Abstract:
An actuarial data processing system comprises data input means for inputting client information, output means for outputting information, storage means and processing means. The processing means is adapted to use the client information and data stored in the storage means to output the client&#39;s life expectancy.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to an actuarial data processing system and to an actuarial method.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    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.  
           [0003]    These tables do not generally take into account specific life impairments or the quality of life in individuals. To do so demands a unique approach, recognising that, for certain individuals, their impairments and quality of life have a direct bearing on their expectation of life which is not reflected appropriately in the existing standard mortality tables.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a more comprehensive approach for constructing mortality tables to take into individual factors such as particular impairments, other risks and quality of life.  
           [0005]    The present invention provides a system and a method for the determination of premium tables to produce annuity rates, wherein specific life impairments and quality of life factors are specifically factored into the determination. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SYSTEM  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is an overview of the system;  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a flow chart depicting the process of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0008]    FIGS.  3 ( a ) and  3 ( b ) show the scoring statistic evaluation;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 depicts a two-dimensional table representing factors of addition to standard mortality tables that allow for impairments and quality of life factors to be taken into account;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 depicts the two-dimensional table of FIG. 4 corrected for medical/social advances and prudence.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  depict a client questionnaire, and  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 7 depicts the establishment of a scoring statistic for the client questionnaire of FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b.   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0013]    A block diagram of the system is shown in FIG. 1.  
         [0014]    The method of the present invention is executable on a computer with an operating system, that includes a central processing unit (CPU), mains storage  102 , input and output resources, user interface or input means  104  and data output means  106 . 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 of the various data required for implementation of the present invention, is a satisfactory platform on which to establish the system and method of the present invention. Data accessible through the computer includes but is not limited to conventional actuarial tables, life expectancy prediction tables, medical advancement tables, interest assumptions, expenses and commissions, and annuity factors. The CPU has a memory  108  storing processor-readable code and a processor  110  for implementing that code. Programs stored in, and accessible through, the computer include but are not limited to rate adjustment means such as a multiple of standard mortality, age rate-up and constant extra deaths. Examples of input means  104  include a keyboard, mouse, touch pad, voice recognition system or any other means that allow choices on a screen to be selected. Examples of output means  106  include a printer or video monitor, or electronic transmission to a second source or any other means that permit visual display or generation of hard copy output.  
         [0015]    The main steps of the method of an embodiment of the present invention are shown in FIG. 2.  
         [0016]    A conventional actuarial table is first retrieved at  202 . The client&#39;s medical conditions and/or impact of quality of life factors are then established at  204  by completion of a questionnaire. The questionnaire may be completed manually and the data from the questionnaire input into the computer, or the questionnaire may be filled out directly at the computer. Alternatively, the questionnaire can be filled out remotely and sent via the Internet or any other communications network to the computer. A client scoring statistic is then determined at  206  and applied to a bi-variate age-points table (see FIGS. 4 and 5) to select an appropriate addition factor at  208 . The bi-variate age-points table is derived from data relating to deaths in nursing homes, and in particular from data relating to the date of death of various patients, their date of admission, date of notification of their relevant illness, sex, appropriate ICD9 cause code, primary and secondary description of the cause and the length of stay in the home. The data was compiled using three curve-fitting techniques to determine a series of addition factors for various degrees of impairment and disablement. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the tables also incorporate adjustments for profit margins and prudence based on experience data. For example, the table of FIG. 5 incorporates adjustments for prudence and medical and social advances.  
         [0017]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention the steps  202  and  204  are reversed, i.e. a client condition is established and analysed before standard actuarial tables are consulted.  
         [0018]    The addition factor is added to the appropriate probablity factors from a standard mortality table, for example, P(M/F)A80C10 tables provided by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK. The life expectancy prediction (LEP) is then derived at  210 . The LEP is derived from the standard actuarial equation for life expectancy of a life aged x viz-  
             e   =       ∑     t   =   0     ∞                   tpx             Equation                 I                               
 
         [0019]    where the values of tpx are derived from the recurrence relation  
           tpx=t− 1 px .(1− q ( x,M/F,t )− k ( x,M/F,s ); opx= 1-Equation II 
         [0020]    The factors q(x,M/F,t) are the probabilities of death at age x+t for the appropriate sex taken from a standard mortality table and the values of k(x,M/F,s) represent the addition factor based on impairment and quality of life yielding a scoring statistic of s for a life aged x for the appropriate sex. Equation I is modified suitably where the benefits under the policy are paid more frequently than yearly.  
         [0021]    FIGS.  3 ( a ) and  3 ( b ) together detail the assessment of the scoring statistic.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 shows an example table of addition factors for males ages 60 through 90 for scoring statistic ten through nineteen.  
         [0023]    Returning to FIG. 2, following the application of the equations, calculated values are corrected for medical and/or social advances at  212 . Deductions are made from the addition factors for premium calculation purposes. Alternatively, the addition factors can be pre-manipulated to take account of medical and social advances, or any other relevant factors, before application of the equations. For example, FIG. 5 shows an example table of addition factors for males ages 60 through 90 for scoring statistic ten through nineteen, wherein the values have been corrected for medical/social advances and prudence.  
         [0024]    Returning again to FIG. 2, a correction for interest assumptions is then made at  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 life expectancy prediction may be preferred. Again, it is possible to incorporate interest rate assumptions into the addition factors prior to the application of the equations.  
         [0025]    Once the mortality and interest bases are specified, tables of single life annuity factors  216  for each age at entry, and various scoring statistics can be produced.  
         [0026]    Returning to FIG. 2, it is also desired to correct for expenses and profits associated with brokering and marketing at step  218 . 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. Again, correction for expenses and profits can be carried out on the addition factors before the equations are applied.  
         [0027]    The final step is the calculation of the premiums  220  using the calculated and corrected life expectancy prediction.  
         [0028]    The example of FIGS. 6 a ,  6   b  and  7  shows:  
         [0029]    a) The establishment of the client condition by way of a standard proposal form (FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b ), and  
         [0030]    b) The establishment of the scoring statistic (FIG. 7) which leads, in the case shown, to a single premium of US$104,769 providing a benefit of US$30,000 per annum payable monthly in advance.  
         [0031]    In the example a female aged 85 is analysed by completing the questionnaire. A total scoring statistic of 15 is obtained and the bi-variate age-points table FIG. 4 is consulted. The corresponding addition factor from the table is 0.1928. This addition factor is combined with data from a standard mortality table, for example, a P(M/F)A80C10 table provided by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries in the UK. The appropriate q factors from the standard actuarial table for an 85-year old female are 0.082696, 0.091305, 0.100325, 0.109694 and 0.119343. Using the equation above, the life expectancy prediction is calculated from the following:  
               0      px     =              1                             1      px     =                1        (     1   -   0.082696   -   0.1928     )               =              0.724504                 2      px     =                0.724504        (     1   -   0.091305   -   0.1928     )               =              0.518669                 3      px     =                0.518669        (     1   -   0.100325   -   0.1928     )               =              0.366634                 4      px     =                0.366634        (     1   -   0.109694   -   0.1928     )               =              0.255729                 5      px     =                0.255729        (     1   -   0.119343   -   0.1928     )               =              0.175905                               
 
         [0032]    This process is repeated to the end of the life table. The individual results are then summed to produce the life expectancy prediction. This life expectancy prediction can then be adjusted to permit the frequency and mode of payment of annuity installments to be taken into account. An appropriate premium can subsequently be calculated. The premium can be calculated within the system. However, as an alternative, the system can merely output the life expectancy prediction, so that the premium can be calculated independently.  
         [0033]    It will be appreciated that the code required to implement the method of the invention can be stored on a carrier medium.