RGA’s 2025 portfolio of surveys offers insurance leaders a forward‑looking view of where the life and health industry is heading. By grounding strategic planning in predictive data, these findings help organizations anticipate evolving consumer needs, design more tailored products and services, strengthen engagement, and better assess and mitigate emerging risks. This year’s research spans a diverse set of priorities shaping the global market: the retirement readiness of aging populations in Japan and Taiwan; the expanding role of wellness programs in improving consumer wellbeing; the real‑world impact of RGA resources such as the Global Underwriting Manual and Global Claims Manual; and user feedback on FAC Exchange, which allows US carriers to electronically send facultative cases to multiple reinsurers from a single point and reinsurers can send quotes using an industry standardized format. Together, these insights highlight the trends to watch — and the opportunities insurers can act on — to stay ahead in a rapidly shifting landscape.
Surveys and trends to watch:
1. Consumer Surveys: Retirement Readiness in Japan and Taiwan
RGA collaborated with The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute to release survey research on Retirement Readiness in Japan and Taiwan. Study findings reveal limited retirement planning and knowledge on financial and investment products.
This research underscores the urgent need for innovative retirement solutions that address both income security and health-related financial risks. The findings reveal significant opportunities for the insurance industry to develop tailored solutions that address the evolving needs and enhance financial security for aging population of retirees in both Japan (with nearly 30% of the population over 65) and Taiwan (with 20% of the population over 60).
42% indicated “not very knowledgeable” about investment and financial products and 17% have no knowledge or financial literacy.
Japan >
Wellness goals often include enhancing an insureds’ longevity and quality of life, managing diseases and chronic conditions, as well as positively influencing in-force policyholder behavior, increased engagement, and reduced claims.
RGA’s survey findings indicate that wellness offerings or programs will continue to provide positive benefits and increased engagement for consumers in support of physical health programs for healthy behaviors and preventive care, mental health support to ensure wellbeing, and to help improve overall financial wellness.
In an evolving landscape, US life and health insurers offer health and wellness offerings to help improve physical, mental, and financial health for consumers and to support overall wellbeing.
2. RGA US Health and Wellness Survey
Download full report >
41% currently have wellness programs in place
22% are in-development
2% are discontinued
46% no plans
Physical activity tracking, mental health support, and financial wellness support were the top three wellness components currently integrated
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Trend:
Trend:
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2025 Surveys Roundup
and Trends to Watch
Key findings
Taiwan >
750 respondents across three age groups
(Prime Age Workers: ages 30-45; Pre-Retirees: ages 46-59; and Retirees: ages 60-75)
Retirees show significantly higher engagement in retirement planning compared to younger cohorts.
90% of respondents consider tax increase and impact of an aging society on government support as their top concerns.
Top financial/investment product features for retirement income are guaranteed income for life (43%) and fixed income throughout retirement (39%).
73% of respondents expressed interest in annuities with increased payments for critical illness or disability or tax-deferred annuity (65%).
Prime-Age Workers and Pre-Retirees are not confident that their retirement savings are sufficient. 82% of them expect to rely on full or part-time job earnings as part of their retirement income.
The top concern in retirement for 96% are healthcare costs beyond social insurance coverage.
Retirees show higher engagement in retirement planning compared to younger cohorts.
Use of mobile apps for retirement information increased from 9% in 2018 to 19% in 2024.
18% indicated a lack of or no knowledge about financial matters.
Significant interest in annuity products (89% for tax-deferred annuities, 93% for annuities with increased payments for critical illness), and 74% are willing to convert part of their savings into lifetime-guaranteed annuities.
Guaranteed income (60%) and guaranteed returns (58%) are considered the most important features of financial or investment products to general retirement income.
Japan report
Authors:
Jae Ho, Chief Executive Officer, RGA Taiwan Leigh Allen, Associate Vice President, Strategic Research, RGA Xiao Xu, FSA, CERA, FIAA, CFA, FRM, CA, CPA, PhD, SOA Research Institute
Taiwan report
Authors:
Shugo Kato, Director, Research and Marketing, RGA Japan Leigh Allen, Associate Vice President, Strategic Research, RGA Xiao Xu, FSA, CERA, FIAA, CFA, FRM, CA, CPA, PhD, SOA Research Institute
Authors:
Dr. Dave Rengachary, Senior Vice President, USIM Underwriting Maria Beaulieu, Vice President, Digital Underwriting Transformation Leigh Allen, Associate Vice President, Strategic Research
Other areas of development included: caregiver assistance, bereavement services, and stress or sleep management
Of the 44 US insurer respondents:
Key findings
Wellness is prioritized by 57% and 40% reported the strategic approach as providing a basic service, product, or program
44% offer wellness as a perk to all policyholders
25% have wellness offerings embedded into an insurance product
87% frequently use calculators including our Precision Calculator
74% of users rated the Manual updates competitive for topic selection and frequency of updates (70%)
Manual users are satisfied with the medical guidelines (91%) and with non-medical guidelines (86%)
Authors:
Brooke Butler, Director, Marketing and Communications, Global Underwriting Manual John Cardus, Vice President, Head of Global Underwriting & Education Leigh Allen, Associate Vice President, Strategic Research
In 2025, RGA conducted a comprehensive client survey to gather feedback on the Manual. Participants provided valuable perspectives on its content, calculators, market-specific adaptations, competitiveness, communication preferences, and more. These insights demonstrated levels of user satisfaction, identified strengths of the Manual, and indicated opportunities for further enhancement.
Of the 557 respondents globally:
Key findings
3. RGA Global Underwriting Manual Feedback Survey
For more detailed results, click here.
Download full report >
78% reported improved training capabilities
84% reported a positive overall experience
79% of respondents are satisfied or very satisfied with the Manual
Connect with the Authors >
Authors:
Jennie Calder Brown, Executive Director, Global Claims Philosophy and Education Leigh Allen, Associate Vice President, Strategic Research
Trend:
Claims manual users require the latest content, technologies, and tools experience based on their roles, the claims they manage, and their level of experience.
There is growing recognition of RGA’s Global Claims Manual’s value in strengthening claims decision-making and training. The survey highlights a demand for improved accessibility and broader language support.
In Q3 2025, RGA surveyed over 250 claims professionals to gather feedback on our Global Claims Manual/Guide (“the Manual”). The goal was to assess their satisfaction with the Manual’s resources, toolkits, and training materials, and to determine if the Manual positively impacts their decision-making capabilities. The results have informed future enhancements.
Overall Satisfaction
4. RGA Global Claims Manual Feedback Survey
RGA’s Global Claims Manual offers high-quality training and continuing education for new and seasoned claims professionals through interactive case studies, educational videos, and other training tools. To register or login visit RGA Central and click on the Global Claims Manual/Guide tile.
Trend:
Insurers will continue to build on this industry solution for sharing life cases with reinsurers for facultative coverage and more. Ongoing support and improvements for these integrations will be essential to advance the industry's digital transmission of structured data and realize underwriting workflow efficiencies.
FAC Exchange is an industry solution for insurers to submit facultative underwriting cases, with a neutral approach, securely over the cloud to multiple reinsurers. RGA conducted an industry survey in 2025 of FAC Exchange users to assess the current level of satisfaction and potential areas of improvement to enhance user experience.
5. FAC Exchange User Feedback Survey
Survey findings
42% Directly into an internally developed underwriting bench
71% agree the Manual improves claims decision-making
79% reported overall satisfaction with FAC Exchange
Of the 28 FAC Exchange users
18 are carriers
10 are reinsurers
Top areas of satisfaction
Common Integration types:
21% Directly into a vender workbench
21% Built a new interface
Quote response time
Case submission feature
Technology support
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Authors:
Lisa Wagganer, Vice President, Technical Underwriting Operations Leigh Allen, Associate Vice President, Strategic Research
What do you consider to be the biggest advantage of using FAC Exchange?
Submit to one system
"Best industry solution for FAC submission"
Direct data exchange for timeliness and accuracy
Integration with the underwriting workflow
Faster data entry times
Reduced time spent sending out files
Ease of training end users
For more information please visit the FAC Exchange site: www.fac-exchange.com
Data, expert opinions, clinical research and local market knowledge prove to be important and most impactful for underwriting guidelines. In response to new information and approaches to underwriting, RGA continues to enhance the Manual’s content, calculators and resources.
Trend:
71% agree the Manual improves claims decision-making
For more detailed results, click here.
wellness report
For more detailed results, click here.