Description: The author discusses a definition of an actuary that he suggested several years earlier, noting that the public has a right to know why we think we constitute a profession, and why it should care. The author’s definition is: “that professional who is trained in evaluating the current financial implications of future contingent events.”

Description: This meeting session, which occurred at the April 1982 Society of Actuaries meeting in Orlando, presented a look ahead as of 1982 at opportunities for actuaries in the 1980's and 1990's. Questions addressed by the panel included: i. Will traditional opportunities be reduced? 2. What non-traditional opportunities are available? 3. What changes are needed in our educational process? 4. How do we make non-traditional employers aware of actuarial skills and their value? 5. What will actuarial work be like? 6. Some perspectives on the situation in Canada as it moves toward more government ownership and control of financial security programs

Description: In this “nontraditional” general session from the 1991 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held October 20-23 in Toronto, the panelists, a “judge,” a “defendant,” and a “prosecutor” present a humorous “trial” to explore what the boundaries of “traditional” actuarial work are. A theme of the session is that some of what we call “nontraditional” is an expansion of traditional actuarial work, and that we owe it to our public to broaden our horizons. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 4A.

Description: Panelists were members of the Actuary of the Future/Future of the Actuary Task Force of the Society of Actuaries [SOA]. They discussed the topics in their report to the SOA Board of Governors that related to a description of the current profession, the demand for actuaries in the 21st Century, what actuaries will be doing in the 21st Century, and implications for the selection, education, and training of actuaries. From the 1988 Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 14, No. 4B.

Description: This 1978 session discussion included important challenges to the actuarial profession that result from current social and economic changes, opportunities for actuarial input in a political process, and expanding horizons for the actuarial profession. From Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 4, No. 1.

Description: 1993 SOA Spring Meeting, San Diego. This session is about consultants sharing the secrets of managing clients and projects successfully.

Description: This session at the 1968 Annual Meeting involved a discussion of actuarial clubs, including, among other subjects, the purpose, organization, programs, and membership requirements of the clubs and the desirability of a closer relationship with the Society. The purpose and functioning of 'The Actuary' newsletter was also discussed.

Description: This discussion at the 1968 Annual Meeting covers issues related to consulting actuaries including communication with various audiences, pension choices by employers, multiple employer plans, pension funding standards, individual life reinsurance, and product comparisons.

Description: This session discussion is about the actuary's opportunities and roles in the 21st century and the actuaries appropriate steps in preparing for these roles. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 15, No. 3A.

Description: Uses the occasion of the acquisition of a major insurance actuarial firm by a major pension consulting firm to make the case that there is only one actuarial profession, whatever our sect or denomination, life, casualty, or pension.