Description: Discusses the influence of actuaries in particular state policy issues.

Description: An editorial on the insurance crisis with regards to liability insurance, and the breakdown of the liability system.

Description: Discussion of solvency problems and the actuary's role in addressing them in the life insurance industry.

Description: This article consists of excerpts from the author’s presidential address to the Southeastern Actuaries’ Club on November 21, 1980. The author notes ‘the only thing we could all possibly agree on today about the economic situation is that the degree of uncertainty is high,’ and ‘it is this uncertainty that presents us actuaries with professional problems which cannot be addressed by traditional methods.’ In explaining how we can deal with inflation and uncertainty the author argues for repeal of both the Standard Valuation Law and the Standard Nonforfeiture Law.

Description: The author notes “the last major change in the Valuation and Non-forfeiture Laws occurred during the 1940's when the work of the Guertin Committee resulted in the adoption by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners NAIC of the Standard Valuation and Non-forfeiture Laws. While there have been a number of amendments to these laws since their adoption, both insurance department and company actuaries have concluded that there is need for a general overhaul of these standard laws to make them more responsive to today's business and regulatory needs.” The article goes on to discuss recent developments, recommendations, and legislative action, including the work of the Society of Actuaries Special Committee on Valuation and Non-forfeiture Laws, and the NAIC Technical Task Force.

Description: This article is about junk assets. Insurance companies own over one third of the junk assets in the U.S. which has raised concerns and caused certain states to enact laws or regulations regarding junk investments.

Description: This article analyzes the events leading to low interest rates and recommends careful asset/liability management and risk analysis to address future challenges with interest rates.

Description: This article is a detailed review and discussion of “The Report on Actuarial Principles and Practical Problems with Regard to Non-forfeiture Requirements, Society of Actuaries, January, 1976.” The author of the article notes that It is an important report which should be read by all members of the Society irrespective of their professional affiliations, and in its present form the report is primarily an exposure draft and the Committee will therefore, welcome comments as to its content and recommendations prior to the discussion of the report scheduled for the Houston and Chicago SOA meetings.

Description: The author, a Director of the National Insurance Consumer Organization, ‘NICO,’- a new non-profit organization, notes that ‘a consideration in forming NICO is the lack of adequate insurance expertise within the consumer movement.’ The article describes the public comments the organization has made on various life and health insurance issues.

Description: This article notes that 1975, marks the hundredth anniversary of the appointment of the first federal Superintendent of Insurance in Canada, and provides a brief history of insurance regulation, highlighting the contributions and leadership of actuaries, and the recognition of the actuarial profession.