MetLife's 9th Annual Employee Benefits Trends Study finds 71percent of full-time U.S. workers say they have some amount of lifeinsurance coverage. But of those with coverage who know the amount,47 percent indicate they have two times or less their annualhousehold income in coverage. This is despite the fact that morethan half of employees report being worried about unexpectedfinancial emergencies and the impact it would have on theirfamilies.

So what explains the disconnect between employees' concerns andtheir purchase patterns? One contributing factor is could be thatbenefits communications simply aren't as effective as they couldbe. So this enrollment season, consider whether your clients'communication strategy for employees is robust enough to engagethem in the group life offering.

Improving benefits communications helps both clients andemployees. After all, employees are unlikely to appreciate and makeuse of a benefits program if they aren't aware of it or understandtheir options. MetLife's study shows there is significant room forimprovement: More than half (55 percent) of all employees do notfind benefits materials to be clear and comprehensive, and only athird (36 percent) feel their benefits communications are veryeffective in helping educate them on options to best meet theirneeds.