Description: This article summarizes the responses of nine readers who answered The Actuary’s April Query, on the assertion by two Harvard economists that government deficits are being exaggerated unless allowance is made for the declining value of the dollar.

Description: The author notes that “many considerations enter into the determination of investment strategy. Important among these considerations is the maximization of investment income on an after-tax basis rather than on a before-tax basis.” The article then discusses how starting in the early 1960’s insurers, using a marginal tax rate approach, invested heavily in tax exempt bonds. The author, expressing his belief that a major depression is likely to occur in the next 10 years, recommends insurance companies divest of their holding in tax exempt instruments, based on the macroeconomic analysis he presents.

Description: This report summarizes why it appears that appropriate financial advice is generally not available to the non-affluent segment of the American public.

Description: Argues that the suppression or mitigation of small and intermediate economic collapses means that much bigger collapses will occur instead.

Description: Analyzes whether or not it is a legitimate function of government to regulate financial institutions.

Description: Presented at October 1985 Annual Meeting. Discusses the fiscal irresponsibility of the US government and the burgeoning national debt which will have to be paid for by our descendants. Speaker participates in the Grace Commission which is fighting government waste.

Description: Discussion of possible national health care reform measures, including coverage for the unemployed, employer-mandated plans, publicly funded and administrated plans. Also an overview of recently enacted legislation at both the state and federal level, and measures taken by provider organizations, for controlling costs.. Presented at the Spring 1975 Meeting in New York.

Description: This paper examines demographic and economic trends of the 1970's and suggests implications with regards to the life insurance industry. Some of the trends include changes in distribution of income, age, family size, inflation, population size, environmental instability and there is discussion of some of the underlying causes of these developments.

Description: This section features various book reviews: 'How to Cope with the Developing Financial Crisis' by Bladen, 'Policymaking for Social Security' by Derthick, '1979 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal OASDI Trust Funds' by US Congress, 'Integration of Plans with Social Security and Funding' by Grubbs, 'Pension and Profit Sharing Plans - a Basic Guide' by Mamorsky, 'Joint Trust Pension Plans' by McGinn, 'Financing the Civil Service Retirement Systems...' by McGill, 'Pension Task Force Report on Public Employee Retirement Systems' by Committee on Education and Labor. Brief descriptions of additional readings are also included.

Description: Discussion of inflation, the real rates of interest and the forecasting of both.