Description: The embattled life insurance industry in Australia needs to come to terms with a new environment of heightened claims volumes, unprecedented losses, changing distribution models and even reduced benefits. Like the mythological phoenix that spectacularly regenerates from its ashes every century, Australia’s life insurance industry needs something special to rise from its ashes. Claims management innovation promises to give the necessary impetus for a market that is desperate for some good news, whilst laying the foundation for a claims revolution worldwide.

Description: Discusses the results of an inter-company study of the effect of cigarette smoking on Ordinary Insurance mortality. The study also includes an underwriting guide.

Description: This is the third and final installment of an article about using microeconomics and the concepts of embedded value to better manage and understand the profitability of direct marketing programs. The article illustrates how traditional asset share calculations are not appropriate in this case.

Description: This article discusses a recently completed RGA in-depth study that looked at assumptions and experience for lapses and mortality at the end of the level premium period for level term business.

Description: This 1979 session is about Non-Smoker Policies. Topics covered: 1. What data are available? How significant are they? 2. What are the effects of cigarette smoking on health? 3. In what ways can people be educated to stop or not start smoking cigarettes? 4. What are the possible policy implications of the foregoing for the life and health insurance business? 5. For policies with nonsmoker discounts, what are the pricing implications with respect to: a. Nature of the discount -Should it be guaranteed? b. Effect on standard class pricing? Deficiency reserves? Reinsurance? c. Competitive impact? 6. The application form: Information needed, and how do you get it?

Description: This article reports on a session at an underwritering meeting in which the panel included an actuary, an underwriter and a marketer. Each presented his point of view about the status of the insurance business and the difficulties of increasing production.

Description: This article addresses the expected impact that the 2001 CSO table will have on pricing and product structure for UL plans.

Description: The presenters in this classic session will explore protection and accumulation products as well discuss the current state of the hybrid Life/LTC market. They will also examine the latest trends and the challenges to innovation and highlight key factors impacting the product actuary including the impact of technology, regulation and competitive environment. 

Description: This feature discusses the article by syndicated columnist Ellen Goodman in the March 3rd Los Angeles times titled Insuring an End to the Actuarial Rip-Off of Women It was about risk classification arguing in favor of unisex pricing for individual contracts, which the author of this article did not agree.

Description: This session from the 1995 SOA Boston Meeting covers usage, sales methods, and design of COLI products and their many variations. Presenters will discuss market potential, distribution systems, risks, product features, pricing implications, and tax issues. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 21, No. 4b.