SURVIVAL MODELS IN ACTUARIAL MATHEMATICS-
FROM HALLEY TO LONGEVITY RISK
Ermanno Pitacco
Dipartimento di Matematica Applicata “B. de Finetti”, University of Trieste
p.le Europa, 1 - I 34127 Trieste (Italy)
Abstract
Several contributions, which can be considered as landmarks in the evolution of survival modelling in actuarial mathematics, are focussed. The following topics are concerned: the development from age-discrete to age-continuous modelling,
from single-decrement to multiple-decrement models and multistate models, from population homogeneity to population heterogeneity, from static mortality to the analysis of mortality trends and the consequent need for mortality projections.
Finally, the paper places a special emphasis on some issues concerning actuarial modelling 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
trends, Projections, Longevity risk