Description: This presentation is a panel discussion from the 1991 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held October 20-23 in Toronto. The panelists discuss the outlook for the economy for the remainder of the year through 1992, covering the economies of both the United States and Canada, with an emphasis on the United States. With the background of recent world events, they discuss the recent recession and where interest rates are headed, unemployment rates, inflation, and other economic indicators. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 4A.

Description: This session discusses potential developments in the 1980's with regards to: the impact of the force of competition on price levels and profit margins, growth in the market for life insurance and annuities, profit squeeze on stock companies due to continued high level of inflation, problems which will affect smaller stock companies abilities to compete and/or survive, changes in permanent versus term pricing practices and profit margins during the 1980's, changes in sources of profit and uses of free surplus, and continued attractiveness of insurers as acquisition targets.

Description: Investment risk management has become a core competency of insurance companies, and much has been discussed on this topic. This session examines the current investment risk management practices such as product line specific hedging and macro hedging, with a focus on what still remains to be addressed—whether the tradeoff of addition risk management is worthwhile.