Coronavirus (COVID-19)

At LL Global our purpose is to advance the financial services industry by empowering our members with knowledge, insights, connections, and solutions.

In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic it’s even more critical that we share information and resources with our members and others who might find it helpful. You will find actionable information about:

COVID-19 related research
Articles on how the industry is impacted
On-demand webinars
Sources for other coronavirus-related information

COVID-19: Consumer/Advisor Research

Consumer Sentiment in the Time of COVID-19 (April 2022)

How has consumer sentiment and confidence in the financial services industry changed during the pandemic?

Consumer Sentiment in the Time of COVID-19 (January 2022)

How has consumer sentiment and confidence in the financial services industry changed during the pandemic?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Consumer Concerns on the Rise

More than a year and a half into the pandemic, have Americans’ lives returned to normal?

Consumer Sentiment in the Time of COVID-19 (April 2021)

How has consumer sentiment and confidence in the financial services industry changed during the pandemic?

Canadians and Life Insurance in the Time of COVID-19

How has COVID-19 impacted Canadians’ interest in life insurance and their expectations of the industry?

Moving Plans? COVID-19’s Impact on Retirement Housing

Did the COVID-19 pandemic cause retirees and pre-retirees to change their plans for housing in retirement?

Consumer Sentiment in the Time of COVID-19 (January 2021)

How has consumer sentiment and confidence in the financial services industry changed during the pandemic?

Retirement Landscape 2020: Impact of COVID-19 and the Retirement Savings Conundrum

Where does retirement stand in the battle of workers’ financial priorities?

A Measure of Financial Wellness

As the COVID-19 pandemic propelled consumers down the path of holistic financial wellness, its growing importance spurred LIMRA to work with a task force of association members to define and measure consumer financial wellness.

Advisor Pulse – Broker-Dealer Reps

How is COVID-19 affecting broker-dealer reps?

Advisor Pulse – Registered Investment Advisors

How is COVID-19 affecting registered investment advisors (RIAs)?

Advisor Pulse – Insurance Agents

How is COVID-19 affecting insurance agents?

The COVID-19 Effect: High Tech With Human Touch to Optimize Life Insurance Customer Experience

Learn how COVID-19 is shaping the future of customer experience for life insurance.

Consumer Sentiment in the Time of COVID-19 (October 2020)

How has consumer sentiment and confidence in the financial services industry changed during the pandemic?

Likelihood to Buy: COVID-19 Consumer Impact

COVID-19 impacts how consumers view the need for life insurance and their likelihood to buy.

Consumer Sentiment in the Time of COVID-19 (July 2020)

How has consumer sentiment and confidence in the financial services industry changed during the pandemic?

COVID-19 Social Distance and Distribution: Firm Survey Summary of Results

This report disseminates information on challenges and best practices for insurance, annuities, and investment distribution in light of COVID-19.

COVID-19 Social Distance and Distribution: Advisor Survey Summary of Results

This report disseminates information on challenges and best practices for insurance, annuities, and investment distribution in light of COVID-19.

Consumer Sentiment in the Time of COVID-19 (May 2020)

How has consumer sentiment and confidence in the financial services industry changed during the pandemic?

Financial Support for Advisors and Wholesalers in the U.S. and Canada

Will advisors and wholesalers receive financial relief from carriers if sales are negatively impacted by coronavirus?

Recruiting During COVID-19

Are companies hiring new advisors during the pandemic?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Insurance Agent Pulse

How is COVID-19 affecting insurance agents?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs)

How is COVID-19 affecting registered investment advisors (RIAs)?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Consumer Investment Concerns

What might be the impact of a coronavirus-related recession on Americans’ investment decisions?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Consumer Retirement Concerns

What might be the impact of a coronavirus-related recession on Americans’ retirements?

Consumer Recession Predictions

71% of consumers believe the U.S. economy is likely or extremely likely to enter a recession this year.

Consumer Views on the Economy

More than half of consumers are very or extremely concerned about the U.S. economy.

Consumer Coronavirus Concerns

Most of consumers are very or extremely concerned about the current pandemic.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Advisor Pulse

How is COVID-19 affecting registered advisors?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Employees in Financial Services

Learn how COVID-19 is affecting employees in the financial services industry.

COVID-19: Industry-Related Research

Life After COVID: Employees’ Views on Life Insurance

Interested in how COVID-19 has impacted the value employees’ place on workplace life insurance?

COVID-19 and Workplace Benefits: August 2021 Update

How is COVID-19 impacting the workplace benefit industry in August 2021?

U.S. Individual Life — COVID-19 Mortality Experience Study

This report is the second public release from the collaboration between LIMRA, SOA, RGA and TAI. The report contains the results of an excess mortality analysis for the first three quarters of 2020. Data from 31 companies representing approximately 68% of the industry face amount inforce have been included in the analyses in this report.

COVID-19 One Year Later: The Impact on Individual Life Insurance

This report provides an update on lessons learned, underwriting changes, electronic applications and delivery, and lapse experience related to the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. and Canada.

Individual Life Insurance — COVID-19 and Excess Claims Analysis

This report provides the results of an ongoing effort to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the individual life insurance industry’s claims experience.

COVID-19 Low Interest Rate Environment Cash Flow Testing Survey — December Update

Results of a second 2020 survey of company practices around cash flow testing in the current low interest rate environment.

COVID-19 and Workplace Benefits: New Perspectives

This survey examined employees’ views on their insurance and related benefits in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 and Workplace Benefits: Sales and Enrollment, 3rd Quarter Update

How is COVID-19 impacting workplace benefit sales and enrollment practices in the second half of 2020?

Alternative Sources of Medical Information in Life Insurance Underwriting

The COVID-19 pandemic may be accelerating the use of non-traditional sources of medical information in the life insurance underwriting process.

COVID-19 Asset/Liability Management Survey — Summary of Results (September 2020 Update)

This report represents the results of the second round of surveys in a series focused on impacts of COVID-19 and the resulting market conditions and focuses on best practices around asset and liability management (ALM).

COVID-19 New Business and Product Survey — July 2020 Update

This report presents results of a survey of company practices around new business and product pricing in the current market environment. This document is an update to a report published in April 2020.

The Effect of COVID-19 on Experience-Rated Group Business

How is COVID-19 impacting the experience-rating of group insurance products?

Weathering the Storms: Participants and In-Service Withdrawals From Defined Contribution Plans

Loans and hardship withdrawals — especially hardships — can erode defined contribution (DC) retirement savings. Explore the reasons behind why participants take each.

COVID-19: Defined Contribution Advisor Response

The COVID-19 crisis has impacted sales activity in the defined contribution marketplace; Secure Retirement Institute® and NMG partnered research explores advisor reactions and plans in light of the crisis.

DC Plan Sponsors' Actions, Attitudes, and Reactions in the Wake of the COVID-19 Crisis

This series looks at DC plan sponsors’ attitudes, reactions, observations, and expectations in the wake of the crisis.

COVID-19 Mortality Modeling Survey Update

Updated results of the pulse survey of company practices regarding modeling the potential mortality impacts of COVID-19 on the life insurance industry.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Advisor Communication

How has COVID-19 impacted the frequency of advisor-client communication?

DC Advisor Views: Financial Wellness Programs in the Workplace

Financial wellness in the workplace is increasing in visibility and importance, and is usually tied to retirement savings programs. Research explores how plan advisors deliver wellness programs and what they look for from recordkeepers and asset managers.

Impact of COVID-19: Individual Life Sales, Product Changes, Electronic Processing, and Other Administrative Changes (Canada)

A June update on the impact of COVID-19 on individual life sales and applications in Canada.

DC Participants: Plan Actions in the Time of COVID-19

This flyer highlights some participant actions.

Impact of COVID-19 on Employers’ Approaches to Workplace Benefits

How is COVID-19 influencing employers’ plans for their insurance benefits programs?

COVID-19 Company Practices Survey — Service Level Agreements in Retirement Plans

Brief member survey explores how recordkeeper service level agreements were impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak and related market volatility.

Defined Contribution Sales Pipeline: Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 crisis has had unprecedented impact across all social and economic sectors, including on defined contribution (DC) plan sales.

Looking for Information on Employee Benefits: Employer Interactions With Employers During COVID-19

Find out about employees’ level of confidence in their employer and how satisfied they are with their interactions regarding their benefits.

Workplace Benefits

Employee Communication With Benefits Providers During COVID-19

Find out how employees feel about their benefits-related interactions with their employers during COVID-19.

Hardship Withdrawals and Loans From Defined Contribution Plans: An Industry View

A new benchmark of hardship and loan withdrawal activity draws on data from recordkeepers’ systems.

The Impact of COVID-19 on April Individual Life Sales Products and Electronic Processing

An April update on the impact of COVID-19 on Individual Life Sales and Applications in the U.S.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): An Update on Fraudulent Activity and Financial Crimes

Fraudsters continue to exploit the pandemic to intensify their attempts at fraudulent activity and financial crimes.

COVID-19 Asset/Liability Management Survey — Summary of Results

This report represents the results of the fourth survey in this series focused on impacts of COVID-19 and the resulting market conditions and focuses on best practices around asset and liability management (ALM).

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individual Long Term Care and Combination Products Sales and Processes

This study provides a quick, high-level view of the impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. Long Term Care and Combination Product lines, including sales, underwriting, and administrative processes.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individual DI Sales and Processes

This study provides a quick, high-level view of the impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. individual disability income product line, including sales, underwriting, and administrative processes.

COVID-19 New Business and Product Survey

This report presents results of a survey of company practices around new business and product pricing in the current market environment.

Look Back: 401(k) Book of Business Metrics

A look back at what happened to 401(k) book of business metrics during the last recession. This analysis begins in 2007, before the financial crisis began, and ends in 2010, to capture the time immediately following the recession.

A Look Back: 401(k) Sales, Formation and DC Book of Business Around the Great Recession of 2008–2009

What happened to 401(k) sales and plan formations during the last recession? Mine SRI’s 401(k) Scorecard to see… and also explore the impact on recordkeepers’ book of business metrics.

COVID-19 Low Interest Rate Environment Cash Flow Testing Survey

Results of a survey of company practices around cash flow testing in the current low interest rate environment.

COVID-19 Mortality Modeling Survey

Results of a survey of company practices regarding modeling the potential mortality impacts of COVID-19 on the life insurance industry.

Member Survey: Collective Investment Trust (CIT) Trade Notice Requirements

Brief member survey explores how they manage trading notices that may be required by the Collective Investment Trust (CITs) on their platforms.

COVID-19 and Workplace Benefits: Sales, Underwriting, and Enrollment

How is COVID-19 impacting workplace benefit sales, enrollments, and underwriting?

Member Survey: Waiving Sponsor Fees

This brief member survey explores circumstances under which defined contribution (DC) recordkeepers may be waiving certain fees for plan sponsors.

COVID-19 Company Practices — Special Options and Changes to Financial Hardship

As the economic environment continues to change rapidly due to the COVID-19 outbreak, annuity manufacturers are carefully looking at their current product offerings. This survey was fielded to assess what changes carriers are implementing to annuity products to handle this extreme environment.

The Early Impact of COVID-19 on Workplace Benefits Customer Service Delivery

This research explores how COVID-19 is impacting workplace benefits carriers’ customer service delivery to existing nonmedical clients.

COVID-19 and Workplace Benefits: Benefit Provisions and Changes

How are workplace benefit carriers adjusting benefit provisions in response to COVID-19?

COVID-19 Company Practices — Annuity Product Changes & Suspensions

As the economic environment continues to change rapidly due to the COVID-19 outbreak, annuity manufacturers are carefully looking at their current product offerings.

COVID-19 and Workplace Benefits: Eligibility and Grace Periods

Are workplace benefit carriers changing their approach to benefit eligibility or offering premium grace periods in response to COVID-19?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): The Impact on Fraudulent Activity

How is COVID-19 affecting fraudulent activity?

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individual Life Insurance Sales and Applications in the U.S.

Has COVID-19 impacted the number of individual life applications U.S. companies receive or how they process applications?

The Impact of COVID-19 on Individual Life Insurance Sales and Applications in Canada

Has COVID-19 impacted the number of individual life applications Canadian companies receive or how they process applications?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Current Interest Rate Environment

How is the current interest rate environment impacting the financial services industry?

Coronavirus (COVID-19): An Industry Responds

Coronavirus impact on financial service industry operations.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): The Impact of Economic Recession on Life Insurance Sales

How have life insurance sales been impacted by recessions?

COVID-19: Operational-Related Research

COVID-19 Return to Office Survey Number 6

As industries transition their workforce back to the office, they will have to answer these important questions: when, where, how, and who?

COVID-19: Return to Office Survey Number 5

As industries transition their workforce back to the office, they will have to answer these important questions: when, where, how, and who.

COVID-19 – Employee Engagement, Wellbeing, and Sustainability Survey 2

The impact the pandemic is having on employee engagement, wellbeing, and sustainability continues to be one of the top concerns for leadership across the industry.

Recruitment and Testing Trends in the COVID-19 Downturn, January Update

As we look back on 2020 and the unimaginable challenges it brought, it is valuable to consider the trends that have unfolded specific to the recruitment environment.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Return to Office Survey — Part 4

As industries transition their workforce back to the office they will have to answer these important questions: when, where, how, and who. Part 4 in the series.

Insurers’ Return-to-Office Strategies: A Work in Progress – September Update (LOMA log in required)

When and how are carriers thinking about returning their staff to the office?

Recruitment and Testing Trends in the COVID-19 Downturn

How have candidate interest and company recruiting fared against the backdrop of heightened unemployment and fully remote interactions?

New Business Efficiencies: Life Insurers’ Pandemic Shift to Digital (LOMA log in required)

Learn how the pandemic has accelerated operational trends as more life insurance carriers shift toward digitized new business workflows.

Life Insurers and E-Service: A LOMA Survey of Current Capabilities and Plans (LOMA Log in required)

What online service capabilities do insurers offer, and what are their digital service priorities in light of the pandemic?

Technology Advancements during a Pandemic (LOMA log in required)

Learn how insurers are using technology advancements to increase operational excellence and efficiency.

Areas of Focus as COVID-19 Continues (LOMA log in required)

Learn what post pandemic priorities are important to insurers.

Digital Transformation in Light of COVID-19 (LOMA log in required)

Have digital transformation initiatives changed because of COVID-19?

Presence and Use of Business Continuity Plans During COVID-19 (LOMA log in required)

Learn how prevalent business continuity plans are and if they were used as part of COVID-19 strategic planning.

Presence and Use of Business Continuity Plans During COVID-19 (LOMA log in required)

Learn how prevalent business continuity plans are and if they were used as part of COVID-19 strategic planning.

Projections on the Economy’s Return to Restored Operations (LOMA log in required)

Chief Investment Officers predictions for when the economy will return to restored operations.

Emerging Risks Amid COVID-19 (LOMA log in required)

Chief Actuaries talk about emerging risks amid COVID-19.

The State of Grace: COVID-19 Premium Extension and Repayment Practices (LOMA log in required)

Learn how COVID-19 has impacted grace periods, premium extensions, and repayment practices.

Fully Equipped? Remote-Work Equipment Policies During COVID-19 (LOMA log in required)

This brief looks at work from home equipment policies during COVID-19 and as employers begin to consider returning to the office.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Return to Office Survey

As industries begin to transition their workforce back to the office they will have to answer these important questions: when, where, how, and who.

Insurers’ Operational Responses to COVID-19: A Few Questions – May Update (LOMA log in required)

What challenges are HR professionals facing in light of COVID-19? (LOMA log in required)

Top Concerns and Implications Amid COVID-19 (LOMA log in required)

What are the top concerns of Chief Actuaries related to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Insurers’ HR Responses to COVID-19: A Few Questions (LOMA log in required)

How are insurers handling workforce issues related to the pandemic?

Managing Inbound Calls in a Work-from-Home (WFH) Environment (LOMA log in required)

What challenges are insurers having with inbound calls due to WFH arrangements? (LOMA log in required)

Operational Aspects of COVID-19 Response (LOMA log in required)

Coronavirus (COVID-19): Travel Restrictions

How is COVID-19 affecting travel in the financial services industry?

Interview Considerations with Coronavirus Concerns (LOMA log in required)

Coronavirus Reactions (LOMA log in required)

Hiring and Interview Considerations with Coronavirus (LOMA log in required)

Related On-Demand Webinars

5 in 15: The 5 Things You Need to Know About Employee Benefits and the Coronavirus in 15 Minutes

7/17/2020, 12 - 12:15 p.m. EDT

LIMRA surveyed over 1,000 U.S. employers to assess the pandemic’s impact on their businesses and employee benefits strategies. This 5 in 15 webinar shares five key takeaways from the research.

Outlining the Global COVID-19 Recession

The global economy has entered the steepest and deepest recession on record going back to 1950. This webinar discusses what should we expect in the short and long-run and the economic outlook for the insurance industry.

COVID-19 Impact on the U.S. Financial System

In this webinar Oliver Wyman looks at epidemiology, economic and policy implications of COVID-19 in the U.S.

The Five Things Advisors Are Saying About COVID-19 in 15 Minutes

LIMRA conducted a survey of 550 advisors to find out how they are adapting to meet the needs of their clients as the country faces the safety and economic challenges as a result of COVID-19.

Low Interest Rate Readiness Playbook

This webinar looks at how ready is the industry? What can be done to prepare? What immediate and long term actions can be taken? What advocacy efforts can be pursued?

Additional LL Global Resources

Low Interest Rate Task Force

LL Global is doing a lot of work with ACLI and Oliver Wyman on helping our industry address the low interest rate environment. More than 100 executives (from 30 companies) are working together on advocacy concerns and company best practices. The group launched a new microsite where members can go to find updates including advocacy plans, meeting notes and company surveys.

Industry Strong

Resources to keep you informed and connected to the industry.

Other COVID-19 Related Industry Resources

ACLI COVID-19 Updates

ACLI #MeetingTheMoment campaign
Life insurers are stepping up to help to their communities by supporting food banks and other relief efforts. The American Council of Life Insurers has launched a campaign – Meeting the Moment – that captures the good work life insurers are doing throughout the U.S.

Broadridge Financial Solutions COVID-19 Resources
Whether customer communications, proxy and regulatory communications, or securities processing and managed services, Broadridge is Ready to Help fellow members of LIMRA and firms across the globe through these unsettling times.

Convergent Retirement Plan Solutions Coronavirus Retirement Resources

EY: COVID-19 U.S. insurance industry and response (PDF)

Faegre Drinker Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center

IBM Digital Insurance Solutions Elevate Policyholder Experience

IBM Insurers address COVID-19 While Transforming for a Post-Pandemic Future

IRI COVID-19 Resources

Life Happens Pro Virtual Success Toolkit: Best Practices for a Changing World

Milliman White Paper: Impact on COVID-19 on life insurance mortality and underwriting (PDF)

NAIC Coronavirus Resource Center

NMG DC Advisors Response to Market Volatility & COVID-19: Wave 3 (PDF)

NMG DC Advisor Response to Market Volatility & COVID-19: Wave 2 (PDF)

NMG DC Advisor Response to Market Volatility (PDF)

NTT DATA - Life and Annuity Insurers Shift Their Digital Transformation Into High Gear

Oliver Wyman Compliance an COVID-19: Moving to a New Normal (PDF)

PartnerRe Coronavirus Insights: COVID-19 CMO Update and Overview

PwC COVID-19 and the Insurance Industry
PwC addresses six key areas of focus: crisis management and response, workforce, operations and supply chain, finance and liquidity, tax and trade, and strategy and brand.

Retirement Leadership Forum: Participant Activity Changes with COVID-19 (PDF)

RGA COVID-19 Knowledge Center

Society of Actuaries Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resource Center

The Wagner Law Group COVID-19 Resource Center