On the Construction of Survivorship Assurance Tables

Abstract

In a Postscript to the introductory matter of theAssurance and Annuity Tables, compiled and published by Messrs. Smith, Orchard, and myself in April, 1851 (and which Postscript was written by me), it is stated that I had “devised a new table, which, while answering all, and more than all, the purposes of Tables V. and VI. [which show the single and annual premiums for a survivorship assurance of £1 for every combination of two ages], by means of asinglevalue for each pair of ages, and thus occupying; little more space than one of them, would also be very much less laborious in its construction than the former of those tables. The new tables would, in fact, consist of series of columns supplementary to Mr. Jones'sCommutation Tables for Two Lives, and possessing all the properties,mutatis mutandis, with respect to the formation of temporary and deferred, as well as present, whole life benefits and payments, that give to tables of the form of those mentioned their great value.” The form of the table to which reference is here made suggested itself to me while occupied in superintending the printing of the work which contained the foregoing announcement. Having, however, had just then, as I thought, quite enough to do with survivorship assurances for a time, I contented myself with making the announcement cited, and communicating my ideas in a general way to my coadjutors, Messrs. Smith and Orchard.