Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services lowered to “AA+” from “AAA” its long-term counterparty credit and financial strength ratings on the member companies of five U.S. insurance groups, following its lowering of the U.S.’s credit rating last week.

About 40% of employees in a recent study indicate that they enrolled in their benefits through Web-based technology only, an increase from the 12% who used online enrollment five years ago.

The Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America launched a campaign focusing on its self-service benefits website, Guardian Anytime, to help brokers, employers and employees access benefits tools and service while at the same time reducing their carbon footprint.

The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Co. has initiated an enhanced awards program for third-party administrators (TPAs), who use its Guardian Choice and Guardian Advantage group retirement products.

A subsidiary of Guardian Life Insurance Co. of America is offering an enhancement to its retirement products it says can reduce investment expenses for managed account services.

A New York senator has filed legislation to protect patients from what he calls “absolutely disgraceful” behavior by insurance providers.

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is expanding its Retirement Solutions national sales force as it pushes to sell more of its retirement products to small- and mid-sized businesses.