Probability of one's living to a specific age according to a particular mortality table. Life expectancy is the beginning point in calculating the pure cost of life insurance and annuities and is reflected in what is known as the basic premium. The probability of living longer has continued to increase in the U.S., and thus the pure cost of insurance continues to decrease. This is reflected in a declining premium rate. Increasing life expectancy is critical to the cash value projection in current assumptions life insurance products, such as universal life insurance and variable life insurance.
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