MetLife has proved to be the fastest-growing group life insurer over the past 12 months in a market already feeling the impacts of opt-in for members aged under 25, according to the latest data released by specialist research house, Dexx&r.
The Dexx&r data revealed that over the 12 months to June 2019, MetLife recorded a 25.2% increase in in-force group premiums, far outstripping the growth of its competitors, but remaining well behind the market leaders, AIA Australia and TAL.
The Dexx&r data showed that over the twelve months ending June 2019 four of the top five companies in the Group market recorded an increase in in-force group premiums.
The Dexx&r analysis said that growth in premium inflows in the group market had plateaued with more subdued premium increases being passed through to members due to the flow-on effect of some large funds implementing opt-in covers for members under age 25.
It said total in-force group risk premium increased by 0.5% from $6.26 billion at June 2018 to $6.29 billion over the 12 months to June 2019.
The insurance company has joined this year’s awards as a principal partner.
The $135 billion fund has transitioned away from TAL Life Insurance following an “extensive tender process”.
The $80 billion fund is facing legal action over allegedly signing up new members to income protection insurance by default without active member consent.
In a Senate submission, the Financial Services Council has once again called for further clarification that the government will assess the consumer outcomes of group insurance against the enshrined objective of superannuation.