Description: Trends in mortality have a huge impact on the insurance industry and its products, risks and profitability. Worldwide, life expectancy has increased continuously over the past decades. However, this progress—even without considering the Covid-19 pandemic—has been subject to strong fluctuations. In recent years, an increase in volatility can be observed. Various aspects—medical science, environment, lifestyle—have influenced the trend in the past. How can the life and health industry move forward in these uncertain conditions? In this article, we examine what has gone before and what can be learned from a closer analysis. What are the main drivers of the historical increase in life expectancy? What characterizes the dynamics of the recent past? How can mortality be projected into the future? How good are our methods of prediction and what are the risks? What risk management options are available?

Description: In today’s market of post-pandemic consolidation and org chart streamlining, we’ve observed significant changes to actuarial career development and advancement opportunities. But, those changes aren’t occurring in equal measures across the arc of the actuarial career. Our focus is on the impact felt by experienced reinsurance actuaries.

Description: To inform and educate stakeholders for health plans and insurers on novel ways to optimize reinsurance structures to meet capital related goals and boost RBC and liquidity ratios. In lieu of traditional market-based financial instruments involving equity and/or debt, a quota share transaction can be used with potentially far more attractive terms and achieving essentially the same result.

Description: LOMA Collaborates on New Reinsurance Designation by Edward T. Burns & Jennifer W. Herrod from Reinsurance Section News, March 1999, Issue No. 45.

Description: In this paper it will be shown that the result of using the 1975-80 Select and Ultimate Table as opposed to the more modern 1990-95 Select Ultimate Table can be a significant understatement of future mortality and hence, anticipated profits may prove to be illusory.

Description: The purpose of this article is to discuss some of the challenges insurance companies face when participating in the immediate annuity market for retirement income planning and to suggest ways that reinsurers could be of service to the direct writers of immediate annuities.

Description: This article discusses the trends, developments and emerging issues of life settlements in 2006.

Description: This article describes Solvency II, an overhaul of the European regulatory regime, and discusses the implications for reinsurers.

Description: The Society of Actuaries SOA Reinsurance Section is pleased to be expanding its membership to individuals outside of the actuarial profession. The Reinsurance Section Council has been in the forefront on the reinsurance industry with focus on basic and continuing education as well as communications, publications and research.

Description: This chairperson’s corner highlights the Spring Health Meeting and accomplishments of the Reinsurance Section.