Description: Background on U.K. insurance products, and overview of recent developments that are stimulating the previously stagnant U.K. insurance market.

Description: This article on recent developments in insurance regulation, is a discussion of the new Model Nonforfeiture and Valuation Laws the continuation of an article from the November, 1981 issue of The Actuary, and to be continued in next month’s issue. It covers topics including mortality assumptions and the new 1980 CSO Mortality Tables, maximum valuation interest rates, and maximum nonforfeiture interest rates.

Description: discussion of the budgeted income projections for the Society of Actuaries for the 1981-1982 fiscal year and the resulting need for dues and fee increases.

Description: This article discusses that “the investment returns earned by life insurance companies over the past decade have permitted the sale of contracts guaranteeing relatively high rates of interest. The contracts have given rise to problems in the areas of the federal securities laws, of federal income taxes, and of state valuation requirements,” as insurers, starting in the 1960’s began issuing annuity contracts that provided for the allocation of contributions to separate accounts.

Description: This article discusses the Financial Condition Examination Handbook and the Market Conduct Examination Handbook, both of which became effective January 1, 1977 after approval by the Executive Committee of the NAIC. The purpose of this new guidance is to update and simplify the examination process for all insurance companies.

Description: Discusses the effects of inflation and the impact on business. This article sites several challenges that business will encounter during times of inflation.

Description: Reports the comments of Chris Bone, Chair of the SOA's Retirement Systems Research Committee, on the pension funding changes tucked away in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Congress passed in December.

Description: Book review of a book on pensions written by Ralph Nader and Kate Blackwell. Review is relatively balanced, yet clearly points out the shortfalls of the analysis put together by Mr. Nader and Ms. Blackwell.

Description: This article discusses the need for more participation by members in the direction of the profession, particularly in the Society of Actuaries.

Description: Discussion of the need to understand the implications of demographic and family diversity for the design of retirement programs. The design of retirement programs is a design of programs for the elderly, who are more often women, because women live longer and because their work histories often lead to reduced levels of pension and social security benefits.