U.S. life insurance application activity was flat for the year, with gains since August 2009 eclipsing the recession-based declines of prior months, according to a monthly analysis.

The MIB Life Index reported a 0.2% overall decline in life insurance applications filed for the year.

Application activity in December 2009 among all ages rose 2.6%.

Fourth quarter application activity rose 2.9%, compared to the same period in 2008, according to the index.

For the year, ages 60 and up showed the best sales, with a 13% increase for the year, while ages 45-59 rose 1.8% compared to 2008. Meanwhile, the 0-44 age group continued its declines, with a 3.8% decrease for the year.