Description: This dialogue discusses the history and purpose of section 811(a) and its historic role in the computation of life insurance company taxable income and, in particular, reserves.

Description: This article from The Actuary, November 1996, Volume 30, No. 9 discusses the value of the actuary. What is our value to our publics? Is it in sheepishly agreeing with statutory impositions -pension plans are a social good that should have favored status as long as they pay their fair share - or is it in sticking to, then clarifying and explaining, our principles regardless of the penalties? Our corporate agreement with the notion that there are “individually realistic actuarial assumptions.”

Description: This article is written in response to the article that appeared in the February/March issue of The Actuary entitled Better Standards for Setting Standards written by Dave Kass. It discusses the process itself, the time it takes to develop or change standards and how quickly new ideas should be incorporated in the standards.

Description: The author announces that the Society of Actuaries is launching a new professional credential, Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst, ‘CERA,” which will take 3-5 years to complete. The article notes a new CERA will qualify as an Associate of the Society.

Description: An article on risk and the perception of actuaries vs. reality.

Description: Introduction to academicians, practitioners, and gerontologists who comprise the Funding Longevity Task Force at the American College of Financial Services.