Voluntary Benefits

According to a new survey, a third of carriers feel that their companys current multi-states practices hurt sales.

When it comes to benefits, most employers tend to focus on health insurance. While the coverage is certainly important, this often leaves ancillary benefits, such as dental plans, as an afterthought.

HealthSpring Inc. shareholders have approved the insurer's planned acquisition by larger managed care provider Cigna Corp., moving the two companies closer to completing the deal.

I don't want to be so crass as to say that group LTD is worthless, but in many cases it is fundamentally inadequate, and instilling realistic expectations in those that have this type of insurance is a vital role of the professional financial advisor.

Ameritas Life Insurance Corp., said its completed its acquisition of BNL Financial Corporation, the parent company of Brokers National Life Assurance Company, an Austin, Texas-based insurance company domiciled in Arkansas.

With looming changes from health care reform on the horizon and increased cost-shifting to employees, voluntary benefits emerge as a bigger player in the benefit programs of the future.

Mail is getting lighterand insurance companies have something to do with it.

Chartis is expanding its relationship with Reader's Digest to market and sell accident, health, property and casualty insurance worldwide, the company said Thursday.