In early July, I made the five-hour drive from St. Louis up to Chicago through the calm farmland of Illinois for a meeting to discuss the new Life and Annuities Community. While at SOA headquarters, I was able to meet with many of the council members of the now retired Financial Reporting, Marketing and Distribution, Product Development, Reinsurance, Smaller Insurance Company, and Taxation sections. I was inspired then and continue to be inspired now by the passion and dedication that each of these volunteers has for the respective sections they have served. As we come together as the Life and Annuities Community, we now have access to more. The Life and Annuity Community at inception will have over 8,000 members, bringing together diverse perspectives, expertise, and energy to our collective mission. By uniting the expertise and passion of the former sections, we will create a community that is strong and resourceful.
With that in mind, welcome to the Life and Annuity Community—where we are truly better together! The creation of this Community provides a place to connect, support, and inspire professionals working across the wide and varied landscape of life and annuities. Whether you are a seasoned expert or new to the field, I am excited to have you join as we embark on a journey of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and professional growth through the Community model.
The Community is more than just a checkbox each year on your SOA membership—it’s an opportunity for growth, learning and engagement. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with peers and thought leaders in the broader life and annuity industry. Share ideas, ask questions, and build relationships that will support your career.
- Educational Resources: Access and provide input for conference sessions, webinars, podcasts, articles, and topic calls tailored to the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in life and annuities.
- Professional Development: Take advantage of leadership opportunities and volunteer roles to broaden your skills and understanding.
Your participation is what makes us better together. If there is a problem that vexes you, bring it up! This is the place to pull together resources to address the questions and opportunities in the life and annuity space. I encourage you to get involved in the topics that interest you. Whether you wish to contribute your expertise, seek advice, or simply stay informed, there’s a place for you here. If you have questions or suggestions, please reach out to the Community Advisory Team as we navigate this exciting transition.
Thank you for your support of the sections in the past and continued support of the Life and Annuities Community going forward. Together, we can advance our profession, support one another, and make a positive impact in the industry we serve. I look forward to an exciting year ahead, filled with meaningful connections and opportunities.
Welcome aboard!
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only. Neither the Society of Actuaries nor the respective authors’ employers make any endorsement, representation or guarantee with regard to any content, and disclaim any liability in connection with the use or misuse of any information provided herein. This article should not be construed as professional or financial advice. Statements of fact and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and are not necessarily those of the Society of Actuaries or the respective authors’ employers.
Ryan LaMar Holt, FSA, MAAA, is the Life and Annuities Community Advisory Team Chair. Ryan can be contacted at ryan.holt@rgare.com.