The Sensory Foundation of Modern IoT Infrastructure

The journey toward a smart city begins with the deployment of a comprehensive IoT infrastructure. This is a network of millions of sensors embedded in roads, bridges, water pipes, and power grids that act as the nervous system of the urban environment. These sensors provide a continuous stream of data on everything from the vibration of a bridge during rush hour to the chemical composition of the air in a public park. However, the data itself is merely the raw material. The true value is unlocked through big data analytics smart infrastructure, which sifts through this noise to find the signals that matter. For example, a series of sensors in a city’s water system can detect the subtle sound signatures of a leaking pipe long before it becomes a visible burst, allowing for targeted repairs that save millions of gallons of water and prevent costly damage to the surrounding infrastructure.

Predictive Analytics and the Shift Toward Proactive Maintenance

Historically, the maintenance of public infrastructure has been a reactive process. Bridges were inspected every few years, and repairs were made only after visible signs of wear appeared. This approach is not only expensive but inherently risky. Big data analytics smart infrastructure changes this paradigm by enabling predictive analytics. By feeding historical performance data and real-time sensory input into complex algorithms, engineers can forecast exactly when a structural component is likely to reach its limit. These models take into account environmental factors, usage patterns, and the microscopic fatigue of materials. Consequently, city authorities can perform “surgical” maintenance replacing a specific cable or reinforcing a specific pillar at the precise moment it is needed. This foresight extends the life of public assets by decades and ensures the safety of the millions who rely on them every day.

Digital Twins: Creating a Virtual Replica of the Urban World

One of the most powerful tools in the modern urban planner’s arsenal is the “Digital Twin.” A digital twin is a high-fidelity virtual representation of a physical object or system, kept in sync by real-time data from the IoT infrastructure. In the context of big data analytics smart infrastructure, a digital twin can represent a single building, a transit network, or an entire city. These virtual models allow planners to run “what-if” simulations in a risk-free environment. They can visualize how a new skyscraper will affect wind patterns and shadow coverage, or how a change in bus routes will impact traffic flow three miles away. This level of data intelligence platforms allows for a degree of precision in urban design that was previously unimaginable, ensuring that new developments harmonize with the existing environment rather than placing further strain on it.

Optimizing Urban Mobility and Smart Cities Technology

The daily struggle with traffic congestion and inefficient public transit is a universal urban experience. Big data analytics smart infrastructure offers a sophisticated solution by treating the transit network as a single, dynamic entity. By analyzing data from GPS-enabled vehicles, cellular networks, and smart ticketing systems, cities can gain a real-time view of how people are moving through the streets. Smart cities technology can then use this data to adjust traffic light timings, reroute public transport to avoid accidents, and even offer commuters dynamic pricing to encourage them to travel during off-peak hours. This is not just about reducing the time spent in traffic; it is about reducing the carbon emissions associated with idling vehicles and improving the overall quality of life for the urban population.

Data Intelligence Platforms and the Future of Energy Resilience

The global transition to renewable energy is heavily dependent on the ability to manage a more decentralized and volatile power grid. Traditional grids were designed for a one-way flow of power from a central plant to the consumer. Modern smart grids, supported by big data analytics smart infrastructure, must manage power coming from thousands of individual solar panels and wind turbines. Data intelligence platforms play a critical role here, using predictive models to balance supply and demand with millisecond precision. By anticipating changes in weather and consumer behavior, these systems can ensure that the lights stay on even as we move away from fossil fuels. Furthermore, by providing residents with detailed data on their own energy consumption, these platforms empower individuals to make more sustainable choices, creating a culture of conservation that is essential for the health of our planet.

The Ethics of Data Collection and Public Trust

As cities become more integrated with technology, the question of data privacy and ethical governance becomes central to the conversation. A city that monitors everything must also protect everything. The implementation of big data analytics smart infrastructure requires a transparent framework that ensures the anonymity of citizens and prevents the misuse of sensitive information. Public trust is the most valuable asset in a smart city; without it, the technological benefits will never be fully realized. This requires a “privacy by design” approach, where data is encrypted at the source and processed in a way that extracts value without compromising individual identities. Engaging the community in the design of these systems and providing clear accountability for data use is the only way to build a smart city that truly serves the people.

Enhancing Public Safety and Emergency Response

Beyond the routine optimization of services, big data analytics smart infrastructure is a life-saving tool during emergencies. In the event of a natural disaster or a major accident, the smart city can instantly reroute emergency services based on real-time traffic data and provide first responders with high-resolution 3D maps of the affected area. Sensors can detect the sound of a gunshot or the heat signature of a burgeoning fire, alerting authorities seconds before the first 911 call is made. This immediate awareness can make the difference between a minor incident and a tragedy. By integrating emergency response into the very fabric of the city’s data systems, we are creating an environment that is not just more efficient, but fundamentally safer for everyone.

Building the Resilient City of the Future

The journey toward smart infrastructure is an ongoing process of learning and adaptation. As our analytical capabilities grow and our sensory networks expand, the possibilities for urban optimization will continue to multiply. The resilient city of the future will be one that uses big data analytics smart infrastructure not just to solve today’s problems, but to build a foundation for the challenges of tomorrow. This means designing systems that are flexible enough to incorporate new technologies and robust enough to withstand the impacts of climate change and population growth. In the end, the goal of the smart city is not to create a high-tech playground, but to use the power of data to create a more equitable, sustainable, and vibrant home for all of humanity.

Key Takeaways:

1. Big data analytics transforms static infrastructure into a dynamic, sensory-aware network capable of self-diagnosis and predictive maintenance.
2. The use of digital twins allows urban planners to simulate complex scenarios and optimize city growth without risking the safety or stability of physical assets.
3. Smart infrastructure is the key to sustainable energy management and efficient public transit, reducing the environmental footprint of urban areas while improving life quality.

Built in collaboration with MetLife and Majesco , the IBM Insurance Platform will feature cognitive computing, data analytics and integration and security capabilities designed to help insurers expand access to their products and capture new customers.

“Our Industry Platforms are designed in collaboration with our clients and partners and intended to dramatically improve traditional business models using deep industry expertise and advanced technologies such as AI, cloud and blockchain,” said Bridget van Kralingen, senior vice president, IBM Industry Platforms. “In the case of insurance, carriers will be able to inject greater innovation and speed into their operating models, and consumers will experience a broader range of products tailored to their individual needs.”

IBM works with 95 percent of the world’s top insurers. By combining insights from those engagements, and with deep industry expertise contributed by MetLife, the IBM Insurance Platform will help carriers better harness their expansive data sets to improve product mix and customer experience. Delivered as a service, the platform will also help insurers sense and respond to the market faster while reducing IT infrastructure and maintenance costs.

“This new direction provides us with the opportunity to introduce to the market a unique business model unlike any other. The strategy represents innovation in our approach to growth and is a testament to the reality that every company needs to become a technology company in order to survive,” said Marty Lippert, MetLife executive vice president and head of Global Technology & Operations. “It brings together the best of MetLife’s insurance expertise and capabilities with leading IBM technology into a single, highly scalable, low cost insurance industry solution.”

MetLife will pioneer the use of this industry-first, end-to-end digital solution, beginning with its small business customers. MetLife will have the ability to tailor and scale its benefit offerings from quote to claim. Through a new digital experience, customers and brokers will have access to a broader selection of affordable group benefits, including: life, dental, vision, disability, voluntary and other products.

“Small business is an attractive growth segment for MetLife. We know from speaking to many business owners and brokers that they believe employee benefits are important in attracting, retaining and engaging talent. We’re excited this platform will give our customers greater access to the benefits they need through a simpler, affordable experience,” said Michel Khalaf, MetLife’s president of U.S. Business and EMEA.

According to an analysis of A.M. Best Data, the U.S. group benefits market was approximately $140 billion in 2016. Increased customer expectations and new market entrants highlight the need for insurance carriers to bring new offerings to market that attract customers while cost-effectively servicing existing ones.

Majesco, a multinational provider of insurance technology software and an established IBM partner, is contributing to the platform with components to enhance underwriting, policy administration, billing and claims.

As IBM advances the platform, new capabilities will be added including the ability to integrate with blockchain networks to provide trusted, highly secure, permissioned transactions, and the option to incorporate regulatory compliance data and third-party software.

The IBM Insurance Platform represents another important expansion of IBM’s Industry Platforms business, formed to deliver comprehensive offerings for specific industries. IBM has also launched specialized industry platforms in other areas including healthcare, regulatory compliance for banking and financial markets.

About IBM Industry Platforms

IBM Industry Platforms provides a range of strategic technologies to remove much of the cost and complexity of delivering core business functions. By delivering cognitive, analytics, security, blockchain and cloud technology as a service, and in a complete platform tailored to the needs of each industry, IBM helps clients become more customer-centric, balance costs and mitigate risk.

About MetLife

MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the world’s leading financial services companies, providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to help its individual and institutional customers navigate their changing world. Founded in 1868, MetLife has operations in more than 40 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

About Majesco

Majesco (NYSE MKT: MJCO. Majesco serves over 150 insurance Property and Casualty and Life, Annuity and Group carriers worldwide by supporting their transformation journey with enabling software and service solutions. The software solutions include policy management, new business / underwriting, rating, billing, claims management, distribution management and a complete digital platform for customer engagement. For more details on Majesco, please visit www.majesco.com.

Contact(s) information

Christina Trejo

IBM Media Relations

1 (848) 702-4607

christina.trejo@ibm.com

MassMutual’s PensionSmart Analysis tool is available to pension plan sponsors through financial advisors and consultants who serve the pension recordkeeping, investments and actuarial marketplaces. The tool provides insights into the health of an employer’s pension, creating a “persona” that details the plan’s current status, funding level or health, service structure, and a comparison to pension plans sponsored by other employers in the same industry. In addition, the PensionSmart Analysis tool will help financial advisors and consultants identify local pension plans that may benefit from a plan health analysis and consultation. With the results of the tool’s analysis in hand, MassMutual’s pension experts can then assess the pension plan’s health and make recommendations to the sponsor about appropriate options.

“Our new PensionSmart Analysis tool provides employers and their advisors an easy-to-understand snapshot of their pension’s health and status in relation to their total retirement benefits package,” said Michael O’Connor, leader of MassMutual’s Defined Benefit Pension unit. “The introduction of this new analysis tool is part of a broader strategy by MassMutual to expand its share of the pension market as some providers reduce their service and support. There is a real opportunity to put our 70-plus years of experience and expertise in the pension plan market to good use.”

As of March 31, 2017, the Investment Company Institute reports there are $8.6 trillion total in private and public DB pension assets in the United States1. There are $4.2 trillion in unfunded liabilities, which O’Connor said is indicative that many pension plans can benefit from the expertise of an experienced risk manager and consultant such as MassMutual.

The PensionSmart Analysis tool provides plan sponsors with a diagnosis or assessment of their plan’s health, including insights on funding levels, administrative efficiencies and expense savings, improved communications to participants and design recommendations. The analysis also examines funding, investment and de-risking strategies to help sponsors make the best long-term decisions about managing their pension plans. The insurer has a team of actuaries and investment professionals that focus on helping sponsors achieve their pension plan objectives.

As part of the analysis of pension investments, the PensionSmart Analysis tool can examine different investment “glide path” options to help sponsors achieve specific goals related to funding and liability matching, according to O’Connor.  MassMutual can also asses and recommend de-risking strategies as more sponsors look to reduce liabilities from pensions.

“Sponsors of defined benefit plans have different goals, from continuing their commitments to terminating a plan and from better managing liabilities to shifting them to a third party,” O’Connor said. “Once we have an analysis in hand, MassMutual’s team of pension experts will consult with the sponsor and make recommendations based on a sponsor’s specific goals.”

Advisors and consultants can use the PensionSmart Analysis tool to generate a listing of pension plans in their area and determine which plan sponsors might benefit the most from a health analysis. The PensionSmart Analysis tool displays information on the sponsor, type of plan, size of the pension in assets and number of participants, funding level, status and service model.

MassMutual’s nationwide team of managing directors for institutional retirement plans can work with advisors to help identify sponsors that might benefit from an analysis and potential expert guidance, according to O’Connor.  This team works in concert with MassMutual’s actuarial and investment staff as well as relationship managers to ensure that recommendations are properly implemented, monitored and adjusted as necessary to help sponsors achieve their plan objectives, he said.

“Insightful, experienced support for pension plans is becoming harder for many plan sponsors to obtain. MassMutual has the experience, expertise and resources to help pension sponsors manage complex financial issues and meet their obligations,” O’Connor said.

About MassMutual
MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com.

Morgan Stanley provides everyday cash management solutions as an attractive alternative to traditional banks, including direct deposit, check writing, online bill pay, mobile deposits, and a debit card with ATM access and fee rebates.

Premier provides savings such as unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide and no foreign transaction fees on the Morgan Stanley Debit Card and account and service fee waivers, for qualifying clients.  Morgan Stanley has also partnered with Experian® to provide Premier clients with a complimentary and comprehensive package of credit and identity protection benefits such as 3-bureau credit reports and monitoring, alerts, $1MM Identity Theft Insurance and more.  Premier clients also have access to U.S.-based cash management service professionals for all of their cash management servicing needs.

The program launched in July 2016 and by the end of the year already had over 80,000 clients enjoying the program’s benefits.  Client feedback collected in the months following the launch has been extremely positive – 90 percent of Premier clients say the program is more rewarding than other financial firms.  *Clients have touted unlimited ATM fee rebates and identity protection as key benefits of the program.

The Firm continues to refine and expand the program.  Recent key enhancements include expanding the account types and activities that qualify clients for inclusion in the program, making the benefits more accessible to a greater number of Morgan Stanley clients.

“Today our enhanced suite of cash management solutions provides an attractive alternative to a traditional bank and complements our investing and lending offerings to help our clients more completely meet their financial needs and goals,” said Eric Heaton, Chief Executive Officer and President, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association.  “With Premier, our clients receive exclusive access to a variety of enhanced benefits to make managing their everyday finances more rewarding.  And we are continually making the program better for our clients.”

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement and trust services.

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, wealth management and investment management services.  With offices in more than 42 countries, the Firm’s employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals.  For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com. For more information about Premier Cash Management from Morgan Stanley, visit www.morganstanley.com/premier.

©2017 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.  
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.

*Cash Management Engaged Client Quantitative Survey (Jan 2017)

Identity Theft Insurance underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. (AIG). The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. Review the Summary of Benefits.

Premier Cash Management is an incentive program that recognizes and rewards clients for choosing Morgan Stanley for their everyday cash management needs.  Clients must meet certain criteria in order to qualify for the Premier Cash Management program, and Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC reserves the right to change or terminate the program at any time and without notice.  Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with affiliated and non-affiliated parties to assist in offering certain products and services related to Premier Cash Management.  Please refer to the Premier Cash Management Terms and Conditions for further details.

Morgan Stanley Premier Protection. This optional service is available to you at no charge and will provide credit report monitoring, identity protection, fraud resolution, and insurance protection. Services will be provided by Experian, a leading global credit reporting agency. Since this is an optional service it requires your enrollment, which can be completed by visiting Morgan Stanley Online or through the Experian-hosted website, available at www.morganstanley.com/premierprotection. Separate terms and conditions pertaining to the services from Experian will be provided to you when you enroll in the service. You will be responsible for understanding these separate terms and conditions, and you should review them carefully. Neither Morgan Stanley nor its affiliates is the provider of the Experian services and will not have any input or responsibility concerning the terms and conditions associated with the Experian services. Further, neither Morgan Stanley nor its affiliates shall be responsible for the content of any advice or services provided by Experian. Morgan Stanley or its affiliates may participate in transactions on a basis separate from Experian. Morgan Stanley or its affiliates may receive compensation in connection with referrals made to Experian.  Identity Theft Insurance is underwritten by insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. (AIG).The description herein is a summary and intended for informational purposes only and does not include all terms, conditions, and exclusions of the policies described. Please refer to the actual policies for terms, conditions, and exclusions of coverage. Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions.

The Morgan Stanley Debit Card is currently issued by UMB Bank, n.a., pursuant to a license from MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard and Maestro are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated. The third-party trademarks and service marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank.  Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

Cash management and lending products and services are provided by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A, as applicable.

CRC 1737440-03/17

Media Relations:
Christine Jockle, 914.225.6827
Americas +1 212 761 2448
Japan +81 3 6836 4590
Europe +44 20 7425 8005
Asia Pacific +852 2848 5051

In a statement, the company said that the insurance cover was to protect users against fraudulent transactions.

“This insurance cover on Wallet balance will ensure that the user is covered should there be any misuse of the account. Along with being the fastest and most convenient way of paying, this cover will provide additional comfort and security to our millions of users,” said Krishna Hegde, vice president, Paytm.

The cover will be commensurate with the wallet balance and will be free to begin with. The wallet platform currently has over 200 million users and is looking to enroll close to 1 crore merchants by the end of 2017.

Current clients of the brokerage will be notified of the change in ownership and their existing insurance coverage will remain in effect with no changes to their premiums or coverage for the current term of their policies. As current policies expire, clients will be offered comparable policies from The Co-operators.

“This is another stride made in strengthening and growing our agency distribution system in Ontario, and across the country—allowing us to better serve Canadians and their families,” said Rob Wesseling, president and CEO of The Co-operators. “We look forward to helping our new clients get the insurance and investment products they need to achieve financial security, and ultimately, peace of mind.”

Clients will enjoy the exemplary service of a leading national insurance co-operative and have access to a full suite of insurance products including home, auto, life, travel, commercial and farm insurance.

About The Co-operators:
The Co-operators Group Limited is a Canadian co-operative with more than $44 billion in assets under administration. Through its group of companies it offers home, auto, life, group, travel, commercial and farm insurance, as well as investment products. The Co-operators is well known for its community involvement and its commitment to sustainability. The Co-operators is listed among the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt; Corporate Knights’ Best 50 Corporate Citizens in Canada; and the Top 50 Socially Responsible Corporations in Canada by Sustainalytics and Maclean’s magazine. For more information please visit www.cooperators.ca.

For further information:
Leonard Sharman,
The Co-operators,
519-767-3937

The deal was originally announced in August 2016. “We are pleased to complete the sale of UGC,” said Peter D. Hancock, President and Chief Executive Officer of AIG. “With this transaction, AIG has taken another step in simplifying our organization to become a leaner, more focused insurance company committed to our vision of being our clients’ most valued insurer. We believe UGC and the outstanding professionals who work there have gained a strong partner in Arch to continue to grow and facilitate home ownership for consumers and provide valuable and necessary protection to mortgage lenders.”

UGC is the leading private mortgage insurance company in the United States with $186.4 billion of first-lien primary mortgage insurance in force as of September 30, 2016. UGC has active relationships with nearly 1,700 customers and approximately 1,000 employees including a national sales force of approximately 100 professionals. UGC is headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina.

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) is a leading global insurance organization. Founded in 1919, today AIG member companies provide a wide range of property casualty insurance, life insurance, retirement products, mortgage insurance and other financial services to customers in more than 100 countries and jurisdictions. These diverse offerings include products and services that help businesses and individuals protect their assets, manage risks and provide for retirement security. AIG common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Additional information about AIG can be found at www.aig.com and www.aig.com/strategyupdate | YouTube: www.youtube.com/aig | LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/aig. These references with additional information about AIG have been provided as a convenience, and the information contained on such websites is not incorporated by reference into this press release.

AIG is the marketing name for the worldwide property-casualty, life and retirement, and general insurance operations of American International Group, Inc. For additional information, please visit our website at www.aig.com. All products and services are written or provided by subsidiaries or affiliates of American International Group, Inc. Products or services may not be available in all countries, and coverage is subject to actual policy language. Non-insurance products and services may be provided by independent third parties. Certain property-casualty coverages may be provided by a surplus lines insurer. Surplus lines insurers do not generally participate in state guaranty funds, and insureds are therefore not protected by such funds.

AIG
Media:
Matt Gallagher, 212-458-3247
matthew.gallagher2@aig.com

or

Investors:
Liz Werner, 212-770-7074
elizabeth.werner@aig.com

The transaction represents a 100% acquisition of Navigators’ Sweden and Denmark corporations, NUAL AB and Navigators A/S, respectively. Navigators’ local employees have agreed to continue their employment with RSG, with Sverker Edstrom continuing to lead the Stockholm operation and Thomas Harrild remaining responsible for the Copenhagen office.  In assuming the operations, RSG, a leading distributor of specialty insurance products and services, will leverage its expertise to enhance the customer service available to local brokers and insureds.

Following the acquisition, the new RSG offices, renamed RSG Sweden and RSG Denmark, will partner with Navigators to continue to bring local customers management and professional liability products written on and backed by Navigators Lloyd’s Syndicate 1221 paper, giving insureds the same financial strength and expert claims handling they have come to expect.

“This transaction supports Navigators’ strategic focus on serving clients across continental Europe,” said Michael J. Casella, Navigators’ President of International Insurance. “Our partnership with RSG will enable us to more efficiently serve clients in these markets while still providing them with the innovative products and financial strength Navigators is known for.”

“Equally, this furthers RSG’s European expansion plans,” said Michael D. Rice, Chairman of RSG Underwriting Managers, LLC, a subsidiary of RSG. “We are very pleased to be able to further develop our strong relationship with Navigators with this transaction.”

The sale excludes Navigators’ Nordic marine lines of business, which will continue to be managed out of Rotterdam.

About Navigators
The Navigators Group, Inc. is an international specialty insurance holding company with insurance company operations and underwriting management companies, including operations at Lloyd’s. Navigators has offices in the United States, the United Kingdom and Continental Europe, as well as a representative office in China.

About Ryan Specialty Group
Ryan Specialty Group, LLC is an international holding company consisting of wholesale broker, R-T Specialty, LLC, underwriting manager, RSG Underwriting Managers, LLC, and insurance service provider, Ryan Direct Group Limited, each servicing a client base of brokers, agents and insurance carriers.

Contact

Courtney Oldrin
+1 203 905 6531
coldrin@navg.com

Platinum Advantage income protection insurance builds on the strong contract of The Standard’s previous IDI products and allows producers to create customized solutions that best meet a client’s needs.

“As a leading provider of IDI for the past six decades, The Standard has always been known for strong contracts,” says Dawn McMaster, vice president of IDI at The Standard. “We created Platinum Advantage so producers can design the right product to protect their clients’ income in a way that meets their unique needs and budget.”

Platinum Advantage is a fit for clients across numerous occupation classes as it can be tailored to a client’s profession, income projection and life stage. Platinum Advantage includes strong core benefits and flexible riders — some of which are available at no additional cost.

“Platinum Advantage is straightforward in its design and provides comprehensive income protection to clients,” says Doug Waters, second vice president of IDI sales at The Standard. “With the updates we’ve made, it offers a great combination of high quality and flexibility.”

Platinum Advantage has a premium base benefit which includes a Guaranteed Renewable feature, robust mental disorder and substance abuse benefits, and strong definitions of disability. Producers have the flexibility to help their clients create the highest-quality product, depending on their choice of additional riders. Optional riders include a Residual Disability Rider, Noncancelable Policy Rider, Own Occupation Definition Benefit, Indexed Cost of Living Benefit Rider, Catastrophic Disability Rider and a Student Loan Rider.

Platinum Advantage is the only IDI policy to offer the Family Care Benefit, which pays a monthly benefit to policyholders who need to take time off work to care for a family member (a spouse, parent or child) with a serious health condition. The feature is included in the base policy at no cost, and can be a helpful feature for clients in the sandwich generation.

“Gen X and baby boomer clients are sometimes in a position where they need to provide hands-on care for an aging parent or seriously ill child,” says Waters. ”These caregiving responsibilities can limit a client’s ability to work and, in turn, his or her income. The Family Care Benefit can help reduce the financial impact of an income loss and medical expenses that often occur when caring for a family member.”

Platinum Advantage guarantee standard issue (GSI) plans will be available in the latter part of 2017.For more information on Platinum Advantage and a full list of features, producers can visit www.standard.com/di or talk with their general agent.

About The Standard
The Standard is a leading provider of financial products and services, including group and individual disability insurance, group life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, group dental and vision insurance, absence management services, retirement plans products and services, individual annuities and investment advice . For more information on The Standard, visit www.standard.com/di.

The Standard is the marketing name for the subsidiaries of StanCorp Financial Group, Inc.: Standard Insurance Company; The Standard Life Insurance Company of New York; Standard Retirement Services, Inc.; StanCorp Equities, Inc.; StanCorp Mortgage Investors, LLC; StanCorp Investment Advisers, Inc.; StanCorp Real Estate, LLC; and Standard Management, Inc.

Contact
Bob Speltz, Senior Director,
Public Affairs
971.321.3162

Trade Media
Cassandra Bergemann,
Bader Rutter & Associates
262.938.5461

MTN Group and MMI Holdings announced the launch of a micro insurance joint venture, branded aYo. The joint venture will benefit from the scale, combined expertise and market access of both companies, to provide a strong basis to compete in a changing mobile financial services industry.
Insurance penetration is low in many countries across Africa, and utilising the resources and capabilities that each of MMI Holdings and MTN provide, aYo will be able to improve this to offer relevant, accessible and easy to use insurance solutions to consumers.

Commenting on the partnership, Herman Singh, Group Chief Digital Officer of MTN said that “as MTN, we are excited about this partnership as it gives us an opportunity to further expand our bouquet of mobile financial services offerings across our footprint. Working with MMI, and harnessing the rapid growth of mobile on the continent, we will be able to leverage our core competencies, strong brands and scale to deliver much-needed insurance solutions to our customers.”

Danie Botes, Group Chief Operating Officer of MMI Holdings remarked that “the partnership with MTN will create new revenue streams for MMI, help achieve significant scale, explore opportunities in new markets and segments, and capitalise on the growth of micro insurance on the continent. The partnership will also allow us to further extend our client-centric vision of financial wellness across the Africa continent.”
The aYo offering will be rolled out in a number of African countries from the end of 2016.

About the MTN Group
Launched in 1994, the MTN Group is a leading emerging market operator, connecting subscribers in 22 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The MTN Group is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange in South Africa under the share code: “MTN.” As of 30 June 2016, MTN recorded 232.6 million subscribers across its operations in Afghanistan, Benin, Botswana, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea Republic, Iran, Liberia, Nigeria, Republic of Congo (Congo-Brazzaville), Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Uganda, Yemen and Zambia. Visit us at, WWW.MTNBUSINESS.COM.

About MMI Holdings
MMI Holdings Limited (MMI) is a South African based financial services group listed on the South African stock exchange, the JSE. The group operates in the market through multiple client-facing brands including insurance and investment brands Metropolitan and Momentum, South Africa’s number one cell captive insurer Guardrisk and wellness & rewards programme Multiply. MMI operates in 17 countries across the globe: 13 in the African continent, Hong Kong, Singapore, United Kingdom, and India through a direct presence, strategic partnerships and joint ventures. Visit us at WWW.MMIHOLDINGS.COM.

For more information, please contact:
Samantha Moodley on +27 83 212 9434,
email samantha.moodley@mtn.com
or
mtngrouppressoffice@mtn.com

Anneke Hanekom
+2783 677 0830,
anneke.hanekom@mmiholdings.co.za