International Life Insurance Developments & Trends
Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance launches combined annuity and equity-linked product
26 Nov 2025
Aditya Birla Sun Life Insurance has launched the ABSLI Vision Retirement Solution, a combined annuity and equity-linked plan for retirees. It guarantees lifetime annuity payouts until age 100 while allowing 5% annual withdrawals from the equity-linked portion, with potential for higher returns. Customers can choose between 60:40 or 50:50 splits between the annuity and market-linked components and select payout frequency—annual, semi-annual, quarterly, or monthly. The plan is open to individuals aged 40 to 60–65, depending on the premium payment term.
Australia introduces ban on genetic test results in life insurance
26 Nov 2025
Australia has passed legislation banning life insurers from using genetic test results in underwriting, aiming to eliminate genetic discrimination and encourage preventive health screening. The law prevents insurers from accessing information on hereditary disease risks, allowing individuals to undergo testing without fearing insurance repercussions. The Council of Australian Life Insurers had already limited the use of genetic data voluntarily since 2019. A mandatory five-year review will assess market impacts and ensure alignment with advances in genetic science. This measure empowers Australians to pursue better health outcomes with greater certainty.
Life insurers clear stress tests – BoE
24 Nov 2025
The Bank of England confirmed that British life insurers are well-equipped to handle severe financial stress, following its 2025 life insurance stress test (LIST). The test simulated shocks such as falling interest rates, drops in equities and property values, and increased defaults. All 11 participating insurers, including Aviva, Legal & General, and Phoenix Life, maintained sufficient capital despite an aggregate £8.6bn reduction in surplus. Rothesay, PIC, and Aviva International Insurance showed the strongest positions, while Just Group and Phoenix Life had the lowest. The results highlight the sector’s overall resilience and strong risk management.
