Description: COVID-19 and the accompanying policy changes have disrupted virtually everyone’s personal and professional lives. In April 2021, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) surveyed members and candidates to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the careers of actuaries and aspiring actuaries. The survey was sent to 26,101 members and candidates. Approximately 7% (1,912) responded and included demographic information. In addition, the SOA investigated actuarial exam progress at an aggregate level. Here are highlights of the findings.

Description: The Society of Actuaries Research Institute’s Aging and Retirement Strategic Research Program is pleased to release three essays addressing the actuarial impact of mental health issues in retirement.

Description: COVID-19 and the accompanying policy changes have disrupted virtually everyone’s personal and professional lives. In April 2021, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) surveyed members and candidates to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the careers of actuaries and aspiring actuaries. The survey was sent to 26,101 members and candidates. Approximately 7% (1,912) responded and included demographic information. In addition, the SOA investigated actuarial exam progress at an aggregate level. Here are highlights of the findings.

Description: COVID-19 brought changes that disrupted virtually everyone’s personal and professional lives. In April 2021, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) surveyed 26,101 members and candidates to understand the pandemic’s impact on actuarial careers. Approximately 7% (1,912) responded and included demographic information, 77% of whom were from the U.S., 14% from Canada and 9% from other countries.1 The SOA also analyzed actuarial exam progress at an aggregate level.

Description: In the past months, as COVID-19 has forced the reduced activity in the U.S. economy there has been some very substantial, but varied effects on the U.S. healthcare system. There is a lot of potential for confusion amongst providers and patients with regards to decisions related to which services ought to be rendered and which ought to be deferred. Two specific agencies – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) have put together some guidance to add more clarity towards what types of services should be provided and what types ought to be deferred. In addition, this paper includes a discussion on what types of services are most likely to be deferred, and which ones will accrue pent-up demand to be released when many of the deferred services become available again.

Description: Because of its complexity, ensuring the security of cyberspace is one of today’s most significant challenges. As the cyber environment becomes more integrated with the real world, the direct impact of cyber security incidents on business is also heightened. This study aims to develop a generic model that can be applied by any organization. For the validation of the developed cyber risk analysis method, simulations and sensitivity analysis will be performed.

Description: The Society of Actuaries Research Institute commissioned this study to highlight the leading emerging technologies that may significantly affect the actuarial profession over a three-year horizon. This study will act as a guide and a resource for actuaries or potential employers to identify the prospective tools to enhance or expand actuarial work, for people collaborating with actuaries who may be affected by these technologies, and for leaders looking to enable teams employing actuaries through the introduction of these tools. It’s noted that actuaries should embrace technologies that enhance the remote working experience within their internal teams and across departments by investigating functionalities beyond messaging and video calls. Actuarial organizations and employers should examine technologies where there is a wide range or gap in maturity and familiarity and evaluate whether a knowledge gap exists and whether any gap is due to lack of education and training.

Description: The COVID-19 pandemic infection has greatly affected the economy, resulting in volatile market conditions. Because market conditions greatly impact the value of insurance company’s assets and liabilities, the fourth survey in this series focused on best practices around asset and liability management (ALM). The survey was directed at actuaries, investment managers and risk managers directly involved in assessing the impact of recent events on ALM. Responses to the survey were collected between April 22-28, 2020. Thirty-two companies responded to the survey.

Description: The Society of Actuaries (SOA) has partnered with LIMRA and the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) to conduct a series of ‘sprint’ surveys on the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impacts on the insurance industry. Because market conditions greatly impact the value of insurance companies’ assets and liabilities, one of these “sprint” surveys focused on best practices around asset and liability management (ALM). The survey was directed at actuaries, investment managers, and risk managers directly involved in assessing the impact of recent events on ALM. Responses to the survey were collected between August 17-31, 2020. Twenty-six companies responded to the survey.

Description: This paper provides provide mathematically-founded insights for how climate change and water access will impact Californian agriculture in the coming decades.