An average of 59% of US individual life insurance applications now qualify for an accelerated underwriting path, according to Gen Re’s new survey results that also track mortality experience, underwriting evidence and the use of pre- and post-issue tools.
The study included 30 individual life insurance carriers representing more than 2 million paid policies and US$827 billion in volume. Gen Re said carriers are at different stages of implementing underwriting workflow changes.
Across respondents, an average of 59% of individual life applications were eligible for an accelerated underwriting path. Carriers cited reducing time to issue as the most common goal at 52%, followed by managing mortality slippage at 45% and increasing sales at 41%.
Most companies reported progress toward those targets. About 72% said they are meeting their underwriting goals, 21% said they exceed them, and two companies reported missing them.
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Use of pre- and post-issue auditing tools was widespread among participants. About 86% said they either use or plan to implement pre- and post-issue auditing or underwriting measures, while 14% said they do not currently use either approach.
The timing also overlaps with regulatory work that could increase attention on how underwriting outcomes and in-force blocks are monitored after policies are issued, particularly when liabilities are later moved through offshore reinsurance structures.
Actuarial Guideline 55 (AG 55) will apply to asset adequacy analyses supporting reserves reported in 2025 financial statements and going forward, a shift that is prompting life carriers and their actuaries to update cash-flow testing and related documentation tied to ceded business.
Mortality slippage estimates clustered in a midrange among the surveyed carriers. About 66% said they estimate mortality slippage between 6%-15%.
The survey’s focus on cycle time and accelerated pathways comes as carriers report higher sales volumes, which can amplify operational pressure on underwriting teams and evidence collection.
LIMRA’s preliminary results showed new annualized premium for US individual life insurance rose 16% year over year in Q3 to US$4.3 billion, with policy count up 10%, and it cited “underwriting automation” as one factor supporting term activity.
