Press release 2 June 2025.
For National Cancer Survivors Day (1 June 2025), GRID reveals that during 2024, cancer was the main cause of claim across all three group risk benefits (employer-sponsored life assurance, income protection and critical illness).
Percentage of cancer claims for each group risk benefit type:
- Group Critical Illness: 68%
- Group Life Assurance: 39%
- Group Income Protection: 27%
Data from Cancer Research UK shows that more people survive cancer today than ever before, which means that an increasing number of employers will have members of staff within their organisation who have completed treatment and are now cancer-free, as well as those living with ongoing treatment or recurrent disease. This will comprise employees aiming to return to work, those who have returned to work on a flexible basis, those who have made a full-time return to their workplace, and those who have remained in work throughout their cancer journey.
Katharine Moxham, spokesperson for GRiD said: “Group risk benefits provide an abundance of cancer support for employees which can include access to oncologists, healthcare professionals such as psychologists and physiotherapists, and other specialist support such as vocational rehabilitation. Ongoing support is crucial – as although the cancer itself may be in the past – fatigue, anxiety, and the side-effects of treatment may still be very much in the present.
“Group risk benefits are also invaluable in supporting employers as they, in turn, support employees at different stages in their cancer recovery. This comprises a wide variety of resources, from reading materials to workplace training and guidance, to help that enables line managers and HR professionals to feel able and confident to support staff.
“As we honour the individuals who have survived cancer, it’s important to ensure that employers have the knowledge and the means to support those who can, want and need to return to the workplace.”
For further information please contact:
Ali Cort
SMUK Marketing and PR
Mob: 07887 484247
acort@smuk.org.uk
Katharine Moxham
Spokesperson for GRiD
Mob: 07887 512508
Katharine.moxham@grouprisk.org.uk
Notes for editors
About GRiD
Group Risk Development (GRiD) is the industry body for the group risk sector, promoting the value to UK businesses of providing financial protection for their staff, enhancing their well-being and improving employee engagement. Our membership includes insurers, reinsurers, intermediaries and those operating in (or with other interests in) the UK group risk market. Together this forms a collective wealth of experience built over many years. Under the chairmanship of Colin Fitzgerald (Distribution Director – Group Protection, L&G Retail) GRiD aims to promote group risk through a collective voice to Government, policymakers, stakeholders and employers.
GRiD works with government departments and regulators involved in legislation and regulation affecting group risk benefits, and with other organisations involved in the benefits and financial protection arenas. GRiD also seeks to enhance the industry’s standing by encouraging best practice and by participating in industry-wide initiatives such as the professional qualification in group risk managed jointly with the Chartered Insurance Institute.
GRiD’s media activity aims to generate a wider awareness and understanding of group risk products and their benefits for employers and employees.
GRiD’s dedicated spokesperson, Katharine Moxham, provides expert media comment on a full range of group risk issues.
Follow Katharine Moxham on Twitter @KMoxham
