Articles from The Standard

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (The Standard) today announced the closing of the acquisition of Allstate’s Employer Voluntary Benefits business in accordance with the terms of the agreement reported on Aug. 13, 2024. The agreement includes a future distribution partnership through which certain of The Standard’s products and services will be made available to Allstate customers.

In 2024, more than 1,700 employees at Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) donated more than $2 million through the company’s employee giving program — Employee Giving 365 — benefiting 2,739 schools and nonprofit organizations across the nation. After a dollar-for-dollar match from both The Standard and its parent organization Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, donations through the program in 2024 totaled nearly $6 million.

The Standard announced the company has surpassed $2 billion in pooled employer retirement plan assets under administration.

The Standard welcomes Rick Nowicki as a regional vice president in Retirement Plans. In this role, he will collaborate with advisors, plan sponsors and third-party administrators within an assigned territory in Michigan.

The Standard welcomes Elizabeth Cushing as second vice president and chief of staff for Employee Benefits.

The Standard welcomes Mark Christensen as the pooled employer plans sales director in Retirement Plans. With the addition of Christensen in this new role, The Standard continues to be at the forefront of the PEP market.

The Standard, a leader in workplace benefits solutions, will launch its enhanced digital experience for Absence Management on Jan. 1, 2025. This platform is designed to simplify the process for employees and employers, offering an easy and effective way to manage leaves.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today it will be the title sponsor of the Portland Classic LPGA tournament beginning in 2025 through 2027. With a new title of The Standard Portland Classic, the 2025 event is scheduled for Aug. 14 – 17. The multiyear sponsorship of the Portland Classic builds on support from The Standard that began in 2022.

The Standard welcomes Ashleigh Tucci as a national accounts sales manager for Retirement Plans. With the addition of Tucci, The Standard continues to build support for distribution partners.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Melissa Anderson has been promoted to vice president of Customer Service in Employee Benefits.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Winston Hall has moved into the role of second vice president and retirement plans actuary.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Chris Herington has been promoted to second vice president of Individual Disability Insurance Shared Services.

The Standard welcomes Patrick Mulquin as a new regional vice president in Retirement Plans. In this role, he will collaborate with advisors, plan sponsors and third-party administrators in the greater Los Angeles area.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard), a leading provider of financial protection products and services for employers and individuals, has announced a new relationship with Family First. The Standard’s clients have the option to contract directly with Family First to access expert guidance aimed at addressing the caregiving challenges employees face.

A new study from The Standard shows that Gen Z takes a forward-looking approach to money, wanting help with saving and planning — while managers and HR leaders think this age group is more worried about debt.

The Standard is once again hosting the Volunteer Expo at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Thursday, Sept. 5, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Now in its 16th year, the event features representatives from more than 100 local nonprofits available to help volunteers connect with opportunities to give back to their communities and causes they care about.

The Standard welcomes Daniel Kretz as a new regional vice president in Retirement Plans. In this role, he will collaborate with advisors, plan sponsors and third-party administrators in Maryland and Washington, D.C.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced a new partnership with the Center for Parental Leave Leadership to help organizations enhance their parental leave support for working parents, managers and teams before, during and following leave.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) received 100 — the highest possible score — on the Disability Equality Index® and was named a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" by the American Association of People with Disabilities, the nation's largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Smita Wacker has been promoted to second vice president and actuary, Individual Disability Insurance.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Kerry Waterman has been promoted to assistant vice president, Retirement Plans Operations.

The Standard announced today that Ted Schmelzle has been promoted to assistant vice president, Retirement Plans Services.

The Standard welcomes Kevin White as a regional vice president in Retirement Plans. In this role, he will collaborate with advisors, plan sponsors and third-party administrators in Tennessee and Mississippi.

The Standard Charitable Foundation, one of Standard Insurance Company’s giving programs, announced two grants totaling $95,000 to two nonprofit organizations:

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Cindy Hand has been promoted to second vice president, Corporate Development and Strategy.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Porter Orr has been named second vice president of Artificial Intelligence Strategy and Development.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Julie Briggs has been promoted to vice president of Strategic Innovation and Emerging Markets and Asset Management Group Actuary.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Jeremy Horner has been promoted to vice president of Individual Disability Insurance and Corporate Development.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Becky Butler was hired as assistant vice president and actuary in Actuarial Transformation.

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc. (“The Standard”) today announced the closing of the acquisition of the Life & Disability business from Elevance Health in accordance with the terms of the agreement reported on March 28, 2023. The agreement includes a 10-year distribution partnership whereby The Standard’s products and services will be made available to Elevance Health customers.

New research from The Standard shows a disconnect between what employee benefits Gen Zers say they want and what HR leaders think Gen Zers want — with the happy accident that Gen Z’s goals and values generally align with many of the benefits typically offered by employers.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Lauren Canfield, assistant vice president and actuary in Actuarial Transformation, will become vice president, corporate actuary and chief risk officer effective April 1, 2024. Canfield will also become a member of the company’s management committee. Canfield will succeed Sally Manafi, vice president, corporate actuary and chief risk officer, who previously announced her decision to retire.

The Standard welcomes three new regional vice presidents in Retirement Plans — James Gilligan, Lauren Davi and Mathew Nesbitt. Each has in-depth knowledge of the retirement plans industry and embodies the company’s customer-centric values.

The Standard is expanding its retirement plan investment solutions with the introduction of TargetPro Portfolios, professionally managed accounts that provide personalization to help employees of all ages work toward their retirement goals. The TargetPro Portfolios solution is available as a turnkey managed account service and can also be rebranded for advisor managed accounts.

Standard Retirement Services, Inc. (The Standard) was awarded multiple honors based on results of the PLANSPONSOR magazine 2023 Best in Class Provider Survey, an annual evaluation of approximately 2,000 defined contribution plan sponsors across the country.

The Standard recently hired Albert Maixner as national accounts sales director for Retirement Plans.

The Standard announced the company has surpassed $1 billion in pooled employer retirement plan assets under administration.

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and its primary operating subsidiary, Standard Insurance Company, have appointed Barbara A. Turner to the board of directors.

The Standard Charitable Foundation, Standard Insurance Company’s charitable foundation, awarded a total of $215,000 in grants to five nonprofits in 2023. The recipients are:

During the 2023 Employee Giving Campaign, employees at Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) donated $1.8 million benefiting 2,562 schools and nonprofit organizations across the nation. After a double match by The Standard and parent organization Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, total donations from the campaign exceed $5.5 million.

The Standard’s Research on Generation Z shows how carriers can secure this group’s loyalty over the long term, also yielding benefits for the employers who work with them.

The Standard recently hired Michael Teigland as national accounts sales director for Retirement Plans. With the significant increase in demand for innovative solutions including pooled employer plans and managed accounts, Teiglandl’s role enhances our delivery of strategies and tools for advisory firms.

During the 2023 Employee Giving Campaign, employees at Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) donated $1.8 million benefiting 2,562 schools and nonprofit organizations across the nation. After a double match by The Standard and parent organization Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Company, total donations from the campaign exceed $5.5 million.

The Standard announced that Stephen Schaefer was hired as regional vice president for Retirement Plans. He will work with advisors and third-party administrators in California and Nevada.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Angelo Rivera has been promoted to second vice president of Specialty Market Sales and Partnerships in Employee Benefits.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Tony Fung has been promoted to second vice president of IDI Underwriting and GSI.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Brad Yoder has been promoted to second vice president of Life and Supplemental Claims.

Carl Holland, second vice president of Client Management in Employee Benefits Sales, has been honored as one of the recipients of the 2023 “30 Black Stars” Award. Carl joins an esteemed list of trailblazing individuals who have demonstrated success in their careers, standing out for their achievements, impact and contributions within the corporate landscape.

Advisory firm intellicents has selected The Standard to roll out its intelli(k) pooled employer plan, or PEP. The intelli(k) PEP offers a scalable solution for businesses with broad and flexible design capabilities.

A team from The Standard has received the esteemed 2023 PLANSPONSOR Service Star Team Award for exemplary service. The Service Star Award recognizes retirement plan account representatives and relationship managers who, in the words of their plan sponsor clients, have demonstrated exemplary service. Only three individuals and six teams from 152 industry nominees were selected for this year’s award.

The Standard and NFP Retirement are initiating Your 401(k) Retirement Plan PEP, a customized Pooled Employer Plan (PEP) that delivers a customized solution for employers committed to supporting their employees as they save for retirement.

The Standard’s Volunteer Expo is back and bigger than ever, featuring 100 nonprofits at Pioneer Courthouse Square on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Standard announced today that Kevin Mannino and Sarah McEleney are joining Retirement Plan Sales — each in a new national sales director role. With the significant increase in demand for services in The Standard’s $25 million-and-above asset market segment, the new roles were created to enhance the delivery of strategies and tools to these customers.

The Standard has introduced seven new products and services to its retirement plan recordkeeping business, including Pooled Employer Plans, Automated Clearing House electronic loan repayment and a unique practice to return foreign tax credits to participant accounts. The enhanced offerings follow The Standard’s recent acquisition of Securian Financial’s retirement plan recordkeeping business.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Dickson Kasamale has been promoted to second vice president of IT Finance and Analytics in Corporate Finance and Accounting.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Karin Holsinger has been promoted to second vice president and chief of staff of Corporate Finance and Accounting.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Jodi Hoover has been promoted to assistant vice president of Policy Administration Transformation and Operations in Employee Benefits.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Jason Twyman has been promoted to second vice president of Policyholder Services in Employee Benefits.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Angie Cuthill has been promoted to second vice president of Individual Annuities Operations.

The Standard announced the promotion of Tony Soble to the expanding stable value team. He will work with advisors, outside platform wholesalers and third-party administrators in his role as regional vice president for Defined Contribution Investment Only sales.

The Standard now offers a new fixed indexed annuity that features an optional enhanced death benefit rider and a proprietary BofA Securities index. The Enhanced Choice Index Plus is a single-premium, deferred index annuity for customers seeking growth, certainty and the opportunity to maximize their legacy.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) scored 100% on the Disability Equality Index and was named a "Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion" by the American Association of People with Disabilities, the nation's largest disability rights organization, and Disability:IN, the global business disability inclusion network.

Standard Insurance Company’s charitable foundation, The Standard Charitable Foundation, announced three grants totaling $140,000 to nonprofits. The recipients are:

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Jason Kurz has been promoted to second vice president of Specialty Market Sales and Partnerships in Employee Benefits.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Carl Holland has been promoted to second vice president of Client Management in Employee Benefits.

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., and primary operating subsidiary Standard Insurance Company have appointed Mark Kaye and Al Barkouli to their boards of directors.

The Standard announced the promotion of Brody Geist to divisional vice president. He will work with advisors and third-party administrators in the western United States.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Dave Friesen has been named second vice president of Enterprise Data and Analytics.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) announced today that Piet Louw has been promoted to second vice president of Information Security and deputy chief information security officer.

StanCorp Financial Group, Inc., (The Standard) and Elevance Health (NYSE: ELV) today announced a definitive agreement under which The Standard will acquire the Life & Disability business from Elevance Health and enter into a product distribution partnership.

Workforce trends have evolved significantly over the past few years, as COVID-19, social upheaval and economic uncertainty have led to changes in what workers expect. A recent study found that 59% of U.S. employers didn’t feel fully prepared to meet their employees’ changing needs and expectations. However, employers with formal leave and disability management programs felt more prepared to support these shifting employee needs.

The Standard recently became a founding sponsor of the Black Insurance Industry Collective to increase inclusion and support leadership opportunities for Black employees while also helping positively reshape the future of the insurance industry.

Standard Insurance Company (The Standard) today announced a new partnership with Morgan State University to provide scholarships supporting Morgan State scholars pursuing a degree in actuarial science. The scholarship program is part of The Standard’s commitment to advancing a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion and fostering diversity in the actuarial community both inside the company and the insurance industry.

Experts from The Standard are presenting Important Questions Employers Should Ask Before Implementing PFML on Feb. 23 as a part of Disability Management Employer Coalition DMEC 2023 Tools & Tactics Webinar series.

The Standard announced the hiring of Jared Hyman as a regional vice president for Retirement Plans. He will work with advisors and third-party administrators in Florida.