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Related education and outreach offer support for individuals and employers

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- For the ninth consecutive year, cancer is the leading cause of long term disability claims for Unum (NYSE: UNM), followed closely by complicated pregnancies, according to 2009 claims data.

Cancer claims were 11.8 percent of long term disability claims in 2009, while complications from pregnancy made up 11.7 percent of claims.

The leading reasons for Unum's short term disability claims in 2009 were maternity (22.6 percent of claims) and non-back injuries (9.5 percent of claims).

May, which is Disability Insurance Awareness Month, presents a good opportunity to highlight the important role benefits play in helping to protect employees financially and keeping businesses strong, said Diane Garofalo, vice president of long term disability benefits for Unum.

Ensuring employers and employees understand the various elements of a plan beyond disability coverage is crucial, she said. Critical illness insurance can help cover the considerable costs of fighting cancer, and Unum's FMLA services can help employers navigate complex leave laws, she said.

"We make sure we have a suite of products and services that complement each other, and we work to educate employers and employees on why they each have a place if someone is out of work because of illness, injury or maternity," she said.

Battling cancer, navigating recovery

Through research and education, Unum offers employers guidance on how they can support workers through cancer diagnosis and treatment and help those employees return successfully to the workplace. Tools in this effort include the booklet 'Moving Beyond: Cancer Survivors at Work.'

As treatments for cancer have become more effective, return-to-work rates for people who are diagnosed with the three most prevalent cancers have improved substantially.

-- In 2001, 47 percent of Unum's customers who were diagnosed with breast cancer returned to work. In 2008, the number was more than 53 percent.

-- In 2001, 28 percent of those diagnosed with prostate cancer returned to work. In 2008, the number was 34 percent.

-- In 2001, 23 percent of those diagnosed with colon cancer returned to work. In 2008, the number was 33 percent.

And many people diagnosed with the most common cancers return to work prior to needing long term disability coverage; their surgery and treatment allows 50 percent to 70 percent of claimants to return to work in five to seven months.

"Most cancer patients are very motivated to get back to work," Garofalo said. "It helps to create a sense of normalcy and control in the midst of an uncontrollable event."

Welcoming new arrivals

Unum also focuses on the thousands of new mothers who rely on disability benefits, sending them a card offering congratulations, a free subscription to babytalk magazine and access to our dedicated website for new parents.

Since the program launched a year ago, more than 35,000 cards have gone to new and expectant mothers.

"This program is a unique and positive way to reach out to our customers who have something to celebrate," said Laura Beckmann, vice president of short term disability benefits for Unum.

As the leading provider of group and individual disability benefits, Unum analyzes claims activity each year and shares results publicly to help foster a better understanding of our business and the value of disability and other coverage.

About Unum

Unum (www.unum.com) is one of the leading providers of employee benefits products and services in the United States and the United Kingdom. Through its subsidiaries, Unum provided $6 billion in total benefits to customers in 2009.

    Source: Unum