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For a nonnegative random variable with finite expected value and $\mathbb{P}(X>t)>0$, its mean residual life is the remaining conditional expected value after surviving past $t$. The tail integral formula for moments gives $m_X(t)={\int }_t^{\infty }\mathbb{P}(X>x)dx/\mathbb{P}(X>t)$. The exponential distribution has constant mean residual life, equal to its original mean. In excess of loss reinsurance, the total variance stationary condition for excess of loss sets a candidate retention equal to this quantity.

Set $\overline{F}(M)=1-F_X(M)$. The compound Poisson distribution variance identity and the per-claim excess of loss reinsurance payouts giveApply differentiation under the integral sign. The endpoint terms $M^2{f}_X(M)$ in the first two terms cancel, while the last integrand is zero at its lower endpoint. Equivalently, differentiate the two payout squares inside their expected values; the finite second moment supplies a dominating integrable function. This gives the total variance stationary condition for excess of lossHence the specified equality makes $g^{\prime }(M)=0$. When $\overline{F}(M)>0$, its interpretation is $M=m_X(M)$, where the mean residual life is $m_X(M)=\mathbb{E}[X-M\mid X>M]$.

For the exponential distribution of mean $\mu$, $\overline{F}(M)=e^{-M/\mu }$ andThus $g^{\prime }(M)=2\lambda e^{-M/\mu }(M-\mu )$ is negative below $\mu$ and positive above it. The variance-minimizing exponential retention is the unique global minimizerFor an explicit value, put $m=M/\mu$. The capped claim moments and the excess-claim second moment giveThe sign argument establishes global minimality, rather than just stationarity.