Description: There are certain occasions when the knowledge we have gained in our jobs carries over into our personal lives. For instance, developing insurance products certainly helps when it comes time to buy an insurance policy. Recently, one of the authors had the experience of giving his 91-year-old grandmother, Nanny as she is affectionately called, an Extended Delayed Word Recall DWR test. This article will show that DWR tests are a powerful predictor of mortality in the elderly. As the population ages and more and more life insurance is being applied for at the older ages, having a DWR test in an underwriting arsenal is like comfort food for an actuary.

Description: This is a study of irregularities in pulse beats detected by the electrocardiogram and the impact on mortality experience at one company. Followed by a discussion paper

Description: This is the digest from the informal discussion reviewing the 1951 Impairment study. It is the latest in a series of studies covering mortality of impaired risks. It covers the experience under Ordinary insurance issued from 1935 to 1949 traced to the anniversaries in 1950. Standard and substandard policies were studied separately.

Description: Presents aviation mortality statistics, updated for complete 1961 data and estimated 1962, with historical data shown beginning in 1950.

Description: Covers aviation mortality obtained from the United States and Canadian governmental sources, both civilian and military. Recent data is from 1983 - 1984, but historical data is provided from 1975 forward.

Description: This 1978 SOA session presented some provisional findings of the new Build and Blood Pressure Study. Some of the findings: 1. The average weights of men in the new study exceed the corresponding weights in the previous 1959 study by 2 to 8 pounds in the thirties, and by up to 5 pounds in the fifties. 2. The mortality ratios of overweight men are not significantly different in the new study from those in the 1959 study. 3. Markedly overweight men experienced lower mortality in the current study than in the 1959 study. 4. Men weighing 20 percent below average recorded 10 to 15 percent higher mortality in the new study than in the 1959 study. 5. Mortality of overweight women is relatively lower than that of overweight men. 6. Mortality of men with elevated systolic and diastolic pressures was appreciably lower than in the 1959 study. 7. Mortality of women with moderately elevated systolic and diastolic pressures was not significantly different from that in the 1959 study. 8. The presence of minor impairments alongside of blood pressures in excess of 150/90 usually produced significant increases in mortality.

Description: This article discusses whether or not the Preferred risk class wears off over time.

Description: This article is from the Digest of Informal Discussion, Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1956 Volume 8, Number 20. The article identifies the participants and summarizes each person’s comments. The participants discuss underwriting for occupations such as aviation, where traditionally additional charges over standard rates have been made. In light of improving mortality from occupational hazards, the participants discuss whether most occupations should be rated standard, and the impact of such changes.

Description: Presents aviation mortality statistics from1979 - 1980. Historical data is provided from 1971 forward.

Description: Discussion of the mortality experience of the Korean War. The purpose of this paper to present some statistics and point out variations in the hazard that might that might be of value in setting up rules for the underwriting of military risks.