Description: For more than two years, 'The Actuary' has received more articles and letters on Social Security than on any other single topic. Given actuaries’ interest in analyzing financial situations and the extensive public debate on Social Security worldwide, the subject’s prominence among actuaries is easily understood. To offer more SOA members a forum for their views, editors of the September 1998 issue included a survey asking members’ opinions on five statements related to possible U.S. Social Security reform. The survey drew 1,067 responses, representing 6.6% of the membership, by the Oct. 31, 1998, deadline. This article summarizes the results of that survey.

Description: This article is part of a series that periodically highlights personal careers and offers new perspectives on actuarial job paths. It features John M. Boermeester, who retired in 1975 after 44 years with John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance. Boermeester was one of an elite group of actuaries who were asked to step out of their daily roles and into a special research assignment in World War II. They were members of the U.S. Navy’s Operations Research Group [ORG], a civilian unit formed to analyze military operations to determine what methods and procedures would have the maximum impact with minimum loss.

Description: Four experts offer their views on why the life insurance industry as we've come to know it is disappearing and what will be different about the new industry evolving, including: more competition from other financial services providers, distribution changes, better use of technology, and consolidation.

Description: This article reviews the results of the first SOA study of large medical claims, defined as claims greater than $25,000.

Description: Each year, one six-day annual event in the United States attracts 5,000 scientists as well as other individuals with a strong interest in science. The Society of Actuaries was formally represented this year for the first time at the event, the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science [AAAS], held Feb. 12-17, 1998 in Philadelphia. An eminent panel discussed the 1997-98 SOA research project, 'Impact of Mortality Improvement on Social Security: Canada, Mexico, and the United States.' The SOA’s session was entitled 'Social Security in the NAFTA Countries: What if People Stop Dying?' This article summarizes that presentation.

Description: This article discusses the results from the 1999 SOA member survey. The survey's findings send some clear signals about approaches to developing new and better programs and improving current ones. from The Actuary, February 2000, volume 34, issue 2.

Description: Among the most outspoken of the life insurance industry’s authorities is Ronald Butkiewicz, president and CEO, Irish Life of North America ILONA. In speeches to industry groups, including a 1995 presentation to the Actuarial Society of Greater New York, Butkiewicz makes the challenging statement, 'American society doesn’t need the life insurance industry. I am also quick to add that I don’t think American society needs banks, either.' However, said Butkiewicz in an interview for this article, 'It does need our products.' The article goes on to explain how Butkiewicz sees life insurance becoming part of one, big financial services industry.

Description: Full version of The Actuary Newsletter Volume 33, Number 1 - January 1998

Description: This article examines the issues, trends and opportunities associated with life insurance distribution.

Description: Discussion of the changes involved with the Society of Actuaries education redesign, including a summary of the responses to a Society of Actuaries member survey dealing with the redesign of the basic education and examination system.