Voluntary Benefits

A recent survey finds more employers are asking workers to bear a greater share of the cost for their employer-sponsored benefits to help mitigate the effects of a down economy.

There is ample opportunity for employers to leverage wellness programs, according to the annual study.

80 percent of brokers say voluntary benefits are "very important" to the packages they offer employers; 17 percent said they were "somewhat important."

Voluntary life sales accounted for 24 percent of all voluntary sales in 2009, and new life sales were $1.3 billion for the year, up about 14 percent over 2008, according to Eastbridge's U.S. Worksite Sales Report.

On average, disabled workers with disability income protection returned to work three months earlier than workers without protection.

A recent report found that U.S. businesses stand to save over $400 billion annually by implementing virtual work policies.