Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (MassMutual) announced two significant initiatives to support the cause of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, working to raise awareness and to provide a minimum donation of one hundred thousand dollars to local research, detection and treatment programs.
First, MassMutual’s U.S. Insurance Group – which represents all of MassMutual’s insurance products sold in the United States – will make charitable contributions of up to $3,000 to local cancer organizations in the name of each agency that conducts its Pearls of Wisdom® financial education seminar in October. MassMutual is encouraging agents to present these seminars in their local communities to raise awareness of financial preparedness, especially when it comes to breast cancer and other unexpected life events. An estimated 200 to 250 agents, representing MassMutual’s more than 80 agencies across the country, are expected to participate in the innovative program.
Second, the U.S. Insurance Group will also unveil a brochure that helps dispel the mistaken belief of many women that a history of breast cancer will prevent them from obtaining insurance coverage. In fact, as a leader in providing life insurance coverage for breast cancer survivors since at least 1964, MassMutual offers underwriting guidelines that reflect the positive long-term survival benefits of early detection and new treatments.
“Our updated life insurance underwriting guidelines reflect the positive diagnostic and treatment strides that have been made,” said Valerie Kaufman, M.D., chief life insurance medical director of MassMutual’s U.S. Insurance Group. “We have updated our life insurance ratings three times in the last six years. Consequently, we have 14 risk categories today, compared to only four in 2000. That means it’s easier for women to qualify for coverage, and many will pay less.”
The initiatives are two of the many ways MassMutual supports women personally, professionally and as business owners.
“We are proud to continue our support of organizations that provide information and hope to those with breast cancer,” said Susan W. Sweetser, second vice president of MassMutual’s Specialized Markets division. “And we’re committed to educating breast cancer survivors and women in general about the steps they can take to protect themselves and their families.”
MassMutual is recognized as a leader in its efforts to improve the understanding of women’s diverse financial needs, to support women agents in the field, and to educate women on financial issues through, for example, its educational seminar series. To that end, MassMutual sponsors a variety of research and educational projects and events for and about women.
MassMutual’s commitment includes its sponsorship this past summer in eight U.S. cities of the Danskin Women’s Triathlon, which donates 10 percent of all entry fees to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. In conjunction with that sponsorship, MassMutual made donations to the Foundation on behalf of triathlon participants who attended MassMutual’s “Pearls of Wisdom” seminar.