Voluntary sales on the rise

Voluntary sales were up nearly 4 percent in 2014, according to new data from Eastbridge Consulting Group.

Total voluntary/worksite sales for 2014 are estimated at $6.89 billion, up from $6.644 billion in 2013. Meanwhile, in-force premium revenue increased about 5 percent, to $37 billion.

Market concentration stayed flat from 2013, with the top 15 companies accounting for about 79 percent of total market sales. Overall the top companies had an average sales increase of 4.3 percent, slightly higher than the overall industry increase. The individual results for the top 15 were more varied this year, with five showing decreases and 10 with increases, Eastbridge said. Among those with an increase, six companies had double-digit increases.