Description: Call for papers for publication in Actuarial Research Clearing House (ARCH). The primary goal of ARCH is the speedy dissemination of current thinking and aids to research rather than the publication of thoroughly edited papers. ARCH welcomes short notes or papers, correspondence between researchers, useful computer programs (or announcements of the availability of such programs), translations of appropriate material in foreign languages, problems, solutions, etc.

Description: The presenters will dig into the little rider that most actuaries don't spend much time thinking about. A regulator, a direct writer and a consultant will discuss their thoughts on this rider and point out areas where actuaries should focus before deeming it insignificant. Topics will include the current study underway to update the industry experience study (most recently done in 1952), underwriting considerations, interactions with other riders, benefit designs, unique issues on UL policies, tax implications and reserving considerations

Description: The Society of Actuaries (SOA) released a new modeling tool to assess the impact of COVID-19 on health care insurance estimates for 2021. This model and an accompanying research report help illustrate the level of the COVID-19 outbreak, the potential scenarios over the next half year and the direct costs from this pandemic.

Description: The objective of this paper is to discuss the factors that affect and should be considered in the development of social discount rates, with a primary focus on social cost-benefit analyses of climate change-related strategies, programs, and investments involving mitigation and ex-ante adaption efforts.

Description: Pension accounting standards continue to evolve across the globe with objectives, methods and assumptions varying, sometimes substantially, from one jurisdiction to the next. The presenters will compare the primary global pension accounting standards (US GAAP and IFRS), review recent developments and address whether or not the current standards adequately serve stakeholders such as plan participants, investors, management and regulators.

Description: As technology continues to advance and consumers' preferences constantly change, the need for insurance to be sold at more competitive prices has become apparent, forcing the Broker channel to adjust its business model and also creating a new opportunity for the Direct-to-Consumer channel. The presenter will examine how various channels have co-existed in the past, and evaluate how they will evolve and co-exist in the future. The discussion will also include an analysis of a channel strategy to optimize results for the growth of a company. Presenters will include representative from the following distribution channels

Description: We aim to leverage research to create new value for members and the profession as well as drive more learning opportunities.

Description: Traditional predictive tools are not built to deal with the variability the world currently faces. The COVID-19 pandemic amounts to a prolonged black swan event, for which one must look past conventional assessments to arrive at any level of confident predictions. Behavioral analysis factors for biases and heuristics designed specifically for uncertain evolutionary contexts, and which are the primary drivers of market participants’ decisions at present. Through understanding the most likely behaviors of individuals, it becomes possible to arrive at an aggregate understanding of market outcomes.

Description: Because of its complexity, ensuring the security of cyberspace is one of today’s most significant challenges. As the cyber environment becomes more integrated with the real world, the direct impact of cybersecurity incidents on business is also heightened. This study aims to develop a generic model that can be applied by any organization. For the validation of the developed cyber risk analysis method, simulations and sensitivity analysis will be performed.