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 whether an actuary who had recently started consulting should consider a job offer to return to a corporate role.

Description: Have you recently considered volunteering within the actuarial profession? If so, becoming a “friend” of the Smaller Insurance Company Section is a great way to start. This article explains what you can expect from your volunteer experience.

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Description: February issue of The Stepping Stone

Description: The Stepping Stone issue 60, November 2015

Description: To persuade successfully and non-manipulatively, it’s important to understand five key principles of influence. In this four-part series, I’ll be covering these five principles that are based on human psychology and behavior. Let’s look at the first two now.

Description: This article provides steps to clarify conversations to ensure greater success, fulfillment and satisfying business relationships.

Description: From a session at the Spring meeting of the Society of Actuaries held in San Antonio, Texas, June 14-15, 2004. Arguments regarding the rights to deny reinsurance claims are presented by a representative of both a direct writer and a reinsurer.

Description: From a session at the 2000 Valuation Actuary Symposium held in Washington DC, September 14-15, 2000 A panel of regulators share their perspectives on valuation actuary issues and relationships with valuation actuaries and professional and industry associations.

Description: Discussion of the current business environment, the profile of the actuary who can meet these needs, directions corporations will take in the 21st century, economic and demographic trends that will affect the environment and markets over the next decade. The panelists discussed the need to be pro-active in shaping the environment.

Description: The panel discussed conservation strategies for permanent and term insurance. Topics included: 1.Impact on in-force business from new products e.g., continuous reduction in ART rails, non-smoker discounts, universal life: increased policy loans?, replacements?, lapses?, surrenders and _exchanges? 2. Responses from companies: e.g. extension of new cost methods to existing policyholders?, Field compensation when replacing existing business?, internal conservation functions?, update programs policyholder/agent communication strategies? applicability of new products to in-force policyholders. 3. Interest groups which must be considered and differences between stock vs. mutual companies? e.g. Policyholder, agent/broker, management, stockholders, prospective policyholder, legal/regulatory forces IRS, SEC, state insurance departments. 4. Appropriate financial considerations and anticipated results? Is stonewalling a viable alternative? GAAP effects statutory effects use of reinsurance field force compensation/survival, anticipated future mortality results, Federal Income Taxes.

Description: Panel discussion from the April 1982 Society of Actuaries meeting in Houston on the topic of the financial services industry and its response to inflation and deregulation. Topics included: 1. Industry reconfiguration, relative competitiveness of various segments of the industry. 2. New products and technological advance 3. Impacts on the life insurance industry. a. Bank marketing of insurance products b. Investment and bank products marketed by insurers

Description: Presentation of asset liability management techniques to better manage interest rate risk by matching the anticipated cash flows from assets with that of the companies liabilities. Some alternative perspectives/techniques from Canadian insurers are discussed. Article discusses the varying asset/liability management issues pertinent to life insurance companies and defined benefit plan sponsors

Description: Discussion of the attitudes of consumers and consumerists regarding the life insurance industry and its products and a discussion of opportunities for improvement Topics include: 1. Disclosure to existing policyholders 2. Policy loan problems, including the policy replacement problem 3. dividend determination practices and 4. deceptive sales practices in the llfe insurance business.