Swiss Re

The group risk industry should be smiling broadly not merely breathing a sigh of relief following the confirmation of an exception from retirement age legislation, said Swiss Re.

After four years with Swiss Re's Australia and New Zealand business, Russell Higginbotham believes the UK could import some ideas from the Australian life and health market

Swiss Re's predicts growth in the insurance and reinsurance industry will continue to accelerate next year and expects moderate expansion in the European and US economies.

Consumers view their financial health in stark contrast to how the protection industry thinks they should, according to research from Swiss Re.

Swiss Re has revealed a €10tr gap in European life insurance coverage and believes the industry needs to be bolder in selling the affordability and benefits of life cover.

Protection is unlikely to join the national employment savings trust (NEST) project following a meeting between Government representatives and counterparts from the group risk industry.

Few people recognise the huge challenge of funding long-term care that faces them as greater responsibility is handed over by the State, warns Swiss Re.

The reinsurer has reported an increase in sales of new term assurance, critical illness and whole life insurance in 2009, while income protection sales fell. However, the ‘Protection Gap' has widened further.

Clare Bousfield will take over as chief financial officier for Aegon's UK operations.

The group life and long-term disability markets shrank last year according to Swiss-Re.