Single and never married employees are less likely to enroll in life insurance and disability insurance, though most who participate in these benefits say they will be important in the next five years, according to a national online survey conducted by Harris Interactive.

After questioning full-time employed adults who are enrolled in benefits, the survey found:

• Thirty-nine percent of single and never married employees are covered by life insurance while 61 percent of all employees are enrolled. However, 74 percent of single and never married employees with life insurance regard it as important, very important or extremely important in five years.
• Of the single and never married employees, 26 percent participate in disability insurance, versus 42 percent of all employees. Still, 71 percent of single and never married employees who are enrolled in disability insurance perceive it as important, very important or extremely important in five years.

According to the survey's results, many single and never married employees may face an increased financial risk, says Randy Horn, president and CEO of Colonial Life. Now that the majority of companies offer open enrollment for benefits, employees have the chance to review their benefits and make decisions about any supplementary coverage needed.

"Although most single employees don't have anyone depending on them financially, they still need life insurance to help pay for final expenses and any outstanding debt, such as credit cards or mortgages," says Horn. "And single employees place themselves at considerable financial risk if they're not insuring their income with disability insurance. If an illness or injury caused them to be unable to work, they couldn't pay their everyday living expenses for long and don't have a spouse to rely on for help."