MIB Life Index Reports North American Life Insurance Activity Off 1.9% i...( BRAINTREE Mass. Dec. 5 /- North Ameri...),Health

BRAINTREE, Mass., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- North American application activity for individually underwritten life insurance was down -1.9% in November year-over-year, according to the MIB Life Index (SM). Year to date (YTD) U.S. and Canadian activity remained stable, off -1.9% versus the same eleven months last year. November's activity was off -0.9% as compared to October 2008 activity.

U.S. application activity was down -1.8% in November year-over-year, all ages combined. Application activity by age group showed ages 0-44 off -4.3%, ages 45-59 flat at +0.6%, and ages 60+ up a solid +6.2% year-over-year. Activity in the 60+ age group has increased steadily since March 2007. At November's close, YTD U.S. application activity was off -2.3% versus the same eleven months in 2007.

Canadian application activity was off -3.1% in November year-over-year, all ages combined. Activity by age group was flat or declining across the board: ages 0-44 off -4.5%, ages 45-59 flat at -0.5%, and ages 60+ was off -2.1% year-over-year. November's activity diminished YTD figures by a half percentage point, however Canadian application activity remains up +1.3% versus the same eleven months in 2007.

                     Monthly Percent Change vs. 2007

                              U.S.     Canada     Total
    November 2008            -1.8%      -3.1%     -1.9%
    October 2008             -2.3%      +1.1%     -1.8%
    YTD 2008                 -2.3%      +1.3%     -1.9%

                  Monthly Percent Change vs. Previous Month
                       U.S.             Canada               Total
    November 2008     -0.7%              -2.2%               -0.9%

About the MIB Life Index

The MIB Life Index is the life insurance industry's timeliest measure of application activity acr
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