Description: Learning excellence is of value to both candidates and credentialed actuaries learning new areas. Learning mastery and excellence requires 1) use of executive function (EF), multiple brain areas, for example, verbal, formal (algebraic), computational, and geometric (rule of four), and 2) goal-setting, skillful breaking down of complex tasks into subtasks each of which are simultaneously 2a) clear and specific, 2b) achievable in a short time and 2c) challenging. 10 examples are presented illustrating use of the "rule of four" to achieve elegant solutions to otherwise complex problems as well as goal setting using fellowship-exam approaches, approaches to multi-component problems, and skillful use of databases as visual organizers. The material reflects a new approach to learning complexity that is easier to use than the pedagogic hierarchies and unifies them.

Description: This is an article that highlights an alternative method for determining the impact of a change in interest rates on the factor which converts a life annuity to a 100% joint and survivor annuity. It also discusses the factors for early retirement and deferred retirement.

Description: This is the introductory parts of a textbook with this title: Table of Contents, Preface, Acknowledgments, and bios of editor and authors. This text is for the use of students preparing for the Fundamentals of Actuarial Practice Course requirement for achieving the ASA designation.

Description: In actuarial practice there is notation and terminology that varies by country, by application, and by source. The purpose of this study note is to present notation and terminology that will be used on the Society of Actuaries Models for Life Contingencies [MLC] examination for situations where notation or terms may not be common to all sources and notation or terms that are unique to the MLC examination.

Description: This is article no. 6 in a series and discusses the proposed actuarial notation by Engelfriet and Kool. The proposed notation is linear in nature no superscripts or subscripts and uses the keys on the typewriter.

Description: This section presents book reviews and summarizations of recent publications: 'Regulation of Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans' by Eilers, 'Changes in Family Medical Care Expenditures and Voluntary Health Insurance' by Anderson, Collette, and Feldman, 'Risk Management' by Snider, 'Smoking and Health: Report of the Advisory Committee to the Surgeon General of the Public Health Service' by Public Health Service. Digests are also included.

Description: The October/November 2015 edition of The Actuary magazine—the Society of Actuaries’ flagship publication.

Description: This article is about actuarial education and a letter from President Lautzenheiser introducing an attached statement, Strategic Premise for Actuarial Education.

Description: Should actuaries have a formal program for continuing education? This question has been asked, studied and debated at least since the early part of the decade. For many years, accountants, physicians and lawyers of many states have had continuing education requirements to retain their license to practice. Why not actuaries?

Description: This section presents book reviews and summarizes recent publications: 'Equitable Assurances' by Ogborn, 'Fulfilling Pension Expectations' by McGill, 'Voluntary Health Insurance and Rate Making' by MacIntyre, 'Prepayment for Medical and Dental Care in New York State...' by State of New York, 'Financing Health Care of the Aged, Part I' by Blue Cross, 'The Second Report of the Ontario Committee on Portable Pensions' by Gathercole and MacGregor, 'Economics of Unemployment Compensation' by Princeton University, 'The Investment Process as Characterized by Leading Life Insurance Companies' by Walter. Some digests also included.