking on this chapter, it can
be a significant transition. Having access to paid family leave
coverage is one of the best ways we can support caregivers and
their well-being, across mind, body, and wallet®."
The addition of the paid leave benefit rider comes on the heels
of other recent caregiver-focused enhancements by Guardian. In
June, Guardian announced a new partnership with Wellthy, becoming
the first insurer to include caregiving support services—including
access to a care concierge, digital planning tools, and an online
peer-to-peer knowledge sharing space—in employer-provided
disability offerings. Guardian also recently partnered with Osara
Health to become the first insurer to include cancer support
services in Group long-term disability insurance and offer it at
scale. Through Guardian's integrated disability claims management
process, members diagnosed with cancer have access to a dedicated
health coach, personalized weekly digital education modules and
motivational articles, and the broader Osara Health app.
For more information about Guardian's paid leave benefit rider,
please visit:
https://www.guardianlife.com/group/disability-insurance/paid-leave-benefit-rider.
Media Contact:
Morgan
Musikantow
External Communications Lead
morgan_musikantow@glic.com
About Guardian
Guardian makes a difference in the lives of people when they
need us most. With over 160 years of stability and fiscal
integrity, we are a trusted resource to generations of families and
business owners, inspiring well-being and helping build financial
confidence. Today, we stand behind millions of consumers, helping
them prepare and plan for a bright future for themselves and their
families. We help business owners care for their employees. And we
help people recover and thrive in times of unexpected loss. As a
modern mutual insurance company, we believe in driving value beyond
dividends. We invest in our colleagues, are building an inclusive
and innovative culture, and are helping to uplift communities
through thoughtful corporate impact programs. Guardian, which is
based in New York City, is a
leading provider of life, disability, dental, and other benefits,
and has received accolades for its culture and service. Our
colleagues and financial professionals serve with care and
experience, and our commitments rest on a strong financial
foundation, which included a 2024 dividend allocation of
$1.398 billion – the largest in the
company's history. For more information,
visit guardianlife.com or follow us
on Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Disclaimer:
Guardian® is a registered trademark of The Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America. Copyright © 2024 The Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America.
Dividends are not guaranteed. They are declared annually by
Guardian's Board of Directors. The total dividend calculation
includes mortality experience and expense management as well as
investment results.
Financial information concerning Guardian as of December 31, 2023, on a statutory basis: Admitted
assets = $80.3 billion; liabilities =
$71.2 billion (including $58.0 billion of reserves); and surplus =
$9.1 billion.
Guardian's paid leave benefit rider is available on its
contributory, contributory, or voluntary short-term disability
policies.
Guardian's Short Term Disability is underwritten and issued by
The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY. Products are not available in
all states. Policy limitations and exclusions apply. Optional
riders and/or features may incur additional costs. This policy
provides disability income insurance only. It does NOT provide
basic hospital, basic medical, or major medical insurance as
defined by the New York State
Department of Financial Services.
Wellthy, Inc. ("Wellthy") is a vendor to The Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America ("Guardian"). Wellthy and Guardian are
not affiliated entities. Wellthy provides a care coordinator to
integrate separately retained caregiver resources (e.g., senior
care, childcare, etc.) for the benefit of a member or their
permitted dependents. ("Services"). Guardian does not control or
provide any part of the Services and does not bear any liability
for their provision. This informational resource is not a contract
and is for illustrative purposes only. Only the policy contains
applicable terms. Guardian and Wellthy reserve the right to
discontinue Services at any time without notice. Services may not
be available in all states. ©2024 The Guardian Life Insurance
Company of America.
Osara Health ("Osara") is a vendor to The Guardian Life
Insurance Company of America ("Guardian"). Osara and Guardian are
not affiliated entities. Osara provides a personalized support
program through certified health coaches to address cancer
management issues for the benefit of a member ("Services").
Services are designed for members 18 years+ of age, diagnosed with
cancer, regardless of cancer type, stage, or prognosis. Services
are not meant to provide medical advice/care. Medical advice/care
should be sought from your independent healthcare provider(s).
Guardian does not control or provide any part of the Services and
does not bear any liability for their provision. Guardian and Osara
reserve the right to discontinue Services at any time without
notice. Services may not be available in all states.
1 Employee Benefits in the United States, 2023 : U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (bls.gov)
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SOURCE Guardian