Description: Discusses a proposal that Social Security retirement benefits should be adjusted according to a special cost-of-living index based upon retirees spending habits rather than the familiar CPI.

Description: People often describe the actuarial profession as dealing with risk. That is true, but in the case of life and health actuaries, another element may be even more important. It is the management of liabilities that accrue over time. For example, the liability associated with a group of individual life insureds increases as the group grows older.

Description: If the United States is to have a successful Social Security and Medicare system long term, one that blends needs with financial capacity, it is necessary to protect the actuarial process from being overwhelmed by the political process. While some assistance is provided already under existing law, additional protection would enhance public confidence in the estimates made by government actuaries.

Description: Letter From the Editor summarizing articles in the newsletter.

Description: Summarizes four Social Security Administration Notes for 1969 and January 1970.

Description: Discusses the Survivor Benefit Plan SBP for the Uniformed Services from an actuarial perspective.

Description: This article reviews studies find that the mortality gap has significantly reduced – though not eliminated – the overall progressivity of Social Security.

Description: The editors of Health Watch have made health care reform the focus of the Sepctember 2009 issue, and provide an introduction to the issue's contents.

Description: Updates on the efforts of the Academy’s health practice council. its work groups and task forces, to educate and influence health care policymakers on issues including principles for health care reform, Medicare, wellness programs, and solvency.