Deciding moments

Preparing for whatever life brings your way

We make a lot of tough decisions throughout our lives. In those deciding moments, having benefits that provide financial protection can help support your choices.

Explore your options
Couple on a roller coaster

Use this guide to help determine what benefits are right for you, depending on your priorities

  • It’s time to make it alone and you’ve never been more excited!

    But now you’ll face decisions about things that didn’t cross your mind before: budgeting, saving for your future goals, and even retirement.

    53% percent of US adults say they’re “struggling to keep up” or just “making ends meet” financially.¹

  • Consider new insurance options

    You may no longer have access to coverage on your parents’ or partner’s plan anymore, so spend time figuring out what your employer offers, and take advantage of getting benefits through work.

  • Get extra protection

    Look into the details of your health plan. Especially if it’s a high deductible plan, you may need some extra protection through your workplace benefits. Accidents and illnesses can happen at any age, and medical bills are expensive, even with insurance.

  • Start planning ahead

    Can you max out your 401(k) and pay for better benefits? It’s possible to do both with proper planning. Your benefits, like disability insurance, can help you protect your paycheck if you get too sick or injured to work.

Products to keep you prepared

  • No matter your definition of family, we know it’s important to you.

    As your life changes, so do your deciding moments. Can I pay for that family trip and also get my dental work done? It’s important to carefully assess your benefits options at open enrollment and expand to accommodate whatever comes your way.

    89% of working parents say their children’s oral health is important to them.²

  • Cover your family

    Consider adding your partner and family to your dental and vision plans. These plans can help keep the whole family’s health in check, and when they’re offered at work, they can be very affordable.

  • Protect your paycheck

    As your family grows, don’t forget to review your life and disability protection. They can help protect your family if something happens to you.

  • Get extra financial protection

    Accident insurance can help protect your entire family, and it may even pay out a higher benefit if your child is injured while playing organized sports. With the rise in high deductible plans, this is an increasingly popular benefit for families.

Products for you and your family

  • You’ve been working your whole life on building your legacy, and now’s the time to consider leaving one.

    As you get closer to retirement, your needs change. Don’t fall into the trap of auto-enrolling into your benefits at work.

    At least 72% of life insurance owners are underinsured, but most believe they have enough coverage.³

  • Evaluate your savings

    Re-evaluate your budget and take stock of your retirement savings to decide if you need to continue building your savings.

  • Keep your protection in place

    Make sure you have protection in place to take care of your overall health with dental and vision protection. Benefits like critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance also provide valuable protection from expenses that may not be covered fully by your health plan.

  • Leave your legacy

    Make sure the beneficiaries on your life insurance and 401(k) accounts are up to date. If you haven't done so already, draw up a will to identify how your assets would be distributed.

Products to support your health and wallet

Resources for open enrollment

This guide can help you decide which insurance coverage options are most important for your personal situation. Find out which benefits your employer offers so you can begin looking at options and feel ready when open enrollment begins.

1 Mind, Body, and Wallet® 2025, Guardian Workplace Benefits Study, 2025

2 Dental Fundamentals, In-demand benefits that support well-being, Guardian, 2022

3  Guardian Workplace Benefits Study, 2023

Material discussed is meant for general information purposes only and is not to be construed as medical, tax, legal or investment advice. Although the information has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon only when coordinated with individual professional advice.

Group Insurance products are underwritten and issued by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, NY.  Products are not available in all states.