Description: This 1978 panel discussion examined dividend philosophy. Topics covered: I. The appropriate basis of dividend illustrations 2. The professional responsibility of the actuary in the establishment of dividend scales and in dividend illustration practices 3. The need for professional opinions and guidelines concerning policyholder dividends and illustrations 4. The adequacy of the recommendations of the Committee on Dividend Philosophy in addressing current concerns. 5. Differences between the approach of the Cormnittee on Dividend Philosophy and the traditional approaches. 6. The development of dividends for participating products in stock companies.

Description: The purpose of this paper is to set forth a mathematical technique which in the author's experience has proved useful in testing the tax implications of various management actions.