Following record-high sales in 2022, first half 2023 sales of annuities (which now include free withdrawal provisions) jumped 28% to $182.7 billion, the highest ever recorded in the first 6 months of a year, according to LIMRA.

The analysis said the consistently high levels of market concentration can be linked to consolidation of insurers through mergers and acquisition.

For many employers, it is also performance review season that is often accompanied by announcements concerning employees' compensation for next year. As a result, this time of year can sometimes cause employees to consider a change of scenery. Employers should therefore be prepared for the possibility that an employee will voluntarily resign their employment and move on to another opportunity.