Description: This is a report on Phase 2 of a research project on the role of automated systems in life insurance underwriting. This paper discusses: 1. How and why companies are using automation to make underwriting decisions. 2. Its impact upon operational efficiency, sales, and retention. 3. The quality of risk selection produced by automated systems. 4. Cultural acceptance of increased automation in underwriting. 5. Challenges insurers must overcome to implement and maintain automated underwriting.

Description: This report presents the results of a survey conducted in August and September of 2008 on foreign travel underwriting practices of direct writing companies.

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

Description: There are certain occasions when the knowledge we have gained in our jobs carries over into our personal lives. For instance, developing insurance products certainly helps when it comes time to buy an insurance policy. Recently, one of the authors had the experience of giving his 91-year-old grandmother, Nanny as she is affectionately called, an Extended Delayed Word Recall DWR test. This article will show that DWR tests are a powerful predictor of mortality in the elderly. As the population ages and more and more life insurance is being applied for at the older ages, having a DWR test in an underwriting arsenal is like comfort food for an actuary.

Description: The article summarizes two of the highest rated sessions sponsored by the Reinsurance Section during the 2013 SOA Annual Meeting in San Diego.

Description: This report presents the results of the Survey on the Business Decision practices of direct companies conducted by the Society of Actuaries Committee on Life Insurance Mortality and Underwriting Surveys. A survey of reinsurers is reported separately.

Description: Underwriting specialty risks in life insurance can be challenging, but due diligence is at the core of what allows us to make the best and most informed decision.

Description: This report presents the results of a survey conducted by the Older Age Underwriting Practices Survey Subcommittee. The purpose of this survey was to elicit feedback regarding underwriting guidelines, requirements and practices utilized in the assessment of older age applicants.

Description: Read the Quo Vadis Reinsurance.

Description: The Society of Actuaries Research Institute, in collaboration with Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated, a leading global life and health reinsurer, announced findings from new research on behavioral science for the life insurance sector. This research simulated online term life insurance purchasing to test behavioral science techniques.