Description: Actuaries have the business acumen, problem-solving capabilities, and technical skills to develop innovative and data-driven solutions in the social insurance space. It is time we expand our scope and embrace an increased role in making a positive impact within the health care ecosystem. The primary focus of this paper is on social insurance programs dedicated to the most vulnerable population: low-income families accessing care through Medicaid. While there are numerous challenges that require other subject matter experts to take the lead, this article highlights topics where actuaries can be key players in developing and implementing tangible solutions to improve the care for the most vulnerable. Issues and solutions in this paper focus on the following three areas: 1. Access to appropriate care, 2. continuity of care, and 3. social determinants of health.

Description: This is an introduction to the SOA call for essays around risk strategies pertaining to the diverse risks found in retirement. We are pleased that these essays can be included in this issue of Pension Section News, along with a short interview with each author.

Description: Both the SOA and AARP will showcase their recent research projects highlighting the impact of marginalization on aging and retirement. Learn how being a member of a marginalized group changes your outcomes as well as your perspective on aging and retirement.

Description: This overview of the pros and cons of individual accounts and the paygo system was offered by two speakers at the 1999 symposium, “Impact of Social Security Privatization on Retirement Income. From: The Actuary, September 1999 – volume 33 - Issue 7.

Description: Retirement planning generally includes a focus on decisions needed at time of retirement, but it often fails to focus on changes during retirement and additional decisions needed as people age. The 2021 SOA Risk Survey and other SOA research documents the lack of focus on future change. It is common for people to lose cognitive ability and generally to become less able to make decisions, manage their finances, their medical care and their lives at high ages.This panel focuses on communication and decision issues. The SOA has recently issued a decision guide on High Age Decisions. The brief identifies four domains for high age decisions: ·Health, health care and staying healthy ·Managing finances ·Housing and transportation ·Support networks The panel will include a discussion of communications and how we change, problems of physical, hearing, sight or cognitive decline and the challenges created and the four domains in the SOA Decision Brief.

Description: "Informal caregiving is far more costly than many people realize. And not just in the immediate future. Current demographic trends suggest that caregiving will become even more necessary and costly as the Baby Boomers continue to age and require more support and services. In 2022, the SOA engaged Milliman, Inc. to conduct an analysis of the need for informal caregiving and its impacts on employees, employers, and other stakeholders. The purpose of this research was to educate stakeholders, policymakers, and other interested parties on the realm of informal caregiving, as well as how the challenges associated with providing informal care of all kinds might be addressed. Discover key findings and themes from the research project, as well as stories highlighting the various forms this role can take, and solutions currently being developed around the country. An open discussion on ways our profession can impact this growing need with the work we do every day in our respective roles will also be included."

Description: Explore SOA-sponsored research on Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) during the How Does Where You Live Impact Your Health webcast. Dive into SDOH data and modeling that will focus on cluster analysis. This will help determine the overall impact of your area's affect on your health and life. This webcast also covers an overview of the existing SDOH-related programs that may affect or intersect with health plan or provider SDOH initiatives. Discover the importance of the place you live and future impact of your overall health.

Description: Mortality is a fundamental element in the financial projections of the finances of social security programs around the world. Prominent actuaries from the U.S. Social Security Administration, Canada's Office of Superintendent of Financial Institutions and the U.K. Government Actuary's Department will discuss some of the key factors and current issues associated with these projections. Improving mortality has and will have a significant effect on the affordability and importance of income through retirement to many population segments in these countries.

Description: The article first tries to determine a consensus view of what social security should accomplish and then tries to measure how well the current level of benefits succeeds in meeting these goals. Assessing benefit adequacy is an essential element in putting the overall program on a sound financing footing.

Description: "Issues surrounding end-of-life and palliative care are not well understood and there is little research in the actuarial literature. From an actuarial perspective, however, end-of-life is important because of the significant cost to the healthcare system. Ian Duncan will discuss some of his research on the financial implications of end-of-life care, as well as the outcomes of a palliative care program. Dr. Matzo is an engaging personality with decades of experience in gerontology and palliative nursing, including training and teaching professionals in the field. Dr. Matzo focuses on educating the public on the importance and benefits of palliative care and hospice (care given in the final six months of life). In this session on “Palliative Care Public Education,” Dr. Matzo will give us an overview of the benefits of palliative care and how this knowledge empowers the individual to make important decisions about their healthcare options. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the role that the actuarial profession may play in this area."