A new study by Gallagher, published in March 2026, of over 1,300 communications and HR professionals reveals a widening “Readiness Gap” between where organizations are and where they need to be to maximize performance in today’s volatile business environment. Gallagher’s 2026 Employee Communications Report, based on their 18th annual State of the Sector survey, identifies four critical priorities for communications teams: clarity and direction, workforce readiness, operational enablement, and

Generali CARE in March 2026 appointed Wendy Liu as CEO Global Benefits and Partnerships, where she will oversee the company’s employee benefits and B2B2C businesses. Liu brings over 20 years of international insurance experience, including nearly a decade at Willis Towers Watson in benefits consulting and most recently serving as CEO of Zurich Integrated Benefits and International Life from 2011 to 2026. In her new role, she will oversee

In Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, unemployment remained stable at 5.0% in January 2026, maintaining levels at or below this threshold since April 2022, according to data published in March 2026. Of the 33 OECD countries with available data, 18 saw unemployment rates unchanged from December 2025, while 11 experienced decreases and four countries—Colombia, Denmark, Norway, and Turkey—posted increases. Notable developments include Spain’s unemployment rate dropping

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in March 2026 published new data on inflation, which fell to 3.3% in January 2026 from 3.6% in December 2025, but consumer prices remain 35.6% higher than pre-pandemic levels from December 2019. The decline was broad-based across the OECD region, with 22 of 35 countries reporting lower inflation rates. The number of OECD countries with inflation at or below 2% increased

According to new data published in March 2026 by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), G20 GDP growth decelerated to 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 2025, down from 0.9% in the previous quarter, according to preliminary estimates. The slowdown was driven by contractions in Canada and South Korea, both falling 0.2% after posting growth of 0.6% and 1.3% respectively in Q3. The United States saw growth

Laurent Nihoul, CEO of the Federation of European Risk Management Associations (FERMA), in March 2026 was appointed vice-president of the International Federation of Risk and Insurance Management Associations (Ifrima). Nihoul, who assumed the FERMA CEO role from Typhaine Beaupérin last year, brings nearly three decades of experience spanning insurance, reinsurance, enterprise risk management, underwriting and risk financing. He succeeds former FERMA president Charlotte Hedemark Hancke in the IFRIMA vice-president

The adoption of AI in captive operations is a rapidly evolving topic, with AI tools advancing at a rapid pace: a major development every six months, while adoption rates vary greatly not only from one industry to another, but also between competitors within the same industry. It is therefore useful to take stock of the adoption of AI by captives and their managers in the first quarter of 2026.

Employee benefits captives have transformed from simple financing mechanisms into strategic platforms that deliver long-term financial value and support broader corporate objectives, according to International SOS Chief Risk Officer Franck Baron. Baron’s company has used its employee benefits (EB) captive to retain underwriting results, smooth volatility, and improve predictability across cycles while expanding into health risk management initiatives. The captive now addresses medical inflation, absenteeism, and long-term disability while

MAXIS Global Benefits Network in March 2026 appointed Brian McCarthy as Regional Manager for the US East Zone, tasking him with leading outbound business development across the eastern United States. McCarthy brings over 20 years of industry experience from pooling network IGP (International Group Program), where he spent 14 years as Assistant Vice President of Business Development. His expertise spans global benefits, captive reinsurance, product development, and client strategy.

Group critical illness insurance is gaining traction as employers seek comprehensive benefits that demonstrate genuine commitment to employee well-being while supporting retention and productivity goals. The coverage provides lump-sum payments upon diagnosis of serious conditions including cancer, heart attack, stroke, and major organ transplants. Unlike traditional group life insurance, this benefit offers immediate value to employees without dependents, addressing a key gap in standard benefits packages. Financial security represents

Hong Kong’s Insurance Authority has authorized its first new captive insurer of 2026, marking the third formation in the jurisdiction within less than a year as it actively pursues Asian market expansion. CNNC Captive Insurance Limited, established by China National Nuclear Corporation, brings Hong Kong’s total captive count to seven insurers. The formation represents a significant shift for the jurisdiction, which had remained relatively dormant for several years with

According to a study released in March 2026 by PwC, global assets under management (AUM) are projected to surge from $139 trillion today to $200 trillion by 2030, yet the asset and wealth management industry confronts a stark profitability paradox that threatens conventional business models. Despite this massive growth opportunity, profit margins continue their downward spiral. Profit as a share of assets under management has plummeted 19% since 2018

In the U.S., MetLife expects group benefits and retirement and income solutions to remain key drivers of growth, supported by favorable economic and demographic trends, a senior executive said in March 2026. Speaking at the Raymond James 47th Annual Institutional Investors Conference, Ramy Tadros, regional president of MetLife’s U.S. business, said the company sees strong fundamentals in the employer benefits market, including high returns on equity and a rational

PensionsEurope in March 2026 published a statement criticizing the European Commission’s revised Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation (SFDR), arguing it still fails to adequately address the unique characteristics of occupational pension schemes. The industry association warned that the SFDR framework remains primarily designed for retail investment products rather than pension funds, which operate in fundamentally different environments. Unlike retail investors who can execute personal investment preferences, pension scheme members participate

Pensioenfederatie, the Dutch Federation of Pension Funds, in February 2026 urged the European Commission to better coordinate public and private investment in climate resilience projects as physical climate risks become increasingly critical for long-term institutional investors. In its response to the Commission’s climate resilience consultation, Pensioenfederatie outlined three key recommendations to mobilize private institutional capital for climate adaptation. The federation called for clearer expectations around private capital’s role in

Generali Group and Swiss Life Global Solutions in February 2026 announced they had entered into a long-term commercial partnership under which Generali Employee Benefits (GEB) will acquire Swiss Life Network, subject to regulatory approvals. The transaction will combine the two groups’ global employee benefits networks, creating the largest platform worldwide in terms of geographical reach and premium volume. Once completed, the combined network will manage more than €3 billion

MAXIS GBN announced in February 2026 the appointment of Jayesh Patel as Chief Business Development Officer. Patel will join the Executive Committee and report to CEO Matthieu Rouot.

Dutch financial services giant Achmea in January 2026 appointed Frank Olde Hartman as director of Achmea Pensioenservices (APS), effective February 1, 2026, to oversee the unit’s strategic wind-down by 2030. The appointment comes as APS undergoes a major transition, with the business being phased out due to unprofitability as key clients migrate to the Netherlands’ new pension system. Achmea will continue supporting pension fund clients including Centraal Beheer APF,

MAXIS Global Benefits Network has partnered with LearnLux to strengthen its global financial wellbeing offering, expanding access to structured financial guidance for multinational workforces worldwide.