Sponsored by: Aflac It is open enrollment season. And just in time for this critical time to make decisions about your health care, a recent study reveals just how important competitive health benefits are to employees. Financial Expert Winnie Sun, who is also known as the “Wealth Whisperer,” joins our Laura Cavanaugh to share details of the most recent Aflac Workforces Report. Sun says that choosing the right health care plan is a key to financial health. Most people spend less than an hour thinking about their benefit options. But it’s important to be smart shoppers because those benefits will affect you for the rest of 2024. “We can all agree that we’ve felt the pinch and rise of costs of goods and services,” said Sun. “Prices of everyday things like food, clothing, travel, even housing, gas, everything’s been huge. If you’ve been following the news, you know we’ve been experiencing year to year price hikes. This has certainly included health care as well. Premiums, deductibles have been on the rise.” The 2023-2024 Aflac Workforces Report examined benefits trends and attitudes. It surveyed employees and employers across the country. The annual report uncovered some eye-opening insights. It reveals that 53% of employees would accept a new job elsewhere if the company offered better and more competitive health benefits. Survey responses also revealed mental health and well-being are a top concern among employees. More than half of workers surveyed are facing serious burnout. An overwhelming majority of employees, more than 75%, report experiencing high levels of workplace stress. Half of those employees surveyed reported not being able to afford more than $1,000 out-of-pocket medical expenses. Supplemental insurance, like plans Aflac offers, can help. It provides an added level of financial security and peace of mind. For more information, visit www.aflac.com/awr