Description: Trends in mortality have a huge impact on the insurance industry and its products, risks and profitability. Worldwide, life expectancy has increased continuously over the past decades. However, this progress—even without considering the Covid-19 pandemic—has been subject to strong fluctuations. In recent years, an increase in volatility can be observed. Various aspects—medical science, environment, lifestyle—have influenced the trend in the past. How can the life and health industry move forward in these uncertain conditions? In this article, we examine what has gone before and what can be learned from a closer analysis. What are the main drivers of the historical increase in life expectancy? What characterizes the dynamics of the recent past? How can mortality be projected into the future? How good are our methods of prediction and what are the risks? What risk management options are available?

Description: Whether focused on mortality, longevity, health or disability risks, biometric uncertainty is the foundation of our work. With a long history of processes and methods for analyzing biometric considerations, we run the risk of becoming stagnant in our thinking about the subject. The presenters will explore how companies can stay ahead of the curve in an environment of ever-changing medical and biometric influencers. They'll dig into cause of death trends, the obesity epidemic, genetic testing, wearables, other wellness tools and more. The presenters will also address the impact of changing risk assessment methods through predictive underwriting. This session is for anyone interested in staying at the forefront of biometric risk.

Description: Scenario analysis for a pension plan is the process of assessing the effects of hypothetical events on the plan’s future financial position, providing tangible real-world examples of risks facing the plan. Long term risks for a pension plan can often feel abstract. Providing strong narratives around possible future events makes it easier for stakeholders to engage with these risks and potential mitigation strategies

Description: The article provides a summary of key issues presented at the 2023 U.S. Living to 100 Symposium focused on the interests of retirement professionals and retirees. It provides an overview of the subjects covered. The discussion focused on the well-being of retirees and the development of the retirement system. It is focused on late-in-life issues and having the best life possible during that period. It balances technical and lifestyle issues, with an emphasis on mortality and longevity trends and influences. Some of the topics discussed include the impact of COVID, climate, housing, and age-friendly communities. The Elder Tech Symposium was merged into Living to 100 and includes discussion of a variety of technology approaches to improve lives and simplify support. The symposium recognized that the decisions needed and concerns during retirement are different later in life, particularly as people decline.

Description: Retirement planning generally includes a focus on decisions needed at time of retirement, but it often fails to focus on changes during retirement and additional decisions needed as people age. The 2021 SOA Risk Survey and other SOA research documents the lack of focus on future change. It is common for people to lose cognitive ability and generally to become less able to make decisions, manage their finances, their medical care and their lives at high ages.This panel focuses on communication and decision issues. The SOA has recently issued a decision guide on High Age Decisions. The brief identifies four domains for high age decisions: ·Health, health care and staying healthy ·Managing finances ·Housing and transportation ·Support networks The panel will include a discussion of communications and how we change, problems of physical, hearing, sight or cognitive decline and the challenges created and the four domains in the SOA Decision Brief.

Description: "Issues surrounding end-of-life and palliative care are not well understood and there is little research in the actuarial literature. From an actuarial perspective, however, end-of-life is important because of the significant cost to the healthcare system. Ian Duncan will discuss some of his research on the financial implications of end-of-life care, as well as the outcomes of a palliative care program. Dr. Matzo is an engaging personality with decades of experience in gerontology and palliative nursing, including training and teaching professionals in the field. Dr. Matzo focuses on educating the public on the importance and benefits of palliative care and hospice (care given in the final six months of life). In this session on “Palliative Care Public Education,” Dr. Matzo will give us an overview of the benefits of palliative care and how this knowledge empowers the individual to make important decisions about their healthcare options. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the role that the actuarial profession may play in this area."

Description: As product development professionals, we know that getting customer feedback is a key component of the product development process. If crafted carefully, these sessions can uncover true unmet needs, unlock the next product innovation, and create market share gains, all while creating something that contributes to society. As quoted during one of our last focus groups, “Magic stuff happens here.” When designing your research, are you doing all that you can to promote inclusive thinking? By focusing on the design of your study—through overall theme and by paying attention to the details in the process—you can uncover new perspectives that you may not have considered, if not for being deliberate in your actions. Instead of just avoiding structures that create biases, we need to actively incorporate inclusivity. Our team performed a study titled “Designing Solutions to Empower Women,” which focused on women’s viewpoints and how those could be incorporated into life insurance product development. I would love to share some of my experiences and tips collected along the way.

Description: Panelists from the home-based care industry will discuss the latest technology and services that enable and prolong the receipt of formal and informal care at home for the elderly and delay transitions to care facilities.

Description: Getting people to think beyond retirement about future care needs and how they will be paid for is critical for a healthy aging plan. However, most people avoid the topic and make rushed decisions when finding long-term care services. Hear from experts in this advisory field explain what a successful plan looks like and what it takes to get people to plan ahead.

Description: "Informal caregiving is far more costly than many people realize. And not just in the immediate future. Current demographic trends suggest that caregiving will become even more necessary and costly as the Baby Boomers continue to age and require more support and services. In 2022, the SOA engaged Milliman, Inc. to conduct an analysis of the need for informal caregiving and its impacts on employees, employers, and other stakeholders. The purpose of this research was to educate stakeholders, policymakers, and other interested parties on the realm of informal caregiving, as well as how the challenges associated with providing informal care of all kinds might be addressed. Discover key findings and themes from the research project, as well as stories highlighting the various forms this role can take, and solutions currently being developed around the country. An open discussion on ways our profession can impact this growing need with the work we do every day in our respective roles will also be included."