Description: In 2007, members of the Forecasting & Futurism Section were joined by members of the Technology Section and the Marketing & Distribution Sections to conduct a Delphi study about possible developments in the life insurance industry. It was named it “Blue Ocean Strategies in Technology for Business Acquisition by the Life Insurance Industry.” The goal was to have a panel of experts—actuaries and other financial professionals from across the country—identify and debate possible new approaches to acquiring business by life insurers. Panelists were asked to answer questions about possible “Blue Ocean Strategies.” This article highlights the ideas that resulted from those discussions as well as survey results on the same subject.

Description: The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) recently created a Financial Advisory Industry Review (FAIR) panel to review the practices of the financial advisory market in Singapore and increase the standards and professionalism of the FA industry in the distribution of life insurance products in Singapore.

Description: The Long-Term Care Insurance market is evolving. Parallels can be drawn between the current product cycle of standalone LTCI and past experiences of other insurance products. Over the last decade, the LTCI market has shifted to include a greater presence of non-standalone LTC insurance. Individual LTCI sales have been on the decline, while life-LTCI combination products have been on the rise. Because of this, many perceive that the life-combination products are taking over the LTCI market and replacing standalone LTC insurance. While life-combination products meet the LTC needs for policyholders, they may not be a good fit for all consumers in this market.

Description: This article takes a look at direct response marketing the associated costs, and the tools necessary to start building a company’s presence in this developing market.

Description: This article looks at internet term sales results.

Description: This article evaluates findings from a new LIMRA focus group consumer study that examined the decision-making process that consumers follow when buying life insurance including their use of direct channels, including direct mail, the internet and call centers.

Description: This article is about how telemarketers can incorporate technology to assure compliance with Do Not Call lists.

Description: This article defines the distribution gap, customer's gap, and distributor's gap in the marketing and sales process. It offers solutions to close these gaps and therby create a more efficient distribution system that better meets customer's needs.

Description: Chairperson’s column addressing recent and planned activities of the Marketing and Distribution Section of the Society of Actuaries.

Description: article that discusses what middle market life insurance companies need to do to be successful.