U.S. application activity for individually underwritten life insurance was down -2.5% in September, year-over-year, all ages combined, according to the MIB Life Index.  Third quarter results show life applications continuing to lose ground as compared to same quarter last year, off -2.3%, Q3 2013 / Q3 2012, although the pace of decline is somewhat diminished from the second quarter's losses, off -3.3%, Q2 2013 / Q2 2012. September's life insurance application activity was +8.3% higher than that of August 2013, consistent with fall sales cycles.

Life insurance application activity declined across all three age groups in September, with ages 0-44 off -3.0%, ages 45-59 off -2.8%, and ages 60+ down slightly at -0.3%.  At the close of the third quarter, life insurance application activity is off by -2.6%, ages 0-44; off -3.2%, ages 45-59; and ages 60+ remained flat at +0.2% year-to-date. The proportion of declining activity by age group is consistent with past trends—sharper declines in younger ages than those for ages 60+.