A European Union directive aimed at eliminating gender discrimination in determining insurance rates is likely to apply in the United Kingdom, although British officials had stated that the country was not bound by the impending rule, according to a
The measure is controversial because the difference between men and womens longevity and other behavioral risks are not discriminatory but reflect actuarial realities, the directives detractors insist. Furthermore, insurance rates are not going to get more favorable for anyone. A report on
While the current difference in rates between men and women is relatively small with life annuities, around 5%, the discrepancy in rates is even higher in other products. For example, it can top 30% in health and life insurance, according to the
