Description: The Brazilian market is presently the largest life market in Latin America, so the recent news regarding the abolishment of the reinsurance monopoly there will certainly place Brazil on the radar screens of all major life reinsurers. The article describes the impact on the Brazilian lfe insurance market and the international reinsurance market.

Description: Provides background on the Brazilian insurance authority's ban of the group life rider benefit for Total and Permanent Disability due to illness, TPD. Then discusses alternative benefits that could be offered as replacements.

Description: Reinsurance News co-editor Ronald Poon-Affat discusses the morality and ethics involved in life insurance

Description: Editorial discussing the tumultuous insurance industry and current financial crisis.

Description: This editorial notes how change is constant in the world around us and that the SOA has adopted a theme of change. Articles in this issue of The Actuary, which are all related to change, are summarized.

Description: In this interview, Caroline Grégoire, formerly from Hannover Re, and now international mentor, coach, trainer and speaker, shares her views on how mentoring can support you on your career path and how it also benefits the reinsurance industry as a whole.

Description: This is an editorial article on risk management books.

Description: The money in customer accounts follows a systematic, yet sometimes elaborate maze. This article establishes a check list of 10 item that will ensure that client accounts are being correctly credited, operations are functioning a they were designed and operational risk is reduced.

Description: John Naisbitt, in Megatrends, defined a megatrend as a general shift in thinking or approach affecting countries, industries and organizations. This article challenges actuaries to consider off-the-charts factors within their risk maps and consider their potential impact.

Description: This article discusses the closed nature of the Brazilian reinsurance market due to the IRB. The Instituto de Resseguros do Brasil is owned 50% by the 15 insurance companies that are licensed to do business in Brazil and 50% by the Government of Brazil, but the Government owns 100% of the voting shares. All reinsurance business must be transacted with and via the IRB. The process, opportunities and risks associated with this scheme are explored.