Engineers are hard-wired to manage complexity. But when it comes to their own wellbeing and financial security, the blueprint isn’t always clear-cut.
Engineers understand better than most how small decisions compound over time. The routines you build, the risks you mitigate and the systems you rely on all influence outcomes in ways that aren’t always visible at first.
The same goes for your wellbeing. Subtle, everyday choices can have a lasting impact both personally and professionally. But in balancing deadlines, stakeholder demands and the pursuit of technical precision, engineers often put their own wellbeing on the back burner.
According to Peter Tilocca, Head of Underwriting at NobleOak, that can come at a cost in more ways than one.
“While physical health and financial wellbeing are two important aspects of our lives, they are often viewed in isolation,” he said. “The truth is that they are deeply intertwined and play a crucial role in our overall wellbeing. For example, when it comes to taking out a life insurance policy, the state of your health will potentially influence the cost of your premium.”
In other words, building a strong foundation for your financial future doesn’t just come down to salary or superannuation, he said. It’s also about how you manage your health and your exposure to risk across the board.
Financial wellbeing starts with lifestyle design
A growing number of Australians are recognising the link between wellbeing and financial control. According to NobleOak research, happiness is at its highest since before COVID, with 75 per cent of respondents rating their happiness at 7/10 or higher. The key drivers of this uptick are an improved sense of financial security and improved health, said Tilocca.
But particularly in industries such as engineering, where job security can fluctuate with project pipelines and economic shifts, stress can quickly undermine both – meaning individuals often carry more risk than they realise.
Engineering professionals tend to thrive on structure, and Tilocca said applying that same mindset to your personal life to reduce stress and improve your risk profile.
“By integrating simple healthy habits into your lifestyle, you can start to really reap the benefits of feeling better and having more energy day to day,” he said. “And as a side benefit, your insurance premiums may be cheaper when you take out cover.”
Work-life balance isn’t about striving for perfection, he added – it’s about designing a system that supports you in the long run. With the right structures in place, engineers can not only protect their income and loved ones, but also reduce the emotional load that comes with carrying too much risk alone.
Beyond the basics
Many professionals assume the life insurance within their super is sufficient, Tilocca said. But as life stages evolve, so too do financial liabilities. Developments such as having children, supporting ageing parents or taking on a new mortgage all increase the need for reliable income streams in case of illness, injury or worse.
That’s where tailored insurance solutions become a strategic asset, not just a safety net. For professionals with complex career paths and fluctuating workloads, fully underwritten cover can provide more reliable protection than default group insurance.
Engineers who maintain a healthy lifestyle and keep medical records up to date may also benefit from more competitive premiums over time – an important consideration in an era of rising living costs and economic volatility.
Beyond that, Engineers Australia members can access fully underwritten life insurance with a 12 per cent lifetime discount on life cover and 10 per cent on income protection through NobleOak.
It’s another way engineers can bring structure to uncertainty, and apply the same thoughtful, long-term thinking they bring to their work to their lives.
Engineers Australia members can access special lifetime discounts on NobleOak’s award-winning life insurance. Get a quote today.
