Mind The Gap: Nearly Half Of Small Businesses Lack Benefits, One-Third Sharing Some Benefit Costs With Employees

The Hartford offers its customizable, voluntary group disability coverage DisabilityFLEX to companies with as few as 10 employees

Mind The Gap: Nearly Half Of Small Businesses Lack Benefits, One-Third Sharing Some Benefit Costs With Employees

<0> The HartfordKelly J. Carter, 860-547-2122orMichelle Loxton, 860-547-7413 </0>

Nearly half (42 percent) of small business owners with full-time employees do not offer any benefits and one-third (36 percent) are sharing some benefits costs with their employees, according to .

“We see this gap in coverage as a big opportunity for brokers and agents to discuss voluntary, or employee-paid, benefits with their small business clients,” said , vice president of small business for The Hartford’s Group Benefits. “Voluntary benefits are no longer only for large companies. They can help small business owners protect their employees without added expense.”

now offers its voluntary group disability insurance to businesses with as few as 10 employees. DisabilityFLEX allows for customization in three possible ways – how much money one receives if unable to work due to an off-the-job injury or illness, when, and for how long.

Among small business owners that do offer benefits, such as life insurance and short-term disability insurance, many are sharing these costs with employees:

“Voluntary benefits can help small businesses attract and retain talented employees by allowing them to offer competitive benefits packages,” Monaco said. “The Hartford offers products and services that help brokers, small business owners and employees understand how affordable life and disability insurance fits into their financial plans.”

The Hartford began offering DisabilityFLEX to companies with more than 50 employees earlier this year. The insurer also provides and dismemberment insurance for companies with four to 49 employees. To learn more, visit at .

Braun Research conducted a telephone survey among small business owners across the United States for The Hartford. A total of 2,000 interviews were completed with owners of for-profit businesses with fewer than 100 full-time employees that have been in business for at least one year. The study included a nationally representative sample of businesses in the United States. One respondent per business was interviewed. The interviews took place between July 26 and Aug. 12, 2013. The margin of error is ± 2.19% at the 95 percent confidence level.

With more than 200 years of expertise, The Hartford (NYSE:HIG) is a leader in property and casualty insurance, group benefits and mutual funds. The company is widely recognized for its service excellence, sustainability practices, trust and integrity. More information on the company and its financial performance is available at . Join us on Facebook at . Follow us on Twitter at .

The Hartford is The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including issuing companies Hartford Life Insurance Company and Hartford Life and Accident Insurance Company. Policies sold in New York are underwritten by Hartford Life Insurance Company. The headquarters of both companies is Simsbury, Conn.

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