Description: This article is a review of the book by Joshua Foer. It covers the history of memory techniques, the way a human brain organizes memory, and various problems and successes in memory recall. The author starts by interviewing memory savants, and learns from them that the ability to perform seemingly impossible memory tricks is simply a matter of studying and practicing proven techniques used for millennia. This review suggests that actuaries can benefit greatly from some of these techniques despite the availability of electronic hand-held devices to recall facts because the person who does not need to rely upon such devices can have a huge perceptual advantage in executive presentations.

Description: Profitability of traditional life and health products has long been considered less sensitive to changes in interest rates than profitability of universal life, SPDAs, or other “interest-sensitive” products. Consequently, traditional products have often been priced with a single deterministic interest scenario.

Description: Review of pamphlet entitled Retirement Income in the United States - A Case for the Composite System. It covers, among other items, the relationship of the three major sources of retirement income in the United States - individual savings, group retirement plans, and Social Security. The conclusions reached ar

Description: Section Chair introduces himself to the Section. From Health Watch Newsletter, January 2008, Issue No. 57.

Description: Read the April 2024 edition of the Societal Purpose newsletter, which features 2023 highlights.

Description: An argument for a lifelong study of the humanities for personal and intellectual development, as well as some advice to get started.

Description: The June 1987 report on UL valuation and nonforfeiture, by the American Academy of Actuaries Universal Life Task Force under the Committee on Life Insurance, discussed whether long-term UL reserve sufficiencies should offset short-term deficiencies. This article discusses that issue.

Description: Article Permutations And Computations by Moordhead in The Actuary, February 1979, Volume 13, Number 2

Description: This article presents a case study that examines the implication of using real-world interest rate scenario generators with a block of fixed deferred annuities. We contrast cash flow testing results based on New York 7 deterministic scenarios to stochastic scenarios generated with the Academy Interest Rate Generator , as well as an alternative economic scenario generator designed explicitly to capture the risk of a persistently low interest rate environment and the transition to a rising interest rate environment.

Description: The purpose of the article is to discuss the benefits of small policy purchases by seniors, describe the market and distribution for these small face amounts of life insurance, and demonstrate the dimensions of the market.