77 Percent of Workers Would Leave Their Current Position to Become an Independent Entrepreneur; says Aflac survey

Aflac Responds With Announcement of Sales Positions in 580 Markets Nationwide

COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, 2 September 2011 – – –
As summer comes to an end and the Labor Day holiday approaches, there is no question that our nation’s focus on the American workforce will continue to take center stage.

Even with the current national unemployment rate hovering at just over nine percent, more than one-third (35 percent) of U.S. adults reported that the spirit of the U.S. workforce is broken, according to a new survey released today by Aflac, the No. 1 provider of supplemental and guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States.

More than three quarters (69 percent) of employed adults reported that their paycheck is the majority of the reason they work.

Also, 77 percent of adults employed full/part time, and not currently self-employed, stated they would leave their current position to become an independent entrepreneur.

Ability to set one’s own hours, spend more time with friends and family, not have to deal with office politics, and/or not have to endure a daily commute, are just some of the many reasons they would be motivated to make a career change to become an independent entrepreneur.

Driven by increasing market demand for voluntary insurance today and in the future, Aflac is bolstering its nationwide independent sales agent network* in 580 markets, offering U.S. workers the opportunity to be their own boss, make their own schedule, and live what many would call the “American Dream.”

“This survey reaffirms that many Americans lack fulfillment and passion for their jobs, and struggle with work/life balance,” said Tom Giddens, senior vice president, director of U.S. Sales at Aflac. “With more than 72,000 entrepreneurs comprising our sales force, our organization believes strongly in workers’ pursuit of a career that not only supports their livelihood but that also brings joy and satisfaction.”

The online survey was conducted on Aflac’s behalf by Harris Interactive in August 2011, among 2,220 U.S. adults ages 18+, of whom 1,272 were employed, and is part of the 2011 Aflac WorkForces Report.

To learn more about the survey, visit AflacWorkForcesReport.com, or to apply for an opportunity at Aflac, visit joinaflac.com .

About the Aflac WorkForces Report
The Aflac WorkForces Report is an annual study analyzing the forces impacting the trends, attitudes and use of employee benefits. Surveying both American workers and business decision-makers, the Aflac WorkForces Report reconciles the perceptions and realities of benefits in the workplace. The insights aim to help businesses make informed decisions about benefits to better protect employees and their bottom line.

Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Aflac from August 11–15, 2011, among 2,220 adults ages 18 and older, of whom 1,272 were employed. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and, therefore, no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Aflac Media Relations at mediarelations@aflac.com or call 706-243-5543.

About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have helped provide a safety net and have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force. Aflac insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For five consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere Magazine as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies and by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best-Managed Companies in the Insurance category. In 2011, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 13th consecutive year. Also, Fortune magazine has included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies 10 times. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com or aflacenespanol.com.

*Aflac agents are independent agents and are not employees of Aflac.