Swiss Re Updates Life Guide with Guidance on Repurposed Longevity Drugs

Zurich — Swiss Re has updated its Life Guide, introducing new underwriting guidance for life insurance applicants who may be using repurposed longevity drugs—a growing trend among health-conscious individuals.

The update addresses medications such as metformin and rapamycin, originally developed for other medical conditions but increasingly used off-label in the pursuit of longer, healthier lives. While metformin is typically prescribed for type 2 diabetes and is being studied for its potential anti-aging benefits, rapamycin—an immunosuppressant for organ transplant patients—has also attracted attention for its possible lifespan-extending effects.

However, Swiss Re notes that the long-term health impacts of these drugs remain uncertain, especially when they are self-prescribed. Rapamycin, in particular, poses potential risks, including immune suppression and a lack of comprehensive long-term animal studies.

The updated guidance aims to help over 800 insurance companies and support more than 23 million underwriting queries annually, ensuring consistent, evidence-based decision-making in this evolving area of health and risk assessment.

Alongside the longevity drug guidelines, the August 2025 Life Guide update also features an enhanced chronic kidney disease calculator, refined tools for assessing prostate cancer risks, and expanded medical risk evaluation resources.