Description: The paper describes a cost-benefit analysis to determine the value of electronic health records (EHRs) in life insurance accelerated underwriting programs. Sample cases from a carrier were underwritten pre-EHR and post-EHR and the mortality savings estimates from risk class changes using EHRs was compared to procurement costs. Results were developed to cover a range of scenarios. Factors to consider for carriers evaluating the cost-effectiveness of using EHRs in their own accelerated underwriting programs are also described.

Description: This article discusses the importance, measurement and improvement of product development efficiency.

Description: Future mortality improvement has been a common assumption in life insurance and annuity pricing and forecasting for many years. However, experience over the last decade suggests this might be an assumption that merits reconsideration in the United States. This article will take a closer look at factors that impact mortality improvement trends and discuss why insurers may want to reevaluate product designs to better manage the associated mortality risk. We then introduce a product idea with this in mind, where premiums are based on a life expectancy index and insurers share the risk (and opportunity) or mortality improvement with policyholders.

Description: This article details different methods for calculating mortality impact associated with new underwriting programs. A common simplified calculation is compared and contrasted with two first principles approaches. The strengths and weaknesses of both approaches are discussed.

Description: Chairperson’s column describing activities the Product Development section has undertaken to date.

Description: The IRS released the details of a program to allow life insurers to correct inadvertent failures to comply with the modified endowment MEC rules under section 7702A of the Internal Revenue Code the “Code”.

Description: A commentary on whether or not the Illustrations Regulation has been successful.

Description: This article discusses the proper slope of mortality tables, especially at the high attained ages.

Description: A look back over 20 years to see how product topics of the day have changed and remained the same.

Description: This article provides a summary of selected sessions of the October 2010 NAIC meeting.