Description: From the 1960 Transactions Vol. 12 No. 33, this ‘Digest of Informal Discussion’ took place at the 1960 Eastern Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held in Washington, D.C. March 24-25. The focus of the discussion was on the function of the actuary and the insurance company’s public relations, and what the actuary is doing and can do further to improve relations between insurance companies and the public.

Description: In this “nontraditional” general session from the 1991 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held October 20-23 in Toronto, the panelists, a “judge,” a “defendant,” and a “prosecutor” present a humorous “trial” to explore what the boundaries of “traditional” actuarial work are. A theme of the session is that some of what we call “nontraditional” is an expansion of traditional actuarial work, and that we owe it to our public to broaden our horizons. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 4A.

Description: Discussion as to whether within an organization an actuary's regulatory role can conflict with his business-oriented role or be aligned with the strategic goals of the company.

Description: Reflections of a Regulatory Actuary by Larry Gorski

Description: The author discusses a definition of an actuary that he suggested several years earlier, noting that the public has a right to know why we think we constitute a profession, and why it should care. The author’s definition is: “that professional who is trained in evaluating the current financial implications of future contingent events.”

Description: Feature article discussing the purpose of the SOA’s Reinsurance Section’s LEARN initiative.

Description: This article discusses the lack of knowledge people in general have about actuaries and the actuarial profession and the unfair and inaccurate stereotypes that are associated with it.

Description: The article discusses the actuaries role regarding the recommendations made by the National Commission on Social Security Reform. That responsibility is to spread the word. To see that citizens within our reach know what the recommendations are and the need for Congress to promptly enact them into legistlation.

Description: Actuaries and the Actuarial profession have an obligation to act in the public interest. It is not enough to pass exams, keep current and do "good actuarial work.” Both Science and public service must be reflected in all of our activities...The intent of this article is to clarify what "acting in the public service” means for actuaries, particularly U.S. actuaries. It emphasizes the importance (necessity) of examining the "public interest" in everything we do ... and to warn the public where we have concerns. ...Acting in the public interest (a requirement for any profession or professional, is critical to the profession's future reputation and relevance.

Description: A review of the development and responsibilities of the "appointed actuary" for Canadian insurance companies and other designated roles in Canada.