Description: The topic of social and demographic changes has been included in the Emerging Issues Advisory Committee's screening because changes in demographics and social norms can directly impact products offered and how they are distributed by the life insurance industry. Also, changes in demographics can impact pricing and underwriting refinements within the industry. This article focuses on mortality from obesity and on mortality of the older population.

Description: The article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on U.S. mortality trends, noting that despite a decrease in COVID-19 deaths due to better treatments and vaccinations, excess mortality persists, especially among younger adults due to accidental causes. It discusses the challenges of predicting future mortality trends, considering factors like medical advancements and societal changes. The article also highlights the potential of new medical technologies and AI to significantly improve health outcomes in the future. Overall, it underscores the complex interplay of various factors influencing mortality in the post-pandemic era.

Description: Feature article discussing the events of the recent Living to 100 Symposium.

Description: Suicide is one of the ten leading causes of death in the United States and the only one of those causes that is trending in the wrong direction over the last 15 years. This article examines several aspects of suicide in the United States with a focus on its impact on the insurance industry. The findings were compiled from publicly available data through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from internal RGA data, and also from interviews with topic experts. The article highlights the difference in suicide rates between the general population and the insured population, the proportion of claims from suicide, the spike in suicide rates at the end of the contestability (or exemption period), and current thoughts from counseling experts on prevention. It also demonstrates an increase in suicide rates during times of economic turmoil.

Description: Feature article with helpful hints on video conferencing and more!

Description: This article provides a perspective on the SOA’s Aging and Retirement research reports, and on the types of research that are included. The SOA does a lot of research on different retirement topics, and many people are not aware of the scope of this work. This article offers an overview of the big picture as we think about the future. The article describes longer-term challenges to the US retirement system and recent developments that have affected the system and created uncertainty. It provides an overview of what individuals have said about retirement and their view of post-retirement risks and planning in a variety of consumer research studies. It then reviews some of the research and provides information on summary reports which provide insight on the findings from multiple related research reports. It also provides information about consumer education and what is currently available and in process. It then focuses on how the SOA is helping retirement professionals understand current and expected change and discusses areas of uncertainty as we help those we serve deal with change.

Description: Excellent big picture view for planning a social insurance system with pay-as-you-go, required self-funded, and voluntary plans.

Description: The article is an overview of the life insurance business in the Middle-East. It presents the history and culture of the region and the impact on shaping the life insurance products. The article then presents surrounding economic, political and demographic environment as well as business challenges and opportunities. Finally, the article presents the market position on the digital transformation.

Description: This article presents information about the various cohorts within society today, e.g. Baby Boomers or Gen-X, and how these groups can affect a marketing program.

Description: The first objective is to highlight the key trends and projections that describe the magnitude and scope of the aging world in the 21st century. The second is to identify some of the key issues that countries in the developed and developing world will have to face as a consequence of population aging. The third objective is to emphasize the triumph and opportunities of an aging world, providing a counterpoint to the prevailing notion that the aging of societies is a catastrophe, leading only to undue burden on future generations.