Recently Published Research
This page provides links to the most recently published reports, podcasts, videos, and webinars from the SOA Research Institute.
Learn more about:
Want to get involved in current research at the SOA? View the SOA's Research Proposal Requests.
Publications
Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality – A Podcast Series with Al Klein and Erik Pickett
January
The pilot episode will air – Wednesday, January 29, 2025
Tune in to the podcast and gain insights into improved estimates of future mortality, including potential trends, costs and implications.
Insurance Market in the Era of Digital Transitions
January
The digital revolution has transformed the insurance sector, introducing new technologies and innovative players. Traditional insurers face challenges from Big Tech and insurtech startups, prompting them to adapt or innovate. This study presents a framework to analyze market dynamics and potential partnerships, helping insurers identify competitive advantages and future paths in a digital era.
Understanding and Enhancing the Workforce Impact of Retirement Plans
January
This report introduces a framework for assessing the impact of retirement plans on organizational success. It highlights the direct and indirect benefits of well-designed retirement plans and includes 10 key considerations, metrics, and measures of workforce dynamics. The framework helps companies prioritize necessary changes, with examples and case studies illustrating successful applications and potential risks.
2025 Society of Actuaries Research Institute Student Research Case Study Challenge
January
The Society of Actuaries Research Institute holds an annual Student Research Case Study Challenge, which provides an opportunity for teams of students to apply their actuarial skills on a real-world problem in a business setting. The 2025 SOA Research Institute Student Research Case Study has just been released! Listen to the podcast and then get to work!
Quarterly Global Warming Report
January
This updated analysis of global warming trends includes three new months of data: October, November, and December 2024. The expanded dataset covers the period from January 1960 to December 2024. The data source for this report is ERA5, produced by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF).
A Comprehensive Life-cycle Fund Design for the U.S. Pension System
January
This report designs a comprehensive life-cycle fund model, including a detailed sensitivity analysis, to optimize portfolio allocation for U.S. retirement plans.
The Impact of Data Limitations on the Statistical Reliability of Mortality Improvement Rate Estimates
December
This report examines how the number of persons (“lives”) covered in a mortality study, and the length of the study period (in years), affects the statistical reliability of mortality improvement rate estimates.
Cause-Specific Excess Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemic
December
This report presents initial findings from a project investigating the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 in the post-acute phase of the pandemic.
2015-2022 Whole Life/Term Lapse and Surrender Experience Study
December
The SOA Research Institute and LIMRA have completed the most up-to-date study of term/whole life lapse/surrender. Learn more about this vital resource for actuaries.
2013-2021 Group Life Mortality Study
December
The SOA Research Institute and LIMRA have completed the most up-to-date study of group life experience. Learn more about this vital resource for actuaries.
Older Age Mortality Expert Panel Discussion Series
November
The first report in this series examines cancer mortality trends, treatments and technology and what might be expected in the future. The second report in the series is scheduled to be released in first quarter 2025.
Group Life COVID-19 Mortality Survey Report Series
November
The third quarterly update of group life mortality experience including data through September 30, 2024, is now available.
A Predictive Analytics Framework
November
This project provides actuaries with a reusable toolset for experience analysis. It includes workflow, code, and a GitHub repository for experimentation and adaptation to individual data sources.
Comparison of Lifetable Series by SIS Deciles
November
Dr. Magali Barbieri's study compares SIS decile lifetable values for 1982-2022 using current Human Mortality Database protocols and classic techniques.
Compound Weather Extreme Events and their Impacts
November
Learn how multiple climate hazards interact to impact society and the environment.
2021-2022 Fixed Indexed Annuity Policyholder Behavior Experience Study
November
The SOA Research Institute and LIMRA have completed the most up-to-date study of fixed indexed annuity policyholder behavior. Learn more about this vital resource for actuaries working with annuities.
Podcasts
Research Insights
Explore research reports and studies, innovative research projects and collaborate efforts with other organizations and the SOA Research Institute. For access to all episodes, visit the Research Insights page.
Get Plugged In
Listen to InsurTech start-up leaders share knowledge on evolving technology and insurance. For access to all episodes, visit the Get Plugged In page.
Videos and Webcasts
Exploring the Arithmeter and its History
October 2024
Step back in time with the Arithmeter! See how calculations were done 150 years ago and imagine the future of actuarial science.
Modeling and Forecasting Premature Cardiovascular Mortality
October 2024
This video highlights findings on premature cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, focusing on education level and obesity status. In the U.S., there has been a slowing in improvement in CVD mortality rates. Ronora Stryker, ASA, MAAA, from the SOA Research Institute discusses CVD mortality trends.
SOA Research Institute Visits Officials in Washington D.C.
October 2024
In a summary video, R. Dale Hall, FSA, MAAA, CERA, managing director of research, SOA Research Institute, discusses meetings he and others had with legislators on Capitol Hill and key federal agencies about AI and other topics.
Reimagining Pharmacy Financing
June 2024
Watch a 5-minute video highlighting key findings and graphs from the report, which examines an alternative to policy solutions to tackle increasing medication cost via a value-based reimbursement mode.
Unhealthy Longevity in the United States
January 2024
Watch the video to better understand differences in mortality for people in good and poor health.
Questions or Comments?
If you have comments or questions, please send an email to research@soa.org.