Description: 2003 Valuation Actuary Symposium, San Diego, CA. In this open forum participants' questions were addressed by experts in the field. Some of the questions: 1. How does actuarial practice develop with regard to questions about interim results and asset-adequacy analysis projections? 2. If the present value measures used in typical asset-adequacy evaluation include a favorable adequacy opinion, are there patterns of interim results that under commonly accepted actuarial practice would require additional reserves to be established? 3. What is the most extreme stochastic modeling that you have seen? How many scenarios on how large a block, on how complex a model, on how many PCs or what type of computer that ran for over how many days? 4. Is codification retroactive? Does it impact any previous reserving methodologies put in place on policies issued before codification was effective? 5. What are your individual views on whether the federal government should provide a backstop to group or individual life insurance to handle terrorism catastrophes? 6. What are your thoughts are on the move toward stochastic methods for setting reserves?

Description: This presentation is a General Session, number 1GS, from the 2002 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held September 19-20 in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Events such as the terrorist acts of September 11, the accounting scandals, continued volatility in the equity markets, and low interests rates have impacted and will continue to impact the industry and our profession for many years to come. The three keynote speakers, an industry analyst and two leaders of our profession, provide their views regarding these impacts and how the industry and our profession might change and act as a result of these events, emphasizing the importance of actuaries’ professionalism. Discussion from participants is included.