Description: Neil Brougham, chairman of the CPD Committee, welcomes the new certificate in practical financial economics CPFE.

Description: This article discusses the need to broaden and expand the actuarial profession. The author encourages adding new practice areas or enhancing existing ones.

Description: This article examines the dynamic environment of the health care system in the United States and the challenges facing the health actuary.

Description: With the backdrop of economic turmoil and much downsizing, the author encourages actuaries to broaden their skills and to be flexible in their careers.

Description: Article from The Actuary magazine, March 1983, volume no. 17, issue no. 3, that discusses the response of the Education and Examination Committee to Professor Batten's challenge in the wisdom of current trends in the Society's educational program, stating that these syllabus changes should be considered evolutionary rather than revolutionary.

Description: Since 1977, the mission of the CAS/SOA Joint Committee on Minority Recruiting has been to support the education of and provide monetary assistance to qualified minority students African Americans, Hispanics, and Native North Americans to pursue an actuarial career. This article describes the 1998-99 activities of this Committee.

Description: This article is a lighthearted look at the various methods actuarial students use to improve their chances of exam success.

Description: A brief notice of upcoming seminars.

Description: Article from The Actuary, March 1983, volume no. 17, issue no. 3. As was clear from William W. Truckle's paper reviewed in our April 1982 issue, North American actuaries aren't the only ones puzzling over the curriculum questions aired elsewhere in this issue. We are grateful for Mr. Carroll's permission to print excerpts from his discussion of Mr. Truckle's paper, and parts of his reply to an enquiry that we sent him. In particular, the author is in favor of adding more about advanced statistical methods to the curriculum and explaining how this fits in with the actuarial subjects that have been traditionally taught.

Description: This article is a book review of “Group Benefits in a Changing Society, “by Bruce F. Spencer. The author of this article notes that few textbooks have been available to the group insurance consultant which provide an up-to-date survey of the design and direction of employee benefit programs. In his review, he notes that Mr. Spencer, associate editor of Employee Benefit Plan Review, has attempted a formidable task, with the result being only partially successful. The review points out both the strengths and weaknesses of the book.