Description: This is the third and final installment of an article about using microeconomics and the concepts of embedded value to better manage and understand the profitability of direct marketing programs. The article illustrates how traditional asset share calculations are not appropriate in this case.

Description: This paper outlines the limitations inherent in current actuarial pricing techniques and describes a product development process that can produce optimal decisions in competitive environments. From Product Development Section Monograph, M-AS99-3.

Description: This report summarizes the results of a mortality and pricing survey. It indicates significant differences between the mortality assumptions for different product lines and even between different companies within a single product line. Widespread differences in mortality expectations between products may give individuals an advantage by acting on inefficiencies in the financial services market.

Description: The article discusses the continued popularity of indexed UL insurance and possible reasons why a company's actual indexed UL earnings may be below their original pricing expectations for the product. The article discusses several key items that may be the source of that underperformance (e.g., hedge ineffectiveness, policyholder behavior) and the need to monitor earnings and perform analyses to better understand those potential sources.

Description: This paper sets the task of pricing insurance products in the larger framework of company planning and management. A generalized description of the pricing function, applicable to any insurance company project.

Description: This is an excel spreadsheet with some data pertaining to an article of the same name from the Product Development News

Description: This article discusses a recently completed RGA in-depth study that looked at assumptions and experience for lapses and mortality at the end of the level premium period for level term business.

Description: The author discusses an interpretation of the surrender charge limitations specified in New York’s Regulation 77 which increases the maximum allowable surrender charges for renewal years. This interpretation was presented to and accepted by the New York State Insurance Department.

Description: This article discusses the characteristics of companies dedicated to being leaders in the Term market and the role that reinsurers play.

Description: This article highlights the interaction between pricing and corporate. There is a move toward principle-based reserving standards in the United States.