Voluntary Group Benefits Sales Rise 17%

In 2002, the growth rate was 5% for sales of individual worksite products and 36% for sales of voluntary group products.

When an insurer sells an individual worksite product, it sells large numbers of individual policies at the worksite. Employees usually pay for the coverage by having the premium payments deducted from their paychecks.

When an insurer sells a voluntary group policy, the employer sets up a group policy. Employees decide whether or not to accept the coverage and pay for it through payroll deductions.

Individual worksite products accounted for about 56% of new U.S. worksite sales in 2003, Eastbridge says.