Description: How does retirement preparedness in the U.S. vary across racial/ethnic groups? This report compiles and analyzes a wide variety of works that look at this this question from specific questions. The result provides a broader perspective through comparison of seven metrics tracked from 2012 to 2021.

Description: Discover more about key Economic Scenario Generation (ESG) topics that are relevant for actuarial applications. Expect a focus on risk-neutral / market-consistent ESGs, like setting long term assumptions and scenario reduction. Long tern assumptions will focus on a basic introduction to challenges in deriving long term assumptions and key concepts to better understand how those are set. Come explore a basic overview of scenario reduction techniques and challenges as well as common sense criteria to address the reasonableness of the reduction.

Description: Bringing together industry experts spanning investment management and property/casualty insurance, this panel discussion will take the audience beyond spelling ESG correctly and will share their insights about what Environmental Social Governance is. Following is a sampling of the questions the panel will address: How did we get to the current economic state of ESG? Why is ESG controversial, and how has it become controversial? Does integrating ESG into the investment process enhance returns?

Description: There is increasing industry interest in applying behavioral science to optimize product design decisions and improve outcomes for both insurers and their customers. With a growing set of options within product designs, predicting consumer behavior continues to get increasingly complex. Join this webcast for an overview of key behavioral economic concepts. Key insights will be shared from two SOA projects that explore how behavioral economic techniques can be used in various parts of the life insurance new business process and inforce management.

Description: Edited Content: Discover more about key Economic Scenario Generation (ESG) topics that are relevant for actuarial applications. Expect a focus on risk-neutral / market-consistent ESGs, like setting long term assumptions and scenario reduction. Long tern assumptions will focus on a basic introduction to challenges in deriving long term assumptions and key concepts to better understand how those are set. Come explore a basic overview of scenario reduction techniques and challenges as well as common sense criteria to address the reasonableness of the reduction. Provided Content: The overall objective would be to introduce key ESG (Economic Scenario Generation) topics to actuaries, with two topics below that are relevant for actuarial applications. We intend to focus on risk-neutral / market-consistent ESGs. 1. Setting long term assumptions o A basic introduction to challenges in deriving long term assumptions and key concepts to better understand how those are set 2. Scenario reduction o A basic overview of scenario reduction techniques and challenges as well as common sense criteria to address the reasonableness of the reduction

Description: This webcast provides an overview of the key provisions of the recently enacted SECURE 2.0 Act of 2022, which significantly changed the rules that apply to qualified retirement plans and IRAs. The presenters will examine a history of the legislation and focus on some of the key provisions of the Act. In particular, we will discuss provisions that give individuals more flexibility on how they will contribute to their retirement accounts and provisions that provide new ways for individuals to save. Explore certain significant structural changes to the rules such as the automatic enrollment for new plans and the elimination of lifetime RMDs for designated Roth accounts. The panel will also focus on the provisions that provide greater access to retirement funds through new distribution exceptions and how this might affect a company’s reporting obligations. Come learn about some of the relief provisions included in SECURE 2.0, including an expanded EPCRS program to cover errors relating to IRAs. In addition to a discussion about the key provisions, the panel will review steps companies should be taking to implement the SECURE 2.0 provisions, including timelines for amending documents and systems. Identify certain issues for which guidance or technical corrections is likely needed, such as clarification on the required beginning date age.

Description: The Asian insurance landscape is undergoing significant change, with Japan experiencing a surge in reinsurance activity. This webcast will explore the factors driving this growth and provide insights into the current state and future direction of the Japanese reinsurance market. We'll delve into the unique characteristics of the Japanese market, examining the specific reinsurance needs of Japanese life insurers and how partnerships with US and offshore reinsurers are evolving. Looking ahead, we'll analyze the expected trajectory of the market, including the types of business and products likely to see increased demand. We'll also discuss how emerging economic factors and regulatory changes will shape future needs and the competitive landscape. Join us to gain valuable insights into this dynamic market and its future potential.

Description: This session is designed to inform you about the current state of mental health and mental health care in the United States, as well as future trajectories. By exploring topics such as plan design, provider network, provider reimbursement, and other relevant channels, this session aims to enlighten everyone on existing challenges and the strategies being employed to tackle them. Notably, this will include and highlight proposed changes to the mental health parity. Additionally, attendees will hear from a mental health provider/academic on these topics to gain a non-actuarial perspective.

Description: Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has been our chosen metric for growth since the Great Depression, but expectations are for lower GDP growth going forward than we are accustomed to. Its two components, population and productivity, face headwinds—population from a declining birth rate and longevity, and productivity from increased climate events, energy costs, global conflict and raw materials shortages. Comparing demographic results from the U.S., China and Nigeria, representing countries with varying population growth rates, illustrates the potential economic growth issues of aging populations and high dependency ratios. The demographic challenges can be turned into opportunities to broaden prosperity; productivity can be improved by providing a level playing field and helping those in the lowest socioeconomic classes find opportunities. These topics and more will be discussed and enhance foresight about them.

Description: Joan C. Barrett, is an endorsed candidate for President Elect for SOA's 2017 elections. Read her candidate questionnaire.