Last year was a difficult year for the group life and disability market, as sales and inforce premium growth rates were either negative or in the low single digits, according to a new report from Gen Re.

"Continued sluggish job growth and uncertainty around the fate of the Affordable Care Act are clearly influencing both employers and producers," says Drew King, senior vice president, group & specialty division. "Voluntary results were better than traditional group, as employers may be transferring costs and decision making to employees."

Carriers who participated in the company's 2011 U.S. group life market and group disability market surveys reported more than $20.5 billion in total group term life inforce premium, an increase of 3 percent over 2010. Combined short-term and long-term disability inforce premium was up by just 1 percent, totaling close to $13.4 billion.