WHAT DO THE DEATH-CLAIM NUMBERS SAY?

RECENT death-claim numbers released by Momentum, Sanlam and PPS all reflect similar trends and notably correlated numbers.

The number-one major cause of death claims remains cardiovascular-related diseases, with an average of 38%, followed by cancer, with an average of 27%.

If current trends continue, the share of cancers attributable to diabetes – either on its own or combined with being overweight – will increase by 30% for women and by 20% for men in less than 20 years.

Unnatural death claims at Momentum are 9% of the total, of which motor-vehicle accidents are highest, at 40%.

When it comes to critical illness or dread disease, the numbers swop around and cancer is the major cause of death claims, with a shocking average of 50%, compared with the average of 23% for cardiovascular-related illnesses.

Critical illness claims vary by age, with the majority being for people aged 40 to 59 years.

Momentum’s statistics reflect that 64% of critical illness claims are for men, and that most cancer claims are for prostate and breast cancer.

Sanlam’s critical illness claims highlight that most of the claims for women were for cancer, at 77%, of which 31% were for breast cancer and 5% for melanoma.