We all know that voluntary is quickly becoming the key driver in benefits sales. We've discussed the desire of employers to reduce and control benefit costs, the trend toward greater employee choice, the larger product variety, the impact of Obamacare and a range of other issues driving increased voluntary sales. And unlike traditional employer-paid benefits, half of all voluntary sales are new coverages rather than takeovers.

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

First, skeptics have pointed out that more than 70 percent of employers now offer at least one voluntary benefit and the saturation point must be near. But looking at employer data, an interesting phenomenon appears.