Description: This section contains reviews for the following books, Introduction to the Mathematics of Demography by Robert Brown, A Tale of Two Captains by John Baynes and Hugh Maclean, Abolitionist, Actuary, Atheist: Elizur Wright and the Reform Impulse by Lawrence Goodheart, The Federal Data Base Finder by Matthew Lesko and the Guardian Life Insurance Company, 1860-1920, A History of a German-American Enterprise by Anita Rapone. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1991, Vol. 43.

Description: This panel discussion session presents social indicators using a variety of statistical approaches and relates them to societal changes. The concept of using mortality data as a social indicator is also discussed.

Description: Book reviews and summaries on a variety of subjects

Description: This paper presents considerably detailed death rates according to smoking habits and health status, based on the American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Study I, which constitutes the largest body of data currently available for the study of smoking habits. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1987, Vol. 39.

Description: Article from The Actuary, June 1983, volume no. 17, issue no. 6, that highlights since 1981, U.S. federal budget cutbacks have clamped down hard on the federal agencies that produce all kinds of statistics - demographic, economic and regulatory data. Actuaries, who use these federal statistics to develop mortality tables, to produce marketing studies, to examine economic trends, and to study health costs, should work with the federal agencies to restore this data.

Description: This discussion covers an update on mortality research. Specifically, it highlights the long term conditional survival of cancer patients, recent trends in the mortality of the aged, parametric models for life insurance mortality data, and shares an exposure draft of the derivation of the 1983 table A for individual annuity valuation. From Record of the Society of Actuaries 1981, Volume 7, No. 4.

Description: This study of mortality on deferred Variable annuities over the period 1991-1995 was designed to test the adequacy of the 1994 MGDB Valuation Mortality Table to cover presumed extra mortality on Variable annuities VAs with Substantial Minimum Guaranteed Death Benefits MGDBs as compared with VAs with Minimal MGDBs. A parallel study of Fixed Annuity experience was carried out as a control. Expected deaths were computed also on the Annuity 2000 Table. The results raise questions as to its continuing safety as a valuation table for individual annuities. The study also shows that mortality levels on Qualified NonPension Trust business are significantly lower than on Nonqualified business.

Description: The Society’s Committee to Recommend a New Mortality Basis for Individual Annuity Valuation was formed in 1980 at NAIC request because the margins in the 1971 IAM Table had eroded. This article describes the development of the 1983 Table a and shows how well the 1973 Experience Table fits the underlying data.

Description: This subject of this article is the Committee of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics COPAFS, a new organization is being formed with membership composed of associations with an interest in U.S. federal statistics. The Board of Governors of the Society has authorized the Society's participation in COPAFS on a trial basis for one year. In explaining the purpose and role of COPAFS, the article notes that its formation was a result of the recommendations of the March 1978 report of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on Government Statistics JAHCOGS, The SOA was represented on JAHCOGS by Robert J. Johansen, and he will be the SOA’s representative on COPAFS.

Description: This discussion from the 1983 SOA Hollywood, Florida Meeting presents an update for actuaries on U.S. Federal Statistics including GNP, economic accounts, measures of price change, the Federal Reserve, and the money supply. From Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 9, No. 4.