Description: The objective of this article is to provide an overview of the research mission of the SOA, its inner workings, major efforts, funding and its unique qualities.

Description: News release announcing the change to section dues. Section dues will now be part of member's annual membership. SOA non-members will still pay a nominal fee to join a professional interest section.

Description: "Given the typical career trajectory of an actuary starts with increasing technical skill, we often overlook developing our communication skills, much to the determent of our overall career growth and business effectiveness. The only way that our work turns into business action is through communication, and business action is the sole purpose of our analyses. Come explore several ways to communicate more effectively by developing an understanding of our audience and what their “win” is, focusing on developing impactful messaging and outlining clear action, and how networking, especially broadly across the organization, can help us communicate more effectively. After this session you will be able to: Understand your audience and tailor your communication appropriately Develop clear messaging and explanations and deliver next steps Understanding how broadening your network can help you communicate more effectively"

Description: The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Board of Directors (Board) gathered in Pittsburgh October 23-24. The Board is continuing to work on strengthening the profession and the SOA and to prepare members and candidates for the future.

Description: This article is intended to provide an introduction to microfinance and microinsurance. Microfinance began in the 1960's and 1970's as a humanitarian activity directed at the poor to provide micro loans for working capital. Microinsurance MI protects people in the low-income range against specific perils in exchange for regular premium payments.

Description: Linda M. Springer, FSA, MAAA, spent more than 25 years in the financial services industry in executive positions responsible for general and financial management and strategic operational planning. Springer is now the eighth director of the United States Office of Personal Management. In this interview, she discusses government life, on–the–job challenges and how her actuarial background has helped her progress in her career.

Description: Non-actuary discusses how studying for the ASA exams has helped him to excel in his field.

Description: Read the February 2018 issue of Innovators & Entrepreneurs published by the Entrepreneurial and Innovation Section. Newsletters provide practical information for the working actuary, articles on trends that impact sections and news about section activities.

Description: The actuarial profession is changing rapidly and the skills needed to be successful are also changing. In this session, we will debate key topics and questions, such as: What is the predominant future career path for actuaries? Specialists or generalists? Does the actuarial profession have a meaningful value prop outside our core domains e.g. insurance? What skills are needed for the actuary of the future? What’s the best approach to improve actuarial storytelling to non-actuarial audiences? What’s the role of actuaries to managing and predicting emerging trends and assumptions? What is the role of actuaries in relation to development and ownership of advanced modeling? Is the future actuarial profession smaller/larger than it is today? In either case, how does it differ from today in terms of make-up, deployment, function, purpose, value add, etc.?

Description: Join this session to awaken your “Inner Actuary” and identify new, state-of-the-art resources and perspectives to discover purpose, direction, and value in embracing and growing the competencies for career and life.