Description: The most popular term product, guaranteed level premium term typically, with level premiums for 10, 20 or 30-years has basic reserves under 1980 CSO that are significantly larger than needed. The 2001 CSO may provide substantial relief from these excess reserves. This article discusses how much impact on profits this relief may provide.

Description: This article discusses the proper slope of mortality tables, especially at the high attained ages.

Description: Discussion of a direct writer survey and a reinsurer survey conducted in the fall of 2002 by the Society of Actuaries. The surveys asked a number of questions about underwriting criteria needed to qualify for preferred risk. They also asked questions about the percentage of issues in each underwriting category and the mortality assumptions for the different categories.

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: Discussion of the Society of Actuaries Report on Mortality Improvement Survey from March 2003 survey from the summer of 2000

Description: This article discusses the author’s reactions to the Living To 100 Symposium. He summarizes several sessions and concludes by saying his main takeaway from the symposium is that the debate continues as to whether there is a significant chance of finding a way, over the near- or medium-term, to slow the aging process.

Description: A review/highlights of the report on US population mortality improvements for the 4 years up to 2001

Description: The June 1987 report on UL valuation and nonforfeiture, by the American Academy of Actuaries Universal Life Task Force under the Committee on Life Insurance, discussed whether long-term UL reserve sufficiencies should offset short-term deficiencies. This article discusses that issue.

Description: Full version of Product Matters! November 2002, Issue No. 54.

Description: This article describes that some companies are ‘approaching the problem of how to accommodate Universal Life in GAAP statements by using a simple method which produces not unreasonable results and waiting for consensus on appropriate methodology to develop. This describes so of the methodology currently in use.