MIB Life Index Reports North American Life Insurance Activity Off 8.9% in December

Application volume off 2.5% for 2008

BRAINTREE, Mass., Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- North American application activity for individually underwritten life insurance declined -8.9% in December, year-over-year according to the MIB Life Index . Led by a -4.3% decline in overall fourth quarter activity, 2008 year-to-date application activity was off -2.5% as compared to last year. Those applying for individual life insurance ages 60+ were in the only growth demographic, up +4.3% YTD as compared to 2007.

U.S. application activity was off sharply in December, down -9.3% year-over-year, all ages combined. A fourth quarter decline of -4.5% contributed to 2008's -2.9% drop in annual application activity versus 2007; the smallest annual YTD decline since 2004. Ages 60+ was the only growth spot up +5.2% YTD with losses in the 0-44 and 45-59 age groups, off -4.9% and -1.9% YTD, respectively as compared to 2007. Showing year-over-year growth since April 2007, the proportion of applications ages 60+ as a percent of the total MIB Life Index has increased from 8.4% (2001) to 12.2% (2008). The economic downturn was most apparent from December's drop in activity ages 0-44, off -12.8% year-over-year -- the largest decline in any age group in either country.

Canadian application activity was off -5.6% in December year-over-year, all ages combined. Year-to-date, 2008 activity was up slightly at +0.7% when compared against 2007.

In a reversal of U.S. YTD results, Canada's 0-44 and 45-59 finished up +1.3% and +0.5%, respectively with ages 60+ off -2.8% as compared to 2007. While activity in the 0-44 age group is shrinking in the U.S., Canada's +1.3% 2008 YTD growth represents this groups largest year-over-year percent increase since 2002. After posting solid gains in the first two months of the year, applications in the 0-44 and 45-59 age groups moderated; ages 60+ posted declining activity in nine of the last twelve months. The -13.8% decline in activity (all ages combined) from November to December is in-line with the seasonal norms for this time period.

               Monthly Percent Change vs. 2007                         US       Canada   Total     December 2008      -9.3%     -5.6%    -8.9%     November 2008      -1.8%     -3.1%    -1.9%     Q4 2008            -4.5%     -2.9%    -4.3%     YTD 2008           -2.9%     +0.7%    -2.5% 

                 Yearly Change by Age Group                       2008 vs. 2007                     US       Canada    Total     0 - 44        -4.9%      +1.3%     -4.1%     45 - 59       -1.9%      +0.5%     -1.6%     60 +          +5.2%      -2.8%     +4.3% 

                Monthly Percent Change vs. Previous Month                            US       Canada     Total     December 2008        -5.1%      -13.8%     -6.2% 

About the MIB Life Index

The MIB Life Index is the life insurance industry's timeliest measure of application activity across the U.S. and Canada. Released to the media each month, the Index is based on the number of searches life member company underwriters perform on the MIB Checking Service database. Since the vast majority of individually underwritten life premium dollars in North America include an MIB search as a routine underwriting requirement, the MIB Life Index provides a reasonable means to estimate new business activity. For past releases and email subscription visit www.mib.com/lifeindex.

About MIB Group, Inc.

MIB Group, Inc. is the premier provider of Internet-based information and knowledge services to the risk management market in North America and is a leading facilitator of electronic insurance commerce. MIB Group, Inc. companies include MIB, Inc. and MIB Solutions, Inc. (www.mib.com).

     Contact:     David O. Aronson     MIB Group, Inc.     781-751-6330     [email protected] 

SOURCE MIB Group, Inc.

CONTACT: David O. Aronson of MIB Group, Inc., +1-781-751-6330, [email protected]