Taxes Hitting Every Paycheck and Purchase
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.
Trek Insights
Stay informed with expert analysis, practical tips, and the latest trends in insurance and financial protection from the Trek Insurance Solutions team.
Max-Funded IUL for Tax-Free Retirement Income and Legacy
A max-funded IUL creates tax-free retirement income and a death benefit legacy. Learn how the strategy works and who it fits.
Medicare Open Enrollment 2026 Deadline Reminders
Medicare Open Enrollment runs Oct. 15 – Dec. 7, 2026. Learn the key deadlines, what you can change, and how to prepare before Jan. 1.
Medigap vs Medicare Advantage Out-of-Pocket Differences
Compare Medigap and Medicare Advantage out-of-pocket costs for 2026. Learn premiums, deductibles, copays, and hidden costs to choose the right Medicare coverage.
ICHRA as a Cost-Control Option for Small Businesses
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.
Do Freelancers and Gig Workers Need Disability Insurance
Gig workers and self-employed professionals rarely carry disability insurance. Learn why income protection matters and how to fill the gap without overspending.
SHRM 2026 Benefits Survey: What SMBs Need to Know
SHRM's 2026 survey of 5,472 employers reveals where benefits spending is shifting and what SMBs should do next.
Medicare Advantage Dental Vision Hearing Coverage
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.
IUL Multi-Generational Wealth Vehicle
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.
Medicare Supplement Plans Compared: Side-by-Side Guide
Compare all 10 Medicare Supplement plans side by side. See what each plan covers, typical costs, and how to choose the right Medigap option for your health needs and budget.
Turn Retirement Savings Into a Monthly Paycheck
Learn how to convert retirement savings into steady monthly income using Social Security timing, annuities, and a bucket strategy.
Medicare Drug Cost Savings: IRA Impact in 2027
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.
Medicare SSBCI Cannabis Exclusions and Debit Card Compliance
Understanding what Medicare Advantage SSBCI benefits cover in 2026, including the new cannabis exclusion rules and compliant debit card usage requirements.
D-SNP Integration 2027: Dual-Eligible Benefits Guide
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.
Critical-Illness Insurance — What It Covers and Who Needs It
A critical-illness diagnosis can derail your finances overnight. Learn what CI insurance covers, who benefits most, and how a lump-sum payout helps fill the gaps.
Maximize Your 2025 Self-Employed Health Insurance Tips
Maximize Your 2025 Self-Employed Health Insurance Tips — a guide for independent professionals
What Tax Code Advantages Do US Business Owners Actually Get?
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.
The Self-Employed Income Protection Gap: When Work Stops
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.
Why Are Small Businesses Dropping Health Coverage Over Costs?
Small businesses are dropping group health coverage as premiums climb 10-11% in 2026. Learn how ICHRAs and individual plans can fill the gap.
Healthcare Benefits as Employee Retention Strategy
Healthcare benefits are a retention lever, not just a cost. Learn how employers can use benefits strategy to keep top talent in 2026.
Medicare Advantage Extra Benefits Dental Vision Hearing
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.
Medicare Advantage Extras vs Original Medicare Gaps
Original Medicare leaves gaps in dental, vision, hearing, and out-of-pocket costs. Compare Medicare Advantage extras and Medigap to find the right fit.
Med Supp vs Medicare Advantage Trade-Offs
Comparing Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage in 2026 — premiums, out-of-pocket costs, network restrictions, and which path fits your healthcare needs.
Employers Say Financial Wellness Tools Reduce Turnover
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.
ACA Subsidy Expiration 2026: Self-Employed Premium Shock
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.
Financial Wellbeing Programs as Employee Retention Strategy
Financial stress costs employers through turnover and lost productivity. Learn how voluntary financial wellbeing benefits help HR teams retain talent in 2026.
Association Health Plans and ERISA Options for SMBs
Small business health insurance costs keep climbing. Association health plans, ICHRAs, and level-funded options may offer more stable coverage than ACA renewals.
What Is Business Overhead Expense (BOE) Insurance?
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 vs Long-Term Disability Insurance
Short-term disability covers weeks; long-term covers years. Here is how each works and which protects your income.
How Much Disability Insurance Do I Need to Replace My Income?
Learn how to calculate the right disability insurance amount to replace your income. Covers the 60-70% rule, factors that affect your coverage, and practical steps.
Disability Insurance for Self-Employed: What You Need to Know
Disability insurance replaces your income if you cannot work. Here is what self-employed professionals need to know before gaps become crises.
Mack: #1 Health — Navigating Health Insurance as a Self-Employed Prof
Self-employed and need health insurance? Learn your coverage options — from ACA Marketplace plans to private PPOs — and find a plan that protects both your health and your business.
Bracket Creep and Your Tax Bill
Inflation pushes workers into higher tax brackets even without real raises. Learn how bracket creep works and what you can do about it.
Do Self-Employed Workers Really Pay Double Social Security Tax?
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 your retirement plan.
Healthcare Benefits as a Retention Strategy
Benefits are now the deciding factor in whether top talent stays or leaves. Learn why the communication gap—not the benefits package—is costing employers their best people.
ICHRA Flexibility for Small Businesses
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.
MA Spending Hits 53% of Medicare Outlays
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.
ma-vs-medigap-extras-and-switching-risks
Medicare Advantage plans offer dental, vision, and hearing extras — but switching back to Medigap may trigger medical underwriting. Here's what to weigh.
What Are Living Benefits on Life Insurance?
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.
ACA Subsidies Expired: 2026 Premium Spike for Self-Employed
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired Dec. 31, 2025. Self-employed professionals face 50%+ premium spikes in 2026. Learn your options before your next renewal.
Caregiving Is Reshaping Employee Benefits
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 Redefining 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.
Health Insurance Costs After Subsidy Cliff — Omaha Edition
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 Network and Cost Changes for AEP 2026
Medicare Advantage networks, premiums, and out-of-pocket costs are shifting for 2026 AEP. Learn what changed and how to protect your coverage.
Medicare Gaps in Dental Vision and Hearing 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 Gaps in Dental, Vision, and Hearing Coverage
Original Medicare leaves dental, vision, and hearing care largely uncovered. Learn what you'll pay out of pocket and how to fill the gaps.
Self-Employed Losing ACA Medicaid Coverage Options
Self-employed? Losing ACA or Medicaid coverage? Learn your options, timelines, and how to stay covered without employer benefits.
Turning 26? What the Qualifying Life Event Means for Your Health Insurance
Turning 26? What the Qualifying Life Event Means for Your Health Insurance
Why Did My ACA Health Insurance Premium Double
Self-employed buyers are seeing ACA premiums double after subsidy cuts. Learn why rates jumped and what affordable alternatives exist before your next renewal.
Why Did My ACA Health Insurance Premium Spike in 2026?
Enhanced ACA subsidies expired Dec 2025. Here's why self-employed premiums jumped and what you can do about it.
Why Do My ACA Marketplace Health Insurance Costs Keep Going Up?
Self-employed in 2026? ACA marketplace premiums jumped after subsidy expiration. Learn why costs spiked and what you can do to find affordable coverage.
Why Does Everything Cost More in 2026?
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 Disease as Top Employer Health Cost Driver in 2026
Metabolic conditions like diabetes and obesity now rank alongside oncology as top employer health cost drivers in 2026. Learn what this means for your benefits strategy.
Can a Max-Funded IUL Help You Build Tax-Free Retirement Income?
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.
Medicare Enrollment Windows Explained: IEP, AEP, OEP, and SEP
Miss the wrong Medicare enrollment window and you could face lifelong late penalties or coverage gaps. Here is when each window opens and what you can do in it.
What Does Medicare NOT Cover Dental Vision and Hearing
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?
Can a Small Business With Under 50 Employees Offer ICHRA?
How Do Employees Use an ICHRA to Buy Their Own Plan?
Employees use an ICHRA to pick their own health plan and get tax-free employer reimbursements. See how it works and your options.
Legacy Thinking for Multi-Generational Wealth
Shift from personal retirement planning to legacy thinking that builds wealth lasting beyond your lifetime, with practical steps for multi-generational families.
New Federal ICHRA Outreach Bill for Small Businesses
The Small Business Health Options Awareness Act would require the SBA to promote ICHRA options to small employers.
How Much Does ICHRA Cost an Employer?
ICHRA lets employers set a fixed monthly allowance for employee health coverage. Learn typical costs, affordability rules, and how to set your budget.
How to Protect Your Budget When Inflation Hits a 3-Year High
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 Quality and Cost Debates: What Seniors Should Know in 2026
Medicare Advantage Quality and Cost Debates: What Seniors Should Know in 2026
How Much Does Health Insurance Cost for a Self-Employed Person?
Self-employed health insurance costs $400 to $800 per month in 2026, but subsidies and tax deductions can cut that significantly. Here is what to expect and how to save.
ICHRA for Seasonal Small Businesses — How Choice-Based Platforms Cut Costs
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
2026 Voluntary Benefits Playbook for Small Business — How Choice-Based Platforms Cut Costs
Do Self-Employed People Qualify for ACA Subsidies in 2026?
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.
What Happened to the Enhanced ACA Subsidies in 2026
The ACA subsidy cliff returned in 2026. Learn who's affected by the expired enhanced credits and how to find affordable coverage.
ACA Subsidy Cliff Survival Guide — 5 Ways to Lower Your 2027 Health Insurance Costs
The enhanced ACA subsidies expired and premiums are climbing. Here are five practical strategies self-employed professionals can use to lower 2027 health insurance costs.
Living Benefits Riders on Term Life: What They Are and How They Work
Living benefits riders let you access part of your term life death benefit early if you face a chronic, critical, or terminal illness. Learn how they work, what they cost, and whether they make sense for you.
2026 Healthcare Cost Crisis: Employer Decision Funnel
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
Small Business Benefits That Compete With Big Corp
Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: Which Plan Is Right for You?
Medicare Advantage or Medigap? Compare costs, provider networks, prescription drug coverage, and travel flexibility to find the right Medicare path for your health and budget.
ICHRA Breakout Year: How Large Employers Are Redefining Health Benefits
Discover how Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs) are transforming health benefits, with large employers embracing this flexible solution and over a million Americans now covered.
ICHRA Surge 2026: The Small Business Opportunity for Employee Benefits
Discover how Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA) is becoming the smart alternative for small businesses in Nebraska, Iowa, and beyond to offer flexible, affordable health benefits.
Disability Income Insurance for Self-Employed Professionals: The Coverage You Cannot Afford to Skip (Revised)
Self-employed in Nebraska or Iowa? Your income may be your biggest uninsured asset. Learn how disability income insurance protects freelancers and 1099 workers when an illness or injury keeps you from working.
Healthcare Bridge: Early Retirement to Medicare at 59-to-65
Early retirees often face a healthcare coverage gap between leaving work at 59½ and Medicare eligibility at 65. Learn about individual health and ACA options to bridge those years — and how retirement income planning fits in.
The ACA Subsidy Cliff Returns in 2026: What Self-Employed Nebraskans and Iowans Need to Know
Enhanced ACA premium subsidies expire at the end of 2025. If you're self-employed in Nebraska or Iowa, here's what the subsidy cliff could mean for your health insurance costs in 2026 — and how to prepare.
The Med Supp-First Rule: Why We Advise Starting Here
Medicare Supplement (Medigap) vs. Medicare Advantage at 65: how the one-time guaranteed-issue window, guaranteed-renewable protection, and long-term cost predictability shape the Med-Supp-first approach — and when Advantage might be the better first step.
COBRA Alternatives for Job Changers
Leaving your job? Compare COBRA, ACA Marketplace, and short-term health insurance options so you don't lose coverage during a career transition.
Why More Employers Are Adding Critical Illness Insurance in 2026 (and What It Costs)
How critical illness insurance is emerging as a key voluntary benefit for employers in 2026 — what HR teams and brokers should know.
Why Cancer Insurance Is Essential: Protecting Your Financial Security Against Gaps In Traditional Health Plans
Your health insurance may not cover all cancer costs. Trek Insurance helps Nebraska residents find cancer insurance that fills the gaps.
What Insurance Covers Biohacking and Wearable Tech? (And Why It Matters in 2025)
From continuous glucose monitors to Oura Rings — what health insurance covers in the wearable tech and biohacking space, and what it means for your health in 2025.
From Medicare to Retirement: Your Life Stages, Covered with Trek's Simple Approach
How Trek Insurance Solutions helps Nebraska residents navigate every life stage — from turning 65 to managing Medicare costs in retirement.
ICHRA Vs Traditional Group Health Insurance: Which Is Better For Your Family?
Comparing ICHRA and traditional group health insurance: costs, flexibility, and which option better serves Nebraska families and employees.
Building a Secure Future: Why Life Insurance in Omaha Nebraska Matters for Omaha Families in 2025
Omaha families face unique considerations when choosing life insurance. Here is why protecting your family's future matters more than ever in 2025.
Navigating Home Care Insurance: Tips to Ensure You're Fully Covered
Understanding home care insurance and how to make sure you have the right coverage for in-home care services when you need them.
What Is IRMAA and Why Should You Have a Plan in Retirement
IRMAA surcharges can add hundreds to your monthly Medicare premiums. Learn how they work and why planning ahead protects your retirement income.
How Critical Illness Insurance Can Save Your Family from Financial Ruin
Critical illness insurance provides a lump sum cash benefit upon diagnosis of a serious illness. Here is how it protects Nebraska families from financial devastation.
The Benefits of Adding a Critical Illness Rider to Your Life Insurance
How a critical illness rider on your life insurance policy provides financial protection against serious illness while maintaining your life coverage.
Why ICHRA is the Flexible Employee Benefit Option Employers Need to Know About
How ICHRA gives Nebraska employers a flexible, cost-effective way to offer health benefits while giving employees choice in their coverage.
Medicare Advantage Shake-Up: 7 Steps to Protect Your Coverage When Plans Disappear
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.
Everything You Need to Know About Home Care Insurance
A complete guide to home care insurance — what it covers, what it costs, and how to choose the right policy for your Nebraska family.
How Home Care Insurance Supports Independent Living
Home care insurance helps Nebraska seniors maintain independence and age in place with dignity. Here is how the right coverage supports independent living.
How To Maximize Your Dental Insurance Benefits: A Complete Guide
Get the most out of your dental insurance with this complete guide to maximizing benefits, timing procedures wisely, and saving money on dental care.