Deceased Members–2010

In Memory of Robert J. Myers

Society of Actuaries' Past President Robert J. Myers, FSA, FCAS, MAAA, AIA, passed away on February 13, 2010. He was 97.

Myers was born in Philadelphia on October 31, 1912, and grew up in that area. He obtained a bachelor's degree from Lehigh University and a master's degree in actuarial science from the University of Iowa. When he was graduating in 1933, jobs were scarce. Myers was fortunate to be offered a position with the Committee on Economic Security, which was developing the Social Security program. He remained involved with that program for 75 years.

The majority of Myers' career was spent at the Social Security Administration, where he was among the first few employees hired in 1935. In 1947, he was appointed chief actuary, a position that he held for 23 years. He was instrumental in the development of major legislation in 1950 (coverage of most self-employed individuals), 1956 (enactment of disability insurance) and 1965 (enactment of Medicare). After leaving SSA in 1970, he continued to serve the government as legislative aide for the House Committee on Interstate & Foreign Commerce and actuarial consultant to the Department of Defense, Senate Committee on Finance, House Committee on Ways & Means, U.S. Tax Court and Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. In 1981, newly elected President Ronald Reagan appointed Myers as deputy commissioner of Social Security. He held that position for less than a year, leaving to become executive director of the presidential National Commission on Social Security Reform (known as the "Greenspan Commission" for its chairman, Alan Greenspan).

During his long career, Myers maintained an active consulting practice around the world. He authored more than 900 articles and several books on the Social Security program. At one time, he was cited in the Guinness Book of World Records for the number of times he testified before Congress (many instances were as a private citizen). In addition, he was a founding member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. Myers was a world-class expert on the U.S. Social Security program and became over time one of the elder statesmen of the program. The late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan described Myers as "a national treasure."

Myers was a strong and respected leader of the SOA and the American Academy of Actuaries, serving as president of both organizations simultaneously during 1971-1972. He contributed to SOA's work for many years, serving on a number of committees, boards and work groups in numerous capacities. In addition, Myers served as moderator, panelist and presenter at a large number of SOA meetings over many years. He also wrote numerous articles for The North American Actuarial Journal, The Actuary and Transactions covering a host of topics related to social security. Nearly every FSA alive today learned about Social Security by reading study notes and other material prepared by Myers.

Myers was usually accompanied at SOA meetings by his wife, Rudy, whom he married in 1938. They lived together in Silver Spring, Maryland from 1940 until her death in 1995. Myers lived in the same house until his death. He is survived by two sons, Jonathan and Eric, and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

A memorial service has been planned for Saturday, March 20 at 2 p.m. at Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church. The church is located at 7410 New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland. A reception will follow the service.