Annuities and Aggregate Mortality Uncertainty∗

This paper explores the effect of aggregate mortality risk on thepricing of annuities. It uses a two-period model; in the second period people face a constant but intiially unknown risk of death. Old people can either carry the aggregat emortlaity risk for themselves or buy annuities which are sold by young people. A market-clearing price for such annuties is established. It is found that old people would, given the choice, decide to carry a considerable part of aggregate mortality risk for themselves. ∗This work has been supported by the ESRC under its World Economy and Finance Programme. Please treat the results presented here as preliminary. 1