News and insights

COVID-19: The latest picture as at 22nd September 2020

In this week’s blog we explore the latest data on weekly deaths, which are once again above seasonal norms. Both COVID-19 and non COVID-19 deaths have increased in the latest reported week.

COVID-19: Cases continue to rise across the UK

We explore the latest regional data on case numbers for local areas across the UK, highlighting areas of particular concern, as well as areas which appear to be currently more successful in restricting the spread.

Club Vita’s response to tPR’s consultation on the Defined Benefit Funding Code of Practice

As-if thinking – does Batman use Zoom?

In his latest blog, Erik Pickett looks how his former life as a street performer has helped him in his professional life, and asks, does the same experience still help in the age of Zoom?

Covid-19: On the case…. (Part II)

Last week, our analysis of daily new COVID-19 cases highlighted 15 local authorities for whom, although they were not on the watchlist at time of publication, the growth in new cases and/or the number of new cases had been high, and potentially of concern.

COVID-19: On the case

Against the backdrop of evolving government guidance, Steven and Conor look at how daily new COVID-19 cases have been gradually increasing. They consider what has driven local lockdowns to date, whether other areas are at risk of greater restrictions, and how we might be able to spot early warnings of any second national lockdown.

Top Charts 20-08: Life expectancy doesn’t tell the whole story

In this edition of Top Charts, Erik Pickett explains why there's more than meets the eye when it comes to life expectancy.

COVID-19: The latest picture as at 25th August 2020

In the latest weekly update on emerging COVID-19 statistics in the UK, Conor looks at how total weekly deaths have nudged above average seasonal levels, while registered COVID-19 linked deaths continue to fall. Could this be the feared rise in non COVID-19 deaths starting to come through?

Top Charts 20-7: Workin’ 9 to 5: a way to keep on livin’?

In this edition of Top Charts, Helen Wells looks at whether working to a later retirement age boosts life expectancy.

COVID-19: The latest picture as at 28th July 2020

Conor returns with his latest weekly update on emerging COVID-19 statistics in the UK. This week he looks at how total weekly deaths continue to remain below average seasonal levels, even allowing for COVID-19 deaths, while Scotland continues to lead the way in reducing COVID-19 linked deaths.

The survivorship bias – who’s left?

In his latest blog on cognitive biases affecting the actuarial world, Erik Pickett looks at the survivorship bias: the tendency to assume subjects that made it through a survival process are typical of the group that began the process.

COVID-19: The latest picture as at 30th June 2020

In the latest weekly update on emerging COVID-19 statistics in the UK, Conor explores how total weekly deaths have, for the first time since mid March, dipped below seasonal levels, even allowing for COVID-19 deaths.

VitaMins Health: Mental health – looking after body and mind

It is widely accepted that the mind and body are closely interlinked. In this article we look at the link between mental and physical health patterns and how these may influence future longevity trends.

Club Vita Appoints Jennifer Haid CEO of International Team

Club Vita, the international leader in longevity data analytics, today announced that Jennifer Haid has joined Club Vita’s international team as Chief Executive Officer.

COVID-19: The latest picture as at 9th June 2020

In this week’s blog we explore the latest data on weekly deaths, which continues to trend downwards towards average levels. In addition, we examine how registered deaths varied by age band, highlighting some noticeable differences between genders, and the distribution of deaths which don’t mention COVID-19 on the death certificate.

Club Vita response to the ONS’s publication of its analysis of death registrations not involving COVID-19

The estimated total death toll from the pandemic thus far is around 65,000 lives. One in five of these lives lost relate to a spike in seasonal death rates after we strip out those where COVID-19 is officially recognised as a contributory factor on the death certificate.

Club Vita to Provide Longevity Analytics through ProVal

Club Vita, the international leader in longevity analytics, today announced an integration partnership with WinTech, a leader in retirement valuation and administration software.

COVID-19: The latest picture as at 26th May 2020

In the latest weekly update on emerging COVID-19 statistics in the UK, Conor explores how, despite a small uptick caused by the VE Day Bank Holiday in the UK, there continue to be promising signs as death rates trend down towards seasonal levels.

Public vs Private - Is there a sector effect in post-retirement mortality?

In this paper we show there is significant diversity of longevity experience for pension schemes within both the public and private sectors in both the UK and Canada.

COVID-19: Exploring the ‘missed’ deaths

In this analysis on emerging COVID-19 statistics in the UK, Conor and Steven explore the recent increases in weekly non COVID-19 deaths. Using data for Scotland, they highlight the variation in underlying causes of death, both before and after the appearance of COVID-19.

Covid-19: The missing and the missed deaths…(part 2)

Covid-19: The missing and the missed deaths….(part 2)

COVID-19: The latest picture as of 5th May 2020

In this blog we explore the impact of reflecting all deaths which mention COVID-19 on the death certificate, along with the deaths which may be the indirect consequence of COVID-19.

The myside bias – why is it so hard to change our minds?

In this blog post we look at the myside bias (or confirmation bias) - the tendency to search more strongly for evidence that supports beliefs we already hold or discredits opposing views.

Covid-19: The missing and the missed deaths….(part 1)

It is clear that daily government press conference tally is materially underestimating the true scale of Covid-19. The gap can be attributed to both “missing” and “missed” deaths. In this blog we explore the first of these two critical issues.

Counting the cost of COVID-19

As COVID-19 spreads round the world, there is an understandable focus on death numbers to help gauge the impact. We explore below why this is not an exact science, and why numbers of deaths can and do vary.

Top Charts 20-04: Impact of COVID-19 on 2020 cumulative deaths (up to 10 April)

In this edition of Top Charts, Connor O'Reilly discusses the effect COVID-19 is having on 2020 cumulative deaths.

Steven Baxter and Helen Wells talk to Citywire about the future of retirement

Read Steven Baxter and Helen Wells' article for Citywire, where they discuss the future of retirement.

Socioeconomic effects of COVID-19

The number of Google searches for the word unprecedented has recently spiked to unprecedented levels. And for good reason; the COVID-19 pandemic is unlike anything in living memory - and it is not affecting everybody in the same way.

Exponential growth and an appreciation for the logarithm

One thing that I am learning through the COVID-19 pandemic is that exponential growth is a difficult phenomenon to describe. Erik Pickett explains more in this blog.

The CMI_2019 Mortality Projections Model

What does the latest population data tell us?