Description: Suicide is one of the ten leading causes of death in the United States and the only one of those causes that is trending in the wrong direction over the last 15 years. This article examines several aspects of suicide in the United States with a focus on its impact on the insurance industry. The findings were compiled from publicly available data through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from internal RGA data, and also from interviews with topic experts. The article highlights the difference in suicide rates between the general population and the insured population, the proportion of claims from suicide, the spike in suicide rates at the end of the contestability (or exemption period), and current thoughts from counseling experts on prevention. It also demonstrates an increase in suicide rates during times of economic turmoil.

Description: Heart disease, critical illness insurance and the path to change – a personal essay by Jing Lang, FSA, FCIA, FLMI.

Description: The observations and methodologies demonstrated in this article can help actuaries further analyze population mortality trends by causes of death and by socioeconomic status.

Description: Benefits of attending the Symposium in building a knowledge framework on issues affecting longevity and older ages.

Description: Feature article discussing the events of the recent Living to 100 Symposium.

Description: Feature article with helpful hints on video conferencing and more!

Description: This article is an interview with Emma McWilliam about her book, Longevity Risk. The author has expertise in longevity and annuities having worked on the first bulk annuity transfers in the market, advising on the acquisition of blocks of annuities, setting longevity pricing bases, assisting on the risk management of annuities, and developing longevity bond and swap structures for the transfer of risk to the capital markets.

Description: This article discusses how understanding the drivers of mortality and morbidity is essential for identifying and developing suitable business opportunities.

Description: Average life expectancy has increased throughout the ages, but can this life expectancy trend continue indefinitely? From Reinsurance Section News, May 2005, Issue No. 55.