Post retirement, annuities provide a steady stream of income for retirees. However, the annuitization rate is relatively small in the insurance market in many countries around the world. Prior studies have shown that a substandard health status in retirement reduces annuitization due to adverse...

A variable annuity (VA) is a deferred annuity that allows an annuitant to invest his/her contributions into a range of mutual funds. A separate account termed as sub-account is set up for the investment. Unlike a mutual fund, a VA offers a guaranteed minimum death benefit or GMDB and often...

This study investigates the asset-liability management (ALM) of life insurers in the markets with negative interest rates. Using a sample of Japanese life insurers between 1999 and 2018, we provide initial evidence that the negative interest rate environment produces a much more serious...