Description: New Study Examines Fixed Indexed Annuity Contract Owner Behavior Society of Actuaries Research Institute and LIMRA Release Latest Experience Studies Pro Report

Description: This paper applies the research in Prospect Theory of Kahneman and Tversky to explain why sales of annuities lag sales of life insurance products. The author theorizes that life insurance is easier to sell because customers perceive themselves to be in the domain of losses, while potential annuity customers perceive themselves to be in the domain of gains. Kahneman and Tversky showed us that people are mostly risk averse in the domain of gains and risk seeking in the domain of losses. Purchase of an annuity or life product is a risky investment. Customers will find it easier to take the risk in the life insurance domain of losses than the annuity domain of gains. The author then proposes a hybrid life annuity product that might address both mortality and longevity risk in one product that would allow both products to be more competitive than stand-alone products.

Description: In this article, we discuss the future of wearable technology in life insurance. Evidence from recent research shows that low levels of physical activity, as measured by steps per day indicate much higher mortality risk while higher levels of activity correspond with lower risk. The article shares insights of how insurers can use wearables to innovate by improving the customer journey, expanding insurability, engaging customers, promoting healthy lifestyles and improving risk assessment. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and considerations when using new data and technology to ensure success.

Description: This paper described techniques used to keep existing policies up to date. One technique involved increasing the reserve interest rate of previously issued business to the level being used for new business as permitted by law. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1980, Vol. 32.

Description: This reinsurance refresh session will review different types of reinsurance, main reinsurance regulations and resources, key reinsurance treaty provisions, as well as recent developments in reinsurance. We will also introduce LEARN, an education initiative sponsored by the SOA Reinsurance Section to help improve communication with regulators.

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: Mortality is a fundamental element in the financial projections of the finances of social security programs around the world. Prominent actuaries from the U.S. Social Security Administration, Canada's Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the U.K. Government Actuary's Department will discuss some of the key factors and current issues associated with these projections. Improving mortality has and will have a significant effect on the affordability and importance of income through retirement to many population segments in these countries.

Description: This paper presents the recursive definition of the aggregate claims distribution which does not require the usual computation of the convolutions of the distribution of claim amounts. It is independent of the number of lives in the group. which makes it particularly useful for large groups. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1980, Vol. 32.

Description: This article outlines industry practice and consideration for pricing acceleration-only riders to life insurance policies.

Description: "On the decomposition of mortality models into causes of death – Andrés M Villegas Ph.D – UNSW Australia, Madhavi Bajekal, Ph.D.,HONFIA, University of London, UK, Steven Haberman, Ph.D. – Bayes Business School, University of London, UK Forecasting cause-specific mortality rates using the insights from the cointegration analysis, Séverine Arnold, PhD, Viktoriya Glushko, Department of Actuarial Science, Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC Lausanne), University of Lausanne, Switzerland"