Description: This article discusses how employers and employees often misunderstand the types of coverage they own, and argues that customizing insurance solutions can be a pragmatic solution. The authors note that typically an employer will provide a basic group insurance plan for all employees, and then discuss the advantages of customizing voluntary benefits to supplement core benefits, and how they can be targeted to specific groups.

Description: In this article the author provides guidance to owners of their own actuarial consulting firms, with respect to addressing issues around succession, control and ownership, and planning for retirement.

Description: This article is a summary of a panel discussion, held at the March 2010 IAA Meeting in South Africa, which explored the dual roles of consulting actuaries as entrepreneurs and professionals. Topics covered include ethics and professionalism, conflict of interest, and management and communication skills, among others, representing views from small to large consulting firms in different countries.

Description: This paper discusses the issues of an independent actuary providing product development, or more accurately sales development, services to a life insurance company. The author explores the process, and proposes “compensation to the entrepreneurial actuary who accepts the challenge of operating in a setting where true success is not measured by isolating theoretical profit margins or business sold, but rather focusing attention on the unfolding experience of what is hopefully to be truly profitable policies.” Instead of basing the actuary’s compensation on time spent, the author is suggesting compensation based on results.

Description: This article highlights the experiences of a personal actuary.