Description: We propose asymptotically correct two-sided bounds for random sums where the number of summands has an arbitrary distribution which can be viewed as ruin probabilities or accumulated claim sizes in various risk processes. The bounds are fairly new and they reveal the real accuracy of some well-known and widely used asymptotic formulas. It turns out that this accuracy can be poor and the range where these formulas give appropriate approximations depends on the shape of the tail distribution of the summands. This dependence is examined in the research.

Description: Panel discussion focused on the Effective Use of Capital. Topics included: 1. Definition of capital 2. Appropriate level of capital and surplus in a life insurance company 3. Alternatives for deploying capital 4. Returns a life company should demand on invested capital 5. How much a company should charge for lending its capital in reinsurance transactions

Description: background history of the insurance industry and the role of actuaries within it, followed by the current environment and anticipated future environment.

Description: The main objective of this study is to analyze and control a surplus dependent risk process, where larger surpluses allow for a wider underwriting policy. We focus here mostly on the diffusion approximation of the risk process. The results are derived in two papers Brownian motion in Risk Theory, submitted for publication, and Surplus dependent risk processes defined by stochastic differential equations, in preparation. We only include here a long summary of these papers.

Description: This is a letter from F.G. Reynolds, University of Waterloo, to Mr. C. Smith, Cologne Life Reinsurance Co. As an assignment the author had the students in his Risk Theory class extend the method of Trobliger to three levels of risk. Both the data of Trobliger and the data of Thyrion, which can be found on pages 27 and 16 of Seal's Stochastic Theory of a Risk Business, were fitted.

Description: Investment Fallacies: The Fallacy of Independence

Description: Investment Fallacies: A real-world approach to Value at Risk

Description: This paper discusses the binominal financial and insurance models. In addition, the paper expands the discussion to the martingale probabilities measures for insurances, annuities, endowment insurances, and equity-linked products.

Description: Investment Fallacies: The Myth of Time Diversification

Description: Investment Fallacies: Future Equity Returns