Description: This is an article about the maximum rates permitted for valuation and nonforfeiture that have remained steady for life insurance since 1995. From Small Talk Newsletter, June 2005, Issue No. 24.

Description: The article was written to address a concern that the author had that reinsurance considerations were being relegated to the back of the product development cycle. He was concerned that reinsurance input on benefit design, underwriting and pricing was not getting into the process. From Small Talk Newsletter, November 2005, Issue No. 25.

Description: Discussion of expense management in a small life insurance company

Description: Discussion of the development of a new Preneed Valuation Mortality Table

Description: Building on the Part 1 article, Introduction to the Representative Scenarios Method, this article describes testing the methodology with respect to four product types, fixed indexed annuities with GLIBs, level term life insurance, universal life with secondary guarantees, and variable annuities with GLWBs. This Part 2 article describes testing results, refinements to the RSM methodology, and next steps.

Description: The article is Part 1 of two articles that provide a case study for the development of a profitability and risk dashboard. The sample dashboard provides distilled information regarding actual to expected (A/E) ratios for key risks, agent quality scores and customer value scores. The dashboard would also provide the value of new business written, surplus strain, debit balances, and expected losses on debit balances at different levels, down to the agent level. A product mix index is provided, together with visual comparisons of key metrics to the company's business plan. The Part 2 article will add information to the dashboard regarding risk margins, target capital, and company value.

Description: This article describes the four keys to successful worksite marketing: 1. Onsite selling either with group meetings or one-on one using professional enrollers. 2. Use a process that has been proven successful. 3. Gain employer sponsorship/commitment/endorsement. 4. Ensure your insurance company is committed as evidenced by high quality service from issue on through the life cycle of the policy.

Description: This article addresses the expected impact that the 2001 CSO table will have on pricing and product structure for UL plans.

Description: This is an article about debt protection and credit insurance as products. From Small Talk Newsletter, November 2005, Issue No. 25.

Description: Inaugural article in a series to share resources with other actuaries at smaller companies. This article will introduce the reader to the Academy's Life and Health Valuation Law Manual, an annual publication containing numerous references, notes and guidelines to help valuation actuaries complete their statutory regulatory work.