Unsolicited emails and online newsletters are crowding all of our inboxes these days, filled with the secrets of success, the keys to higher participation, and the magic product combinations that will boost income.

Some trends in the industry are obvious while others are more hiddenout of sight and under the surface.

With three out of 10 employers considering a voluntary benefit change or addition are brokers jumping on board?

There's no doubt about it: There's strong demand among both employers and employees for voluntary/worksite products.

Sales grew in the great recession years of 2008 and 2009. Given that, is something else contributing to this track record?

Since the exchanges were announced, there's been a lot of talk about how these marketplaces have the potential to change the entire landscape of employee benefits.

About a year ago, a voluntary insurance company released a research report that they claimed was definitive in terms of employee preferences regarding enrollment methodologies.

Employee benefit brokers have entered the business en mass, and many of these people are still new to voluntary, falling back on their employer-paid experience to guide them.