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