Voluntary Benefits

Shares of Allstate Corp. on Thursday rose to their highest level since September 2008 on news that the company posted a surprise fourth-quarter profit despite hefty losses related to Superstorm Sandy.

When it comes to benefits, employees want them now as opposed over the long term.

Just 56 percent of employees say they feel very confident they will make the right decisions during open enrollment, and a majority just keep making the same choices each year or fail to actively enroll, potentially leaving money on the table.

Age 65the minimum age most people sign up for Medicareis a watershed date in a persons life.

The acquisition of HealthSpring, another insurer, for $3.8 billion last year helped lift Cigna Corp.'s net income by 49 percent in the fourth quarter.