Combination life insurance products had their third straight year of double-digit growth in 2011, increasing in sales by 56%, as investors sought safety from market uncertainty.

New premium sales of individual life combination products rose 62% in 2010, reaching $1.2 billion, boosted by linked-benefit products, according to LIMRA. The increase marks the second straight year of double-digit growth.

New individual premium written for individual life insurance increased 2% in the fourth quarter of last year, driving a small increase for the year.

Security Mutual Life Insurance Co. of New York has added features to its two whole life products, according to the Binghamton, N.Y.-based company.

John Hancock Life Insurance has launched LifeCare, a single-premium whole life insurance product that provides protection for both life and long-term care insurance needs, in a single policy.

MetLife has announced it has approved a $1.5 billion payment in policy dividends to eligible life insurance policyholders through its Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.

Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co. has reached what it called a milestone as it has now more than 5,000 financial professionals working for it in communities across the U.S.

Total individual life insurance sales fell 11% in the third quarter, despite a 12% surge in individual whole life policies sales, according to LIMRA.

With almost half of U.S. households “at risk” of being unable to maintain their living standards in retirement, the cash values accrued in whole life policies can fill the gaps, according to one insurer.

The cash value of whole life insurance policies could be a “secret weapon” for retirees trying to use the funds to supplement their retirement income during economic downturns, a new financial planning study suggests.