Description: This is a thank you note sent out by Sarah Christiansen of the Principal Financial Group and Stuart Klugman of Drake University for the opportunity of hosting the 34th Annual Actuarial Research Conference. The Conference was held Aug. 8-11, 1999, in Des Moines, Iowa. The theme of the conference, jointly sponsored by Drake University and The Principal Financial Group, was building bridges between theory and practice. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 2000, Vol. 1.

Description: Because actuaries fit models for a variety of situations, particularly with regard to data modifications, it is useful to have a single approach. Though not optimal or exact for a particular model or data structure, the method should be reasonable for most all settings. Such a method is proposed in this article. Actuarial Research Clearing House 2003, VOL. 1

Description: This paper highlights how the estimation procedure works in regards to annuities, including immediate life annuities.

Description: While we agree with the conclusions expressed by Silver and Hedges The Classical Definition of Compound Interest is Adequate by Murray Silver and Bob Hedges, ARCH 1981.2, we do not believe the theorem follows from the stated Axiom. We present an alternative proof which uses only the accumulation function and not the force of interest.

Description: This is a letter to Professor Ralph Garfield in response to his contribution to the 1978.1 issue of ARCH. It answered his question concerning the non-applicability of an identity.

Description: In this paper the ad-hoc Bayesian derivation of the Whittaker method is replaced with a formal Bayesian specification, and then it is shown that with this specification it is possible to complete the graduation without making an arbitrary selection of the smoothing parameter. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1992, VOL. 1.

Description: Two breakout sessions were held. Their goal was to explore ways in which researchers and practitioners could be brought closer together. The following summaries were edited by Stuart Klugman from notes taken by the indicated participants: Session #1 - Bridging the gap with regard to modality and morbidity and Session #2 - Bridging the gap with regard to financial modeling.

Description: There are three commonly used methods for compiling exposure and death data for use in obtaining crude mortality rates. They are lives, policies and amounts of insurance. This paper investigates the properties of estimators based on lives, amounts and robust alternatives. It is concluded that lives provide the best estimator, even when there is a moderate dependence of mortality rates on amounts of insurance. Presented at the Fourteenth Actuarial Research Conference, lowa City, lowa, September 6, 1979.

Description: These slides go with a presentation given by Stuart Klugman at the Actuarial Research Conference, August 5, 2004, about the Education Redesign.

Description: This is a August 1, 1990 memorandum sent to selected members of the Society of Actuaries announcing the creation of an Education and Research Section. From Actuarial Research Clearing House, 1991 Vol. 1.