No matter what goal you’re working towards– taking a trip to Europe, buying a home, helping your kids through college– you likely need money to make it happen. But a new survey from nonprofit LIFE Foundation found that only one in six working Americans consider their paychecks their most valuable assets. The organization says many people fail to consider what their back up plan is in the event that they become sick or injured and can no longer work.

If you become disabled, your finances will most likely be impacted. According to LIFE Foundation, a 25-year-old who earns $50,000 a year could lose $3.8 million in future earnings if they become permanently disabled. Despite that information, fewer than one in three workers carry long-term disability coverage according to the US Department of Labor. “Most people don’t realize that they have a three in 10 chance of suffering a disabling illness or injury that could keep them out of work for three months or more,” Marvin H. Feldman, CLU, ChFC, RFC, president and CEO of the LIFE Foundation said in a statement. “Disability insurance makes sure that financial hardship doesn’t follow the physical and emotional toll that comes along with disability. It’s insurance for your income. When you think about it, your most valuable asset isn’t your home, car or jewelry. It’s what allows you to pay for all these things – it is your paycheck.”

Wondering how to get disability insurance? For many it’s available through employers. Your employer may offer short and long term group policy coverage at little or no cost. You can also check with professional associations which can offer insurance options to members.

Fall can be a tough time for American workers. In addition to gearing up for the holidays, many are also gearing up for higher premiums that will come next year. Typically in the fall is when employers give their workers insurance options for the following year. And as the Washington Post reports, many workers may be faced with less-than-ideal options. According to experts, studies show that rates will be increasing and companies will be putting more of the financial burden for premiums, deductibles and co-pays on their employees.

A study from the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust found that the share of costs put on employees rose from 27 percent to 30 percent. That equaled a 13.7 percent jump in the amount paid by workers. Another study that will provide more insight into these trends will be released in 2011, but most officials believe it will just reemphasize what’s already known. A study by Mercer found that employers are seeing health care costs increase by about 10 percent, but with cost saving methods will be able to drop that added burden to 6 percent. One way they’re doing that is by having their employees pay more of the cost. Another method is by encouraging employees to lose weight and get healthier. A Mercer official says lowering employee premiums or providing rewards for taking health assessment surveys are becoming more common.