By Mark E. Ruquet, associate editor, National Underwriter P&C

While the recession is putting a strain on the earnings produced by the employee benefits business of independent agents and brokers, there is a consensus among at least three top firms that the segment remains a major generator of revenue, and that clients are leaning on their agents for additional benefits services.

"This year has been extremely tough–tougher than any year I can remember," said Phillip Saussy, senior vice president and employee benefits practice leader for J. Smith Lanier & Co., from his office in Waycross, Ga.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free PropertyCasualty360 Digital Reader

Your access to unlimited PropertyCasualty360 content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Breaking insurance news and analysis, on-site and via our newsletters and custom alerts
  • Weekly Insurance Speak podcast featuring exclusive interviews with industry leaders
  • Educational webcasts, white papers, and ebooks from industry thought leaders
  • Critical converage of the employee benefits and financial advisory markets on our other ALM sites, BenefitsPRO and ThinkAdvisor
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.