Description: The paper gives two criteria for fit and uses two different criteria to transform an initial graduation into one with better fit. It is shown that the two sets of criteria give the same transformation. The mathematical relationships between the two sets of criteria are then derived. It is clear from those relationships that when one set of criteria is small, the other set is small [but reasonably the same]. Some general comments on various measures of fit are made.

Description: This is the abstract from a 1998 presentation at the 33rd Actuarial Research Conference regarding the revised syllabus for the Society of Actuaries education and examination program for 2000.

Description: Non-consequentiality is quite consequential for the claims made for the applicability of Risk Theory RT to decision problems that are not transparently tactical or wholly instrumental. On the negative side, RT is not normative or even a complete heuristic in such contexts. The author takes strong exception to the common tendencies, A to link risk theory with welfarism and versions of utilitarianism, and B to claim that with or without but especially with such linkage RT is normative in both moral and rational analysis, choice and action.

Description: This paper is based on work the authors did for the Committee on Retirement Systems Research of the Society of Actuaries. The authors' task was to perform data analysis for that Committee in support of a study of the effects of the Safest Annuity Rule. The Committee's conclusions will be released in a separate report. This paper describes their overall study only to put the authors' own work in context. The real purpose of this paper is to discuss the data analysis skills and principles which were applied in this project, and to argue that these same skills and principles should be part of an actuarial student's education. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1998 Vol. 1.

Description: In this note, we rearrange the statement and the proof of a theorem in Greville. The presentation appears to be more compact the materials, however, are not new.].

Description: The study of Employee Benefits has always been aided by using financial algorithms. During recent semesters, the Lotus 1-2-3 package Lotus has been introduced to students due to the explosion of its use in the business community. This paper will show how our students use Lotus to design a spreadsheet for computing minimum annual distributions from tax-sheltered plans.

Description: In the past few years, SoA members and leaders have raised questions about future needs for actuarial skills, globalization of markets, and the appropriate focus of the present education system in preparing actuaries for their professional futures. As a consequence of these questions, the SoA Board of Governors set aside a major portion of its January 1994 meeting to discuss the education of actuaries, with primary consideration being given to a longer horizon than the immediate future. Chris Daykin, representing the Institute of Actuaries, reported that the Institute was incorporating fundamental changes to its basic Education and Examination [E&E] system. These changes were aimed at focusing more on fundamental principles and away from details of practice.

Description: This is the programme of the 24th Actuarial Research Conference. From the Actuarial Research Clearing House 1990 Vol. 1.

Description: This 1997 presentation from the 32nd Actuarial Research Conference provides background on the work of the Society of Actuaries' Research Effectiveness Task Force [RETF] and presents the current status of that work in order to set the stage for breakout sessions during which Conference attendees have an opportunity to provide input to the SOA research effectiveness review.

Description: American actuaries are increasingly involved in risk management. This paper presents an Overview of the role of the American actuary in risk management today, a book review of a remarkable new work by a philosopher of science, and a challenge to the reader.