Description: In 1983, a poultry virus hit the jackpot in Pennsylvania. While making a copy of its genetic material, the virus made a tiny error. Because of that error, it began producing a slightly altered protein which allowed the normally benign organism to spread beyond its usual residence in chicken lungs and intestines. Soon it was burrowing into other parts of the birds’ bodies - including the nervous system, where it multiplied rapidly and began to cause disease. Could something like this happen to humans?

Description: The article gives actuaries an introduction to Academy Health, the notable health policy research organization.

Description: This paper focuses on portfolios of exposed properties at risk of loss from natural perils such as wind and earthquake in the context of property/liability insurance.

Description: This abstract describes a paper that considers an alternative way of estimating distribution parameters for nonnegative random variables.

Description: This is a letter from the editor. This issue completes his first year as editor.

Description: This article is about the critical role of actuaries in IT projects.

Description: The Actuary of the Future Section launched The Ambassador Program in August 2002. The objective of this program is to support the mission of the Actuary of the Future Section in facilitating actuarial employment in new businesses and industries. To accomplish this objective, the program is designed to provide actuaries with information and answers to questions about opportunities in non-traditional fields.

Description: Article focusing on uncertainty and future planning.

Description: The author provides highlights from a March 2012 seminar on longevity risk sponsored by the Actuarial Society of New York (ASNY).

Description: Discusses the recent developments with RBC requirements. At the forefront of the RBC changes is the stochastic exclusion test.