Description: The author notes the decline in the study of compound interest and the effect of computers on the subject.

Description: This article discusses the benefits of the recent advances in technology. The author cautions that while these advances create demands that call for yet more advances, we need to think longer term to avoid future side effects like Y2K.

Description: With the convergence and consolidation of the financial services industry, the advent of new technologies and the Internet, and increased focus on the customer, actuaries are facing a brand new set of challenges. This editorial prefaces the articles in this issue that point out some key challenges and opportunities facing today’s actuaries.

Description: Discusses the evolving role of technology within the actuarial profession and the current use of electronic bulletin boards on the internet.

Description: The Society of Actuaries Board of Governors decided in June 1996 to discontinue the printed version of the Record in favor of electronic distribution, with the objectives of 1.hastening the availability of session transcripts to the members, 2. reducing publication costs, and 3. taking advantage of technological advances. This article introduces the availability of sessions for the 1996 Society of Actuaries meetings.

Description: Outline of modifications to formulas in previously released FORTRAN program to compute two-life annuities, including those designated 'qualified joint and survivor annuities' in the ERISA Act of 1974.

Description: This article is a brief review of the book “Crime by Computer,” by Donn B. Parker. If you have from time to time become concerned about the security of computer programs records and transactions, this book will give little comfort.

Description: This article is about how innovative use of technology will be a key differentiator for future success and maybe even survival, and how technology will switch from a defensive to an offensive tool, aimed principally at driving revenues. The article addresses the question: How will successful leaders in the insurance industry use technology in the future?

Description: This article gives an overview of the new SOA website and statistics on its usage plus looks at other actuarial sites, and describes the prevalent search engines.

Description: Perhaps readers will send us additions to the following short list of events in the mathematical world associated with years ending in the digits 82. These are taken from IBM’s history chart, “Men of Modern Mathematics.”