Apr 24, 2011 (SmarTrend(R) News Watch via COMTEX) — Below are the top five companies in the Life & Health Insurance industry as measured by the price to cash flow ratio. Often companies with the lowest ratio present the greatest value to investors.

NEW YORK, April 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company launched today two new video calculators featuring licensed and experienced financial consultants who help guide individuals through the process of determining how long their retirement savings may last or how much life insurance coverage they may need to protect their families’ future.

The video calculators, unique to AXA Equitable, provide users with an interactive experience where they receive virtual consultations. Financial consultant David Tornetto offers individuals guidance on estimating how savings may grow until retirement and how withdrawals may impact savings during retirement. Financial consultant Char Granstra navigates users through a process to assess how much life insurance coverage they may need to replace their income. Combined, these two financial professionals have more than 40 years of experience helping people define and work toward their financial goals.

“Our video calculators provide people with more than just a figure of how much money they might need for a particular life event,” said Andrew McMahon, president of AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company. “These calculators, featuring real financial professionals, simulate what they can expect in an initial conversation with a financial consultant.

“Planning for your retirement, assessing your family’s readiness in the event of death, even just meeting with a financial consultant for the first time – these can all be daunting tasks,” McMahon said. “The virtual consultation can help people get more comfortable, be better prepared when actually meeting with a financial professional for the first time, and hopefully get more out of the meeting in terms of deciding next steps.”

The financial consultants take users through a step-by-step process to determine the how long their retirement savings may last or how much life insurance coverage they may need based on their life stage, current financial situation and future goals. If a user has a question or needs more information about a particular term or topic, they simply click on a button and the financial consultant explains the topic and provides guidance in greater detail.

“Studies have shown that people spend more time planning for a one-week vacation than they do planning for retirement,” said Connie O’Brien, senior vice president of Internet Strategy and Design for AXA Equitable. “We recently tested this in one of ourRetirement Reality Series person-on-the-street interviews and found solid evidence to support the theory. We created the video calculators to make it easier for people to take the first step toward planning for the future. With the Web technology available today, we can provide customers with a new level of resources to help them make more informed decisions at their pace and in a way that is comfortable and convenient for them.”

The video calculators and virtual consultations are available at www.axa-equitable.com.

About AXA Equitable

In business since 1859, AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company (NY, NY) is a leading financial protection company and one of the nation’s premier providers of life insurance, annuity, and financial products and services. The company’s products and services are distributed to individuals and business owners through its retail distribution channel, AXA Advisors, LLC (member FINRA, SIPC) and to the financial services market through its wholesale distribution channel, AXA Distributors, LLC. Find AXA Equitable on Facebook and Twitter or visit the company’s multi-media newsroom The Source @ AXA Equitable.

AXA Equitable, a subsidiary of AXA Financial Inc., is part of the global AXA Group, a worldwide leader in financial protection strategies and wealth management. “AXA Group” refers to AXA, a French holding company for an international group of insurance and financial services companies together with its direct and indirect consolidated subsidiaries. For more information, visit www.axa-equitable.com.

GE – 62059 (4/11)

SOURCE AXA Equitable

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CHRISTINE DUGAS
USA Today

As American families are struggling to pay their bills, it’s not surprising that many are putting off life insurance. Individual life insurance hit a 50-year low last year, according to LIMRA, an industry-sponsored group.

But during tough economic times, people should not sit back and think they’re immortal, says Gordon Bernhardt, a fee-only financial planner in McLean, Va.

The sudden death of a working parent could force the surviving spouse to make up for the loss of household income. And life insurance can be twice as important for a single parent.

For full article, visit: Not a good time to drop life insurance, experts say

DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)– President Barack Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act into law on July 21, 2010, setting into motion a series of studies and regulatory analyses that may permanently alter the way the financial services industry interacts with American consumers.(1) As indicated by its title, the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act aims to more closely regulate banks while protecting consumers from predatory lenders and other deceptive practices.

Transamerica Life Insurance Company now offers two separate white papers describing how the new financial reform law affects the business practices of financial service providers and what it means for consumers. Financial professionals can use the “Wall Street Reform and the Financial Services Industry” piece to educate themselves while sharing the “Wall Street Reform and the American Public” version with their clients.

“The white papers provide an analysis of the matters most important to financial professionals and their clients,” says Blake Bostwick, Chief Operating Officer of Transamerica Capital, Inc. “Creating informational resources and thought leadership pieces will be a continued focus for us. We plan to roll out The Forum in 2011, which is a comprehensive program that will help educate and guide the financial professionals we work with, so they can better serve their clients.”

In the “Wall Street Reform and the Financial Services Industry” analysis, the new law is explained, including:

• A description of potential effects for a financial professional and their business
• The components of proposed industry-wide oversight
• The implications of industry-specific oversight
• An estimated cost to the financial services industry

The “Wall Street Reform and the American Public” edition describes how the new law affects consumers, such as:

• The establishment of new consumer education programs
• Revised mortgage lending rules
• A new government program offering free credit scores

Transamerica’s examination of the latest financial regulatory overhaul is a useful addition to a financial professional’s practice, enabling them to better educate themselves, and can assist them in explaining the implications of the new law to their clients.

Financial professionals may obtain both versions by calling the Transamerica sales desk at 1-800-851-7555. Investors interested in learning more should speak with their financial professional or contact the customer care group at 1-800-525-6205.

1. WhiteHouse.gov. President Obama Signs Wall Street Reform: “No Easy Task”.WhiteHouse.gov. [Online] July 21, 2010. http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/07/21/president-obama-signs-wall-street-reform-no-easy-task.

Annuities issued by Transamerica Life Insurance Company in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company in Harrison, New York. (Transamerica) Annuities are underwritten and distributed by Transamerica Capital, Inc. Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company is licensed in New York.

About Transamerica

Transamerica companies market an array of life insurance, annuities, retirement solutions and investments designed to help individuals, families, and businesses build, protect and preserve their assets. The Transamerica companies are members of the AEGON companies. For more information about Transamerica, visit www.transamerica.com.

About Transamerica Capital, Inc.

Transamerica Capital, Inc. is the underwriting and wholesaling broker/dealer for variable annuities issued by Transamerica Life Insurance Company and Transamerica Financial Life Insurance Company. All of these companies are AEGON companies. Transamerica Capital, Inc. works with financial professionals at wirehouse, regional, independent, and bank firms to provide a variety of insurance and investment solutions.

About AEGON N.V.

AEGON N.V., based in The Hague, The Netherlands, has life insurance, pension and investment businesses in over 20 markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia. AEGON companies employ approximately 28,000 people and have over 40 million customers across the globe. For more information about AEGON, visit www.aegon.com.

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SIMSBURY, Conn., Aug 02, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — While the U.S. economy is showing signs of recovery, nearly three-quarters of Americans are worried about their jobs and are trying to make ends meet, according to a recent national survey(1) by The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. (HIG 24.20, +0.79, +3.38%).

The Hartford’s 2010 Benefit Landscape Study found that many Americans are working more, spending less, but still find themselves struggling financially, announced Ron Gendreau, executive vice president, The Hartford Group Benefits, today at the annual conference of the Disability Management Employer Coalition. In a keynote speech titled, “In the Aftermath of The Storm: Life in a Recessionary/Post-Recessionary Work Environment,” Gendreau said The Hartford surveyed 1,000 full-time workers in April about the economy’s impact on work and home life.

“Thirty-seven percent of consumers said they feel they have experienced ‘severe’ financial impact due to the recession. Many have made cutbacks in their spending, dipped into savings and retirement accounts, or taken on new jobs. But Americans continue to have a shaky financial situation,” said Gendreau, who leads the top-selling group disability insurance organization in U.S.(2) “Our survey also found that only about half of workers who are offered disability insurance are taking advantage of this benefit that helps provide a safety net if they lose income due to a disabling injury or illness.”

The poor economy has translated into extra work and stress for Americans. Nearly one in four (24 percent) of those surveyed said they have additional work or an increased workload, and 17 percent said they feel as though they need to put in more hours at work. Almost three-quarters of Americans (72 percent) feel moderately stressed, with one third feeling “very” or “extremely stressed.” Plus, this stress is impacting workers’ productivity.

When asked how stress is impacting their work environment, respondents’ top answer was having less patience with co-workers (38 percent), followed by taking longer to complete work (19 percent) and taking work home to finish (19 percent).

Discussing productivity, Gendreau outlined the importance of managing employees’ absences appropriately. “With a lean workforce and tighter budget, can you afford to have an employee out for up to six months?” he asked employers at the San Diego conference.

An integrated approach to managing lost time helps employers boost productivity while lowering costs, Gendreau said. Earlier this year, The Hartford launched an innovative solution to track and manage both occupational and non-occupational leave. The Hartford Productivity Advantage integrates the insurer’s group disability and workers’ compensation insurance with its leave management services to help employers minimize lost time while maintaining productivity.

The Hartford’s survey found that while consumers said they are working longer hours, many sought additional sources of income due to the economic downturn:

– 27 percent withdrew money from savings, investment or retirement accounts

– 11 percent borrowed money from friends or family

– 7 percent took a loan from a bank or retirement account

– 3 percent sold their home or relocated their residence.

Despite cutting back on spending, some Americans continue to struggle financially. One in four consumers said they have just enough money to meet basic living expenses, according to The Hartford’s survey. More than half of survey respondents (61 percent) said they would have to make significant changes to their lifestyle if they were to lose income for three to six months.

Gendreau noted The Hartford’s annual survey showed that benefits participation rose in 2010 over the previous year, including an increase of more than 10 percent in disability insurance. The number of employees with short-term disability insurance rose from 41 percent in 2009 to 55 percent in 2010, and the percentage of workers with long-term disability insurance increased from 36 percent last year to 47 percent this year.

“The rise in benefits participation is the good news from the recession. However, our survey indicates a continued need for income protection, with nearly half of the U.S. workforce unprepared for unplanned absences that impact their paycheck,” he said. “We encourage employees to take steps during the upcoming benefits enrollment season to increase their understanding of benefits that can help protect their family finances.”

Gendreau encouraged employers to help their workforce understand the value of benefits, such as disability and life insurance. He noted The Hartford’s survey found employees who are very satisfied with their benefits are least likely to report high stress.

About The Hartford

Celebrating 200 years of helping its customers achieve what’s ahead, The Hartford(HIG 24.20, +0.79, +3.38%) is an insurance and wealth management company. Through its unique focus on customer needs, the company serves businesses and consumers by providing the products and solutions they need to protect their assets and income from risks and manage their wealth and retirement needs. A Fortune 100 company, The Hartford is recognized widely for its service expertise and as one of the world’s most ethical companies. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at www.thehartford.com.

HIG-L

Some of the statements in this release may be considered forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. We caution investors that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual results may differ materially. Investors should consider the important risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ. These important risks and uncertainties include those discussed in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, our 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We assume no obligation to update this release, which speaks as of the date issued.

1. An independent market research agency conducted an online survey polling more than 1,000 U.S. adults, aged 18-64, in April 2010.

2. LIMRA International, full-year 2009

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A recent study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) found that nearly one-half of Baby Boomers and Generation Xers are at risk for not having enough savings to cover basic retirement living expenses(1). Personal finance resource Bills.com recommends creating more realistic and aggressive savings strategies to close this anticipated retirement cash gap.

“Pension plans and Social Security are no longer secure retirement options for most Americans — leaving many workers to fend for themselves in retirement,” said Ethan Ewing, president of Bills.com. “A healthy combination of budgeting, saving and leveraging of assets can turn most lean retirement budgets into nest eggs that will make it possible for retirees to realize the golden years they deserve.”

EBRI’s Retirement Readiness Rating™ discovered that because many Americans are living longer, saving less, and planning poorly for health care costs, most will not have enough money to pay basic living expenses throughout retirement. To help combat this troubling trend, Bills.com shared eight strategies for making the most of retirement.

1. Budget for Reality
It is easy to plan for retirement using suggested averages and advice from friends and family, but this can often fall short of what is required for an adequate nest egg. If you envision a luxurious retirement full of travel and free from money worries, then do your research. Understand the implications of inflation, taxes, and actual living costs. Do not underestimate how much money you’ll need after leaving the workforce.

2. Automate and Prioritize Savings
A common excuse offered to justify avoiding retirement contributions is “next year.” Enough “next years” will get you nowhere. It is imperative that you begin saving early and often. The power of compounding interest will make contributions in your twenties worth much more than the same investment in your forties. Automate savings so that you don’t have a choice. It is also imperative that parents put money into their retirement plan before funding a college savings program. You can always find loans for college, but not for retirement.

3. Eliminate Debt
One of the most important ways to enter retirement is debt free. Subtracting principal and interest payments from a fixed income is an easy way to expand debt instead of eliminating it. By paying off outstanding debt before you enter retirement, you can build a more accurate fixed budget and avoid the risk of falling behind or defaulting on payments.

4. Diversify Savings
There is no one magic investment vehicle for retirement savings. With a realistic retirement goal in mind, seek help from a variety of financial advisors to understand what options exist and which are best for your individual needs. Annuities, life insurance, 401(k) plans, and IRAs all present viable and unique options.

5. Play Catch Up
Older workers should take advantage of tax laws designed to help them save more money for retirement. Those workers who turn 50 in the calendar year and have met their maximum retirement contributions can make catch up contributions. For a traditional 401(k) plan, this can be an additional $5,500 in 2010 that is eligible for an employer match. Additional information is available on the IRS website.

6. Social Security Buy Back
If you are already retired or collecting Social Security, a little known strategy for collecting additional benefits is to cancel your current benefit level and then re-apply for greater benefits at a higher age. This is possible because the amount of benefits is calculated based on age — so the older you begin, the higher the monthly payout. In order to qualify, recipients must first pay back benefits they have received to date. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration website and download Social Security Form 521.

7. Leverage Your Assets
If you find yourself entering retirement without the cash reserves you’d hoped for but with some assets at your disposal, you can still enjoy a comfortable retirement. Individuals in search of cash who have a life insurance policy they no longer need can sell it in a life settlement. This can often return up to 300 percent of the cash surrender value on a policy(2). A reverse mortgage allows those 62 and older to receive monthly or a lump sum payment in return for the equity they’ve built up in their homes. For more information on a reverse mortgage visit the Bills.com Reverse Mortgage Center.

8. Consider a Second Career
While many people decide to work longer into retirement to save additional cash or delay tapping their nest eggs, many also look to second careers that are both personally and financially rewarding. A second career can be a good idea because you can match the demands and hours to supplement your retirement income, leaving you with both more free time and less financial stress. Examples of second careers can be working as a consultant, for a non-profit, or in a creative field such as writing.

Individuals with specific questions about retirement or how to best grow their next egg can use the Bills.com Ask Bill service to receive free, personalized answers to their questions.

About Bills.com

Bills.com is the leading resource for free and personalized money help. Founded by a group of financial experts committed to helping consumers save time, money and stress, Bills.com is designed to give consumers confidence in making money decisions. The site offers useful information, powerful tools, and real money experts to give consumers the information they need in the way they want it.

(1) Jack VanDerhei, The EBRI Retirement Readiness Rating™: Retirement Income Preparation and Future Prospects, July 2010, EBRI Issue Brief #344, Employee Benefit Research Institute

(2) Data Collection Report 2006, Life Settlement Association (LISA)

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NEWARK, N.J., Jul 27, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Women are more aware, engaged and actively involved in financial matters than ever before, according to the latest in a series of studies on women’s financial behaviors conducted by Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU 55.76, +0.29, +0.52%) and announced today in partnership with the Women’s Media Center and The Paley Center for Media.

The 10th anniversary study, “Financial Experience & Behaviors Among Women,” revealed that 95 percent of women are involved in household financial decisions, with one-fourth acting as primary decision-makers. At the same time, however, two-thirds of women — 64 percent — say they have more work to do to secure their financial future.

“It’s clear that the more women know about money and finance, the more they understand what it’s going to take to meet their future financial needs,” said Christine Marcks, president of Prudential Retirement, a leading provider of 401(k) and other retirement plans. “But it’s disturbing that too few have plans in place to achieve their long-term financial and retirement goals.” The survey found just one-third of women have a detailed financial plan in place, and, among the youngest segment, (ages 25-34) just one in 10 has a financial plan in place. Women cite barriers to developing a detailed financial plan, including lack of time, the pull to meet shorter-term financial obligations, lack of knowledge and, for many, an unmet desire for assistance and help.

Despite the financial setbacks of the economic crisis and concern about continued volatility, more than half of the women surveyed remain optimistic about the country’s economic recovery, although more than 75 percent now plan to either work longer (56 percent) or wonder if they will be able to retire on time (20 percent).

The Prudential study involved a national sample of women who are sole or joint heads of households between the ages of 25 and 64. The group has household income of $50,000 or more. Nearly 60 percent are employed, nearly 75 percent have advanced degrees and half have financial assets of more than $100,000.

Although women are more involved in decision making, many still lack confidence in their ability to make sound financial decisions and lack knowledge about sophisticated financial products–a consistent trend over the course of the 10-year study. “Women’s understanding of basic financial products is strong,” said Lori High, president of Prudential’s Group Insurance business, the second-largest provider of corporate life and disability insurance plans. “Their knowledge of products such as annuities and long-term care insurance has deepened since we conducted our first research in 2000, but it continues to be limited.”

Underscoring this knowledge gap, fewer than two in 10 women feel “very prepared” to make wise financial decisions. Half indicate that they “need some help,” and one-third believe that they “need a lot of help.” Nearly nine in 10 of those who are looking for a lot of help need guidance on how to choose financial products that meet their needs.

“While the need for a trusted financial partner has never been greater, women are relying on informal personal networks for advice,” said Judy Rice, president of Prudential Investments, Prudential’s proprietary mutual fund business. “Building a financial plan requires expert assistance, so it is important that financial firms work hard to build trust and do a better job of encouraging women to find the time to establish realistic plans to meet their specific needs.”

The study was originally launched in 2000, and is updated every two years. For the 10th anniversary study, 1,250 American women were polled. The survey was administered from Feb. 10-26, 2010. The margin of error is ±2.9% at a 95% confidence level. Respondents were panelists in the Harris Interactive Poll Online. To download a copy of the study, visit http://www.prudential.com/women.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (PRU 55.76, +0.29, +0.52%), a financial services leader with approximately $693 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2010, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees are committed to helping individual and institutional customers grow and protect their wealth through a variety of products and services, including life insurance, annuities, retirement-related services, mutual funds, investment management, and real estate services. In the U.S., Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit www.news.prudential.com.

The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry.

Women’s Media Center (WMC) makes women visible and powerful in the media. WMC works with the media to ensure that women’s stories are told and women’s voices are heard. They do this in three ways: through media advocacy campaigns; by creating their own media; and by training women to participate directly in media. WMC is directly engaged with the media at all levels to ensure that a diverse group of women is present in all forms of media: newsrooms, on air, in print, social media and online, as sources and subjects. The Women’s Media Center was founded in 2005 as a non-profit media organization by Jane Fonda, Robin Morgan, and Gloria Steinem. For more information on the Women’s Media Center, please visit: www.womensmediacenter.com.

SOURCE: Prudential Financial, Inc.

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NEW YORK, July 22 /PRNewswire/ — A recent report, Benefits & Behavior: Spotlight on Group Disability and Critical Illness – Awareness & Opportunity, from The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America (Guardian), one of the largest mutual life insurers and a leading provider of employee benefits, reveals that women were more likely than men to give a loan to family members in need of financial assistance because of medical distress.

  --  Despite longer life-spans and consequently the need to save more for
      retirement, 55% of women reported that they gave loans to friends or
      family members who were in medical distress compared to 34% of men.

Guardian conducted the survey to gain insight about how illnesses and the current economy have affected employee benefit decisions, particularly voluntary benefits (employee-paid), and employee understanding of key protection products. The full report can be accessed by visiting Guardian’s new dedicated employee benefits website, which provides research, industry trends, and educational resources at www.aboutemployeebenefits.com.

A Thin Line between Altruism and Anguish

“Government and retirement industry studies have made it clear that women tend to outlive men and therefore should probably be saving for a longer retirement,” Said Barry Petruzzi, 2nd VP, Group Benefits, Guardian. “If women are loaning an amount that they can afford to give, then it is an altruistic gesture to help friends and family. But, if they give more than they can afford, it can cause financial difficulties for themselves as well as possibly impact their retirement plans.”

“A solid financial protection package that includes life, disability, and critical illness insurance can help ensure that a person doesn’t have to borrow money in the first place – what’s more, some products can actually help a person compensate friends and families for the assistance they provide,” added Petruzzi. “For example, people often use the lump-sum they receive from critical illness policies to help compensate caregivers and family members who take an extended period of time off from work to help them during recovery.”

Guardian also offers a spousal benefit on its group disability income insurance that assists with expenses associated with the disability of a spouse. The partner still at work receives extra money to help with expenses that medical insurance doesn’t cover.

Expect the Unexpected

“There were many unanticipated findings in this survey,” said Elena Wu, Group Marketing Officer, Guardian. “Most surprising was the fact that personal experiences with a major illness did not seem to impact interest in purchasing voluntary disability, life, or critical illness insurance.”

  --  Most full-time employees (68%) have been or have a relative or friend
      that has been disabled, seriously ill or too sick to work.

Wu added, “We were expecting to see that employees who had first-hand knowledge of the trials and tribulations of an illness would be the first in line to buy protection. But you can’t assume that just because someone had a premature death or major illness in their close circle, they will run out to buy insurance. People are savvy and they know on some level that they need the protection, but they are often overwhelmed with too much information or confused by a lack of relevant information. Working with a financial advisor or benefits specialist can help employees make better decisions.”

Popularity Contest

Although personal experience doesn’t always translate into a greater inclination to purchase coverage, the report also revealed that more than 41% of full-time employees said they would consider paying in full to obtain certain benefits not currently offered by their employer, if the employer were to make those available.

When asked which benefit they would consider on a voluntary basis, employees chose the following (ranked in order of preference):

  --  Disability -- 58%
  --  Critical Illness -- 56%
  --  Dental -- 55%
  --  Life -- 52%
  --  Vision -- 48%

Petruzzi explained, "Intuitively, you would think that dental would rank at the top because it has a greater penetration and is a high-use and very popular benefit. In contrast, disability and critical illness are only used if an employee experiences a major illness, but they were statistically tied with dental insurance."

“The significant interest in critical illness and disability income insurance is likely because there are still many employers that do not offer these coverages. With employers’ budgets remaining tight, it’s good news that employees would welcome the opportunity to obtain critical illness and disability income insurance – even if it means paying most, if not all, of the cost out of their own wallet,” summarized Petruzzi.

Guardian recently enhanced its voluntary disability offering by lowering premiums, increasing coverage and simplifying its enrollment process. Additionally, under the company’s Disability Choice voluntary plan employees are able to increase coverage each year through an annual step-up option. The option allows employees to adjust their insurance amount as their needs and salary change.

Reading, Writing, and Voluntary Benefits

Voluntary benefits give employees more responsibility for their employee benefit decisions, but Guardian research reveals that many employees admit that they don’t understand differences between insurance products.

  --  More than a third (38%) of employees state that they don't know the
      difference between critical illness and disability insurance;
  --  More than a third (38%) say that they don't know the difference
      between critical illness and medical insurance;
  --  More than two-fifths (43%) say they don't know the difference between
      critical illness and long-term care insurance;
  --  More than half (57%) don't know the difference between critical
      illness insurance and accelerated death benefits on life insurance.

“We fielded these questions about employee understanding of the difference between coverage types in a 2008 survey, and the results are consistent with our current findings,” said Wu. “This shows that despite industry efforts to educate consumers there is still a significant knowledge gap. The information transformation won’t happen overnight. As an industry, we have to devote more resources to consumer education if we intend to move the needle in helping employees to better understand their employee benefits.”

About the Survey

Benefits & Behavior: Spotlight on Group Disability and Critical Illness – Awareness & Opportunity presents the findings of a telephone survey conducted among a national probability sample of 1,015 adults comprising 504 men and 511 women, 18 years of age and older, living in private households in the continental United States. The interviews were conducted by the Opinion Research Corporation of Princeton, N.J. from February 4-7, 2010.

Source: The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America