U.S. application activity for individually underwritten life insurance was flat at -0.3% in June, year-over-year, all ages combined, according to the MIB Life Index.  The story for the first six months of 2014 has been one with progressively lessening monthly losses. U.S. life insurance application activity was flat (0%) in the second quarter, year-over-year helping to ameliorate a negative first quarter (-5.4%). At the close of Q2 2014, U.S. life application activity is off -2.7% YTD. June's application activity increased +1.2% from that of the previous May, consistent with seasonal averages. Improving quarterly results are welcomed just prior to the typically slow summer season.

U.S. application activity by age group was mixed in June.  Ages 0-44 were off -1.7%; ages 45-59 were flat at +0.3%; and ages 60+ were up +2.8%. Second quarter activity by age group mirrored the improvements seen in the composite Index: ages 0-44 were off -1.2%; ages 45-59 were off slightly at -0.5%; and ages 60+ were up +2.9% (Q2-14/Q2-13). For the first six months of 2014, ages 0-44 are off -3.8%; ages 45-59 are off -2.8%; and ages 60+ are up slightly +0.6%, compared to the same period last year.

MIB CEO Lee Oliphant talks with A.M. Best on the 2013 year-in-review available from www.mibgroup.com/news.  Review all the industry trends and register (free) for MIB's 2013 Life Index Annual Report at www.mibsolutions.com/regLI or login atwww.mibsolutions.com/loginLI.