Description: The article looks back at the development of life protection product underwriting and pricing in UK. It describes the development in waves of change, looking at different drivers, e.g. consolidation of the life insurance industry, the role of technology as a driver for efficiency gains via electronic underwriting. Different levels of sophistication are being discussed and possible implications for the relationship between direct offices and reinsurers. This rather thought provoking article is based upon Munich research as well as market experience and ties in with a number of current topics as for example potential changes as a result of the Retail Distribution Review and the Gender Directive implementation.

Description: Individual Market and ACA Products Actuarial rating principals

Description: This analysis provides an overview of the functional components of the managed care system. It discusses the market forces underlying the United States’ system for health care financing and delivery and suggests how market forces impact the health care industry. The analysis focuses on societal goals for health care delivery and on managed care’s effectiveness in enabling achievement of those goals. The analysis develops and uses an innovative model developed to summarize the complex interplay among the many stakeholders, or participants, in the health care system. The model provides a framework for analysis of the many relationships among stakeholders. The analysis also highlights current issues in managed care, particularly the barriers that impede collaboration among stakeholders.

Description: This month’s global emerging risk is the fall in value of the U.S. dollar. The SOA’s 2010 Emerging Risks Survey found that 49 percent of corporate risk managers identify the fall in value of the U.S. dollar as the top emerging risk. This is a growing concern because of the brewing economic storms that could collide to have a big impact on the value of the U.S. dollar. From the Bubble Risk Bulletin – March 2011.

Description: This month’s global emerging risk is China’s inflation. The SOA’s 2010 Emerging Risks Survey found that 41 percent of corporate risk managers predicted a Chinese economic hard landing as the emerging risk that will have the greatest impact over the next few years and need to be considered for thoughtful preparation for potential global repercussions. From the Bubble Risk Bulletin, July /August 2011.

Description: In the course of consulting engagements, actuaries almost always find they need one or more of the following resources: -Healthcare data, which may be at the individual patient level or on a particular population. -Health services research studies which describe, summarize, try to alter, or predict patients’ use of health resources. -Health policy information, which describe public or private actions which affect the access, cost and quality of medical care. This document describes the ever-changing resources and specifies where they may be obtained.

Description: Discussion of the economics of a possible H5N1 pandemic, and its impact on Life, Health, and Property and Casualty insurers, in terms of areas of risk, especially underwritng risk, operations risk, and market risk.