Description: This discussion at a Smaller Company Forum is about the challenges that smaller companies face in three areas - actuarial student recruiting and training, gross premium determination, and agency building.

Description: Discusses methods developed facilitating the calculation of deficiency reserves arising because of graded premiums or policy fees, The extent dividends and premium rates are determined by a company's own mortality or morbidity experience, problems posed for smaller companies by recent increases in nonmedical limits, and if High School Mathematics Contests have helped smaller companies obtain actuarial personel.

Description: Discusses cost-benefit decision-making for acquiring electronic data-processing equipment and installation issues, ability of small companies to compete in pension trust arena, effectiveness of various agency compensation programs in stimulating sales and improving persistency, success of sales to substandard risks and rating methods, and pricing, reinsurance and experience with individual hospital and medical policies.