Once you get a job, decisions need to be made about pay and benefits. You may also need to request a workplace accommodation whether you are working in an office, at home, or some other environment. If your new job offers a 401(k) or other retirement savings plan, sign up and contribute as much as you can – your employer’s retirement savings plan is an essential part of your future financial security. On this page, you will find answers to important questions and additional resources to help you make informed financial decisions and ensure a successful start to your new job. You may also want to explore the “Retiring” tools and resources on this website to get a head start on planning for a secure retirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Savings Fitness can help you set financial goals and includes a series of financial planning worksheets to help save for short term and long term goals. This includes budgeting to help demonstrate how you can save for long term goals like retirement and determining how much to save now for a secure financial future.
- Setting Goals is a series of tools that walks you through setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Timely) goals, putting your goals into action, planning for life events and large purchases, and revising your goals.
- A financial counselor can help you set goals and provide you with advice as you work towards your goals. During COVID-19, you can receive guidance from a certified financial counselor at no cost to you through National Disability Institute and the Association of Financial Counselors, Planners and Educators (AFCPE).
- ABLE Accounts (Achieving a Better Life Experience) are a great way to save money from your new job for a range of disability-related needs. Information on ABLE is also available in Spanish. Accounts are special savings accounts for eligible individuals with disabilities that do not count against federally-funded public benefits.
- People start saving for retirement at various points in their life. If you want, you can take advantage of your employer’s retirement saving plan. It’s the easiest way to save. You can learn how to get started today by watching this Making Your Retirement Look Great video and reading the New Employee Saving Tips – Time Is On Your Side publication.
- Creating a savings habit can start with your first job. You will be more successful if you make it easy. Learn how to save successfully by following these tips from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on saving automatically.
- Deciding when to disclose can be a difficult choice for a person with a disability. The Job Accommodation Network is a great place to learn more about disability disclosure.
Resources
In Collaboration With
The LEAD WIOA Policy Department Center is led by National Disability Institute. It is fully funded as the WIOA Policy Development Center by the Office of Disability Employment Policy, U.S. Department of Labor, Grant number: OD-38977-22-75-4-11.