Swiss Re Updates Life Guide with Underwriting Guidance on Longevity Drugs

Swiss Re's August 2025 Life Guide introduces updated underwriting guidance addressing the emerging use of repurposed longevity drugs like metformin and rapamycin among life insurance applicants. These medications, initially developed for other health conditions, are increasingly self-prescribed for potential anti-aging benefits, presenting novel challenges for underwriters due to uncertain long-term effects. The guidance aims to equip more than 800 insurance companies handling over 23 million underwriting queries annually with consistent, evidence-based frameworks to assess such cases amid evolving clinical data.

Along with the longevity drugs update, Swiss Re has enhanced its Life Guide with improved risk calculators for chronic kidney disease and prostate cancer, broadening its medical risk assessment portfolio. This toolkit remains a leading resource in Life & Health underwriting, aimed at proactive risk management by anticipating emerging health trends. The addition underscores the importance of adapting underwriting criteria to incorporate advances in pharmaceutical repurposing and their implications for life expectancy and morbidity.

Metformin's exploration for anti-aging is linked to its effects on insulin sensitivity and inflammation reduction, while rapamycin's off-label use attempts to extend lifespan despite uncertain immunosuppressive risks and limited long-term animal study data. The guidance delineates when underwriters should apply risk ratings or defer to medical officers in evaluating applicants disclosing these drugs.

This update reflects the broader insurance industry's need for structured approaches to novel biomedical trends that impact underwriting risk profiles and pricing strategies. It aligns with regulators' focus on ensuring comprehensive, scientifically based risk assessment methods in light of non-traditional medication use. Swiss Re's initiative supports market stability by providing clarity and uniformity at a time when longevity drug usage is rapidly evolving.

Overall, the Life Guide's enhancements demonstrate Swiss Re's commitment to innovative underwriting solutions that address contemporary health developments and facilitate informed decision-making within the life insurance sector.