In an effort to help our clients get to know us better, we’re sharing a brief Q&A series with members of our Group LTC business. This month, we’ve asked Ruth Larkin (Regional Sales Leader) a few questions.

• NAME: Ruth Larkin
• JOB TITLE: Regional Sales Leader
• PREVIOUS POSITION: President of LifeCyle Benefits, an Independent LTC Brokerage, and prior to that I was a John Hancock Regional Sales VP for 17 years.
• CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: The greatest challenge to our industry is the apathy caused by the many misperceptions about this essential planning.
• INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: The recent release of the Society of Actuaries LTCI Pricing Study, indicates the industry now has enough data to price these products with much more confidence. The study also reveals that today’s pricing assumptions significantly reduce the likelihood for and the potential amount of future pricing changes on these new plans. This study supports the information we have been sharing with our business partners about the evolution of the LTCI Industry and should pave the way for more Employers to incorporate LTC Planning Options in their Employee Benefit Programs.
• FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: I started my insurance career at Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield in 1985. My father, a 42 year veteran of MetLife, was working in Manhattan at that time and convinced me to do the same. Once I got started, I never left the industry.
• ADVICE: Surround yourself with great people that are smarter than you, kind and funny, and are also passionate about solving problems and helping others. Most importantly, never stop learning.
• OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: My dream job outside the industry would be to head up a Woman’s Studies Program at the Collegiate level, coupled with Coaching Women’s Basketball. I would love to mentor and inspire young woman to follow their dreams into the many avenues of today’s business environment. I also have a long time passion for basketball. At age 12, I tested Title IX and made the Boys Basketball Team at my Middle School. I played every year from there and still love the game today.
• DREAM VACATION: Return to Italy for an extended vacation throughout the country.
• HIDDEN TALENT: I love to dance and can still stay up with my teens in this area.
• CAN’T MISS TV SHOW: Scandal
• FAVORITE BOOK: The Power of Now, Eckhart Tolle
• HOBBIES: Following my kid’s sports activities, world travel, US travel (via our RV) with my family & golf