Zurich and Further Group in May 2025 announced they would offer a new employee benefit – called Critical Care – designed to help those needing treatment for serious illnesses. Critical Care can provide life-changing well-being benefits for employees who have cancer, heart or neurological conditions, are in need of organ transplants, or require specialist treatment abroad at leading hospitals. It can be added to any Zurich International Group Life

G20 merchandise trade increased in Q1 2025 with exports and imports rising by 2.0% and 3.1%, respectively, compared with Q4 2024; the latest statistics show a mixed picture in services, with exports decreasing by 0.7% and imports increasing by 1.0%.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), its provisional estimates released in May 2025 show that gross domestic product (GDP) across the OECD area rose by just 0.1 % quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter (Q1) 2025, down markedly from 0.5 % in the previous quarter. This breaks the pattern of relatively strong and stable growth seen in the OECD area over the past two years. G7

Unum joins Generali Employee Benefits Network as its new employee benefits partner in the UK market for Group Risk products. Generali UK branch transfers the renewal rights of its employee benefits (Group Risk) business to Unum and its employee benefits team is to be welcomed to Unum.

MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) in April 2025 announced that it will be enhancing its MAXIS Global Pool Solution. Its updated solution, designed to support multinational employers at every stage of their pooling journey, includes a multi-employer pool (MEP) methodology, complementing its single-employer pool (SEP) offering. Under this new model, smaller MAXIS pool programmes will become part of the MEP, transitioning to a SEP if and when their

MAXIS Global Benefits Network in April 2025 released its 2025 whitepaper which looks in-depth at the growing impact of rising cancer rates on multinational employers and insurers. The whitepaper uses MAXIS GBN’s global claims data, drawn from standardized, anonymized data from millions of claimants around the world, to provide practical strategies for addressing claims trends. Cancer is a topic that has dominated discussions in the global health space in

As of April 2, 2025, European nationals must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to travel to the United Kingdom. This marks the final stage of deployment of the U.K. ETA requirement, after all other already eligible nationals. As of early March 2025, the ETA application system is open for E.U. nationals as well. E.U. travelers must now factor in time and cost (GBP 10 per person) when planning

MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) in March 2025 announced it is now working with Danish carrier Danica. Danica will offer life, critical illness, disability and medical coverage to MAXIS GBN’s multinational clients in Denmark. Danica, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Danske Bank Group, is a private life insurance company, specializing in pension plans, life insurance and health insurance. It is focused on preventing illness and reducing absenteeism,

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in January 2025 published its November 2024 year-on-year inflation figure of 4.5% globally, with marked differences between countries. Year-on-year inflation in the OECD, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), was stable at 4.5% in November 2024 compared with October. At country level the picture was more mixed, with inflation rising in 14 of 38 OECD countries including notable increases

According to a review conducted in the UK, 10% of full-time and part-time employees missed days at work due to financial stress. In the private sector, this meant that more than 2.5 million workers took time off due to financial wellbeing, and 13 million worker days were lost. A 2022 survey conducted in Asia found that those without emergency savings are 60% more likely to have difficulty concentrating at work compared with those who had emergency funds saved. According to Lyra Wellbeing’s 2023 US survey, 48% of employees cited financial stress as the top factor impacting their mental health.

Abelica Global, a network of independent actuarial firms, announces its new Executive Director, Kulin Patel, who has taken over the role from 1 December 2024 as Carl Hansen retires. Kulin Patel brings over 28 years of global pensions and insurance consulting experience including a wealth of knowledge representing, building, and leading strong brands and alliances. Kulin’s dedication to excellence, entrepreneurial style, and innovative spirit align well with Abelica Global’s

MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) in December 2024 announced the appointment of Nicolas Denys as Chief Underwriting Officer, effective 1 February 2025. Nicolas will sit on the MAXIS GBN Executive Committee, reporting to CEO Mattieu Rouot. In his new role, Nicolas will lead a team of pricing underwriters who work closely with the MAXIS network of local insurers, the MAXIS E.U. Underwriting Hub and our multinational clients. Nicolas joins MAXIS from

In an increasingly globalized world, human resources (HR) professionals and risk managers of multinational companies face the growing challenge of managing employee well being and insurance strategies across borders. For companies with a global workforce, the rising costs of healthcare services and insurance premiums make it crucial to explore innovative and cost-efficient solutions that maintain or enhance the quality of care provided to employees. One such solution that has

MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) has announced an exciting new initiative in partnership with Maven Clinic, the world’s largest virtual clinic for women’s and family health. On 1 October 2024, MAXIS GBN launched a comprehensive educational toolkit designed to help multinational companies provide essential support to employees experiencing menopause symptoms. The new service, available to MAXIS GBN’s multinational clients, aims to create a menopause-friendly work environment by providing

In a strategic move aimed at driving innovation and addressing evolving market needs, MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) has appointed Nicola Fordham as its new Chief Solutions Officer. This significant development was announced on 18 September 2024 and represents a fresh direction for the company’s approach to delivering solutions to multinational clients. Nicola Fordham, who previously held the position of Chief Underwriting Officer at MAXIS GBN, will now

London, 4 September 2024 – MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) proudly announces its latest partnership with Abi Global Health, a leading virtual care platform utilizing AI technology to connect individuals with healthcare professionals in under 40 seconds. This collaboration enables MAXIS GBN’s multinational clients to offer their employees immediate access to healthcare services, including physical and mental health support, via text, phone, or video consultations—anytime, anywhere. Abi’s cutting-edge

Zurich Global Employee Benefits Solutions (ZGEBS) has taken a bold step forward in its digital transformation journey, unveiling a suite of enhanced digital tools designed to streamline the way businesses manage global employee benefits. With new interactive dashboards, a dynamic online collaboration platform, and automated data transfer solutions, ZGEBS is setting a new standard for efficiency, transparency, and customer satisfaction. Innovation at the Core of Employee Benefits At the

GBV interview with Dr Leena Johns – What Should We Call Mental Distress? – Flow: People Who Are Easily Absorbed In An Activity May Have Better Mental And Cardiovascular Health – Promising Results For A Combined COVID And Flu Vaccine – How Expectations Influence Workplace Well-Being Interventions

In the July-August 2024 issue: GBV interview with Dr Leena Johns And: What Should We Call Mental Distress? – Nick Haslam, Naomi Baes Flow: People Who Are Easily Absorbed In An Activity May Have Better Mental And Cardiovascular Health – Miriam Mosing Promising Results For A Combined COVID And Flu Vaccine – Jaya Dantas How Expectations Influence Workplace Well-Being Interventions – Mehak Bharti, Ellen Choi, Nadège Levallet

MAXIS Global Benefits Network (MAXIS GBN) proudly announces the appointment of Tamara Truta Amizic as the new Regional Business Development Manager for the West US and LATAM regions. In her new role, Tamara will spearhead outbound business initiatives, providing strategic leadership to the existing team, and fostering close collaboration with MAXIS’ esteemed clients and partners. With over two decades of experience in global employee benefits, Tamara brings unparalleled expertise

Willis Towers Watson (WTW) in June 2024 published the 2024 edition its annual “Employee benefits: Global insurance networks’ matrix” table. An indispensable tool of the trade for global employee benefits practitioners, it is available for download as a PDF, no registration required. The matrix “provides a complete listing of the eight global benefits networks, and their affiliated insurers and their offshore (third-country national or expat) capabilities.”

Morten Unneberg Interview – Insurope; Immune Health Is All About Balance – Food And Your Gut Microbiome Are Your Built-In Weight Loss System – Alcohol Use Disorder Can Be Treated – Does Your Service Business Need AI? – Mac At 40: User Experience Was The Innovation

In the May-June 2024 issue: Morten Unneberg Interview – Insurope And: Immune Health Is All About Balance – Aimee Pugh Bernard Food And Your Gut Microbiome Are Your Built-In Weight Loss System – Christopher Damman Alcohol Use Disorder Can Be Treated – Joseph P. Schacht Does Your Service Business Need AI? – David Cohen, Christopher Meyer, Sudhir Nair Mac At 40: User Experience Was The Innovation – Jacob O.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in June 2024 announced that the G20 gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.9 % quarter-on-quarter in the first quarter (Q1) 2024, according to provisional estimates, up slightly from 0.7 % in the previous quarter (Chart 1). The area’s economic performance was primarily supported by China and India in Q1 2024[1]. Together with Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, Korea and Indonesia, they recorded GDP growth rates

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in May 2024 announced its latest trade numbers. After falling in 2023, G20 merchandise exports (current US dollars) bounced back in Q1 2024. Compared with Q4 2023, exports rose by 1.9 %, driven by strong growth from China, while imports slipped by 0.2 %, partly reflecting lower energy prices. According to preliminary estimates, G20 services trade continued to expand in Q1

Adriana Scherzinger has a rich background in the insurance industry, which has been highlighted by her recent appointment as Zurich Insurance Group’s group head of captives. She has been with Zurich since 2005, having held various significant roles across different regions, including Latin America and the Middle East, and more recently in the U.S. and Switzerland​​. Scherzinger’s educational background includes an Executive MBA from Fundação Getulio Vargas in Brazil

Oscar Health, an American health insurance company known for its innovative approach, has signaled a strong position for growth in 2024. Founded in 2012, Oscar Health was created to simplify the complexities of the U.S. healthcare system through technology, data, and design. The company’s recent financial performance and strategic operations highlight its potential for profitability and expansion. Financial Milestones and Growth Indicators Oscar Health‘s CEO, Mark Bertolini, recently announced