Description: This article discusses the new profession of financial engineering and the fit of actuaries in this profession.

Description: This presentation, session number 43PD at the 2004 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held June 14-15 in San Antonio, TX, discusses the use of mortgage-backed securities by life insurance companies. “Insurance companies in the United States have, for many years, invested in mortgage-backed securities MBS. The suitability of MBS for insurance company portfolios has been called into question by recent changes in interest rate volatility and increased capital requirements.” Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 2.