Description: With seemingly unending demands on life & annuity companies for more intense and complex calculations, as well as greater sophistication around analytics, and all of this done at speed, never before has it been so important to seek out maximum efficiency in constructing models. In this session the panelists examine how the combination of various model efficiency approaches, pulling in many different facets of modeling and making it flexible enough to dial up or down various modeling components, can bring about incredible results. Not only does it become possible to produce and expand upon financial risk metrics via a building block approach, but also enables life insurers to produce analytics and dashboards to support strategic decisions that were simply not possible or cost effectively viable before.

Description: This session brings to life the popular series entitled 'What Would You Do?' in Leadership & Development's section newsletter The Stepping Stone. As in the newsletter, participants will be posed with a real-life situation and must answer the question 'What would you do?' Situations can vary (e.g. pricing/product focused, valuation focused, professionalism, etc.) with all including a leadership/softskills slant. Participants will be expected to provide their perspectives on the situation and what they believe will work most effectively.

Description: Court is in session and you are the jury! Follow along as challenging aspects of actuarial professionalism are explored in a court-like setting. Deliberate based on what you already know from your own experience, as well as what you learn in this session. Then, deliver your verdict accordingly. Who says learning about actuarial professionalism can't be fun?

Description: In the time since the original proposal to move healthwriting companies from the blue blank to the orange blank, there have been several incremental updates to the blue blank by the NAIC Blanks Working Group to integrate portions of the orange blank into the blue blank. Meanwhile, the NAIC RBC Working Group has issued their proposal to change the health test for comment and appear to be moving forward with the proposal to revise the health test. This would obligate companies that write predominantly health business onto the orange blank rather than the blue blank, which they have historically used for reporting. Discover background of the revised health test, the incremental updates to the blue blank that have been implemented recently, additional incremental updates proposed for upcoming blue blanks, and the current status of the Health RBC Working Group proposal to revise the health test. Hear observations about companies that have opted to 'take the plunge' and move to the orange blank ahead of the revised health test as well as companies that have opted to remain on the blue blank and incrementally update as new requirements are integrated into the Blue blank. By attending the session, you will be able to: • Understand the context of the initiative to revise the NAIC health test. • Summarize the recent changes to the blue blank implemented by the Blanks Working Group that integrate portions of the orange blank into the blue blank. • Summarize the upcoming proposed changes to the blue blank by the Blanks Working Group that integrate additional portions of the orange blank into the blue blank. • Summarize the current status of the Health RBC Working Group proposal to revise the health test. • Provide industry perspective on companies that have opted to move to the orange blank ahead of the revised health test and companies that have opted to remain on the blue blank until the NAIC requires it.

Description: 2021 ImpACT Conference -Session 10A: Building Academic-Industry Research Partnerships 10.28.21 Recording

Description: The working life of actuaries has become faster paced, more complex, and potentially more volatile than in any previous period in the history of the profession. Furthermore, actuaries are increasingly being asked to expand their roles into areas that lie beyond the traditional space associated with the actuarial profession. As a result, actuaries are increasingly finding themselves faced with professional and ethical dilemmas for which there is little precedent to rely for guidance. Take part in a guided discussion about three real-world case studies where actuaries were required to make difficult decisions. We will see how by remaining calm and leaning on the ASOPs, actuaries were able to navigate professional and ethical pitfalls despite pressure from key stakeholders. Each case study will highlight actuaries working in different areas within the industry. Some examples may include: - Case study 1: An actuary working for a direct insurer finds a last-minute error during a busy production cycle. - Case study 2: An actuary working for a reinsurer finds themselves under pressure to apply an unrealistic assumption. - Case study 3: An actuarial consultant is under pressure from a non-actuarial client to perform work in a way that would not comply with actuarial standards. By attending the session, you will: - Understand how to lean on the ASOPs to keep cool during stressful situations. - Manage deadlines and expectations. - Balance risk and reward, and remain true professionals, no matter how hot the fire.

Description: Explore concepts of listening, intention, emotion and bias to promote constructive conversations and constructive feedback. A panel of actuarial leaders will share skills and techniques they use to deal with topics that are sometimes stressful and tough to deal with. By utilizing a strong feedback model and emotional intelligence, anxiety and frustration can be reduced for everyone, leading to purposeful outcomes and positive resolutions. There will be time to ask questions and seek advice for difficult situations you may be experiencing. Possible topics: - Asking for a raise or promotion - Giving performance reviews - Sharing insights with your boss - Team members not pulling their weight By attending this session, you will: - Reduce fear and anxiety - Improve problem-solving - Enhance listening skills - Understand motives of self and others

Description: Explore similarities between actuaries and data scientists as speakers share personal experiences on the importance of organizational structure. Attend the Actuary, Data Scientist, or Actuarial Data Scientist webcast to discover the effectiveness of partnering both of these career paths in a life insurance atmosphere. In addition to personal experiences, speakers will discuss several success stories where collaboration and connection became the key to driving innovation. Come learn about the progress these professions have caused in pricing and risk management.

Description: The war for actuarial talent is intensifying, amplified by an existing mid-level talent gap and increased competition from outside industries. As insurers continue to experience “Great Reshuffle,” effectively retaining junior and mid-level actuaries and growing them into future leaders is vital for long-term success. Actuarial leaders must be strategic in how they demonstrate commitment to their employees’ futures and proactive in providing clear career pathing and development opportunities within their organizations. Discuss common characteristics and expectations of younger generations, the skillsets essential for tomorrow’s leaders, the role professional development plays in retention, and ways to effectively support their growth and advancement to build long-term loyalty. Gain insight into specific actions to maintain open and honest conversations with your teams, uncover employees’ career aspirations, and grow vital interpersonal skills among high potential employees to foster a bench of future leaders who can think beyond the numbers and provide broader enterprise impact. By attending the session, you will:•Understand the values and characteristics common to younger generations, while recognizing and emphasizing individual needs.•Uncover how to identify and support individual employee’s professional aspirations to increase retention.•Identify the skills that separate good actuaries from great leaders and how they can be developed.•Leverage strategies and tools to grow future leaders and help close the mid-level talent gap within their own organizations.

Description: Based on a late 19th century analysis, life insurance premiums were once differentiated by race, with Blacks/African Americans experiencing higher rates than for whites. Over time, the actuarial profession has had increasing focus on professionalism and responsibility to the public, and today all members of the five actuarial organizations based in the U.S. are subject to the Code of Professional Conduct. Come engage in interactive discussion about how Precept 1 might help current actuaries avoid bias in our work, including when thinking about risk classifications and dealing with new technologies. By attending the session, you will be able to:- Understand the importance of Precept 1 in our self-governing profession.- Think about prevailing conventional wisdom and potential bias in your current work.