North American application activity for individually underwritten life insurance was up 2.3 percent in December, according to Braintree’s MIB Life Index.

Fourth quarter growth of 2.8 percent broke the recessionary trend of losses in 2009’s first nine months, ending the year even at 0.1 percent year to date, as compared to 2008.

Application activity in the 45-59 age group was up 2.4 percent year-to-date versus the prior year – the first annual growth in this demographic since 2003.

Activity in the 60-plus age group continued growing, rising up 13 percent year-to-date. Activity in the 0-44 age group was down 3.6 percent year-to-date.

Application activity nationwide turned positive in August and showed moderate growth though year-end with December up 2.6 percent year-over-year, all ages combined. Fourth quarter activity was up 2.9 percent compared to a year ago, recovering all early year losses and ending the year flat at -0.2 percent year-to-date.