Eastbridge: Worksite Sales Bounced Back In 2006

The voluntary worksite benefits market came out of the doldrums in 2006, with sales rising 8% over the 2005 total, to $4.7 billion, according to Eastbridge Associates Inc.

Revenue increases for voluntary benefits had averaged just 2.7% from 2002 through 2005, reports Eastbridge, Avon, Conn.

The 2006 increase was still well below the typical pre-2002 growth rate, which was consistently in the double digits, Eastbridge says.

The research firm’s survey of more than 60 voluntary benefits carriers found that sales rose an average of 10% for the top 15 companies, much improved over the 1.5% increase recorded in 2006.