In this paper we consider the pricing of variable annuities (VAs) with guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits. We consider two pricing approaches, the classical risk-neutral approach and the benchmark approach, and we examine the associated static and optimal behaviors of both the investor and...

A Hidden Markov Model with mean reverting characteristics is considered as a model for financial time series, particularly interest rates. The optimal filter for the state of the hidden Markov chain is obtained. A number of auxiliary filters are obtained that enable the parameters of the model...