Description: A discussion of the changes to the method of grading omitted and erroneous answers on some of the multiple choice Society of Actuaries exams and a discussion as to the equivalence of the methods in determining passing candidates

Description: Book review of The Fundamentals of Pension Mathematics by Barnet E. Barin. Mr. Griffin supports the text as a valuable contribution in particular his analysis of gains/losses by source during the transition to utilizing computers for pension valuation.

Description: This general discussion looks at problems or solutions developed in the field of agents' compensation, considerations leading companies to recent reductions in individual annuity rates, trend to offer first year cash values, increasing demand for the issuance of insurance at ages up to 70 and beyond, and if the SOA should give consideration to elective subjects in the Fellowship exam.

Description: Software vendors participating in the A Comparative Analysis of Claims–Based Tools for Health Risk Assessment study were invited to submit comments on the study. In this document, Ingenix explains their contribution to the study's source data, and raises some questions about methodolgy.

Description: Many top-performing businesses aren’t just risk aware, but rather risk intelligent. Such a posture helps prepare companies for a major event and can demonstrate to a regulator or auditor that an appropriately strong control framework is in place. Better still, companies gain real strategic value from a “risk adjusted” understanding not only of their threats and vulnerabilities, but also the upside opportunities associated with various risks. It starts with having both qualitative and quantitative information to identify, assess and manage risks. Strategic risk management, at its core, is about creating value by increasing transparency and accountability, and quality of information. More than a mere compliance exercise, effective risk management enables more informed strategic decision making, increased accountability and transparency, a greater likelihood of organizational success, and – ultimately – competitive advantage, as borne out by many studies that correlate risk management and financial results.

Description: This article provides tips to being a successful moderator because your overall effectiveness will have a lot to do with what information you have in hand prior to the session you have the opportunity to make good sessions even better.

Description: Summarizing the session "How to Keep Your Spreadsheets Out of the Headlines", on preventing spreadsheet error, from the 2015 SOA Annual Meeting. Presenters were Alex Cires, Sandra To, and Mary Pat Campbell.

Description: Editorial describing the contents of the September 2010 issue of NewsDirect.

Description: Provides a summary of key points from the ERISA Advisory Council Report on Outsourcing (2014). The report provides interesting and important perspectives and the article encourages the reader to look at the report and consider the issues raised.

Description: Announcement of this event, to be held May 6-9, 2012. The theme is 'The Actuarial Profession and Social and Economic Development'.