Description: Investing for retirement in other countries is different from investing for retirement in the U.S. and Canada. In developing countries, there are fewer investment opportunities and domestic markets are smaller and less liquid. National retirement systems may be established in part to support government debt issuance and to help develop domestic capital markets. Investment policy objectives tend to evolve over time as a country and its retirement system(s) develop together. Come broaden your horizons by painting a picture of a different investment paradigm than you are used to using examples from many countries around the world.

Description: The U.S. life insurance industry has been increasing its exposure to complex assets, either directly as investors or via offshore reinsurance (e.g., Bermuda). In order to address regulatory concerns about such investments and reinsurance arrangements, the NAIC has begun multiple initiatives to improve disclosure and strengthen regulatory requirements, and the Bermuda Monetary Authority is also strengthening its requirements. Hear a summary of these initiatives, and get an update on the latest developments at the NAIC and at the Academy on these topics.

Description: Over a short span of two weeks, the financial system has observed the collapse of two mid-sized U.S. commercial banks, California-based Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) and New York-based Signature Bank, and a takeover of troubled Credit Suisse by a rival in Europe. Other banks that serve a similar demographic as SVB, such as First Republic Bank and PacWest Bancorp, have also experienced an elevated level of customer deposit withdrawals while their stock prices plummeted. The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) quickly stepped in and guaranteed all deposits from the failed banks to prevent a broader crisis in the banking system. The current turmoil in the financial system is a stark reminder of the importance of effective risk management and regulation.

Description: Many seniors who own houses in the United States have most of their wealth in their houses. Home Equity Conversion Mortgages are designed to allow seniors to borrow money against their house. This paper describes a stochastic simulation approach used to estimate the amount of a level-payment annuity payable as long as the senior is alive and living in his/her home. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1990, VOL. 2.

Description: When formulating a personal investment strategy, the application of a disciplined methodology can lead to more rational decision making by the investor. From The Actuary Magazine, April/May 2005

Description: 1999 SOA Spring Meeting, Atlanta. This session addressed the risks and potential costs of long-term guarantees in some insurance products. Topics included: · Guaranteed annuity purchase rates - how close are current rates to the guarantees? · Guaranteed minimum credited rates. · Guaranteed bonus rates.

Description: This paper explores the use of linear programming as a tool to guide policyholders in getting the most value out of their combined insurance and investment programs. Concentrating on flexible premium universal life within the tax environment of the United States, several linear programming models are developed that can be used at the point of sale, to select the most cost effective policy from those available in the marketplace, and after issue to maximize the present value of future cash flows on the policy of an insured who is in ill-health. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1991, VOL. 3.

Description: This report looks at closed form models or 'exact solutions' in which calculus produces 'simple' formulae. The conclusion is that for Gaussian interest rate models we can solve the problem of an American option provided the option holder behaviour can be described by a force of option exercise which is linear or quadratic in the state variables.

Description: Discusses the market, demographic, and macroeconomic factors that affect actuaries' choices for the assumptions they use in the pricing and valuation of many insurance products.

Description: This Chairperson's Corner article discusses the SOA becoming the pre-eminent risk management profession. The Chairman's message is that actuaries have the inside track on risk management positions in the insurance industry and have a basis for competing for similar positions in the broader financial services industry.