Description: Abstract: Exposure to cigarette smoke has had and will continue to have a huge effect on mortality. Significant differences in smoking prevalence rates by gender have contributed to differential levels and rates of improvement in mortality and are expected to continue to influence mortality improvement differently over the next several decades. This paper compares smoking prevalence and cessation by gender and their effect on smoking-attributable and, in turn, all-cause mortality. A summary of mortality attribution approaches used to evaluate the effect of smoking and projections of mortality rates by gender is also provided.

Description: This is one of eight essays from the collection: 2020 Living to 100 Essays.

Description: Arguably, many of the fundamental contributing factors to the 2008 mortgage crisis involved misdirected incentives and misinformation available to key participants in the housing finance process. The incentives discussed here include those of the mortgage holders, mortgage intermediaries, mortgage providers, securitizers, raters and CEOs and other highly paid staff of those involved. Unless similar incentives are recognized, future public policy decisions will again fail to avoid this system-wide risk. Since I am most familiar with the U.S. situation, my comments will be limited accordingly.

Description: This article offers several broad definitions of an actuary that could apply in both traditional and non-traditional roles.

Description: This session discussion is about the role of data analysis in decision making, HIAA surveys, National Center for Health Statistics [surveys on Ambulatory Medical Care, Hospital Discharge and Nursing Homes], and SOA experience data collection efforts. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 15, No. 1.

Description: Discusses the initial accomplishments and upcoming challenges of the newly formed IFAA. From the 1997 Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 23, No. 3.

Description: There are practical and conceptual aspects underlying (re)insurability. Practically, something or someone is insurable if an insurer is willing provide insurance coverage at a price the applicant is willing to pay. In contrast, a conceptual view of (re)insurabiity incorporates a range of more complex factors usually considered in the insurance process. This article discusses these two approaches.

Description: “E-Cigarettes: A Hazard or a Help?” by Sam Gutterman was published online in the North American Actuarial Journal on December 18, 2019, and in print in Volume 24, 2020–Issue 4. This essay is the author’s update to the original paper; it has not been peer-reviewed. The essay is solely an expression of the views, opinions, and ideas of the essay author for applying the original research to actuarial work.

Description: Full version of Product Matters! November 2003, Issue No. 57.

Description: This article discusses a new policy which clarifies the permissible usage of Society of Actuaries designations and titles.