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Automated Graduation using Bayesian Trans-dimensional Models

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 July 2011

R.J. Verrall  and
S. Haberman
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Abstract

This paper presents a new method of graduation which uses parametric formulae together with Bayesian reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo methods. The aim is to provide a method which can be applied to a wide range of data, and which does not require a lot of adjustment or modification. The method also does not require one particular parametric formula to be selected: instead, the graduated values are a weighted average of the values from a range of formulae. In this way, the new method can be seen as an automatic graduation method which we believe can be applied in many cases without any adjustments and provide satisfactory graduated values. An advantage of a Bayesian approach is that it allows for model uncertainty unlike standard methods of graduation.

Keywords

Bayesian methodsgraduationmortality
Type
Papers
Information
Annals of Actuarial Science , Volume 5 , Issue 2 , September 2011 , pp. 231 - 251
Copyright
Copyright © Institute and Faculty of Actuaries 2011

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