Description: In the early 1990s, when several large U.S. and Canadian life insurers teetered on the brink of insolvency and finally collapsed, the U.S. Department of Labor issued its 'safest annuity' provision [DOL Interpretive Bulletin 95-1] ruling that private pension plans buying annuities had the fiduciary obligation to choose the 'safest available' provider. This article examines the effect this ruling has had on the annuity market.

Description: This is an example of male life expectancy at age 65 from the United States.

Description: The Australian author finds a number of very interesting differences in the way in which the industry conducts its affairs and in the supervisory arrangements as between U.S.A. and Australia.

Description: This is a book review of The Variable Annuity, which the author recommends for a history and current status of this market. The book comments on the effect of variable annuities on stock prices.

Description: This article discusses the charge of a joint committee of the SOA and American Academy of Actuaries to define the role of the valuation actuary in the U.S.A.

Description: This article describes the functions of the National Center for Health Statistics which serves as the focal points for U.S. health statistics. The NCHS data collection program goes beyond the important vital statistics. The Center produces data on the extent of illness and disability in the population.

Description: This article discusses female and male mortality rates, the lower mortality rate of females and the ramifications of the increasing female population in terms of equitable treatment and their roles in the workforce.

Description: Feature article about the effects of obesity on life expectancy and how actuaries will be affected.

Description: The Free Trade Agreement between Canada and the United States was the most important issue facing Canada in 1988 and became the subject of heated controversy. Other Canadian issues covered in this article include Social Security/Medicare tax reform pension reform health care and unemployment insurance.

Description: This article discusses three litigation issues: 1. Shelter Framing Corp. v. PBGC: This is a case recently placed on the Appellate Docket of the U.S. Supreme Court being appealed from the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. That Circuit Court held that the Multiemployer Pension Plan amendments Act, which imposes liability on employers who withdrew from multiemployer plans, is unconstitutional as applied to employers who withdraw before the Act’s enactment but after its retroactively effective date. 2. Federal Trade Commission: The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania has held that an investigation by the FTC into whether finance companies and auto dealerships were engaging in unfair and deceptive practices by representing that purchase of credit life insurance was required as a condition to obtain financing, was not outside the FTC’s power. 3. Baldwin-United Case: Under the rehabilitation plan for Baldwin-United, the Company would refund $3.7 billion to the annuity holders. Several groups are challenging this decision.