Description: This report was developed by the CESRC as an update of one Rob Erhardt prepared in 2016 that compiled a collection of sources that deal with what scientists know and what actuaries could do. Sources have been chosen with practicing actuaries and the public in mind. In the original report, nearly all governmental sources come from the United States. In the update an attempt was made to include sources from actuarial bodies and regulators worldwide. Please let us know if you have a source we did not include as it is anticipated that the SOA will continue to update a list of sources for these topics in the future.

Description: This is the user guide to the MIM-2021 Application Tool

Description: These are the Discussant Comments by Sam Gutterman for the Trends in Life Expectancy and Lifespan Variation After Retirement Session 1B of the January 13-15, 2020 Living to 100 Symposium in Orlando, Florida.

Description: The objective of this paper is to discuss the factors that affect and should be considered in the development of social discount rates, with a primary focus on social cost-benefit analyses of climate change-related strategies, programs, and investments involving mitigation and ex-ante adaption efforts.

Description: Papers: Chronic Diseases and Longevity Risk: An Application to Type II Diabetes Insurance Products – Hsin-Chung Wang, Ph.D. - Aletheia University; Jack C. Yue, ASA, Ph.D. – National Chengchi University; Ting-Chung Chang - Chihlee University of Technology Understanding Multimorbidities - Sam Gutterman, FSA, CERA, FCA, FCAS, HONFIA, MAAA

Description: Table of contents and acronym list for A Comprehensive Guide to Measuring and Managing Life Insurance Company Expenses

Description: Highlights from the Social Security & Mortality panel at the 2017 Living to 100 Symposium - actuaries responsible for projections in the US, Canada and the UK.

Description: Highlights from a 2014 Living to 100 Symposium panel presentation of leading social security actuaries from Canada, the U.K. and the United States with panel members Jean-Claude Ménard, chief actuary of the Canada Pension Plan; Adrian Gallop, of the insurance and social security area of the Government Actuary’s Department in the U.K.; and Steve Goss, chief actuary of the U.S. Social Security Administration.

Description: The objectives of this paper include an assessment of the basis of volatility of experience and financial results, considering the risks and uncertainties associated with long-term policies, especially LTCi. In so doing, it is observed that a properly determined provision for risk and uncertainty is needed in premiums and reserves. It then describes the approaches that can be taken to quantify such a provision in new and re-rated LTCi. The paper discusses possible mitigation approaches that have and should be taken, especially but not limited to the use of policy design features to enhance the alignment of interests of the LTC insurer and its policyholders. It also explores the relationship between historical and expected future risks and uncertainties specific to LTCi. It concludes by pointing out the pervasiveness of the uncertainties involved, the earlier underestimation of the uncertainties involved, although the actual degree of uncertainty may have decreased over time as relevant experience has been obtained. Effective management of LTCi demands incorporation of mitigation approaches in its product design and continuous monitoring of relevant experience.

Description: The percentage of the population who are obese has grown dramatically worldwide over the last several decades, although stabilizing recently in the United States. Studies have found the effects on mortality to be inconsistent and controversial because of methodological differences and the complexity of the relationship between obesity and mortality. This paper discusses this relationship and sheds light on the likely effects of this epidemic. Issues associated with the so-called obesity-mortality paradox, where mortality experience is lower for those individuals who are overweight and in some who are obese compared with the mortality of those in the normal weight category, are examined. Although certain recently reported studies of the relationship between mortality and obesity indicate that obesity is related to a reduced percent of additional mortality, this may in part be due to the shorter average time that those currently obese have been exposed to their condition. Nevertheless, the amount of health care costs and rates of disability associated with being obese are significant, contributing to the increase in overall health care costs as they become more numerous and age. Although obesity is being addressed with a great deal of activity and publicity, they will continue to prove challenging for individuals and society to manage and overcome.

Description: This article consists of a point-counterpoint dialogue addressing important aspects of social insurance programs. It discusses the desirability and advantages of these programs that provide financial assistance to those who are retired, disabled, ill or unemployed.

Description: The ORSA should be more than a compliance requirement -- its process should be an integral element of a company's governance and risk and strategic planning process used by both management and the board on a regular feedback loop basis. Similar to that used for ERM, it along with a carefully constructed set of metrics should serve as the springboard to be used to identify, control and mitigate short- and long-term risks, as well as to enable exploitation of opportunities to add shareholder and policyholder value. Risk can represent an opportunity from which insurers can leverage their knowledge and risk management capabilities to find and maintain a competitive edge. Part of the essay collection "Risk Metrics for Decision Making and ORSA"

Description: This report, is an extension of the Society of Actuaries' November 2010 research project on the financial reporting effect of IASB’s exposure draft on the accounting of liabilities for term life and long term care insurance contracts to examine the effect on certain of these contracts to alternatives that have been discussed in treatment of discounting, expenses, and subsequent measurement of margins.

Description: Information about a social insurance modeling mini-seminar at the SOA’s 2010 Annual Meeting

Description: Essay discussing cost, quality and access of healthcare and then describes the need for rationing.

Description: This report summarizes the results of a research project undertaken by the Society of Actuaries to study the possible effects of the International Accounting Standards Board’s IASB Discussion Paper describing its Preliminary Views on Insurance Contracts on nine representative U.S. life, health and annuity products.

Description: This is the version of the SOA’s research report that appeared in the July 2008 issue of the Actuarial Practice Forum. This report presents modeling results of the possible impact of the IASB’s preliminary views of accounting for insurance contract liabilities on certain U.S. Life, health and annuity insurance products. This report presents comparisons of selected U.S. GAAP values to corresponding values of the proposed International Financial Reporting Standard IFRS results.

Description: This paper presents recent trends in obesity prevalence in significant population segments, including overall effects by age, gender and certain racial and ethnic groups, and discusses the ways in which obesity can influence mortality in each of these segments. It provides a synthesis of reported mortality experience relating to these behaviors by risk factors and diseases that will affect any mortality projection.

Description: This paper presents recent trends in obesity prevalence in significant population segments, including overall effects by age, gender and certain racial and ethnic groups, and discusses the ways in which obesity can influence mortality in each of these segments. It provides a synthesis of reported mortality experience relating to these behaviors by risk factors and diseases that will affect any mortality projection.

Description: Table of contents and acronym list for A Comprehensive Guide to Measuring and Managing Life Insurance Company Expenses

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Orlando Meeting covers an update on IASB developments related to international accounting standards for insurance, fair value versus other measures, recognition of profits or losses at issue and balance sheet versus income statement focus for financial reporting. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 3.

Description: From a session at the 2000 Valuation Actuary Symposium held in Washington DC, September 14-15, 2000 The session provides a brief overview of a variety of financial reporting topics, most of which were discussed in more detail in the subsequent sessions. The overview included topical issues as follows: • National Association of Insurance Commissioners NAIC Life and Health Actuarial Task Force developments and directions • Other NAIC/regulatory development • American Academy of Actuaries AAA/Actuarial Standards Board ASB developments • Financial Accounting Standards Board/Security Exchange Commission FASB/SEC and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles GAAP developments • Tax developments • Reinsurance development • Gramm-Leach-Bliley Financial Modernization Act

Description: Presenters examine some of the difficulties created by the absence of worldwide generally accepted accounting principles. Topics covered: 1. The need for worldwide Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, accounting, and reserving standards. 2. The work being done by the International Accounting Standards committee and the International Organization of Securities Commissions.

Description: From session 77IF at the Spring regional meeting of the Society of Actuaries held in Atlanta, Georgia, May 24-25, 1999, panelists explore the workings of the Actuarial Standards Board.

Description: This session at the 1998 Valuation Actuary Symposium explores the role and the perception of the appointed actuary as either an employee or an outside consultant. The Canadian structure and viewpoint are also presented.

Description: Sam Gutterman presents his paper, 'Expenses and Pricing', at this session at the SOA 1998 Maui I Spring Meeting. He discusses the need to control expenses and reflect them appropriately in pricing as vital to an insurance company' s short-term and long-term success.

Description: Presidential address at the 1996 annual meeting. The president encourages actuaries to broaden their scope and skills, develop the attributes he discusses and make a plan to redesign yourself.

Description: Full version of The Actuary, December 1996, Vol. 30, No. 10.

Description: Presented at October 1996 Annual Meeting. This session deals with the range of loan guarantee programs, program design, pricing and costing of benefits, classification of risks and underwriting, available experience, experience studies and claims management, and actuarial models.

Description: This article offers several broad definitions of an actuary that could apply in both traditional and non-traditional roles.

Description: This article discusses the importance of continuing education.

Description: This is a presidential address to the Society of Actuaries by Sam Gutterman. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1995-96 Reports.

Description: This session discusses the role that the SOA, AAA and actuaries have played in developing/analyzing various federal health care reform proposals. What will the future hold for practicing health actuaries? From Record of Society of Actuaries Vol. 20, No. 3A.

Description: 1993 SOA Annual Meeting, New York. This session is about the new methods of actuarial accounting and other methods in other countries: United Kingdom, Australia and Mexico. Topics included: 1. An overview of the most significant overall trends being addressed worldwide in the area of life insurance accounting. 2. Australian trends. 3. Trends in the UK. 4. Trends in Mexico.

Description: This session discussion is health databases, outcomes research, treatment protocol development, ambulatory utilization, SOA Experience Committee activities, and responding to employer demands for data. From Record of Society of Actuaries Vol. 19, No. 1B.

Description: Panelists consider the future environment of the valuation actuary in the U.S., the current environment in Canada and elsewhere, and the likely future methods of determining financial solvency in the U.S. From the 1988 Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 14, No. 4A.