U.S. application activity for individually underwritten life insurance rebounded in March from early year declines jumping +4.2% year-over-year, all ages combined according to the MIB Life Index.  March gains appear to be pent-up demand from the winter months and contributed significantly to ground gained on the quarter's close.  The MIB Life Index was off -1.0% in the first quarter as compared to a very strong first quarter in 2012. March Index values tell the broader picture with the composite Index value approaching par (100), a level not seen for this month since 2006.

U.S. application activity was up across all three age groups: ages 0-44 up +5.2%, ages 45-59 up +1.5%, and ages 60+ up +5.6%. At the close of the first quarter: ages 0-44 were flat at
-0.3%, ages 45-59 were off -2.7%, and ages 60+ were flat at -0.2% as compared with Q1, 2012. March volumes showed marked increases in application activity over February: ages 0-44 up +6.2%, ages 44-59 up +1.7%, and ages 60+ up +1.8%.