
Stephen Richards
Articles written by Stephen Richards
Back(test) to the future
Stochastic projections of future mortality are increasingly used not just to set future best-estimates, but also to inform on stress tests such as for ICAs in the UK. By the time the Solvency II regime comes into force, I expect most major insurers across the EU will be using stochastic models for mortality projections (if they are not already doing so).
A Scottish question
Out for the count
Stabilising projections
With many stochastic models of mortality, projections of future mortality rates are done using a time series. In a landmark paper, Currie, Durban and Eilers (2004) introduced the idea of using P-splines as an alternative means of generating a forecast. P-splines formed the basis of a projection tool the CMI made fr
Partial buy-outs
Expectations v. extrapolations
Discrimination
Self-selection
Actuaries valuing pension liabilities need to make projections of future mortality rates. The future is inherently uncertain, so it is best to use stochastic models of mortality. Unfortunately, such models require a long enough time series, but few (if any) portfolios have such data. In the UK actuaries typically rely on one of two alternative data sets: the England & Wales data from the ONS, which goes back to 1961, or the "assured lives" data from the CMI, wh