Description: The Actuary’s editor, using the example of an actuary appointed to an NAIC Advisory Group, and an analogy with Jeane Kirkpatrick’s comment as U.S. delegate-designate to the United Nations, raises questions of professionalism and conflict of interest.

Description: The Health Section chairperson discusses the past year's activity, especially the Visions for the Future of the U.S. Health Care System essay contest, and an update on the Untapped Opportunities for Actuaries in Health initiative.

Description: As the search continues for a solution to the U.S. Social Security system’s financing problems, the U.S. Congress is considering raising the normal retirement age for U.S. workers. The House Ways and Means Social Security Subcommittee heard testimony on Feb. 26, 1998 from Christopher Bone, chief actuary, Actuarial Sciences Associates, Somerset, N.J., Ron Gebhardtsbauer, senior pension fellow, American Academy of Actuaries, and Robert Myers, former chief actuary of the U.S. Social Security Administration and professor emeritus, Temple University. All discussed the impact of a higher normal retirement age. This article summarizes the testimony of these three actuaries.

Description: Discussion of China's retirement system and the Enterprise Annuity - a fully funded defined contribution program.

Description: A consideration of the issues involved in adding long-term care provisions to the social security system in France, and how the conditions differ from those in the U.S.

Description: Personal highlights of a pension actuary's 10 years with the U.S. Social Security Administration and Senate staff, applying his experience and skills to emerging issues. He recommended that the Thrift Savings Plan for federal employees use index funds for common stocks, giving employees an attractive way to invest while keeping politics out of stock selection.

Description: Feature article from the January 2010 issue of In The Public Interest discussing the need for actuarial leadership in the reform of the U.S. health care system.

Description: Describe the annual life and annuity conference held in Bermuda.

Description: Recent testimony on Social Security was given to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging by David Langer, who defended the current system and strongly opposed recent moves to privatize. This article summarizes Mr. Langer's testimony.