Description: Since the last installment of the biennial WTW North America Life Insurance Pricing Methodology Survey in 2018, the market has been coming to terms with the prospect of “lower for even longer” interest rates and been confronted with the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article examines what effects these and market-specific factors have had on profit targets and pricing and reserving strategy. The survey looked at the profit objectives and assumptions used in pricing 2020 new issues of individual life and annuity products, with a focus on past practices, not future plans.

Description: This paper will show that the result of using the 1975-80 select/ultimate table, as opposed to the more modern 1990-95 select/ultimate table, can be a significant understatement of future mortality and hence anticipated profits may prove to be illusory.

Description: This report summarizes the results of a mortality and pricing survey. It indicates significant differences between the mortality assumptions for different product lines and even between different companies within a single product line. Widespread differences in mortality expectations between products may give individuals an advantage by acting on inefficiencies in the financial services market.

Description: A discussion on technology improvements in establishing compliance with sections 7702 and 7702A. The Internal Revenue Code defines life insurance using actuarial tests that limit the investment in a life insurance contract as compared to the death benefit. Inadvertant failures of the actuarial tests can be uncovered by testing in order to enable remediation.

Description: This article summarizes the findings of the 2020/2021 Milliman UL/IUL/VUL survey. The survey covers a range of specific product and actuarial issues and the results provide a good tool for benchmarking

Description: The article discusses the impact of changes made to Internal Revenue Code Section 7702 by the ConsolidatedAppropriations Act, 2021. The Consolidated Appropriations Act made changes to the interest rates used calculatethe Section 7702 premium and cash value funding limitations for life insurance contracts

Description: Tillinghast conducted a survey of mortality tables that life insurance companies used for pricing life products in 2001. One objective was to determine the underlying table being used, and the prospects of the 2001 CSO-related tables becoming a new basis for mortality measurement. This article summarizes some of the results.

Description: This feature discusses the article by syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman in the March 3rd Los Angeles times titled Insuring an End to the Actuarial Rip-Off of Women It was about risk classification arguing in favor of unisex pricing for individual contracts, which the author of this article did not agree.

Description: The impact of the underlying mortality table selected as a basis for projecting mortality results

Description: This 1978 discussion focused on Adjustable Life Products. Topics included: 1. Current status in marketplace. 2. Future expectations. 3. Product design. 4. Typical riders. 5. Strengths and weaknesses. 6. Administrative requirements.