Description: Read the April 2017 issue of The Modeling Platform published by the Modeling Section. Newsletters provide practical information for the working actuary, articles on trends that impact sections and news about section activities.

Description: Summary of the SOA research project on PBR Simplified Methods. Describes the multi-risk scenario generator, central estimate assumptions, assumption objectivity measures, and regulatory demonstrations per VM-20.

Description: Feature article discussing new approaches to actuarial modeling.

Description: This article is the first installment of a three-part series and is focused on providing an overview of LTC modeling approaches and considerations.

Description: In this, the second step, Sibson engaged the vendor and actuarial communities to solicit input on the actuarial model for determining the impact of various environmental, lifestyle and behavioral risk factors. The goal was to understand the extent to which actuaries currently use models around wellness, refine the above conceptual model, and better understand the potential uses of, and value to, the actuarial and vendor communities that would use such a model. We sought to understand the potential applications and sources of data for the actuarial model. We gathered input on how the model would best suit the professional needs and help shape the future role of the actuary. Lastly, we gathered feedback on the above conceptual model.

Description: Producing a crystal-clear balance roll-forward on time, obtaining a fresh model output the first time or providing model results for your business partners with a tight turnaround all depend on one thing: how fast the model engine runs. Authors explored various reasons behind significant computational power consumption, and discussed different ways to speed the computational process such as in-force population compression, model use case consolidation, code simplification and streamlining, and infrastructure automation, etc.

Description: Spark offers a way to get some dramatic speed and scalability advantages over the Map-reduce methodology whenever you are doing iterative data processing and particularly when you want interactive data analysis capability. Find out why “lazy execution” can be a desirable characteristic when dealing with big data.

Description: At this session, experts will provide an overview of current statutory valuation issues pertaining to life and annuity products. The focus is on activities of the American Academy of Actuaries relative to principle-based approaches, but other matters will be covered, including the status of the NAIC valuation manual, life risk-based capital, developments at the NAIC affecting life insurance companies, and practice issues for appointed actuaries.

Description: Commentary on practical observations resulting from constructing and running Economic Capital models. Possible standardization of assumptions and result interpretation are morphing even though use of E.C. models has now been around for years.

Description: April 2018 issue of The Modeling Platform by the Modeling Section. Practical information for actuaries, trends that impact section, section activities.