Description: This presentation is the luncheon session from the 1987 Valuation Actuary Symposium. The speaker starts with a discussion of philosophy, and defines ethics as concerning the determination of which human actions are right, and thus should be performed, and which are wrong, and thus should be avoided. The speaker goes on to explain that ‘in addition to a general ethical theory, as a professional you need a special code of ethics simply because you are a professional,’ discussing how different professionals have different responsibilities and relationships to their clients.

Description: This session from the 1993 Valuation Actuary Symposium addresses professionalism of the actuary.

Description: Book review of The Fundamentals of Pension Mathematics by Barnet E. Barin. Mr. Griffin supports the text as a valuable contribution in particular his analysis of gains/losses by source during the transition to utilizing computers for pension valuation.

Description: The 2016 Professionalism Ready-to-Go Kit is designed so that an experienced facilitator can use the materials to lead a session on professionalism. It is intended for actuaries at all levels of actuarial experience. The program is portable so it can be delivered anywhere (on the road). This Ready-to-Go Kit uses a case study to illustrate professionalism scenarios and to promote small and large group discussions.

Description: Article The Manhart Case by Webster, September 1978, Volume 12, Number 7

Description: First of a 2 part series: The Actuarial Science Program at the University of Nebraska includes a course on Actuarial Roles and Ethics. In 1978 the students in this class sent a questionnaire to 265 persons, mostly alumni of the Program, aimed at finding out how actuaries see themselves, and to what extent ethical questions have impinged upon them. This article gives answers by 61 Fellows 60 F.S.A.'s and one F.C.A.S.

Description: Article Nathaniel Ingersoll Bowditch by Bartlett in The Actuary, June 1979, Volume 13, Number 6

Description: A retelling of the exploits of the little-known Batman villain, The Actuary, with lessons in professionalism and the limitations of predictive models.

Description: This article is a review and analysis of the article “The Statistician as Expert Witness,” by Joseph G. Van Matre and William N. Clark, from the Feb. 1976 issue of “The American Statistician.” The author of this article notes that the article he is reviewing has general application to anyone serving as an expert witness in a court of law, especially in its remarks about the ethical responsibilities of such a person and in its advice on preparing to give testimony. Written from the viewpoint of a statistician, it has equal applicability to an actuary serving as an expert witness. The SOA has reprinted this article with permission from The American Statistical Association.

Description: This presentation is a General Session, number 1GS, from the 2002 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held September 19-20 in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Events such as the terrorist acts of September 11, the accounting scandals, continued volatility in the equity markets, and low interests rates have impacted and will continue to impact the industry and our profession for many years to come. The three keynote speakers, an industry analyst and two leaders of our profession, provide their views regarding these impacts and how the industry and our profession might change and act as a result of these events, emphasizing the importance of actuaries’ professionalism. Discussion from participants is included.