Description: In this session, you will be exposed to new innovations in the insurance industry around the world.

Description: Mortality improvement assumptions have typically been focused on all-cause mortality improvement. However, as evidenced in recent years, the cause of death has a large impact on mortality improvement. Join our panel of experts as they discuss mortality improvement through the lens of different causes of death. This discussion will include a review of the historical cause specific mortality improvement trends seen in the U.S. population and how this relates to the insured population. The panelists will then discuss how to use these trends to inform future mortality improvement assumptions. Key learning objectives include: - Identifying the trends in mortality improvement for select causes of death - Understanding how to adapt these for an insured population - Applying these learnings to mortality improvement assumptions

Description: Businesses across the board have been drastically impacted by the effects of COVID-19 over the course of 2020, and insurance was not immune. Perhaps most relevant to this industry’s current capital and liquidity concern is the prevailing low interest rate environment. This has been a global trend in the last decade, and treasury rates in much of the developed world are at or near zero. Reduced investment returns limit an insurer’s ability to achieve their desired return on equity, eliminating previously profitable strategies that depended on the leverage of life and annuity balance sheets. Focus and activity have instead shifted to other methods to counteract the low interest rate markets and accompanying capital strain. Examples include increased mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity within the insurance industry and an increasing focus by private equity firms in the insurance market for asset-intensive products, both of which reflect the goal of increasing yield rates on capital.

Description: Recently the interest rates have been slowly trending up from the lowest point in August 2020. The focus of this article is on current market trends for long-duration products —including life insurance, annuities, and long-term care insurance —following an extended period of low interest rates, and lessons carriers can learn from similar historical periods of rising interest rates. Innovative and flexible product features will continue to be essential, as the current interest trend may not substantially increase insurers’ portfolio rates. When designing or modifying product features, insurers should consider profitability in a wide breadth of interest rate scenarios and be particularly mindful of the impact that crediting rates and asset durations will have on earnings.

Description: Recommendation for a set of improvement factors to be used in conjunction with the 2008 Valuation Basic table or the 2015 Valuation Basic table

Description: This research report examines the ban of the use of genetic testing information in life insurance mortality.

Description: This panel will take a holistic deep dive on the intersection of pending regulatory, actuarial, and technical developments in artificial intelligence (AI). Panelists will explore how AI and the diverse and evolving regulatory landscape surrounding this technology will impact actuaries' day-to-day jobs in managing risk, and what the (re)insurance industry is doing to leverage AI to streamline internal processes and simplify underwriting.

Description: Measuring the interplay between climate risk and morbidity and mortality is complex and often requires a multidisciplined team approach to meeting objectives. In this session, presenters discuss their journey and the twists and turns encountered in examining the link between wildfires, air quality, pollution, and morbidity and mortality implications. In addition to sharing their insights about the process, presenters will provide results from their, such as: - Mortality and morbidity risk trends influenced by climate change, wildfires, and air quality issues - Regional, risk class, socioeconomic, and temporal variations in these trends - Projections based on the observed trends and their implications for the future - The impacts on specific causes of morbidity and mortality, such as respiratory disease, cancer, and cardiovascular disease By attending this session, you will gain a better understanding of the following: - Implications of the study for life and health insurers - Key risk factors for individuals affected by air quality issues, the drivers for morbidity and mortality impact, and differences between the general and insured population - Process, data, models, and considerations needed for examining the mortality and morbidity consequences of climate risks like wildfires

Description: Presenters will explain how traditional distribution channels are being reshaped by emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital platforms. Participants will gain insights into how these technologies are not only enhancing customer experiences, but also enabling insurers to reach new markets and demographics more effectively. A central theme is the importance of collaboration and breaking down silos within insurance companies. The session will be interactive featuring case studies showcasing both the triumphs and failures of innovative distribution initiatives. By dissecting these case studies, participants will glean valuable lessons on what works and what doesn't when attempting to bring about change in life insurance distribution. Attendees will learn to appreciate the challenges faced by distribution and how collaboration across departments - from underwriting to marketing to IT - can unlock new opportunities and drive significant growth in distribution strategies.

Description: Welcome to the appellate court. We’ve seen some scare in mass media on climate-linked mortality, but not sure what to make of that in our actuarial practice. Both data and research is quickly evolving around climate change’s impact globally and to US mortality. We’ll share a few tidbits from recent actuarial research on wildfires and air pollution in particular. At the same time, there are still many unknowns on the long-term effects, and this phase of understanding is ripe for calling on a diverse group of experts. We bring expert witnesses from different professions to the actuarial stand to answer whether climate change’s impacts from heat wildfire-induced air pollution to mental health is a credible and material threat to insured mortality. The audience should come ready to judge the arguments presented.