Description: An article on a hypothetical workplace dilemma involving the updating of assumptions which resulted in a change in EGPs and DAC amortization.

Description: This article is a review and analysis of the article “The Statistician as Expert Witness,” by Joseph G. Van Matre and William N. Clark, from the Feb. 1976 issue of “The American Statistician.” The author of this article notes that the article he is reviewing has general application to anyone serving as an expert witness in a court of law, especially in its remarks about the ethical responsibilities of such a person and in its advice on preparing to give testimony. Written from the viewpoint of a statistician, it has equal applicability to an actuary serving as an expert witness. The SOA has reprinted this article with permission from The American Statistical Association.

Description: A compilation of reader responses is presented to a real life situation posed involving a management, leadership, or other business decision. This issue’s case study involved what to do about a product line that wasn't living up to expectations.

Description: This article provides guidelines for practitioners of risk management. These guidelines fall under four general headings: 1. Understanding and fulfilling your role in the organization. 2. General risk management. 3. The use of derivatives. 4. Risk measurement systems.

Description: An actuarial perspective on a book review of Biological Imperatives a book written by biologist Allan Chase. An interesting perspective which may be of interest as the United States evaluates its health care reform options.

Description: Business leadership lessons from non-business leaders: interpersonal skills and people management

Description: First of a 2 part series: The Actuarial Science Program at the University of Nebraska includes a course on Actuarial Roles and Ethics. In 1978 the students in this class sent a questionnaire to 265 persons, mostly alumni of the Program, aimed at finding out how actuaries see themselves, and to what extent ethical questions have impinged upon them. This article gives answers by 61 Fellows 60 F.S.A.'s and one F.C.A.S.

Description: This article reports comments made about Social Security actuaries in a New York Times interview by Representative Bill Archer, R. Texas, and Prof. Wilbur J. Cohen, a long-time social insurance authority and member of the National Commission on Social Security.

Description: Edward Robbins, FSA and Christian Mora, Member of the Colombian Actuarial Association (ACA) gave a 3-hour course on actuarial professionalism to ACA members.

Description: This article describes a hypothetical workplace dilemma. Suggested solutions and feedback are provided in the next issue of Stepping Stones. From the April 2010 issue of Stepping Stones.