Description: There are growing concerns that the Asian bird flu virus will evolve into a form that can be transmitted from human to human, thus unleashing a new global flu pandemic. This article uses the Spanish flu epidemic and the German life insurance portfolio to analyze the additional claims expenditure due to a pandemic.

Description: The author summarizes her experience participating as an expert as part of a forum that was launched to give the public a neutral avenue through which to express views on the U.S. Social Security program and possible reforms. This particular forum focused on women's issues with respect to Social Security.

Description: This article updates the reader on the activities of the recently formed International Committee of the Joint Risk Management Section. With global webinars and more activities, this committee is ensuring the risk management word is spread throughout the world.

Description: In 1986, the Society of Actuaries identified a number of external trends that could have a substantial impact on future retirement patterns. An analysis of demographic trends clearly indicated that more people would be reaching older ages and that they would live longer.

Description: The first of two parts of a roundtable discussion, by conference call, on the state of life reinsurance today in North America.

Description: Discussion of the need to understand the implications of demographic and family diversity for the design of retirement programs. The design of retirement programs is a design of programs for the elderly, who are more often women, because women live longer and because their work histories often lead to reduced levels of pension and social security benefits.

Description: This letter from the President of the SOA finds that the changing nature of the risks our stakeholders face creates an opportunity for the actuarial profession, if our reactions meets their needs. From The Actuary, February 2012, Volume 9, Issue 1.

Description: This is a discussion of the Life–Cycle Model, findings from behavioral finance, managing risks post–retirement, the role of government, software and some perspectives on the future.

Description: This article presents highlights from a Roundtable Discussion held at the 2008 Annual Conference of the National Academy of Social Insurance - NASI. Some issues discussed are the results of the SOA 2007 Survey on the Risks and Process of Retirement, the phases of retirement and the changes during retirement as a function of changing health and capability, age, changing family status and employment status.

Description: The author expresses an opinion opposing specialization within FSA examinations explaining that such activity should occur after achieving FSA.