Dipartimento di Matematica Applicata “B. de Finetti”, University of Trieste

Abstract

Several contributions, which can be considered as landmarks in the evolution ofsurvival modelling in actuarial mathematics, are focussed. The following topicsare concerned: the development from age-discrete to age-continuous modelling,

from single-decrement to multiple-decrement models and multistate models, frompopulation homogeneity to population heterogeneity, from static mortality to theanalysis of mortality trends and the consequent need for mortality projections.

Finally, the paper places a special emphasis on some issues concerning actuarialmodelling in a dynamic context. So, the topic of longevity risk is dealt with,aiming in particular to stress its peculiarity in the context of the mortality risks

borne by an insurer (or a pension plan).

Keywords

Early actuarial models, Mortality laws, Multistate models, Heterogeneity, Mortality