Description: This article will be focused on maximizing the reuse of code using features available within Moody’s Axis specifically targeted at using Formula Link.

Description: This program allows the user to explore in great detail a technical problem that has occupied a number of investors, financial writers and especially retirees, during the last few years, as the baby boomers start to approach retirement. Namely, what is the probability that one will run out of money before running out of life, if his or her current standard of living is maintained? This is a zip file which includes the Retirement Probability Analyzer software, an instruction manual and a PowerPoint presentation explaining the program.

Description: A look at the near future and far future of various elements of Actuarial Models as defined through ASOP 51. What is driving the complexity for inputs, calculations, and outputs. Howe will actuaries handle these challenge?

Description: Actuarial systems access and change controls are hot topics these days as modeling continues to increase in complexity and as new modeling regulations may begin to crest over the horizon. Many companies are currently in the process of either formalizing their actuarial system access and change control protocols, or are reevaluating and strengthening their existing control processes in response to identified deficiencies or in conjunction with new actuarial system implementations. With these undertakings in mind, this article discusses a number of valuable components commonly incorporated in formal systems access and change control protocols. Also discussed are leading practices identified in the SOA publication “Actuarial Modeling Controls: A Survey of Actuarial Modeling Controls in the Context of a Model-Based Valuation Framework (December 2012)”, and from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Description: Small insurance companies sometimes feel constrained to use Excel instead of a commercial actuarial system due to cost and inertia. This article provides multiple reasons why that decision leads to unintended risks for the actuarial department and the company as a whole.

Description: Overview of the session “Analytics You Should Know, but Don’t” which took place at the 2007 SOA Annual Meeting in which R, an open source language for statistical computing, was discussed.

Description: Call for reviews and articles on software programs.

Description: Call for reviews and articles on software programs.

Description: Illustrates, and therefore discourages the use of, bad Microsoft Excel formulas.

Description: This 1977 panel discussion covered hardware, programs, time sharing services and programming languages available at that time.