Unum Launches Next-Generation Benefits Solution to Address Needs of Small to Midsize Employers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(EON:Enhanced Online News)--Unum (NYSE: UNM) today unveils an integrated product and service platform called Simply Unum that brings an unparalleled level of choice, pricing flexibility and administrative ease to the employee benefits market.

“It is one of the most significant product and service initiatives in our company’s history. In fact, we have received two provisional patents on the technology and this platform will become our model for future growth and product innovation.”

More than two years in development, Simply Unum addresses the key issues facing today’s employers, including cost pressures, workforce diversity, recruitment and retention, and the challenge of benefits communication and administration.

“Simply Unum will transform the benefits landscape in the small to midsize market,” said Mike Simonds, senior vice president of product development and marketing. “It is one of the most significant product and service initiatives in our company’s history. In fact, we have received two provisional patents on the technology and this platform will become our model for future growth and product innovation.”

Designed specifically for the small to midsize business owner, Simply Unum provides a base of group disability or life insurance coupled with voluntary benefits. With more than 28,000 product combinations possible, an employer can offer benefit options that best meet the specific needs of their workforce at a price that doesn’t strain the bottom line. It operates on a single technology platform, creating one path from benefit package design to quoting to enrollment to ongoing billing and administration.

In creating Simply Unum, the company conducted extensive research with brokers and employers to identify their top market challenges and service concerns. It studied the business models of leaders in the manufacturing, food service, airline and service industries. And it dissected the benefit plans of more than 100,000 customers to determine the most popular product features.

The Simply Unum solution:

• Increases the choice of products available to employees to fit different life stages and financial situations
• Provides improved benefits education to help employees make informed financial planning decisions
• Streamlines enrollment with a fast, paperless process
• Connects HR personnel to web-based tools for convenient, real-time plan administration
• Supports online claim filing and provides both the employer and employee with continuous access to the status of the claim.

Simply Unum was designed specifically for small and midsized companies. It helps business owners achieve an edge in a competitive hiring environment by helping to create a benefits package that will attract and retain top talent.

“It’s fiercely competitive out there for employers trying to attract and retain the most talented workforce they can,” said Simonds. “So being able to provide benefits that are meaningful to their employees – both existing and potential – is a huge advantage for employers.”

Simply Unum helps create this advantage. The Simply Unum benefits solution is now available in Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin, and will be available nationwide in early 2008.

Additional information:

Pod casts

Listen to pod casts from Bob Best, chief operating officer www.unum.com/PDF/forms.ashx?formID=MK-1136; Mike Simonds, senior vice president of product development and marketing www.unum.com/PDF/forms.ashx?formID=MK-1137; or Steve Meahl, senior vice president of sales www.unum.com/PDF/forms.ashx?formID=MK-1138.

Flash

View a brief flash presentation about the Simply Unum benefits solution

www.unum.com/PDF/forms.ashx?formID=MK-1135

Web site

Visit www.unum.com/simplyunum for product and service information

Advertising

Look at the Simply Unum print advertisement

www.unum.com/PDF/forms.ashx?formID=MK-1139

White paper

Download HR Trends and Challenges: The changing U.S. demographic, economic, and social landscape of the workplace

http://forms.unum.com/StreamPDF.aspx?strURL=/FMS_068162-1.pdf

About Unum

Unum (www.unum.com), formerly UnumProvident, is one of the leading providers of employee benefits products and services, and the largest provider of group and individual disability income protection insurance in the United States and the United Kingdom. Through its subsidiaries, Unum provided $6.2 billion in total benefits to customers in 2006.

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