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: Chairperson’s views on the changing life insurance industry.

Description: This article discusses whether or not the Preferred risk class wears off over time.

Description: This article presents the benefits of return of premium term riders.

Description: Factors for insurers to consider when developing their first equity-indexed universal life product.

Description: Discusses current dynamics of the UL and Indexed UL markets.

Description: Discusses the interactions between dynamic lapses and interest rates in stochastic modeling for variable annuities.

Description: This article addresses the issues of short-term volatility, the non-equivalency of traders and, how product development is being impacted by market consistency.

Description: This article discusses the author’s reactions to the Living To 100 Symposium. He summarizes several sessions and concludes by saying his main takeaway from the symposium is that the debate continues as to whether there is a significant chance of finding a way, over the near- or medium-term, to slow the aging process.

Description: The Product Development Section has recently sponsored research on waiver of premium and waiver of charges riders. Waiver riders are commonly offered as optional benefits or included automatically on individual life insurance policies as an integrated benefit. In the event of disability, a waiver rider may waive future life insurance premium due or contribute an amount to a flexible account, such as the average premium paid over the past year or the cost of insurance charges. Despite the prevalence of these riders, the current valuation standard is still the 1952 Society of Actuaries (SOA) Disability Table.