We are now at a point where we can start customizing the product variables and formulas. The products provided by the Slope Library contain all the calculations for a very standard form of each product. The actual product you are trying to model will likely not match this exactly. This could be for a variety of reasons.
One example may include changes to how various assumptions are looked up, such as varying commission rates by more than just plan code. Perhaps they also vary by issue age or risk class for example. Another might be to use a different dividend crediting formula than is available in the Library.
For this guide, we are going to assume that we want to change how expenses are being modeled. We will model multiple Face Amount bands with different levels of acquisition expenses.
| Face Amount Band | Acquisition Expense Per Policy |
| $0-$250k | $50 |
| $250k= | $75 |
By default, the Slope Library only varies expenses by Plan Code, so this will require updating the Input Table structure as well as the Product Variables that use this table.
Updating Tables Structures
The first step in making this change is going to be updating the Input Table structure for the Policy Expenses tables.
We will add a new column to this table for the Face Amount and mark it as an Index column for the table.
Next, we want to update the table with our new data by editing the Data Tables associated with it. We can quickly open these tables by clicking on the link near the table name at the top.
Add rows to this table with appropriate values for whatever your assumptions may be. In our case, it will look like this for the first few columns:
Updating Variable Formulas
Now that the table has been updated and we've created a Data Table with appropriate values, we will need to update the formulas in the Product to use this updated table structure. Browse back to the Product Details screen and go down to the appropriate variables that control expenses.
The variables have been marked as invalid because the Table Structure was updated and SLOPE has identified that these variables use that table and now need to provide additional input for the Face Amount index column. Opening the 'Expense - Acquisition Per Policy' formula, we will see this:
The two Table Read formula pieces are marked with errors, so we will click on the formula to edit and update the formula to provide a value for Face Amount in each table lookup:
Continue to make updates for any other changes needed and fix any other formulas that were turned invalid as a result of the table structure change to finish the product customization. As you save each formula, it will be validated to ensure the formula is correct again.
Set the Pricing Target
It will typically be required that some kind of product change is necessary in order to set the pricing target for a given pricing exercise. In our Whole Life product, this is defined in the Pricing Premium Rate variable. This variable contains a Goal Seek formula that is used to solve for a target pricing metric on each individual model point during execution. This goal-seek can be modified to fit any pricing metric you desire.
Method for Making Updates
SLOPE gives you the flexibility to re-write and change any part of the functionality for each product, and there are often multiple ways to accomplish making these changes using a combination of formula changes, table structures, and model point data. The optimal method for making your specific change will depend on how you intend to use the model and what kind of product(s) you intend to model. If you ever need guidance on how best to accomplish a specific change, you can contact your dedicated account representative or reach out to Slope support for help.
In the next step, we will create the model point files to run through this model.