Deferred life annuities: on the combined effects of stochastic mortality and interest rates

Abstract

The paper analyzes the systematic risk which is inherent in a portfolio of deferred life annuities. We take into account stochastic mortality as well as stochastic interest rates. For the specification of the mortality rate dynamics, we consider a pure diffusion model as well as a compound Poisson jump model. The interest rate dynamics are given by a one-factor Hull–White model. All models, interest rate and mortality rate, are calibrated to financial market as well as demographic data. We use Monte Carlo simulations to approximate the variance of the discounted cash flow and its decomposition into a pooling and a non-pooling risk part. We also consider pricing effects using the principle of zero expected utility and the quantile principle. The estimated risk premiums are benchmarked to the equivalence premium. Finally, we focus on solvency requirements which are based on the investment decisions and the associated shortfall probability of the annuity provider.