Voluntary Benefits

THE RESULTS: Health insurer Aetna Inc. said Thursday its first-quarter net income rose 4 percent to $586 million, or $1.50 per share. Revenue fell 3 percent…

WellPoint Inc. said a drop in expenses helped raise its first-quarter net income nearly 6 percent, as it became the third big health insurer in the past week to beat analyst expectations and raise its 2011 earnings forecast.

Starmount Life Insurance Co.is now in business in 49 states with its recent admission in New Hampshire.

Analysts at Eastbridge Consulting Group say the recession has finally caught up with the burgeoning voluntary benefits industry.

While employee benefit costs continue to rise, there is one popular employee benefit that comes at no cost to companies: pet health insurance.

Shares of Express Scripts Inc. slipped Tuesday after the pharmacy benefits manager reported disappointing first-quarter results.