Voluntary Benefits

The voluntary business is an important economic bellwether. It sounds plausible given that these are discretionary financial product purchases by large numbers of consumers.

Individual disability income markets combined premiums dropped for the second consecutive year as a result of poor economic conditions. But the drop from 2009 to 2010 was significantly lower than the previous year signaling future sales may be on the rebound.

Despite sales being down, some brokers say voluntary benefits are posing themselves for future growth.

How voluntary benefits can help your agency offset lost income

Four keys to an absence and disability management program that actually work

In the past two columns, weve looked at overall voluntary sales for 2010 and sales by product line and platform. In this final column on 2010 sales, we look at results by distributor segment.

More effectively communicating the value of disability income protection to younger workers can obviously help them understand their needs but can also help in meeting employers employee retention and productivity objectives.

With long-term disability insurance, employees can be sure they have the necessary protection should something go wrong.