Description: The class involves a combination of presentations, class participation, in-class exercises and structured hands-on work with the MA BPT in small workgroups. Prior to this course, participants are expected to spend 3 to 10 hours preparing, depending on prior experience level.

Description: This meeting session was conducted at the SOA's 1976 Spring Meeting in Houston. The topic was an ERISA update related to insured pension plans. Topics presented included: value of Enrolled Actuary vs. FSA, the American Academy of Actuaries position on the EA vs FSA, funding assumptions, actuarial certifications, and special valuation problems.

Description: This 1978 teaching session provided a basic primer on the design of the OASDI benefit formula. Areas covered included: 1. The Decoupling issue 2. The Average Indexed Monthly Earnings 3. The Primary Insurance Amount formula 4. The Indexing procedure 5. Transition arrangements 6. The Short Service problem 7. Replacement Ratio considerations 8. Impact of Wage Base changes 9. The Retirement Age and Retirement Test.

Description: This 1978 session focused on valuation techniques for pension plans. Topics covered: 1. Asset Valuation Methods 2. Use of projections and forecasts 3. Has application of forecasts allowed the actuary to determine short range best estimate of future costs different from traditional methods? 4. Treatment of salary scales, turnover assumptions, retirement decrements

Description: This 1978 session focused on Group Life Insurance. Questions discussed included: 1. How does current group mortality compare with the 1960 Basic Group Mortality Table? 2. What is the relationship of female to male mortality rates? 3. How do the premium rates of insurance companies compare with the 1960 Basic Group Mortality Table? 4. What group and industry experience indicate the appropriateness of premium discounts and loadings? 5. To what degree are alternative funding approaches utilized for group life insurance? 6. How many life years of exposure are necessary for credibility to be given to the experience of a group? 7. What measures are utilized to hold experience fund deficits to a manageable level for group life? 8. What is the proper reserve for pending or unknown death claims? 9. What is the proper reserve for pending or unknown disability waiver of premium claims? 10. What is the proper reserve for approved waiver of premium claims?

Description: This 1979 session is about Life Company performance measures and pricing. Topics included: 1. What are appropriate performance criteria? a. In terms of financial results b. In terms of growth 2. How are goals established? a. For Mutual companies b. For Stock companies 3. What measurement tools do we use? a. Comparison of actual to expected results b. Compound growth rates c. Rules of thumb for various performance ratios d. Analysis of source of earnings 4. How are results used in pricing? a. Pricing consistent with goals are goals consistent with projections? b. Problems relating to allocation by line

Description: This discussion at the SOA 1990 Dallas Spring Meeting is about small pension plans and issues unique to them including plan design, funding and IRS audits.

Description: This session at the SOA 1990 Hartford Spring Meeting is about AIDS from the reinsurer's point of view focusing on underwriting and the reinsurance market.

Description: This discussion at the SOA 1990 San Francisco Spring Meeting covers living benefit riders including benefit designs, regulatory activity, tax status, pricing considerations and reserves.