Process and Apparatus for the Derivation of Annuity Rates

This invention relates generally to a process and apparatus for the determination of premium tables to produce annuity rates. In particular, this invention relates to a process and apparatus for deriving impairment based mortality tables with corresponding annuity rates used in personal pensions or life insurance contracts.

The application of premium formulae to mortality rates is normal actuarial practice. Mortality tables are generally constructed based simply on the fact that the mortality, or risk of death, of individuals, both male and female, increases with age. Mortality tables are constructed based on the available research statistics relating to the type of population under measurement. Examples include tables of life assured mortality and tables of general population mortality.

These tables do not generally take into account specific life impairments in individuals. To do so demands a unique approach, recognizing that, for certain individuals, their impairments are such that the timing of their death is much more likely to be determined by that particular impairment rather than by the normal ageing process as recognized by existing mortality tables.

The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the determination of premium tables to produce annuity rates, wherein specific life impairments are specifically factored into the determination.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a more comprehensive approach for constructing mortality tables on the basis of duration; that is, the expected life span of an individual with a particular impairment or other risk.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process and apparatus for compiling a mortality table which sets out a number representative of the expected mortality of a person, for each of a plurality of possible ages of that person and for each of a plurality of rating categories based on possible maximum probable lifetimes of that person as a function of the sex and medical condition of that person.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process comprising adjusting the corresponding contents of a conventional mortality table, based on normal population life expectancy, by factors, determined from a predetermined algorithm, which are a function of the predicted life span of the person at each of a plurality of ages up to the age of death, and an apparatus comprising a computer system through which this described process can be performed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a process and apparatus for deriving premium tables to produce annuity rates, the process comprising addressing the appropriate mortality table, compiled in accordance with the invention, to the age and rating category of a person to determine the number representative of expected mortality, and applying the number to conventional formulae for premium calculation, thereby providing rates specifically taking into account that person's individual life impairment, and the apparatus comprising a computer system through which the described process can be performed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide individualized mortality tables for a variety of medical and/or high risk factor conditions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide impairment based mortality table that have been corrected for medical and/or social advances.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an annuity rate driven premium table.

FIG. 1 is an overview of the system.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting the process of the present invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a constant extra deaths table.

FIG. 4 depicts a constant extra deaths table corrected for medical/social advances and prudence.

FIG. 5 depicts a single life annuity factors table for a non-guaranteed annuity.

FIG. 6 depicts a single life annuity factors table for an annuity guaranteed for five years.

Referring to FIG. 1, an overview of the system is shown. The present invention is executable on computer 102 with operating system, that includes CPU 104, main storage, I/O resources, user interface or input means 106 and data output means 108. A standard IBM compatible PC or other computer comprising a CPU such as the Intel 80486, or Pentium processor with RAM in which instructions may be stored together with hard disk storage for storage of the various databases of the present invention is a satisfactory platform on which to establish the system and method of the present invention. Data tables accessible through computer 102 include but are not limited to: conventional actuarial tables, maximum probable life expectancy (MPLE) for particular impairments and groups of impairments, rating tables, medical advancement tables, interest assumptions, expenses and commissions, and annuity factors. Programs stored in and accessible through computer 102 include but are not limited to rate adjustment means such as multiple of standard mortality, age rate-up and constant extra deaths. Examples of input means 106 include key board, mouse, touch-pad, voice recognition system and other means that allow choices on a screen to be selected. Examples of output means 108 include printer, video monitor, electronic transmission to a second source and other means that permit visual display or generation of hard copy output.

Referring to FIG. 2, the data flow of the present invention is shown. A conventional actuarial table is first retrieved 202. The client's medical condition and/or propensity towards high risk activities is then established 204. His or her maximum probable life expectancy (MPLE) is then determined 206 and a rating category is assigned 208. The MPLE is the duration, from the time of underwriting, at which 90% of a cohort of identical lives would be expected to die. In making this determination, the continuation of current medical practice it is assumed. The MPLE can be based upon medical condition(s) or high risk behavior(s) such as dangerous sports or dangerous occupations. The MPLE table can be determined for each duration in a selected time frame for all ages, however, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the MPLE table is for the selected durations of two, five, ten, fifteen and twenty years only. The following example sets forth a representation of rating categories:

Each rating category is accorded a value representing the increased risk of death. Where K is the number of deaths per thousand, for a particular age and impairment, K is derived from the following formula for 1000 lives aged X:

where D(x) is the number of deaths for normal mortality at age x, D(x+1) is the number of deaths at age (x+1), and so on, and n is the age by which an individual has a 90% chance of being dead.

Thus ##EQU1## The K value can therefore be constructed for all values of n from 1 to 25 (25 being the normal mortality for an individual at age x).

A mortality table is then derived, with listings for each combination of age, sex and rating category 210. The mortality index for a specific client is retrieved from this mortality table.

Varying means are available for adjusting a given standard table so that it reflects the rating category. Three such means include multiple of standard mortality, age rate-up and constant extra deaths. In the preferred embodiment the constant extra deaths method is used as its use leads to more conservative reserves than either the multiple of standard mortality or age rate-up, a situation needed if funds are to be available to pay claims.

The constant extra deaths (per thousand, per year), which, when applied to the underlying conventional actuarial table for the given age at entry and sex, will result in a ten percent survivorship at the upper limit of the rating category is determined. In the case of a male, aged 55, in the B rating category (.sup.B k.sub.55.sup.m), such that .sub.10 p.sup.m' 55=0.1 we have: ##EQU2## with q.sub.y.sup.m being the unadjusted mortality.

FIG. 3 sets forth an example table of constant extra deaths (per thousand, per year) for males ages 45 through 60 at rating categories A1 through D.

Returning to FIG. 2, calculated values are then corrected for medical and/or social advances and prudence 212. Regarding medical and/or social advances, percentage deductions are made from the constant extra deaths taken into account for premium calculation purposes. These deductions are dependent upon rating category. The reason for this is that it is extremely unlikely that medical advances or social advances will impact significantly upon the mortality experienced by individuals assessed as being in the A1 category, while an entire generation of medical and social advancement will be brought to bear on the lives of those included in the D category. Acknowledging that varying percentage deductions are within the scope of the present invention, the following example sets forth a representative application:

A further explicit deduction of 15 percent from the constant extra deaths allowance across all rating categories is then made, again to ensure that system calculations result in appropriate available financial resources to meet obligations. This deduction is additive to that taken for medical and/or social advances, it is not multiplicative.

FIG. 4 sets forth an example table of constant extra deaths (per thousand, per year) for males ages 45 through 60 at rating categories A1 through D, wherein the values have been corrected for medical/social advances and prudence.

Returning to FIG. 2, a correction for interest assumptions is then made 214. This value can vary and is responsive to multiple factors. In a preferred embodiment, a uniform net assumption of a selected percent per annum allows an entity to seek its competitive advantage and its profits from the selection and rating of its life risks, rather than from making an investment spread. This approach provides an investment assumption that is both straightforward and sufficiently conservative to avoid the need for adjustment in response to each shift in the shape or level of the yield curve. However, in other circumstances alternatives such as a separate interest rate assumption for each rating category, may be preferred. For exemplary purposes, a uniform net assumption of 7.0 percent per year will be used.

Once the mortality and interest bases are specified, tables of single life annuity factors for each age at entry, and each rating category for both sexes can be produced 216. FIG. 5 depicts such a table for a non-guaranteed annuity. FIG. 6 depicts such a table for an annuity guaranteed for five years. The factors listed in FIGS. 5 and 6 set forth the value of a male's life annuity of one pound Sterling per month at 7.0 percent per annum and shows a preferred embodiment using monthly in arrear non-escalating mode of payment.

Returning to FIG. 2, it is also desired to correct for expenses and profits 218 associated with brokering and marketing. For example, the user may wish to include expense commission and profit loadings such as brokerage, marketing allowance, initial expenses, profit loading and payment expenses in the gross premium bases. In a preferred embodiment prices and reserves for expenses will be set on the pessimistic assumption that sub-economic volumes will be written and that business will then be run off In this anticipated scenario, the expense allowance is expected to be a substantial source of profit. An example of loadings used in such a scenario is as follows:

Using these values gives rise to the following gross premium formula which can be used to calculate premiums 220: ##EQU3##

Example three sets forth a sample quotation for a male aged 60 using the aforementioned premium formula.

Although the process and apparatus of the present invention has been described for purpose of illustration, it is understood that such detail is solely for that purpose, and variations can be made therein by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The process and apparatus of the present invention is defined by the following claims.