Description: Since the last installment of the biennial WTW North America Life Insurance Pricing Methodology Survey in 2018, the market has been coming to terms with the prospect of “lower for even longer” interest rates and been confronted with the economic and social impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article examines what effects these and market-specific factors have had on profit targets and pricing and reserving strategy. The survey looked at the profit objectives and assumptions used in pricing 2020 new issues of individual life and annuity products, with a focus on past practices, not future plans.

Description: Article discusses the mechanics of index-linked annuities and the growth of RILAs

Description: Accelerated underwriting expert, Ryan Holt, FSA, gives a brief history of the confusion matrix and how its use came into the accelerated underwriting space. An in depth discussion of estimating mortality impact using underwriting audits follows. Three key assumptions that effect mortality impact are discussed. Readers will leave with an understanding of how to estimate mortality impacts using audit results from any new under writing program as well as the considerations that should be taken around key assumptions. Background articles are provided for readers that are less familiar with the subject matter.

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: Discusses insurance company considerations and approaches when dealing with the complexities of deferred lives within pension plans.

Description: Critical illness insurance is a popular supplemental health insurance product in the U.S. market. This article discusses how carriers have recently sought to add value by expanded the benefits offered in their critical illness products. Specifically, the article discusses the consumer need and development considerations of adding benefits for autism Spectrum Disorder, Mental health disorders, Specified Disease Coverage, and enhance Cancer Coverage to a critical illness contract.

Description: Discussion of a new product concept in life insurance: Registered Indexed Variable Universal Life (RIVUL). A product idea based on the sales success of Registered Indexed Life Annuities (RILA), but applied to life insurance. The article discusses the pros and cons of the product idea and the ability of it to provide a company with something different relative to existing universal life insurance products.

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

Description: An overview of Electronic Health Records and how they will enhance risk assessment and automated underwriting in the US.

Description: Summary of a survey conducted by Milliman of 28life insurers on the impact of AG49 and AG49-A on their Indexed Universal Life products.