Seth M. Azria opens the collection with a discussion of the many risks that people face in everyday life, such as accidents, injuries, sicknesses, and property damages. Azria defines the nature of insurance as a powerful set of tools that help an individual or company manage the risks they encounter on a daily basis. In order to provide employees with work incentives, many businesses offer benefits packages that include discounted or partially paid insurance plans. Simone I. Flynn offers an overview of employee benefit plan design and discusses the various forms of benefit plan financing and the advantages and disadvantages associated with each financing choice. In addition to private benefits plans, there are also government and commercial health insurance programs that provide coverage to individuals; among the programs discussed are fee-for-service plans, health maintenance organizations, preferred provider organizations, Medicare, and Medicaid. Flynn also provides a detailed account of the American life insurance industry and the main components that comprise term and permanent life insurance policies, such as death benefits, beneficiaries, brokers, riders, premiums, and insurance illustrations.