Description: In this paper, we introduce a family of leptokurtic symmetric distributions represented by the difference of two gamma variates. Properties of this family are discussed. The Laplace, sums of Laplace and normal distributions all arise as special cases of this family. We propose a two-step method for fitting data to this family. We develop a statistical test for goodness-of-fit and introduce a test of normality of the data. A simulation study is provided to illustrate the theory.

Description: Members of the American Academy of Actuaries’ Solvency Committee have put together an acronym reference chart. This handy guide can be folded up to fit in your wallet and quickly reviewed so you can fearlessly enter an elevator.

Description: The study of Employee Benefits has always been aided by using financial algorithms. During recent semesters, the Lotus 1-2-3 package Lotus has been introduced to students due to the explosion of its use in the business community. This paper will show how our students use Lotus to design a spreadsheet for computing minimum annual distributions from tax-sheltered plans.

Description: This paper presents an approach to analyzing continuing care retirement community [CCRC] data, and demonstrates the methods using data from a large CCRC. It is assumed that residents make transitions among a number of states that represent the levels of care required by residents. There is randomness associated with both the transition times and the states entered at these times. The model is conveniently characterized in terms of transition intensity functions, which represent the instantaneous rates of transition between pairs of states.

Description: Panelelists at this session at the SOA 1998 Maui I Spring Meeting present their thoughts on how life and disability risk assessment and underwriting might be performed in the 21st century. Focus is on how technology can change and speed up the process.

Description: 1999 SOA Regional Meeting, Atlanta. In this session on data and interoperability standards for actuaries, the panel discusses the importance of open data standards which enable communication and transmission of data between different systems developed by different vendors. They also discuss the attached white paper entitled 'Proposed Data Standards for Table Data in the Insurance and Pension Industries' which was written by the Computer Science Section of the SOA to encourage adoption of the described standard.

Description: This presentation, session number 89PD, took place at the 1999 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 24-25 in Atlanta. Panelists discuss issues and challenges facing organizations wishing to sell insurance and financial products over the Internet. Topics include regulatory issues facing on-line marketing and sales initiatives, security of the information provided online, “bought” versus “sold” products, and receptiveness of users. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 1.

Description: 1999 SOA Annual Meeting, San Francisco. Presenters discussed ways in which nontraditional methods of distributing insurance products are continuing to evolve and offered their views on where that evolution may lead for the industry.

Description: 1994 SOA Meeting, San Antonio. This session explored the advantages and disadvantages of using several computer languages for actuarial work. In addition, the role of spreadsheets was discussed.

Description: Feature article discussing preferred methods of communication.