Description: This is the discussion of the paper by Arthur Pedoe, 'The Trend of Life Insurance Company Expenses'. An alternative method for comparing expenses among companies is provided.

Description: This paper develops a new method of determining long-range interest rate assumptions. Followed by discussion papers submitted by 2 authors

Description: This is a discussion of the paper published by Charles A. Ormsby titled, 'The Cost to Reinsure Individual Life Insurance Policies'. Discussion includes: 1. Given that reinsured business has higher mortality than non-reinsured business, why would companies issue it, 2. Suggestion that when costs of reinsurance are considered, reserves should be substituted for cash values to determine the 'statement costs', 3. Cost of reinsurance for a mutual company.

Description: This paper presents a statistical methodology based upon information theory, for adjusting mortality tables to obtain exactly some known individual characteristics, while obtaining a table that is as close as possible to a standard one. Followed by a discussion paper submitted

Description: This paper reviews recursive formulas for aggregate claim distributions. Followed by a submitted discussion paper

Description: This paper outlines a method of parametric modeling that may be used to produce forecasts and forecast intervals that will convey a measure of the reliance that may be placed on the forecasts. Followed by 2 discussion papers submitted

Description: This paper describes risk-factor-dependent multiple decrements and actuarial cost functions as a general compartment model, a discrete time and discrete state stochastic model of morbidity and mortality processes. For large numbers of risk factors, the model is extended to its natural continuous time and state form. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1991, Vol. 43.

Description: This paper outlines the limitations inherent in current actuarial pricing techniques and describes a macro pricing process for product development that can produce optimal decisions in competitive environments. A discussion of the paper follows. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1991, Vol. 43.

Description: This paper examines tandem levels of salary and interest rates and finds that the absolute level of each assumption as well as the differential are significant cost determinants for defined benefit pension plans. In forming best-estimate salary and interest rate assumptions, the actuary must reconcile the difference, if any, between the currently observed rates and the valuation assumptions. Common practice is to choose expected long-term rather than observed rates for valuation purposes. The error in this procedure is analyzed and found to be tolerable for strictly temporary discrepancies between observed rates and valuation assumptions. For situations where these discrepancies are expected to persist for some time, a need is shown for nonuniform, calendar-year assumptions or their equivalent in order to develop best-estimate assumptions. Followed by several discussion papers submitted

Description: Provides a theoretical basis for determining an insurer's price-earnings ratio, discusses the effect on earnings of changes in investment income, and discusses the effect on surplus and earnings of changes in reserve basis.