Answering the Big Question: When Should I Retire?
CBS MoneyWatch column notes findings from SOA's Retirement Decisions Briefs series.
Insuring the 100 Year-Old Client
FSA Chris Bone discusses insuring the 100 year-old client in the Registered Rep.
Survive This Economy: Start Saving Early for Holidays
CBS Chicago.com features FSA Cheryl Krueger who offers financial advice on saving for holiday shopping.
Slightly Fewer Americans Were Obese In 2011, Report Finds
Huffington Post reports SOA research findings on the economic impact of obesity.
SOA Board of Directors Met January 20
The Society of Actuaries' Board of Directors met on Jan. 20, 2012, to discuss the idea of potential consolidation of the U.S.-based actuarial associations. The Board identified and discussed what it felt were the most significant issues both for and against consolidation, as well as potential barriers. The Board also provided input to the SOA Consolidation Task Force as to what additional information the Board would like to evaluate these issues. The Board authorized the formation of this Task Force in October 2011 to explore whether other U.S.-based actuarial organizations are willing to discuss a possible consolidation of the actuarial professional organizations in the United States, consider various options for such a consolidation, and to make a recommendation to the Board for possible action.
Visit Apps for Actuaries -- the Hub of Mobile Resources for the Actuarial Profession!
Apps for Actuaries was created by actuaries, for actuaries and is designed to be a one-stop shop for you to find and recommend relevant applications for any mobile device. Apps are listed on the site based upon their relevance to working actuaries and actuarial students. We encourage you to visit often, contribute to the guide and help shape the content by submitting recommendations and rating/liking the apps in the guide.
On the SOA Blog
Read The many sides of retention, On the edge of a new age of healthcare financing, Apps for Actuaries makes its debut, and January -- A big month for retirement planning issues.
NACD Offers Discounts to SOA Members
The SOA has recently established a relationship with the National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD). Learn how SOA members can receive discounts on preferred pricing for NACD membership and educational programs.
You Could Win an iPad2! -- Enter the Forecasting Competition
The Forecasting & Futurism Section is sponsoring its 2nd annual forecasting competition. Develop the most accurate model that predicts the Civilian Unemployment Rate (UNRATE) from March through September 2012 and you could win an iPad2! This competition is open to Forecasting & Futurism Section members. All entries must be submitted by Feb. 28, 2012.
Call for Essays Evaluating Funding Methods for Public Sector Pension Plans
The Society of Actuaries invites actuaries and other members of the public interested in the funding of public sector pension plans to submit entries in its call for essays, "Good, Better, Best: The Basics of Funding Public Sector Pension Plans." In this call for essays, we consider four key elements that are critical to development of funding policy: 1) actuarial valuation method, 2) asset smoothing method, 3) method for recognizing (amortizing) changes in obligations or assets: gains and losses, plan changes and assumption changes, and 4) key assumptions, specifically, the discount rate and the mortality table (and improvement scale). Essays should be submitted by Friday, March 30, 2012.
2012 SOA Event Partnership Opportunities: Become a Sponsor or Exhibitor!
The SOA offers many opportunities for you to showcase your company during SOA programs throughout the year. Demonstrate your commitment to the profession and reach your target audience more quickly by having a presence at these SOA events: Life & Annuity Symposium, Investment Symposium, Health Meeting, ERM Symposium, Life Insurance Conference, Retirement Industry Conference and SOA webcasts.
2012 Life & Annuity Symposium Call for Speakers
The Society of Actuaries' Program Committee is seeking presenters for the 2012 Life & Annuity Symposium. Check out the available opportunities. Sessions indicated as entirely unrecruited and partially recruited need presenters. Sessions listed as recruited no longer need presenters. If interested in being a volunteer presenter, please fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. Be sure to enter the name of the meeting and a specific session title (if you have one in mind), in the appropriate section of the form.
Medical Loss Ratios: Final Regulations and Repercussions for the Health Insurance Marketplace Webcast -- February 8
Participate in this webcast to learn some of the implications of the changes in the final regulations of medical loss ratio requirements in the Affordable Care Act. The presenters will provide an overview of the final regulations, including those aspects that are different from the interim regulations. They will also discuss the implications for 2014 and beyond.
Investment Symposium -- March 26-27
Registration is now open! The 2012 Investment Symposium, jointly sponsored by PRMIA and the SOA, is the industry's key educational and networking event. Investment professionals, risk managers and actuaries should take part in this annual two-day symposium that will address the current macroeconomic environment and various investment strategies. Sign up today.
The Modeling of Financial Market Risks for Financial Institutions -- March 28, 2012
Stay a day after the Investment Symposium and earn even more CPD credit! Attend this one-day modeling of financial markets seminar and learn why it is an increasingly important and complex area requiring attention at all levels of a financial institution. By attending, you'll gain strong practical skills and get up-to-speed on modeling options, their practical implementation, issues and solutions.
New RFP: Applying Credibility to Group Disability Insurance
The Health Section is seeking researchers to examine the issues related to credibility theory and how it can be practically applied for group disability insurance. Intents are due March 15 and proposals are due March 31.
Deadlines Extended for Insurance Regulatory Structures RFP
The SOA's Committee on Finance Research requests proposals for a project that compares the insurance regulatory structures of the European Union with those of the United States and the potential effects of these structures on product development and risk management. Intents are due March 1; proposals due March 15.
Medical Markers Study Now Posted Online
In collaboration with the Association of Home Office Underwriters and the Canadian Institute of Underwriters, the SOA's Committee on Life Insurance Research, Product Development Section and Reinsurance Section have posted a new study that identifies 11 laboratory tests not widely used in the life insurance industry, but that could have potential benefits for use in the life insurance underwriting process.
Extreme Events Proposal Deadline February 3rd; Researchers Wanted
The Reinsurance Section, CAS/CIA/SOA Joint Risk Management Section and the Committee on Life Insurance Research are seeking researchers to perform a study that identifies some of the strategies companies employ, or could employ, to minimize, mitigate or manage the risks of extreme events. Submit your proposal by February 3.
Listing of Deceased Members
Visit the SOA website for a listing of the names of deceased members and information on how to submit an obituary. The SOA extends its condolences to the families and friends of H. Werner Teichert, ASA 1959, and Michael R. Virga, ASA 1973.
SOA Names Two New Centers of Actuarial Excellence (CAE)
Last fall the SOA piloted an expansion of the CAE program to universities in Hong Kong. The location of an SOA office in Hong Kong helped to facilitate this pilot. As a result, we are pleased to announce that two actuarial science programs in Hong Kong have been named SOA Centers of Actuarial Excellence (CAE). The Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong join the 21 schools that have been awarded the designation since fall 2009. The programs at each of these schools met eight rigorous criteria. More information about the CAE program is available on the SOA website. Congratulations to the two new CAE schools!
Do You Know a Student Deserving of a Foundation Scholarship?
In 2011, The Actuarial Foundation awarded college scholarships to a record 48 students who are pursuing careers in the actuarial profession. A new year is upon us and scholarship opportunities are now open for the 2012-2013 school year. If you know a student who could benefit from one of the Foundation's four scholarships, tell him or her to visit the Foundation website today.
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