Description: In this article, we discuss the future of wearable technology in life insurance. Evidence from recent research shows that low levels of physical activity, as measured by steps per day indicate much higher mortality risk while higher levels of activity correspond with lower risk. The article shares insights of how insurers can use wearables to innovate by improving the customer journey, expanding insurability, engaging customers, promoting healthy lifestyles and improving risk assessment. Lastly, we discuss the challenges and considerations when using new data and technology to ensure success.

Description: Big data and predictive models have disrupted the life insurance new business and underwriting processes over the past few years. How did we get here? What does the future hold? This session will review the lessons learned from the evolutionary process and discuss what the potential next steps are in this journey. Are real time fully underwritten decisions an achievable goal?

Description: The Reinsurance Section, Product Development Section and the Committee on Life Insurance Research are pleased to present results from a company practice survey of individual life insurance accelerated underwriting. Performed by a Milliman team led by Al Klein and Karen Rudolph, the study provides perspectives from both direct life insurance companies and reinsurers. Among the areas addressed include the structure of accelerated underwriting programs, how programs are monitored, how accelerated underwritten business is performing relative to expectations and how companies are considering accelerated underwriting cohorts in the context of VM-20 assumption setting.

Description: How do you develop an accelerated underwriting program? The Accelerated Underwriting Program Development Seminar held in Tampa, Florida on May 22, 2019 answers this question through a series of sessions across various disciplines, including underwriting, actuarial, project management, marketing and data science. This article outlines the key takeaways from each of the industry experts.

Description: The rapid economic development of Asia has ushered in profound lifestyle changes, particularly in urban centers. Increased disposable income, urbanization, and the proliferation of convenient food services have contributed to dietary habits associated with elevated health risks. Among these, insulin resistance (IR)—a metabolic condition linked to diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases—has emerged as a critical yet underrecognized threat. IR is also strongly associated with an increased risk of dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. For life and health insurers operating in markets such as Greater China and Southeast Asia, traditional underwriting methods face significant challenges in accurately assessing these evolving risks. This article investigates the limitations of conventional approaches and explores the potential of continuous underwriting methodologies to better align risk assessment with dynamic lifestyle factors.

Description: This article highlights emerging accelerated underwriting (AUW) monitoring trends and best practices that carriers can implement for monitoring their own AUW programs. It includes high-level mortality slippage findings based on a reinsured study population comprised of both pre- and post-issue auditing methods (random holdouts and post-issue audits) conducted on over 33,000 AUW applicants over the past decade.

Description: The Reinsurance Section, Product Development Section and the Committee on Life Insurance Research are pleased to present results from a company practice survey of individual life insurance accelerated underwriting. Performed by a Milliman team led by Al Klein and Karen Rudolph, the study provides perspectives from both direct life insurance companies and reinsurers. Among the areas addressed include the structure of accelerated underwriting programs, how programs are monitored, how accelerated underwritten business is performing relative to expectations and how companies are considering accelerated underwriting cohorts in the context of VM-20 assumption setting.

Description: This article details different methods for calculating mortality impact associated with new underwriting programs. A common simplified calculation is compared and contrasted with two first principles approaches. The strengths and weaknesses of both approaches are discussed.

Description: Milliman was engaged by the SOA to conduct two Accelerated Underwriting (AU) surveys, one of direct companies and another of reinsurers. The surveys explored actual results from 2019–2021 and expected results from 2022.

Description: In this interactive forum, presenters will share best practices to get the most out of your AU program. Explore trends in regulations, big data tools and predictive models. Case studies will be used to illustrate how monitoring results can provide actionable information for management to update programs and what it all means for accelerated underwriting programs. Attendees will come away with a better understanding of how tools are evolving, regulatory trends and best practices for explaining decisions to applicants, as well as targeted changes to accelerated underwriting programs