Description: This report, part of the Society of Actuaries [SOA] ‘Experience Studies – Business Practice Surveys,’ presents the results of the survey on Life Settlements, prepared by the SOA Committee on Life Insurance Mortality and Underwriting Surveys Life Settlements Survey Subcommittee. The responses from two separate surveys, one to direct writers and the other to reinsurers, have been combined into this single report. Survey question topics include company characteristics, market participation, market management, and consequences to the Industry.

Description: Discusses the influences that foreign economies have on the U.S. economy and the risks that those influences create for the U.S. life insurance industry.

Description: Table of contents for The Actuary Magazine - December 2004

Description: This report, part of the Society of Actuaries [SOA] ‘Experience Studies – Business Practice Surveys,’ presents the results of the survey on laboratory testing issues, prepared by the SOA Committee on Life Insurance Mortality and Underwriting Surveys Laboratory Tests Survey Subcommittee. The survey asks questions about companies’ internal practices in regards to how laboratory tests become part of the underwriting paradigm, in particular, how changes are made, who the decision-makers are, and what support is necessary to add a test.

Description: The hot days of summer are upon us and, with it, the inevitable reference to the dog days of August. All over North America this year, summer began early with heat waves, heat alerts, smog alerts and hurricane and tornado warnings. Admittedly, this is not very encouraging news for our society which is concerned with preservation of life, quality of life and conservation of property. Accordingly, it is a challenge for our profession that prides itself on its ability to accurately calculate the financial impact of natural or catastrophic events on society at large. The Actuary Magazine August 2005

Description: This database and analysis, from the Society of Actuaries [SOA] ‘Experience Studies – Group Health,’ was prepared by the SOA Medical Large Claims Experience Committee, SOA Committee on Health Benefit Systems Research and the SOA Health Section. The database is a follow-up to the 1991–92 Group Medical Large Claims Database. The study explores and analyzes factors affecting incidence rates and the distribution of claim sizes. The database contains claims from three years: 1997, 1998 and 1999. While the 1991–1992 database focused only “large claims” i.e., claimants with annual paid charges of at least $25,000, the 1997–1999 database contains all claimants, regardless of charge amount. Data from seven insurers are represented. For the three years combined, the database contains 4,294,030 claimants and total paid charges of approximately $7.1 billion. In addition to the report there is 2 page database documentation and four zipped data files.

Description: This letter was written in response to an article that ran in the October issue of The Actuary, titled "The Medical Malpractice Crisis: A Top=Down Solution" by Allen Elstein. Mr. Elstein's reply is also in this article.

Description: The purpose of this paper is to examine the underlying issues of replacement rates for the benefit of retirement security stakeholders, particularly public policy makers, pension plan sponsors, advisors, financial product providers, and individuals planning for retirement. Additionally, guidance is provided on building replacement rate measures. From the Society of Actuaries - 2011.

Description: This article is an interview with Phelim Boyle, an educator, actuary, PhD, author, financial engineer and recipient of the IAFE/ SunGard Financial Engineer of the Year Award and perhaps best known for his research into Monte Carlo methods.

Description: This report, from the Society of Actuaries [SOA] ‘Experience Studies – Individual Annuities,’ was prepared by the SOA Task Force on Mortality Guarantees in Variable Products. This study of mortality on deferred variable annuities over the period 1991-1995 was designed to test the adequacy of the 1994 MGDB Valuation Mortality Table to cover presumed extra mortality on variable annuities [Vas] with Substantial Minimum Guaranteed Death Benefits [MGDBs] as compared with VAs with Minimal MGDBs. A parallel study of fixed annuity experience was carried out as a control. In addition to report includes a six page document of instructions to participating companies.