Sun Life Finl - SLF STOCK NEWS

Sun Life U.S. has announced the addition of menopause benefits to its employee health programs, provided through Progyny at no cost to employees. The new benefit addresses a significant healthcare gap, as 73% of women don't seek proper treatment for menopause symptoms, which can last 2-8 years.

The program offers personalized support from reproductive health experts, including health coaching and guidance for nutrition, weight management, sleep issues, and mental health. This initiative comes as research shows that over 93% of medical residents feel inadequately prepared to manage menopause, and only 31% of OB/GYN residency programs report having a menopause curriculum.

The benefit complements Sun Life's existing comprehensive benefits package, which includes Progyny's fertility services, paid family and medical leave, sabbaticals, and flexible hybrid work arrangements.

Sun Life U.S. and DentaQuest have opened applications for their 2025 Health Access Hero awards, an initiative recognizing organizations and individuals who strengthen health equity in their communities. The program focuses on improving access to care in areas including oral health, diabetes, obesity prevention, and nutrition.

The awards feature two tracks: grants for community organizations' health programs and recognition of impactful individuals. Individual Heroes receive a $10,000 donation to their chosen charity. The program has historically provided over $3 million in grants and recognized more than 125 individuals nationwide.

Recipients can include hospitals, health clinics, grassroots organizations, and individuals such as health providers, nonprofit directors, academic faculty, or community organizers. The initiative aims to address various healthcare challenges including transportation barriers, out-of-pocket costs, and workforce shortages.

Sun Life Financial (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) has announced its Q1 2025 dividend declarations. The company will pay a dividend of $0.84 per common share, maintaining the same amount as the previous quarter, payable March 31, 2025, to shareholders of record as of February 26, 2025.

The company also declared dividends on its Class A Non-Cumulative Preferred Shares, with varying amounts across different series: Series 3 and 4 at $0.278125, Series 5 at $0.28125, Series 8R at $0.114063, Series 9QR at $0.301500, Series 10R at $0.185438, and Series 11QR at $0.348349 per share.

Common shares acquired under the Canadian Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plan will be purchased on the open market through the Toronto Stock Exchange and other Canadian trading platforms. All declared dividends are designated as eligible dividends under the Income Tax Act (Canada).

Sun Life Financial (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) reported its Q4 and full-year 2024 results. Underlying net income for Q4 was $965 million, down 2% year-over-year, while full-year underlying net income increased 3% to $3,856 million. Reported net income for Q4 decreased 68% to $237 million, impacted by lower tax-exempt investment income and a $186 million impairment charge in Vietnam.

Key financial highlights include: Assets under management reached $1,542 billion, up 10% from 2023; LICAT ratio at SLF was 152%; and underlying ROE was 16.5% for Q4. By segment, Wealth & asset management underlying income increased 11% to $486 million, Group Health & Protection decreased 27% to $266 million, and Individual Protection rose 19% to $339 million.

The company saw strong performance in Asia and Canada, with 17% and 6% growth respectively in underlying net income for the full year. U.S. business faced challenges with unfavorable morbidity experience in medical stop-loss.

Sun Life U.S. has expanded its Family Leave Insurance (FLI) to Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina, bringing the total to 11 states. The fully insured offering enables employers to provide paid family leave benefits, addressing the gap between unpaid FMLA leave and employees' financial needs.

The expansion builds on existing coverage in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas. FLI aligns with the federal paid leave tax credit and helps employers, particularly small and mid-sized businesses, offer competitive benefits without self-funding risks.

The program features online claims submission and leave tracking capabilities. The new states will begin quoting on February 1, with additional state approvals expected in 2025.

Sun Life U.S. (SLF) and the Maine Celtics hosted their second annual Fit to Win event at the Boys and Girls Club of Southern Maine in Portland. The program, featuring Maine Celtics players DJ Rodman and Don Carey, Jr., focused on teaching kids about fitness, nutrition, and mental wellness through various activities tracked via 'fitness passport' stamps.

The event included activities like smoothie making, journal writing, and basketball workouts. Sun Life U.S., a provider of employee benefits and health services, partnered with the Maine Celtics in 2023, expanding their existing Boston Celtics partnership. The companies previously collaborated to renovate a basketball court at the Boys and Girls Club in June 2023.

The Fit to Win program, which has been running with the YMCA of Greater Boston since 2015, has reached over 2,000 children across New England. Sun Life and the Boston Celtics also conduct the #SunLifeDunk4Diabetes campaign annually to support the YMCA's Healthy Habits program.

Sun Life Financial (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) has announced it will release its fourth quarter 2024 financial results on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, after markets close. The company will host a live webcast to discuss the quarterly results on Thursday, February 13, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. ET. Investors and interested parties will be able to access both the call and presentation materials via webcast, with a telephone option also available. A replay of the webcast will be made available following the event.

Sun Life U.S. has been recognized as a Top Place to Work in Kansas City by the Kansas City Business Journal and Energage, adding to its numerous workplace accolades across multiple locations. The Kansas City office, established after acquiring Assurant Employee Benefits in 2016, employs approximately 500 people supporting various business segments including disability, dental, medical stop-loss, and supplemental health insurance.

The company maintains strong community ties, sponsoring the Kansas City Royals and raising over $230,000 for local nonprofits through its #StrikeoutDiabetes campaign. Sun Life offers employees a flexible hybrid work model, comprehensive benefits including paid family and medical leave, and sabbaticals.

The company has received multiple workplace recognitions, including Top Workplace awards from USA Today (2022-2024), Hartford Courant (2021-2024), Boston Globe (2018-2024), and various accolades from Forbes, Great Place to Work, and Bloomberg Gender Equality Index.

Sun Life U.S. has achieved its seventh consecutive recognition as a Top Place to Work by the Boston Globe, based on employee surveys conducted by Energage. The company's Wellesley office, housing approximately 1,300 employees, serves as its largest hub. Sun Life offers comprehensive benefits including flexible hybrid work arrangements, allowing employees to choose their office days for optimal productivity and work-life balance.

The company has garnered multiple workplace recognitions, including awards from USA Today, Hartford Courant, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and Kansas City. Notable achievements include listings in Forbes Best Employers for Diversity, Bloomberg Gender Equality Index, and a perfect score on the Human Rights Commission Corporate Equality Index.

Sun Life maintains strong community engagement in Greater Boston through partnerships with the Boston Celtics, YMCA of Greater Boston's #SunLifeDunk4Diabetes campaign, and support for organizations like the United Way and the Dimock Center.