Description: Against the backdrop of low interest rates, rapidly expanding data analytic capabilities, and increased consumer demand for better products, many life insurers struggle to innovate their product development initiatives. RGA conducted an online survey in the third quarter of 2018, asking 30 leading life insurance companies in Japan to identify current and future product development trends. A complementary survey of approximately 4,800 policyholders of life products in Japan was also completed in 2018. The findings highlight the product trends for risk, savings and living benefit products being developed, the market segments being targeted, and how insurers are differentiating product offerings through unique features and value-added services. Companies indicated they focused new product development efforts on substandard and standard risk segments, with only 20% pursuing the preferred market. Respondents indicated the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) being used to measure successful product development are predominantly topline – premium, face amount and number of policies.

Description: The article provides an introduction to some of the key limitations that the Internal Revenue Code imposes on business uses of life insurance, focusing on the limitations under Section 264(a) on business deductions for premiums and interest expenses related to life insurance, the similar limitations under Section 264(f) for unrelated interest expenses of businesses that own life insurance, the limitations under Section 101(j) on the excludability of death benefits under employer-owned life insurance contracts, and the recently-enacted rules for life settlement transactions.

Description: Global megatrends in technology are disrupting the life insurance industry.

Description: Product concepts that are born in one country often find their way to the other. This article discusses which products are the hot products in the United States and Canada, and what we can expect for future sales for these products.

Description: A high-level overview of the recent release of the update to the illustration practice notes, or IPNs.

Description: Chairperson’s column likening product development to campaigning.

Description: Discusses the events of the inaugural Life and Annuity Symposium held May 17 and 18, 2010.

Description: This is about The Federal Register of October 18, 1982 announcement by the Veterans Administration concerning USGLI premiums. The premiums were based on the American Experience Mortality Table at 3 /2% interest which overestimates mortality and underestimates the interest rate. This article discusses the ramifications of this.

Description: This is a collection of letters to the editor ranging from exam issues to probabilities to Medicare to stock prices and more.

Description: Discusses the early days of India's opening up of it's insurance markets and the actuarial profession.