Description: The embattled life insurance industry in Australia needs to come to terms with a new environment of heightened claims volumes, unprecedented losses, changing distribution models and even reduced benefits. Like the mythological phoenix that spectacularly regenerates from its ashes every century, Australia’s life insurance industry needs something special to rise from its ashes. Claims management innovation promises to give the necessary impetus for a market that is desperate for some good news, whilst laying the foundation for a claims revolution worldwide.

Description: This article explores the development of the annuity market in the UK over the past 20 years. It examines the explosive growth achieved by the enhanced annuity market and delves into the kinds of customers attracted by these products and the kinds of enhancements typically presented. It also explores the impact of government policy changes which have lead to annuity volumes declining and 'drawdown' product becoming more popular.

Description: Summary of SOA research report "Optimizing Risk Retention" which applies parametric survival models and Monte Carlo simulation to a block of term life business.

Description: This article discusses the use of mortality catastrophe bonds as a risk mitigation tool.

Description: The article is a series of question and answers related to microinsrance with the editors of the book "Actuaries in Microinsurance".

Description: This article explores trends and methodologies in the Secondary Insurance Market as well as associated opportunities and pitfalls for actuaries.

Description: Feature article discussing limited benefit health plans as alternative options to address a national crisis—health care for the working uninsured.

Description: The article discovers that mortality is higher for females than for males at higher ages, and suggests "stress" as the explanation. It then discusses mental illness research, including recovery therefrom.

Description: This article discusses reserving issues for life insurance products with limited level premium guarantees or no-lapse guarantees, and capital markets solutions as an alternative to traditional reinsurance for relief from redundant reserve strain.

Description: This article looks at stochastic techniques actuaries can use to quantify the non-market risks in insurance products and how stochastic techniques can be used in the evaluation of reinsurance arrangements.