The overall UK group risk market grows by 2.8% to nearly 11 million people at the end of 2013, according to Swiss Re's Group Watch 2014.
The reinsurer said there was strong premium growth across all lines, led by 9% increase in in-force death benefits and a 12.8% increase in critical illness premiums.
For the first time, over 2 million people in the UK are insured in long term disability income schemes offered by their employers and an estimated 100 000 more covered by workplace arrangements as auto-enrolment is implemented in large companies.
2013 was a record-breaking year for the UK group risk market, according to Swiss Re's Group Watch 2014.
There was very strong growth in the number of lives covered by workplace arrangements, as well as strong premium growth across death benefits, long term disability income and critical illness covers arranged in the workplace.
Most market participants surveyed for the report expect growth to continue in 2014 as overall economic conditions improve and auto-enrolment is implemented by small and medium sized companies.
The market questionnaire which Swiss Re conducted to complement the Group Watch data revealed a high level of optimism among insurers and intermediaries.
Economic conditions are expected to improve and, together with the ongoing effect of auto-enrolment, this is seen by many as a catalyst for continued growth.
"The results show that the group risk proposition remains strong," says Ron Wheatcroft, author of the report. "People are also choosing to adapt or increase their benefit to suit their own personal circumstances and this is helping growth in the market.
"The recently announced pension changes will lead to more people looking at how their employers provide financial products and we think the market is well-placed to adapt."
Premium growth was very strong in the group death benefits sector, rising to GBP 1.1 billion for the year, comparable to the very strong 9.8% growth in 2012. Excepted group life premiums performed very well, growing by 17.4%.
Long-term disability income protection reached an important milestone in 2013 with the number of people insured reaching 2 million for the first time. This represents a 3.8% increase compared to the previous year. In-force premiums were up 6.2% to nearly GBP 600 million.
Critical illness covers experienced very large growth of 12.8% in the number of people insured, with a corresponding premium growth of 12.7%. The total in-force critical illness premium now stands at GBP 67 million.
Russell Higginbotham, CEO Swiss Re UK & Ireland, said: "It's great news that the numbers are up for a second year."
However he added: "Even with auto-enrolment, only around half of the UK will have life cover and about 10% will have disability protection. We need to improve on that and employers are a trusted way to deliver financial protection."
