Description: Exploration of sources of volatility in retiree health valuations, noting how volatility arises and might be mitigated, with discussion of valuation parameters more problematic for retiree health benefits than for pensions. Three significant influences on retiree health valuation volatility are covered-- changes in benefit level, fluctuations in cost level, and alterations in eligibility for, or duration of, benefit – and attention focused on the last two. Specific conclusions result in recommendations, which are supported by practical examples contrasting volatile measurement results with those likely from the recommended practices. Theoretical discussion includes health claim variation, health trend usage, financial economics, option pricing, discount rates, and deterministic vs. stochastic modeling.

Description: This paper explores how an intragenerational funding approach might spread the risks from those older persons who live longer to those who do not live so long and from those who are healthier or less dependent to those who are less healthy or more dependent.

Description: This paper explores the relationship between the Wealth Transfer Index WTI and retirement age, which is the age at which the workers in an economy cease to be economically productive.

Description: This paper examines the risk associated with long-term care, as well as a variety of insurance-based vehicles that can assist consumers in protecting them from this risk.

Description: This paper introduces the predictive modeling tools to mortality research. The predictive modeling is applied to study how multiple risk drivers such as demographic characteristics and social and economic status impact the mortality improvement of the advanced age population. The paper provides both the theoretical frameworks and the application aspects of the predictive modeling process. As the result, a mortality risk score was derived in differentiating the mortality risk for the advanced age population.

Description: This paper introduces the predictive modeling tools to mortality research. The predictive modeling is applied to study how multiple risk drivers such as demographic characteristics and social and economic status impact the mortality improvement of the advanced age population. The paper provides both the theoretical frameworks and the application aspects of the predictive modeling process. As the result, a mortality risk score was derived in differentiating the mortality risk for the advanced age population.

Description: This SOA-funded study examines the relative performance of different risk assessment methods and risk adjustment systems. From A Comparative Analysis of Methods of Health Risk Assessment, M-HB96-1.

Description: This paper explores the advantages and disadvantages of a defined benefit plan option for phased retirees.

Description: This paper examines the current presence of more females in the work force, and the Social Security/retirement issues that are raised by this trend. From Retirement Implications of Demographic and Family Change Symposium Monograph, M-RS02-2.

Description: Introduction sets out the objectives of comparing the predictive accuracy of different risk assessment methods, comparing the different methods based on other criteria, and then examining issues related to high-cost individuals and conditions. From A Comparative Analysis of Methods of Health Risk Assessment, M-HB96-1.