Description: Consider a portfolio of insurance policies where the mean frquency of claims for each policy may vary. A reasonable assumption is that the number of claims for a policy is a Poisson random variable. In this paper the author shows how to test this hypothesis under certain conditions. He then presents some nonparametric tests for this and other hypotheses about the risk distribution function. Actuarial Research Clearing House 1992, VOL. 1.

Description: In this paper, the authors show how probabilities and actuarial values may be calculated using a time-homogeneous Markov model. Piecewise constant transition intensities are suggested as a way to extend the approach to the inhomogeneous case. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1993, VOL. 1.

Description: The concept of transformed distributions is generalized in this paper. First the concepts of net premium intensity, loaded premium intensity and load generators arc introduced. Then transformed distributions are identified with premium intensity and hence the loaded premium is calculated from transformed distributions. Finally it is shown that this method of premimn calculation is arbitrage free and it incorporates the strengths of the utility approach.

Description: This paper considers the problem of parametric estimation of loss distributions in a very general context. It uses the minimum distance method with the Cramér-von Mises statistic as the particular choice of distance. The authors show how to compute the influence function for the estimator. They also use the influence function to obtain more information about the variance and the robustness of the estimator. They demonstrate, with an example, how much more resistant to contamination this estimator is compared with the more classical maximum likelihood estimator.

Description: This paper addresses the evaluation of long-term returns when the short interest rate is modeled by a general diffusion process. By deriving the long-term return dynamics and invoking the Feyman-Kac formula, the long-term return is represented as the solution of a partial differential equation. A finite difference method is derived for the valuation of the long-term return. The method could be used for hedging interest rate risk, pricing and managing interest rate derivatives and interest rate sensitive insurance products. Numerical examples are included.

Description: This is a study note that supplements material contained in the book, 'Actuarial Mathematics,' 2nd edition, by N. L. Bowers, Jr., H.U. Gerber, J.C. Hickman, D.A. Jones and C.J. Nesbitt. The topics covered include integer functions, uniform distribution of deaths throughout each year of age, and annuity coefficients.

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: This panel discussion considers some of the approaches, techniques and problems in the development of corporate models and assumptions. The pros and cons of buying versus developing models was discussed and the use of deterministic versus stochastic models was addressed as well.

Description: This section contains book reviews and a select bibliography. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1973, Vol. 25, Pt. 1, No. 73. Book topics include statistics, quantitative methods for determining IBNR, and Investing for a Financial Institution. Other books on actuarial and insurance topics are briefly discussed.

Description: This report describes a stochastic simulation approach used to estimate the amount of a level-payment annuity payable as long as the person is alive and living in his/her house. A discussion of the paper follows. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1991, Vol. 43.