Description: The global doubling of information content has been estimated to occur at a rate of every 12 hours, and conceivably faster. This ‘infowhelm’ is a double-edged sword for insurers. While maximization of the global knowledge base can fuel innovation, it can occur only in the context of reasonable cost for a higher benefit. The insurance industry – underwriters and actuaries in particular – are challenged to constantly examine new innovations that promise to raise confidence and protective value for insurability, within legal limits. This report aims to be the first of several to alert the SOA of promising innovations for the profession.

Description: The attached report presents the results of a survey whose purpose was to explore the various uses of technology by life insurance companies. The survey was conducted by the Technology Survey Subcommittee of the Society of Actuaries Life Insurance Mortality and Underwriting Survey Committee. The primary focus of this survey was the impact of technology on mortality studies and underwriting.