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Aggregate Lapsation Risk

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  • Ralph S. J. Koijen
  • Hae Kang Lee
  • Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh

Abstract

We study aggregate lapsation risk in the life insurance sector. We construct two lapsation risk factors that explain a large fraction of the common variation in lapse rates of the 30 largest life insurance companies. The first is a cyclical factor that is positively correlated with credit spreads and unemployment, while the second factor is a trend factor that correlates with the level of interest rates. Using a novel policy-level database from a large life insurer, we examine the heterogeneity in risk factor exposures based on policy and policyholder characteristics. Young policyholders with higher health risk in low-income areas are more likely to lapse their policies during economic downturns. We explore the implications for hedging and valuation of life insurance contracts. Ignoring aggregate lapsation risk results in mispricing of life insurance policies. The calibrated model points to overpricing on average. In the cross-section, young, low-income, and high-health risk households face higher effective mark-ups than the old, high-income, and healthy.

Suggested Citation

  • Ralph S. J. Koijen & Hae Kang Lee & Stijn Van Nieuwerburgh, 2022. "Aggregate Lapsation Risk," NBER Working Papers 30187, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30187
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Bingzheng Chen & Zongxia Liang & Shunzhi Pang, 2024. "Dynamic Investment-Driven Insurance Pricing: Equilibrium Analysis and Welfare Implication," Papers 2410.18432, arXiv.org.

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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E32 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Prices, Business Fluctuations, and Cycles - - - Business Fluctuations; Cycles
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G22 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Insurance; Insurance Companies; Actuarial Studies
    • G52 - Financial Economics - - Household Finance - - - Insurance

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