Description: This article summarizes key findings from an SOA research report conducted by Milliman on a wide range of living benefit riders with medically related triggers on life and annuity products. The SOA report includes a survey of direct writers, and interviews with many reinsurers. The article focuses on chronic illness accelerated benefit riders, long term care accelerated benefit riders, and the more comprehensive long term care linked benefit products that can pay out benefits that may be much higher than the underlying base plan values. Information on regulations governing these plans, mechanics of the products, sales, and pricing structures is included The intent is to enable the reader to appreciate the issues and opportunities related to these new, innovative designs that help address a range of consumer needs..

Description: Discussion of possible hedging strategies for offsetting the investment risk for variable annuities, especially those with guaranteed benefits.

Description: NAIC Update on Issues Affecting Life and Annuity Product Development

Description: Article describes the language changes between AG 49 and AG 49-A.

Description: In this article, the chairperson addresses the section regarding content creation.

Description: Hear from the chairperson on themes in the October 2018 issue of Product Matters published by the Product Development Section.

Description: The article summarizes results of a Milliman survey per the title. These products comprise about 40% of the total individual life market, and the survey covers a range of topics on these plans, which should be of interest to a large portion of the life industry.

Description: As term carriers continue dealing with the implementation of PBR, the 2017 CSO mortality table, accelerated underwriting programs and predictive models, one wonders what the next significant challenge will be for the term market. The implications of these changes are yet to be seen fully, and monitoring of the results will be important in the years to come. ...

Description: The author discusses an interpretation of the surrender charge limitations specified in New York’s Regulation 77 which increases the maximum allowable surrender charges for renewal years. This interpretation was presented to and accepted by the New York State Insurance Department.

Description: Welcome message from the new Chairperson of the Product Development Section.