This paper proposes a technique to derive the optimal surrender strategy for a variable annuity (VA) as a function of the underlying fund value. This approach is based on splitting the value of the VA into a European part and an early exercise premium following the work of Kim and Yu (1996) and...

The financial guarantees embedded in variable annuity (VA) contracts expose insurers to a wide range of risks, lapse risk being one of them. When policyholders' lapse behavior differs from the assumptions used to hedge VA contracts, the effectiveness of dynamic hedging strategies can be...

For variable annuity policies, management fees for the most standard guarantees are charged at a constant rate throughout the term of the policy. This creates a misalignment of risk and income - the fee income is low when the option value is high, and vice versa. In turn, this may create adverse...

The concept of best-estimate, prescribed by regulators to value insurance liabilities for accounting and solvency purposes, has recently been discussed extensively in the industry and related academic literature. To differentiate hedgeable and non-hedgeable risks in a general case, recent...

The Chicago Board of Options Exchange (CBOE) advocates linking variable annuity (VA) fees to its trademark VIX index in a white paper (CBOE, 2013a, b). It claims that the VIX-linked fee structure has several advantages over the traditional fixed percentage fee structure. However, the evidence...

The concept of best-estimate, prescribed by regulators to value insurance liabilities for accounting and solvency purposes, has recently been discussed extensively in the industry and related academic literature. To differentiate hedgeable and non-hedgeable risks in a general case, recent...

We study a portfolio optimization problem involving the rational policyholder of a variable annuity with a guaranteed minimum maturity benefit. This financial guarantee is fi nanced via a fee withdrawn directly from the investment account, which impacts the net investment return. We propose a...

We derive the optimal portfolio choice for an investor who behaves according to Cumulative Prospect Theory. The study is done in a one-period economy with one risk-free asset and one risky asset, and the reference point corresponds to the terminal wealth arising when the entire initial wealth is...

We derive the optimal portfolio choice for an investor who behaves according to Cumulative Prospect Theory. The study is done in a one-period economy with one risk-free asset and one risky asset, and the reference point corresponds to the terminal wealth arising when the entire initial wealth is...

We derive the optimal portfolio choice for an investor who behaves according to Cumulative Prospect Theory. The study is done in a one-period economy with one risk-free asset and one risky asset, and the reference point corresponds to the terminal wealth arising when the entire initial wealth is...