"The ability to earn a living-our income-is the most valuable asset [workers] have, and protecting that asset is increasingly important," said Thomas R. Watjen, president and CEO of Unum.
CFA and Unum officials said that the high value employees place on the availability of disability insurance, and their personal desire for insurance coverage, reflect the fact that most workers say they would suffer financial hardship if not able to work.
About 77% of all employees surveyed said they would suffer great or moderate financial hardship if they did not work for three months because of injury or illness, with 50% indicating great hardship. About 78% of workers polled said they would experience great financial hardship if they did not work for 12 months.
The CFA-Unum phone survey was administered by Opinion Research Corp International (ORC) over three weekends in late March and early April.
-Jim McConville