In an era where global risks are escalating and the insurance industry is pivoting towards a more customer-centric and digitally adept future, the “2024 Global Insurance Outlook” by Deloitte Center for Financial Services provides a comprehensive exploration into the multifaceted dynamics of the industry. The research, accessible here, underscores the pivotal role of insurers in not only acting as society’s “financial safety nets” but also evolving into sustainability ambassadors,

As the world observes World Mental Health Day today, October 10th, International SOS,World Mental Health Day today, October 10th, International SOS, a provider of health and security risk services globally, underscores the increasing significance of mental health resilience within the international workforce. In a world grappling with persistent and far-reaching crises, the impact of these challenges on employees’ mental well-being has never been more pronounced. The convergence of a

Introduction In the complex domain of health insurance, adverse selection persistently surfaces as a critical issue, influencing pricing and product allocation among consumers. The research paper, “The Incidence of Adverse Selection: Theory and Evidence from Health Insurance Choices,” authored by Michael Geruso, Timothy Layton, and Adam Leive, meticulously explores the multifaceted implications of adverse selection, particularly its impact on pricing and product allocation among consumers, and its distributional consequences.

In a straightforward and strategic organizational move, Generali has appointed Giulio Terzariol to lead its newly established “Insurance” Division, effective January 2024. This appointment marks a significant development in Generali’s organizational structure, consolidating all of its Insurance Business Units into one unified Division. Giulio Terzariol, with a rich history in the insurance sector, will step into the role of CEO Insurance, a position that entails comprehensive oversight of all

In December 2023, the Guernsey Financial Services Commission issued a notice concerning the failure of GBG Insurance Limited. A separate update for TieCare policyholders said replacement cover was being finalised, rather than confirming completion. These are historical statements about a specific insurer and affected arrangements. For international medical programmes, they underline the need to verify the underwriting entity and the actual continuity position of each policy. Identify who carries

In December 2023, an email from Captive International promoted a medical stop-loss captive white paper. An accessible MSL Captives paper by Phillip Giles and Steven McFarland explains such structures, but the retrieved document is undated and could not be confirmed as the exact edition announced. It provides technical background for examining retained risk, collateral and exit obligations, rather than evidence of a new release or guaranteed employer savings. Establish

Overview of OECD Inflation Trends in August 2023 The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has released a detailed report, providing an in-depth analysis of the inflation trends observed across its member countries in August 2023. The report reveals a notable increase in the year-on-year inflation within the OECD, which ascended to 6.4% in August 2023, up from 5.9% in July 2023. This inflationary trend was witnessed in

Aegon N.V., a notable entity in the financial and insurance sector, has embarked on a pivotal journey, aiming to shift its legal domicile from the Netherlands to Bermuda, as elucidated in their Shareholder Circular dated September 29, 2023. This strategic move, which is set to be voted upon at the Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders, is not merely a geographical shift but is embedded with intricate financial, regulatory, and

In 2022, U.S. insurance companies witnessed a deceleration in private equity investments, marking a mere 3.3% increase to reach $132.0 billion, following a stellar growth trajectory in the preceding year, as per a recent report by AM Best. The detailed insights of this financial shift are encapsulated in AM Best’s Special Report, titled “Growth in Insurers’ Private Equity Investments Slowed Significantly in 2022,” which can be accessed here. Life/annuity

In a pivotal announcement at the recent broker conference in London, Eric Maumy, CEO of the insurance distribution titan, APRIL Group, and its subsidiary APRIL International UK, unfolded a bold three-year growth blueprint, particularly spotlighting the International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) division. The strategy, meticulously crafted, is not merely a response to the current market dynamics but a forward-thinking approach to harness both the UK and global markets with

The Dynamics of the Global Workforce: Insights from SHRM’s 2023 Study In the ever-evolving world of work, the traditional definition of a worker is undergoing significant transformation. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) embarked on a comprehensive study in July 2023 to delve deeper into the unique desires, requirements, and experiences of workers worldwide. This report provides an insightful analysis of the findings from SHRM’s research, shedding light

The healthcare sector has been a focal point of economic discussions for years, with medical costs consistently on the rise. Recent data from Mercer’s National Survey of Employer-Sponsored Health Plans 2023 has shed light on this escalating issue, revealing that US employers anticipate a 5.4% surge in health benefit costs per employee in 2024. This projection comes even after employers have made adjustments to their plans to curtail this

In a recent report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on September 20, 2023, the global economic landscape is analyzed, shedding light on the current economic dynamics and projecting the trends for the years 2023 and 2024. The report, which can be accessed here, presents a detailed analysis of the global economic scenario, emphasizing the challenges of confronting inflation and sustaining growth. Global Economic Outlook

In a world where financial boundaries are constantly blurring, understanding the nuances of global capital allocation has never been more critical. The recent NBER research report by Sergio Florez-Orrego, Matteo Maggiori, Jesse Schreger, Ziwen Sun, and Serdil Tinda sheds light on this intricate landscape, offering a road map for future research and policy implications. Let’s delve into the key takeaways from this comprehensive study. The Surge in Cross-Border Investments

Seasonal allergies, a common adversary for many, have far-reaching implications that extend beyond sneezes and itchy eyes. A groundbreaking study titled “Invisible Killer: Seasonal Allergies and Accidents” by Mika Akesaka and Hitoshi Shigeoka delves deep into the unseen repercussions of pollen exposure, unveiling a peril that is more significant than previously perceived. The Underestimated Impact of Pollen Traditionally, the societal cost of pollen exposure has been measured in terms

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global threat, driven primarily by the misuse of antibiotics. This issue is explored in-depth in an OECD report, which reveals critical insights and potential consequences of unchecked AMR. Key Points: Global Antibiotic Consumption: Over the past two decades, the use of antibiotics in humans has moderately increased in OECD and EU/EEA countries but significantly surged in non-OECD G20 nations. Notably, the consumption of

September 9, 2023 – In a thought-provoking research paper titled “Retirement Consumption and Pension Design,” the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) delves into the intricacies of retirement planning and pension structures. This study, authored by Jonas Kolsrud, Camille Landais, Daniel Reck & Johannes Spinnewijn, offers valuable insights into how individuals’ retirement consumption patterns are influenced by the design of pension systems. The Research Paper The full research paper can be accessed here,

In a recent report by AM Best, titled “Life/Annuity Reinsurers Remain Prepared for Growth,” global life reinsurers are seen weathering the storm of excess mortality with cautious optimism. Despite facing challenges due to elevated life claims, the industry appears poised for continued growth. The report, part of AM Best’s comprehensive analysis of the global reinsurance industry leading up to the Rendez-Vous de Septembre in Monte Carlo, highlights several key

Updated: September 5, 2023 The latest data from the OECD reveals that year-on-year inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI), saw a notable uptick, reaching 5.9% in July 2023. This represents an increase from the 5.7% recorded in June and marks the first rise since October 2022. The primary driver behind this increase in inflation was a sharp surge in inflation in Türkiye. However, when excluding Türkiye

Zurich Integrated Benefits (ZIB) in August 2023 announced it would host its conference in London, UK, from September 6 – 8, 2023. Are you a Compensation and Benefits specialist, or Risk Manager working for a multinational company? Are you interested in finding out what the next trends for employee benefits are? If you haven’t received an ‘official invite’ via email and would like to attend, then please reach out

Luxembourg’s leading insurer Foyer in July 2023 announced the completion of the acquisition of iPMI carrier Globality from ERGO Group, after receiving approval from the regulator, Commissariat aux Assurances. The new company includes Foyer Global Health, the international health insurance and services provider for globally mobile people within Foyer Group, and Globality Health, previously part of ERGO Group, which in turn is owned by Munich Re. Foyer Global Health

In May 2023, the Dutch Senate approved the Future Pensions Act, which entered into force in July 2023 and began a transition toward contribution-based occupational pension arrangements. Those legal milestones should be distinguished from subsequent implementation decisions. DNB’s later guidance identifies 1 January 2028 as the transition deadline. For multinational employers, the practical task is to establish who is responsible for each decision affecting the local pension programme. Separate

In April 2023, the Council of the European Union adopted new rules on pay transparency and equal pay enforcement. Its announcement described pay information rights, reporting requirements and compensation that can include bonuses and payments in kind. The 2024 newsletter relay therefore concerned a directive already adopted. For benefits teams, the practical issue is whether the organisation can explain its remuneration elements consistently when comparing employees who perform the

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in March 2023 announced that the G20 gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 0.7 % quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter (Q4) 2023 according to provisional estimates, a slight dip from 0.8 % in the previous quarter (Chart 1). Economic performance across G20 economies was mixed in Q4 2023. China’s GDP growth eased to 1.0 % (down from 1.5 % in Q3)

Foyer, Luxembourg’s leading privately owned financial group, in March 2023 acquired Globality Health from ERGO Reiseversicherung (Ergo Travel Insurance), part of ERGO Group. ERGO is the retail division of Munich Re. Leadership in international health insurance With this acquisition, Foyer is investing in a high-potential business sector and strengthening its position in international health insurance for expatriates, an activity it has developed since 2014 through Foyer Global Health. Globality’s

Zurich Global Employee Benefits Solutions (ZGEBS) in February 2023 announced the appointment of Dag Zwikker as Regional Distribution Manager for the Nordics and the Benelux markets, based in Zurich, Switzerland. ZGEBS is part of Zurich Integrated Benefits, which brings together the various Zurich businesses providing global employee benefits, including cross-border corporate savings and risk solutions. In a way, it is back to the roots for Dag as he started

Generali Employee Benefits (GEB) in February 2023 announced the appointment of François-Xavier Dub as its new General Manager, reporting to GEB CEO Ludovic Bayard. François-Xavier Dub was since 2019 Head of Insurance within the Partnerships division at Generali France. He began his career in 2008, within the General Inspectorate of Société Générale, before joining the strategy consulting firm Exton Consulting in 2010, first as a senior consultant and then