The purpose of this paper is not to consider the specific ratings that should be imposed on life assurance policies where the proposer is not acceptable at ordinary rates, but rather the methods used and problems involved in translating assessments of extra mortality into monetary terms. At times the two problems overlap so the division is not an absolute one.

The subject has been covered at various times in the past both at the Institute and the Faculty; since the war the subject has attracted more attention at the Faculty with papers by T. M. Springbett and then S. C. Keppie and A. C. Stepney (both in T.F.A.19), but there is also the well-known paper by W. Perks (J.I.A.78). An earlier paper is by W. P. Elderton (J.I.A.54).