Description: This panel discussion is from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 16-17 in New York. The panelists debunk myths, the conventional wisdom that actuaries have no place in the public policy arena, whether because the profession is too small to influence public policymakers, or legislators just don't want to hear from professionals whose work is so technical in nature and specialized in its application, or that It's not really necessary to become too involved in public policymaking, because what goes on in legislatures just doesn't affect actuaries’ day-to-day working lives. The panelists provide insights on lending actuarial expertise to policymaking debates. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 2.

Description: This panel discussion is from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 16-17 in New York. Noting that “within the life insurance industry there is increasing skepticism as to whether illustrations of projected policy values will be met,” the panelists discuss the Illustration Problem. They consider whether the problem is real, and whether current disclosure standards are inadequate. Other topics include whether it is possible to design an understandable method which cannot be manipulated, what responsibilities actuaries have in developing adequate standards, and regulatory activities. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 2.

Description: This presentation is a Pension Section meeting from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held June 3-5 in Colorado Springs. The speaker discusses insurer solvency issues for pension actuaries, focusing on the failure of Executive Life and the implications for its significant amount of pension business. Topics include the tax claims of the Internal Revenue Service, and role and potential liability of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation [PBGC], state guaranty funds, and reinsurers. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 3B.

Description: This 1991 panel discussion about individual health rate filings asks the following seven questions and answers each pro and con: 1. Should individual accident and health be guaranteed renewable? 2. Should there be rate increase caps? 3. Should duration rating be permitted? 4. Should optional pre-filing be permitted? 5. Should loss ratios be increased? 6. Should the pending small-group regulation laws apply to the individual policy area? 7. Should the loss ratio be the only determinant in the approval of a rate change? From the Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 17, No. 4B.

Description: This is an update of a report published originally in June 20211 comparing total U.S. population mortality to baseline expectations by age and sex. The report now includes U.S. population numbers through August 17, 2022, so the years 2020 and 2021 are now mostly complete.

Description: A divisive confrontation over health care pricing is almost inevitable over the next few years. What will ultimately happen is a political decision, not an actuarial one—but it will have major consequences for the trend in health care costs and the divergence between public and private insurance premiums.

Description: "Hear an overview of recent results and potential scenarios that may impact the future of the ACA market. Review recent reported industry level profitability before transitioning to a discussion of how current market dynamics may influence the future profitability of this segment. Results from microsimulation economic models will be presented to help illuminate market shifts. Issues that will be explored include how ICRA availability might influence individual decision making, as well as how a move to level funding is impacting the small group market. By attending this session, you will: Understand the recent average and variation of industry performance in the ACA market segment. Describe current policy and market forces that are expected to impact this segment. Explain the range of market scenarios that may result due to these forces."

Description: The presenters focus on traditional and non-traditional techniques for setting IBNR and assume some experience on the topic. Take in a brief overview of the basic development of IBNRs for financial reporting. Then explore general considerations and various methods used to estimate claim costs, plus understand variability in IBNR projections as well as challenges that arise in certain situations. There will be opportunities for the audience to share ideas and considerations based on past experiences.

Description: Column discussing recent events at and around the SOA.

Description: Read the October 2020 issue of International News published by the International Section. Newsletters provide practical information for the working actuary, articles on trends that impact sections and news about section activities.