Description: The article warns against treating the results of a stochastic model with more deference than other actuarial analysis, and describes some hidden risks involved with choice of model and calibration.

Description: Actuaries understand the technical benefits of converting their models to a modern actuarial system, such as new capabilities and upgraded technology. This article highlights additional, non-technical benefits that also come with model conversion. These benefits include advancements in attitudes and capacities among the team and across the company.

Description: The purpose of this paper is to explore pension plan metrics— – measuring the behavior of a defined- benefit pension plan in an uncertain environment. Our goal is to measure and evaluate the quantitative impact of competing policy choices. We proceed by investigating some basic pension metrics, evaluating the characteristics of each using a simulated pension plan. We find that some typical metrics— – such as the mean and standard deviation— – are useful only in certain circumstances and that other less traditional measurements are sometimes better suited to evaluating policy choices.

Description: An Overview of Stochastic Simulation modeling techniques and usages

Description: This article explains why stochastic modeling is becoming more pervasive, and describes a specific stochastic application with metrics to measure results.

Description: A data format for mortality tables along with applications.

Description: How do you make model output media worthy? This article explores considerations that may contribute to the mass production of model results for public consumption.

Description: This is a record of a session at the October 1975 Annual Meeting of the SOA. It discusses what can be done with a corporate model and how it can be used to solve problems. 1975 Record Vol. 1, No 4.

Description: The article and guidebook of the same name use a stochastic simulation model to examine potential impacts of public pension plan risk-sharing policies on government employers and plan members. Policies examined include simple policies such as COLAs and employee contributions that are contingent upon investment returns or funded ratios, and more-complex policies similar to those used in the Wisconsin Retirement System.