Stay informed with expert analysis, practical tips, and the latest trends in insurance and financial protection from the Trek Insurance Solutions team.
Not sure whether ACA marketplace, employer-sponsored, or private health insurance is right for you? This guide walks through a total-cost comparison checklist so you pick the plan that actually fits your budget and lifestyle.
A practical three-tier guide to employee benefits for small businesses — from essential coverage to competitive packages that attract and retain talent.
Confused by Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D? This quick guide breaks down what each part covers, who qualifies, and when to enroll — in plain English.
Learn how to convert your term life insurance policy to permanent coverage without a new medical exam. Explore options, costs, and when conversion makes sense for your family.
Social Security was never meant to be your only paycheck in retirement. Here's how to build a reliable income map with multiple sources.
Small employers can offer real health coverage with zero risk. Learn what the Zero Risk Business Plan is, how Copay vs HSA plans work, and why groups of one qualify.
A clear breakdown of how health insurance deductibles work, what they actually cost you, and how to pick a plan that matches your real healthcare spending.
Self-employed health insurance and disability leave a gap. Critical illness coverage fills the missing middle with immediate cash when diagnosis hits.
The elimination period on disability insurance ranges from 30 to 180 days. Here is how to choose the right waiting period for your budget and income gap.
Own-occupation vs any-occupation disability insurance: the difference determines whether you get paid if you can't do your specific job, or only if you can't work at all.
Branded and compounded GLP-1 medications serve different patients at different price points. Here is what separates them and how to decide which path fits your situation.
GLP-1 medications are reshaping small-group health plan costs. Here is what employers need to know about the trend and how a membership model can change the math.
GLP-1 Telehealth Cost Explainer
Learn the key rules for naming life insurance beneficiaries — from primary and contingent picks to trusts and life-event updates — so your policy pays the right people.
IRMAA adds up to $487 per month to your Medicare Part B premium in 2026. Learn how the two-year income lookback works, what the brackets are, and how to appeal with SSA-44.
Small business employee benefits packages don't require enterprise budgets. Learn a practical three-tier framework to attract and retain top talent.
Guaranteed annuity income can cover essential retirement expenses, but fit matters. Learn how to evaluate fit, liquidity, and legacy before committing.
Self-employed workers have no employer disability plan. Learn how income protection works and what to look for in a policy.
Learn how life insurance can help you leave a tax-efficient legacy for your family while minimizing the tax burden on your heirs.
Term vs. permanent life insurance explained — compare costs, coverage duration, and cash value to find the right fit for your family's financial goals.
HMO or PPO? Compare networks, premiums, and real out-of-pocket costs side by side. Find the health plan that fits your family.
Term life insurance at 25–35 costs as little as $15/mo. Learn why young adults should lock in coverage now — and how much you actually need.
Learn how permanent life insurance policies create tax-free retirement income through policy loans and cash value growth — and whether it fits your plan.
Telehealth coverage varies by health plan. Learn what to check — copays, networks, platform access, prescriptions, and mental health — before your visit.
Learn how a fixed indexed annuity creates a guaranteed retirement paycheck with market-linked growth and principal protection.
Your employer plan may cover 1–2x salary, but most families need 10x or more. Learn where group life falls short and how to close the gap.
A plain-English guide to health insurance deductibles, copays, and coinsurance — what they mean and how self-employed shoppers should compare plans.
Your Medicare Advantage plan dropped your doctor. Learn your options — switch plans, return to Original Medicare, or get a Medigap policy.
Turning 26 means losing your parent's health plan, but it opens a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Here's how it works, plus options for the self-employed.
Confused about Medicare enrollment periods? This guide breaks down every window, deadline, and penalty so you know exactly what to do and when to do it.
Learn how to choose the right health insurance plan. Compare premiums, deductibles, networks, and prescription coverage to find the best fit for you.
Learn how to get the most from your employee benefits — health insurance, retirement plans, life and disability coverage, and the perks you might be missing.
Medicare late-enrollment penalties add a permanent surcharge to your premium. Learn how Part B and Part D penalties are calculated and how to avoid them.
Turning 65 and still working? Learn when Medicare enrollment is required, how employer size affects your options, and how to avoid late penalties.
Indexed Universal Life insurance can create a tax-advantaged supplemental income stream. Learn how IUL works for retirement planning.
Traditional Medicare still skips routine dental, vision and hearing. The Saving MEDICARE Act may change that. Here's what beneficiaries should know.
Critical illness costs go beyond medical bills. Learn how voluntary critical illness insurance helps employees cover costs employer plans miss.
Voluntary critical-illness benefits help HR teams protect employees from the financial shock of a serious diagnosis without adding employer cost.
Freelancers: stop scrambling at tax time. Learn practical strategies for setting aside money for taxes throughout the year so you're never caught off guard.
Small business health premiums spiking at renewal? See how an ICHRA lets you set a fixed budget and let employees choose their own individual plans.
Term vs. whole life insurance explained — compare costs, coverage, and real-world scenarios to find the right policy for your family and budget.
Learn how deductibles and out-of-pocket maximums work on health plans — a clear guide for self-employed pros comparing ACA marketplace options.
Retirement Income — Strategies for a Secure Future
Discover how modern employee benefits—flexibility, wellness support, and voluntary options—help small businesses attract and keep top talent. Partner with Trek.
Confused about Medicare Advantage vs. Original Medicare? Compare costs, coverage, provider access, and extra benefits to choose the right path for you.
Your Medicare Advantage plan may not cover your doctor anymore. Learn why health systems are dropping MA plans and what to do before your next appointment.
Medicare Advantage upcoding costs taxpayers billions. Learn what it means for your coverage and how to protect yourself.
Not sure whether to choose Medigap Plan G or Plan N? Compare coverage, costs, and who each plan is best for.
Self-employed parents have no employer disability coverage. Learn what disability income insurance covers and how to protect your family's finances.
A critical illness creates non-medical costs most families never plan for. Learn what those costs are and how voluntary benefits can protect your income.
Eldercare support helps employers retain experienced midlife workers facing caregiving demands — see how benefits close the sandwich generation gap.
Inflation at 3.4–3.5% is outpacing wage growth. Learn what's driving the squeeze and five steps to protect your household budget.
IUL may offer tax-free death benefits and probate avoidance — learn how indexed universal life fits legacy planning for professionals.
Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. workers stay in unwanted jobs to keep health insurance. Here's what HR leaders can do about it.
A 2026 study suggests humans could live to 156. Here's what that means for retirement income, healthcare costs, and planning for a much longer life.
Medicare Advantage fraud costs taxpayers billions. Learn how overcharges happen, what regulators are doing, and how to protect your benefits.
A critical illness creates financial ripple effects far beyond hospital bills. Learn the hidden costs and how voluntary benefits can protect your income.
Original Medicare leaves dental, vision, and hearing uncovered — learn what gaps exist and how to protect your retirement health costs.
Inflation has been above target for five years. Central banks can no longer pretend it's transitory — here's what that means for your household budget.
Small-group health insurance premiums can double after one claim. ICHRA gives employers a fixed, budgetable contribution instead of absorbing renewal shocks.
A practical starter guide to voluntary benefits: what they are, typical costs, and how to build a retention-focused stack without raising payroll costs.
How employers can use voluntary benefits to retain top talent without raising payroll costs — practical strategies for HR leaders and working professionals.
Voluntary benefits that pair with ICHRA help employers reduce turnover and boost employee satisfaction. Learn which plans complement an HRA for retention.
Can an ICHRA cover 1099 contractors or variable-hour staff? Learn the IRS rules, employee classes, and what employers need to know.
Medicare Advantage plans draw sharp criticism for out-of-pocket costs and network limits. Here's how Medigap compares for near-retirees.
Original Medicare skips dental, vision, and hearing — here's what that means for your wallet and how to fill the gaps.
Self-employed professionals face a critical disability insurance gap — no income protection if illness or injury strikes. Learn how to close it before it's too late.
Bill Maher's viral 60% tax rant hit a nerve. Here's what Americans actually pay in taxes — and legal ways to reduce your own burden and keep more.
Learn how to set up ICHRA affordability thresholds and employee class rules to offer compliant, cost-effective health benefits.
ICHRA reimbursements are tax-free to employees under IRS rules as long as they maintain qualifying health coverage. Here's what the IRS requires.
Gig workers have no employer sick pay or group disability. Learn why individual disability income insurance matters and what to look for.
Employer health costs surged 8% in 2025, the biggest jump in a decade. Learn how ICHRAs help businesses cut costs 15% while giving employees real plan choice.
The ICHRA total addressable market just jumped from 21M to 96M lives. Here's why that matters for employers wrestling with 2026 health cost spikes.
ICHRA and QSEHRA both reimburse employees tax-free for individual health coverage, but size limits and dollar caps differ. Here's how to pick the right one.
QSEHRA or ICHRA? Compare 2026 limits, employer size rules, and flexibility to find the right HRA for your business.
Small employers are saving 15% on health benefits with ICHRAs in 2026 as group premiums surge 6.7-8%. Learn how this flexible alternative works.
Estate tax exemptions rose to 5M per person in 2026. Learn how life insurance in trust can help protect your family's legacy and preserve wealth across generations.
Original Medicare leaves dental, vision, and hearing costs uncovered. Learn how to fill these gaps with Medicare Advantage or supplemental coverage.
The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge launched July 1, 2026, offering eligible seniors GLP-1 medications for 50 dollars per month.
Medicare's new GLP-1 Bridge offers weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Zepbound for $50 a month. Learn eligibility, covered meds, and how to enroll in 2026.
Voluntary benefits cut turnover by up to 50%. Learn which offerings actually retain employees and how to design a package that sticks.
Struggling to keep talent? Voluntary benefits may be your most underused retention and recruitment lever. Learn how smart employers are using them to win.
Two-thirds of employers expect rising healthcare costs to squeeze budgets in 2026. Learn how voluntary benefits protect coverage without raising employer costs.
ACA subsidy expiration sent premiums soaring in 2026. Here is what self-employed professionals are facing and how to navigate coverage options.
Group disability policies cap at 60% and vanish when you leave. Here's what self-employed pros need to know about income protection gaps.
Family health premiums passed $1,800 a month for many self-employed owners in 2026. Learn why ACA subsidy changes hit hardest and how to lower your costs.
HSA-eligible plans can slash your tax bill and cut premiums. Here is how self-employed workers decide if one is worth it.
Retiring before 65 means losing employer coverage before Medicare starts. Here's how COBRA, ACA marketplace plans, and short-term insurance bridge the gap.
Nearly 1 in 4 workers will experience a disability before retirement age. Learn how disability income insurance protects your earning power.
Benefits are one of the most powerful — and most underused — retention levers available to employers in 2026. Here's what the data actually says.
COBRA keeps your employer plan but costs full price. The ACA Marketplace could save you hundreds per month — here's how to decide.
Life insurance can supply the cash heirs need so they aren't forced to sell property or a business to cover estate taxes and debts. Here's how.
Confused about Medicare dental, vision, and hearing coverage? Learn what Original Medicare excludes, how Advantage plans fill gaps, and your options.
Six benefits market shifts HR leaders must address in 2026 — from rising healthcare costs to AI governance and pay transparency rules.
Leaving your employer for gig work? Your group disability income coverage likely stops with your last day. Here's what to know before you go.
A 1035 exchange lets you shift life insurance cash value into an income annuity tax-deferred. Learn how the move works, who it suits, and what to watch for.
Group health premiums are spiking in 2026. See how ICHRA gives small businesses predictable costs and lets employees choose their own coverage.
Discover how targeted voluntary benefits help employers retain top talent. Learn strategies from HR leaders that actually work.
If you're self-employed and an injury stops you from working, how long could your savings last? Learn how disability income insurance protects your paycheck.
Critical-illness, accident, and disability payouts can help employers reduce turnover costs. Here's how voluntary benefits work.
Your income changes, so should your ACA subsidy estimate. Here's how self-employed and variable-income earners project it accurately and avoid surprises.
Medicare Advantage looks affordable at first, but network limits and switching rules can lock you in when your health needs change.
A 1035 exchange moves life insurance cash value into an annuity without triggering taxes — see how it works and when it fits your retirement plan.
Not sure which ACA metal tier fits your freelance life? We break down the costs, coverage, and trade-offs so you know when each tier saves you money.
Nearly 1 in 4 employees now juggles caregiving with work. Learn how leading employers are responding with benefits that retain talent and cut costs.
When critical illness strikes, employer health plans leave gaps. Learn how employers and mid-career professionals can prepare at renewal time.
Disabled gig workers face unique income challenges. Learn how disability, critical illness, and life insurance protect self-employed workers.
Small businesses can cut health insurance costs with an ICHRA. Learn how Individual Coverage HRAs work and why they're gaining traction.
Feeling squeezed by rising costs and stagnant paychecks? You're not alone. Explore the real money struggles people are facing in 2026 — and what you can do about it.
Medicare Advantage plans offer dental, vision, and hearing benefits beyond Original Medicare. Learn what to compare before choosing your plan.
Self-employed? The ACA marketplace may cover more than you think. Learn how to maximize subsidies, pick the right plan, and protect your income as a freelancer.
CMS requires integrated D-SNPs to issue one ID card and run one combined health risk assessment by January 2027. Here's what dual-eligible beneficiaries need to know.
Gig workers and self-employed professionals rarely carry disability insurance. Learn why income protection matters and how to fill the gap without overspending.
ICHRA lets small businesses set a fixed health benefits budget while employees choose their own plan. Learn how it works and whether it's right for you.
An Indexed Universal Life policy can fund tax-free retirement income and leave a tax-free legacy. Here's how multi-generational IUL works for high-net-worth families.
A max-funded IUL creates tax-free retirement income and a death benefit legacy. Learn how the strategy works and who it fits.
Medicare Advantage plans often bundle dental, vision, and hearing benefits — but coverage varies widely. Learn what's included, what's capped, and whether bundled or standalone makes sense for you.
The Inflation Reduction Act has changed Medicare prescription drug costs. Learn about the 5 insulin cap, /usr/bin/bash vaccines, and the ,400 out-of-pocket limit in 2027.
Understanding what Medicare Advantage SSBCI benefits cover in 2026, including the new cannabis exclusion rules and compliant debit card usage requirements.
Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026. Learn the key deadlines, what you can change, and how to prepare before Jan. 1.
Compare all 10 Medicare Supplement plan letters side by side. See what each one covers, typical costs, and how to choose the right Medigap option for you.
Compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket costs for 2026, including premiums, deductibles, copays, and network rules, to choose the right plan.
SHRM's 2026 survey of 5,472 employers shows healthcare costs still climbing, 401(k) matches slipping, and AI tools surging. Here's what it means for your SMB.
From payroll deductions to sales tax, here's why your take-home pay never seems to match what you actually earn — and what you can do about it.
Learn how to convert retirement savings into steady monthly income using Social Security timing, annuities, and a bucket strategy.
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired Jan 1 2026, sending premiums up 114% for many self-employed workers. Here's what changed and how to find affordable coverage.
Small business health costs keep climbing. Association health plans, ICHRAs, and level-funded options may offer more stable coverage than ACA renewals.
A critical illness diagnosis can derail your finances overnight. Learn what CI insurance covers, who benefits most, and how a lump-sum payout helps.
Financial wellness programs cut attrition and boost retention. Learn how 84 percent of employers link wellness tools to lower turnover and how to build yours.
Financial stress costs employers through turnover and lost productivity. Learn how voluntary financial wellbeing benefits help HR teams retain talent in 2026.
Healthcare benefits are a retention lever, not just a cost. Learn how employers can use benefits strategy to keep top talent in 2026.
Maximize Your 2025 Self-Employed Health Insurance Tips — a guide for independent professionals
Comparing Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage in 2026 — premiums, out-of-pocket costs, network restrictions, and which path fits your healthcare needs.
Do Medicare Advantage plans cover dental, vision, and hearing? Yes — over 90% of MA plans include these extra benefits. Learn what's covered and how to choose.
Original Medicare leaves gaps in dental, vision, hearing, and out-of-pocket costs. Compare Medicare Advantage extras and Medigap to find the right fit.
Self-employed professionals face an income protection gap with no employer sick pay or group benefits. Learn how to close it with the right coverage strategy.
Most business owners leave money on the table. Here are the key US tax advantages available to small business owners and how to use them strategically.
Small businesses are dropping group health coverage as premiums climb 8.5-11% in 2026. Learn how ICHRAs and individual plans can fill the coverage gap.
BOE insurance covers your business rent, payroll, and fixed costs when disability stops you from working. Learn how it protects small business owners.
Short-term disability covers weeks; long-term covers years. Here is how each works and which protects your income.
Learn how to calculate the right disability insurance amount for your income. Covers the 60-70% rule, key factors, and practical steps to find your number.
Disability insurance replaces your income if you cannot work. Here's what self-employed professionals need to know before gaps become financial crises.
Self-employed and shopping for health insurance? Compare ACA Marketplace plans, private PPOs, short-term coverage, and more to protect your business.
Inflation pushes workers into higher tax brackets even without real raises. Learn how bracket creep works and what you can do about it.
Self-employed Americans pay 12.4% into Social Security while gig employers pay nothing — here's how the math works and why it matters for retirement.
Benefits are now the deciding factor in whether top talent stays or leaves. Learn why the communication gap, not the benefits package, costs employers people.
ICHRA lets small businesses give employees tax-free health reimbursements while keeping costs predictable. Here's how it works and why it's gaining momentum.
Medicare Advantage spending reached 34B in 2025, crossing the 50% threshold of total Medicare outlays. Here's what that shift means for your coverage options and costs.
Medicare Advantage plans offer dental, vision, and hearing extras — but switching back to Medigap may trigger medical underwriting. Here's what to weigh.
Living benefits let you access your life insurance death benefit while alive if diagnosed with a terminal, chronic, or critical illness. Here is how they work.
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired Dec. 31, 2025. Self-employed professionals face 50%+ premium spikes in 2026. Learn your options before your next renewal.
Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults now provide care for a loved one. Learn how caregiving responsibilities are driving demand for voluntary employee benefits.
Financial wellness programs are reshaping how employers attract and retain talent. Learn how holistic benefits help close the security gap for working adults.
Omaha self-employed workers saw ACA premiums jump after enhanced subsidies expired. Learn what changed and how to find affordable alternatives in Nebraska.
Medicare Advantage networks, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs are shifting for 2026 AEP. Learn what changed and how to protect your coverage.
Original Medicare leaves dental, vision, and hearing costs on the table. Learn what gaps exist and how Medicare Advantage plans may help fill them.
Original Medicare won't cover routine dental, vision, or hearing care. See what you'll pay out of pocket and the coverage options that can help fill the gaps.
Self-employed? Losing ACA or Medicaid coverage? Learn your options, timelines, and how to stay covered without employer benefits.
Aging off your parent's plan at 26 is a Qualifying Life Event, giving you a 60-day Special Enrollment Period. Here's how it works and what to do next.
Self-employed buyers are seeing ACA premiums double after subsidy cuts. Learn why rates jumped and what affordable alternatives exist before your next renewal.
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired in December 2025, and self-employed premiums jumped as a result. Here's why your bill spiked and what you can do to lower it.
Self-employed in 2026? ACA marketplace premiums jumped after enhanced subsidies expired. Learn why costs spiked and what you can do to find affordable coverage.
Groceries, rent, gas — prices keep climbing while paychecks stay flat. Here's what's actually happening and how to make your money stretch further in 2026.
Metabolic conditions like diabetes and obesity now rank alongside oncology as top employer health cost drivers in 2026. See what it means for your benefits.
A max-funded IUL can create tax-free retirement income through policy loans — here is how it works, who it fits, and what trade-offs to weigh.
Miss the wrong Medicare enrollment window and you could face lifelong late penalties or coverage gaps. See when each window opens and what you can do in it.
Medicare leaves dental, vision, and hearing services mostly uncovered. Learn what Original Medicare skips and how to fill those gaps.
Can a Small Business With Under 50 Employees Offer ICHRA?
Employees use an ICHRA to pick their own health plan and get tax-free employer reimbursements. See how it works and your options.
Shift from personal retirement planning to legacy thinking that builds wealth lasting beyond your lifetime, with practical steps for your family.
The Small Business Health Options Awareness Act would require the SBA to promote ICHRA options to small employers.
ICHRA lets employers set a fixed monthly allowance for employee health coverage. Learn typical costs, affordability rules, and how to set your budget.
US inflation hit 4.2% in May 2026 - the highest since 2023. Learn practical steps to protect your budget from rising energy and food costs.
Medicare Advantage now covers most enrollees, but MedPAC says it costs taxpayers more. See what the 2026 quality and cost debate means for your coverage choice.
Self-employed health insurance runs $400 to $800 a month in 2026, but subsidies and tax deductions can cut that significantly. Here's what to expect.
ICHRA lets seasonal employers set a fixed budget while employees choose their own individual health plans — scalable, predictable, and admin-light.
2026 Voluntary Benefits Playbook for Small Business — How Choice-Based Platforms Cut Costs
Self-employed people qualify for ACA subsidies in 2026, but the subsidy cliff is back. Learn how to estimate your income and find affordable coverage.
The ACA subsidy cliff returned in 2026, ending premium credits above 400% FPL. See who's affected and how to find affordable coverage despite the change.
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired and premiums are climbing. Here are five practical strategies self-employed professionals can use to lower 2027 health costs.
Living benefits riders let you tap part of your term life death benefit early if you face a chronic, critical, or terminal illness. Here's how they work.
2026 Healthcare Cost Crisis: Employer Decision Funnel — 5 cost-containment strategies that control costs without hurting retention.
Small Business Benefits That Compete With Big Corp
Medicare Advantage or Medigap? Compare costs, networks, drug coverage, and travel flexibility to find the right Medicare path for your health and budget.
ICHRAs are transforming health benefits as large employers adopt this flexible reimbursement model, with over a million Americans now covered nationwide.
ICHRA gives small businesses in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond a flexible, cost-predictable way to offer health benefits without a traditional group plan.
Self-employed in Nebraska or Iowa? Your income may be your biggest uninsured asset. Learn how disability income insurance protects freelancers and 1099 workers.
Early retirees often face a health coverage gap between leaving work at 59½ and Medicare at 65. Learn how ACA and individual plans bridge those years.
Enhanced ACA premium subsidies expired at the end of 2025. Here's what the subsidy cliff means for self-employed Nebraskans and Iowans in 2026.
Medigap or Medicare Advantage at 65? Here's why Trek advises starting with Med Supp: a guaranteed-issue window, lifetime renewability, and predictable costs.
Leaving your job? Compare COBRA, ACA Marketplace, and short-term health insurance options so you don't lose coverage during a career transition.
Critical illness insurance is emerging as a top voluntary benefit for employers in 2026 — here's what HR teams and brokers should know about it.
Your health insurance may not cover every cancer-related cost. Trek Insurance Solutions helps Nebraska families find cancer insurance that fills those gaps.
From continuous glucose monitors to Oura Rings, here's what health insurance actually covers in the wearable tech and biohacking space in 2025.
How Trek Insurance Solutions helps Nebraska residents navigate every life stage, from turning 65 to managing Medicare costs throughout retirement.
Comparing ICHRA and traditional group health insurance on cost, flexibility, and choice to help Nebraska families and employees pick the better fit.
Omaha families face unique considerations when choosing life insurance. Here is why protecting your family's future matters more than ever in 2025.
Understand what home care insurance covers, what Medicare leaves out, and how to make sure in-home care services are fully covered when you need them.
IRMAA surcharges can add hundreds to your monthly Medicare premiums. Learn how they work and why planning ahead protects your retirement income.
Critical illness insurance pays a lump sum cash benefit upon diagnosis of a serious illness, helping protect Nebraska families from financial ruin.
A critical illness rider on your life insurance policy pays a portion of the death benefit early, giving you financial protection while you're still here.
How ICHRA gives Nebraska employers a flexible, cost-effective way to offer health benefits while giving employees choice and control over their coverage.
Medicare Advantage plans are changing across Nebraska. Follow these 7 steps to protect your coverage, avoid gaps, and find the right plan for your needs.
A complete guide to home care insurance — what it covers, what it costs, and how to choose the right policy for your Nebraska family.
Home care insurance helps Nebraska seniors maintain independence and age in place with dignity. Here is how the right coverage supports independent living.
Get the most out of your dental insurance with this complete guide to maximizing benefits, timing procedures wisely, and saving money on dental care.