U.S. application activity for individually underwritten life insurance dropped 3% in May compared to the same period last year, according to the MIB Life Index.

The worst decrease was among the 0-44 age group, which saw a 7% decline, and the 45-59 age groups, where the decline was as off 1.1%.

Meanwhile, ages 60+ continued its more than two-year growth trend, with sales up 11.3% compared to May 2008.

Applications for life insurance among all age groups fell 2.2% for the period, the index indicated.