Description: A literature review was performed on mortality improvement, socioeconomic differences in mortality and their links to specific causes of death, and methods for analysis. It highlighted the fact that socioeconomic status (e.g., income and education) is closely linked to differences in mortality and that the longevity gap between socioeconomic groups is growing over time. It also informed the selection of key variables and the need to view mortality improvement as a complex interaction between specific causes of death.

Description: Non-guaranteed elements are parameters of life insurance and annuity polices that are not fixed when the policy is issued but may be changed from time to time by the insurance company. They emerged in the United States and other countries as features of Universal Life and similar products designed to make insurance more competitive in an environment where fully guaranteed products did not have sufficient flexibility to respond to rapidly changing conditions. This overview covers professional guidance, regulations and practical issues with reviewing and revising non-guaranteed parameters.

Description: The American Academy of Actuaries identified two general approaches to the purchase accounting problem in its Interpretation I-D. The approaches are referred to therein as the defined initial reserve method and the defined valuation premium method, and the Interpretation does not show favoritism toward one or the other. This paper submits a 'best' method, arrived at through the following steps: 1. The purchase accounting problem is defined, 2. The effects of the defined initial reserve method and the defined valuation premium method on the ensuing profit projection and resulting balance sheet are examined, and 3. One method is shown to be the most consistent mechanically and most consistent with generally accepted accounting principles 'GAAP'. Finally, this paper discusses a few of the considerations in setting the actuarial assumptions to be used for purchase accounting. The task is slightly less difficult when using the method suggested as best. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1982, Vol. 34.

Description: The interest-adjusted method has come to be the most widely accepted method for comparing costs of individual life insurance policies. This paper presents a relatively simple modification of the interest-adjusted cost method that serves more general purposes satisfactorily. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1980, Vol. 32.

Description: Using recently updated data from the United States Mortality Database (USMDB, usa.mortality.org), this report presents an overview of historical mortality trends in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia for the period 1959-2018.

Description: This paper and discussion is a review of the changes that have occurred recently in the basic principles that underlie the sale and distribution of individual life insurance including underwriting fairness, laws and regulations affecting discrimination, limitations in the underwriting process and competition. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1977, Vol. 29.

Description: This discussion is about agency expenses. From Transaction of Society of Actuaries 1961 Vol. 13. pt. 2

Description: April 13, 2021 Presentation at 2021 Life Insurance Conference

Description: This paper examines five problematic areas of the Life Insurance Company Income Tax Act of 1959 including the 10-for-1 rule, the deduction for investment income on qualified pension and profit-sharing plans, limitations on certain deductions, policyholder surplus account and shareholders surplus account. A discussion of the paper follows. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1976, Vol. 28.

Description: 1973 SOA Regional Meetings, Saint Paul and San Francisco. This paper provided a summary of several concurrent sessions from the referenced meetings including: 1. PRICE DISCLOSURE AND COST COMPARISON. 2. INDIVIDUAL LIFE AND HEALTH UNDERWRITING. 3. TIME SERIES ANALYSIS AND FORECASTING. 4. INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE - PROBLEMS AND PRODUCT TRENDS. 3. VARIABLE LIFE INSURANCE. 6. POLLUTION, POPULATION, AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE. 7. HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONS.