Description: A review of the classic business book Built to Last, originally published in 1994. Looking at the past twenty years -- how have the BTL companies done? How have their comparison companies fared? Read the review and find out!

Description: Feature article describing the different types of risk cultures companies can have.

Description: A continuation of the discussion on modeling mortality in life insurance applicants first discussed in the January 2012 edition of the Small Talk newsletter.

Description: The article is based on a study of causes of insolvency and decisions made by management, regulators, and policyholders over the life cycle of the insolvency.

Description: Many top-performing businesses aren’t just risk aware, but rather risk intelligent. Such a posture helps prepare companies for a major event and can demonstrate to a regulator or auditor that an appropriately strong control framework is in place. Better still, companies gain real strategic value from a “risk adjusted” understanding not only of their threats and vulnerabilities, but also the upside opportunities associated with various risks. It starts with having both qualitative and quantitative information to identify, assess and manage risks. Strategic risk management, at its core, is about creating value by increasing transparency and accountability, and quality of information. More than a mere compliance exercise, effective risk management enables more informed strategic decision making, increased accountability and transparency, a greater likelihood of organizational success, and – ultimately – competitive advantage, as borne out by many studies that correlate risk management and financial results.

Description: The Actuarial Education and Research Fund AERF is a not for profit corporation organized under the applicable law of the State of Illinois in 1976. This paper focuses on the maturing of AERF as well as its creation and implementation by the Society of Actuaries Committee on Professional Development.

Description: In the past few years, SoA members and leaders have raised questions about future needs for actuarial skills, globalization of markets, and the appropriate focus of the present education system in preparing actuaries for their professional futures. As a consequence of these questions, the SoA Board of Governors set aside a major portion of its January 1994 meeting to discuss the education of actuaries, with primary consideration being given to a longer horizon than the immediate future. Chris Daykin, representing the Institute of Actuaries, reported that the Institute was incorporating fundamental changes to its basic Education and Examination [E&E] system. These changes were aimed at focusing more on fundamental principles and away from details of practice.

Description: Chairperson’s column discussing the Marketing and Distribution Section initiatives.

Description: An analysis of health insurance cost and benefit trends using January 1, 2011 data from state employee medical plan renewals.