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Scaling factor

\ˈskeɪlɪŋ\ \ˈfæktər\

A crude way of tailoring a base table to allow for the characteristics of a particular population, by multiplying the mortality rates by a scaling factor (for example 90% or 110%).

The actuarial equivalent of taking in the waist of pair of off-the-peg trousers.

Applying one scaling factor to all ages of a standard table will result in a distortion of the shape of the table, with the likely result of the youngest and oldest ages being the most distorted from the true rates of the desired population.

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