Hi Molly,
For 1)
your approach would be correct if you had constant forces of transition applying throughout the year.
However, you are told that surrenders only happen at the end of each year.
Therefore, the dependent probability of death = independent probability of death (because surrenders only happen after the deaths have all occurred). This is reflected in the 2nd and 4th columns of the table.
why does (aq)^surr_62 not equal ap_62*q^surr_x
(aq)^surr_62 is the dependent probability of leaving due to surrender over the year.
Due to the timing mentioned above this equals p_62 (probability of not dying throughout year) * q^surr_x (end of year surrender probability).
ap_62 is the probability of staying in force until the end of the year = probability of not dying throughout the year or not surrendering at the end of the year.
(aq)^d_x=(ap)_x*q^d_x
(aq)^d_x is the dependent probability of leaving due to death through the year. Your formula starts with (ap)_x (1 minus dependent probability of dying - dependent probability of surrendering) then multiplies this by the independent probability of death. So you've applied a death probability twice.
when calculating profit signature, is there a difference between using p_x and (ap)_x
yes - p_x is the probability of survival (not dying) and (ap)_x is the probability of staying active (not dying / not surrendering).
If it's possible to die or surrender then you will need to use (ap)_x when calculating the profit signature because you need the probability of staying active up until the start of each year.
Thanks,
Michael