Description: Actuarial systems access and change controls are hot topics these days as modeling continues to increase in complexity and as new modeling regulations may begin to crest over the horizon. Many companies are currently in the process of either formalizing their actuarial system access and change control protocols, or are reevaluating and strengthening their existing control processes in response to identified deficiencies or in conjunction with new actuarial system implementations. With these undertakings in mind, this article discusses a number of valuable components commonly incorporated in formal systems access and change control protocols. Also discussed are leading practices identified in the SOA publication “Actuarial Modeling Controls: A Survey of Actuarial Modeling Controls in the Context of a Model-Based Valuation Framework (December 2012)”, and from the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries.

Description: This article reviews the database program, MS Access, as a solution to actuaries in small companies to access information themselves rather than relying on information system personnel. The article describes how to set up the process and also uses of the information.

Description: Discusses some of the more common software-design issues that can reduce the productivity of the software-development team and the software's adaptability to competitive market and statutory requirements.

Description: Discusses the RAND function in Excel and alternatives for generating random numbers.

Description: Discusses the memory management features of the computer language R.

Description: Call for reviews and articles on software programs.

Description: Feature article describing the latest technological advances and web sites for use by actuaries.

Description: This program allows the user to explore in great detail a technical problem that has occupied a number of investors, financial writers and especially retirees, during the last few years, as the baby boomers start to approach retirement. Namely, what is the probability that one will run out of money before running out of life, if his or her current standard of living is maintained? This is a zip file which includes the Retirement Probability Analyzer software, an instruction manual and a PowerPoint presentation explaining the program.

Description: This article covers the American Academy of Actuaries’ “Model Governance Checklist” that was created in response to PBR regulatory model governance needs.