Description: This panel discussion is from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 16-17 in New York. The panelists review mortality experience studies and research and underwriting practices, discussing topics including smoker vs. non-smoker mortality, differences by sex, and medical impairments. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 2.

Description: Presented at May 1996 Spring Meeting. This panel shows how underwriters can use technology to obtain low-cost/high-value underwriting information and dramatically improve productivity. New screening tests and modification of standards for international markets are also discussed.

Description: Discussion of the following underwriting topics: A. What elements are being taken into consideration in current underwriting of risks in or subject to military service? B. What changes have occurred recently in the amount limits for the double indemnity benefit? Is accident insurance considered in applying such limits? C. What underwriting problems have arisen in connection with the income disability benefit which matures the policy at an age such as 65? In what respect is this benefit underwritten differently from the $5 per $1,000 lifetime income disability clause? D. What are the advantages and disadvantages of issuing ordinary insurance at ages over 65?

Description: Presented at May 2005 Spring Meeting. This session explores new underwriting criteria, including the following topics: What's new in simplified underwriting, Speed to decision, Electronic databases, Teleunderwriting, Prescription drug underwriting, Results analysis, Implementation.

Description: Panelists focus on how the confluence of cost-effective distribution, rapid new-business processing and products tailored for the middle-income market can lead to profitable sales of smaller policies and expanded mid-market penetration. From the 2002 Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 28, No. 3. Session 123PD of the Boston Annual Meeting.

Description: Presented at May 1986 Spring Meeting. Discusses how decreases in mortality and improvements in selection of risk techniques are being offset by increased lapse rates and selection costs. The panel discussed current and anticipated responses.

Description: Medical/Technological Advances

Description: This article is part of the Digest of Informal Discussion, which took place at the 1956 Society of Actuaries Eastern Spring Meeting, held April 19-20 in Hartford, CT. It identifies the participants and summarizes each person’s comments. The participants discuss various issues around guaranteed issue insurance, including companies writing it, restrictions deemed necessary such as preunderwrting as to eligibility, maximum/minimum insurance limits, and minimum number of lives use of special rate bases, dividend classifications, and commission scales expected experience and tendency of better risks to terminate and impaired lives to remain. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1956 Volume 8, Number 21.

Description: 1999 SOA Annual Meeting, San Francisco. The panel examined challenges posed by the onset of the 21st century to the underwriter and the actuary. Questions addressed included: 1. How can the underwriting process be expedited without surrendering required mortality margins? 2. What different information is needed? 3. Where will this information come from? 4. Who will obtain it and how will it be delivered? 5. How will the actuary assess the real value of these new sources?

Description: Discusses underwriting classification trends, term vs. permanent mortality experience with and without medical exams, mortality and lapse experience of military personnel, factors in addition to insurability which should be taken into account by underwriters - such as lapse risk. Also discussed are health underwriting and underwriting expenses.