North American application activity for individually underwritten life insurance remained flat (+0.4%) in January year-over-year, according to the MIB Life Index(SM). Applications were off -4.2% when compared against December 2007 activity. January's month-over-month activity has lagged that of the previous December in six of the last seven years.

U.S. application activity was off slightly in January, down -1.0% year-over-year all ages combined. Declining activity ages 0-44 (off -2.8%) was offset by flat activity ages 45-59 (up +0.2%) and growth of +6.4% in the 60+ age group versus same period last year. Year-over-year application volume ages 60+ has increased in six of the last seven years; this is the largest increase for this age group / time period since 2002.

Canadian application activity jumped +12.3% in January year-over-year, all ages combined. The largest increase for this time period on record, it is primarily attributed to lower than normal seasonal application activity in the comparative Jan. '07 / Jan. '06. Growth translated across all three age groups: 0-44 up +13.8%, ages 45-59 up +11%, and ages 60+ up +5.8% versus same period last year.