2008-04-02 23:34:54 -

www.unum.com - This week Unum (NYSE: UNM) launches nationwide its innovative product and service platform called Simply Unum, with sales and service now available in 19 states. This next-generation benefits solution will be offered in an additional 23 states on June 1.

Designed specifically for small to midsize businesses, Simply Unum provides a base of group

disability and life insurance coupled with voluntary benefits. With more than 28,000 product combinations possible, an employer can offer benefit options that best meet the specific needs of their workforce at a price that doesn't strain the bottom line. It operates on a single technology platform, creating one path from benefit package design to quoting to enrollment to ongoing billing and administration.

"Today's employees need more of an a la carte selection of benefits so that coverage can be personalized. And their employers want cost flexibility so they can balance the books," says Mike Simonds, senior vice president of product development and marketing. "We see it as the death of the one-size-fits-all benefits plan. And it's the inspiration for Simply Unum - a benefits solution with a broad set of product choices, easy tools for administration and pricing flexibility."

The nationwide launch follows a highly successful pilot phase during which sales for Simply Unum were nearly 60 percent ahead of projections.

"We've had exceptional response to Simply Unum from brokers and customers in our pilot markets," Simonds says. "They are especially pleased with the education and communication support. One-on-one meetings with employees about Simply Unum allow us to discuss the full value of workplace benefits and to help employees understand where there may be gaps in coverage."

Simply Unum benefits solution is now available for sales and service through Unum's offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, in addition to pilot offices of Columbus, Ohio, Milwaukee, Detroit/Grand Rapids and Minneapolis.

Simply Unum at-a-glance:

-- Increases the choice of products available to employees to fit different life stages and financial situations

-- Provides improved benefits education to help employees make informed financial planning decisions

-- Streamlines enrollment with a fast, paperless process

-- Connects HR personnel to web-based tools for convenient, real-time plan administration

-- Supports online claim filing and provides both the employer and employee with continuous access to the status of the claim

Additional information:

"HR Trends and Challenges: The changing U.S. demographic, economic, and social landscape of the workplace" is available here: forms.unum.com/StreamPDF.aspx?strURL=/FMS_068162-1.pdf

About Unum

Unum (www.unum.com) is one of the leading providers of employee benefits products and services, and the largest provider of group and individual disability income protection insurance in the United States and the United Kingdom. Through its subsidiaries, Unum paid more than $6 billion in total benefits to customers in 2007.

Unum
MC Guenther or Amanda Carmichael, 423-294-6300
Toll free: 866-750-8686