Following a month which set multiple records, July 2026 application activity moderated somewhat month-over-month, but continued strong year-over-year, according to the most recent reading of the MIB Life Index from Massachusetts-based MIB Group Inc.
Year-over-year activity was up 10.5 per cent when compared with July 2025 figures. Month-over-month, July 2026 application activity was down 5.5 per cent compared to June 2026. Year-to-date activity through July was up 14.5 per cent when compared to the same period in 2025.
According to MIB, July year-over-year activity is reflective of a consistent pattern seen since July last year in which growth in application activity increases as age increases. “On a year-to-date basis, ages 30+ saw growth, in the double digits for 50+, while ages zero to 29 saw declines,” MIB’s researchers write. Application activity among those over age 70 increased the most, jumping a notable 100.2 per cent year-over-year.
“On a year-to-date basis, July showed flat activity for face amounts from $1-million up to but not including $2.5-million and growth for other face amounts,” they add. Double-digit growth was also noted in applications for smaller policies, between $1 up to but not including $250,000, and for larger policies over $5-million.
Year-over-year, term life was up 22.3 per cent, universal life applications jumped 42.7 per cent and whole life application activity dropped 3.2 per cent in July.
