Description: This paper gives an overview of fuzzy optimization, presents applications of fuzzy optimization and investigates ways to extend the methodology to risk assessment.

Description: The NAIC's 'Life Insurance Illustrations Model Regulation,' which goes into effect on January 1, 1997, is largely a response to the perceived misrepresentations in life insurance illustrations, of which vanishing premiums is a notorious example. From an actuarial perspective, this state of affairs presents an interesting challenge. Rather than disallowing illustrations of risky contracts, why not develop an illustration for potential policyholders which adequately conveys the essence of these contracts and their probabilistic nature. The purpose of this paper is to discuss some preliminary observations related to the development of such illustrations.

Description: Genetic algorithms [GAs] and neural networks [NNs] are currently being used in actuarial and financial modeling. Nonetheless, while there is a general awareness of the nature of these techniques, there is often only vague familiarity with the details of how they are implemented. This paper is intended to help alleviate this situation. Its purpose is to present an overview of GAs and NNs, which includes an explanation of what they are, how they work, and an example of how they are implemented.

Description: A mathematical framework for benefits and choices must be created to model benefit selection. This paper creates such a framework by defining benefit plans as reimbursement functions. These are then used with a defined choice function to calculate the cost deviation due to selection. Finally, utility functions can be applied to this framework to predict choice.

Description: This paper investigates a fundamental approach to the development of the expected cost of vesting in pension plans. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1972, Vol. 24, Pt. 1, No. 70.

Description: Presented at 1983 Actuarial Research Conference. Discussion focuses on improving coordination between practicing actuaries, academic actuaries and non-actuarial academics. The situations in Canada and the UK are also discussed. The emphasis is on research and communications among the different parties.

Description: This is a August 1, 1990 memorandum sent to selected members of the Society of Actuaries announcing the creation of an Education and Research Section. From Actuarial Research Clearing House, 1991 Vol. 1.

Description: This abstract describes a paper that explores the answers to the questions of: 1. How is each view of FRVs conceptualized? 2. What are the differences and similarities between the metrics for each of these views? 3. How are the metrics for these three views implemented?