Description: “Investments in securities are traditionally evaluated on a standalone basis by using ratios that summarize the relation¬ship between anticipated risks and rewards. These ratios could also be used to better quantify the relationship between the standalone risks and rewards of life and annuity products and thus enhance the capital allocation process. These ratios will be discussed and critiqued.” The article describes how “the . . . ratios can help tie modeled product risks to modeled rewards.”

Description: This article provides an overview of the Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) model act, and of enterprise risk management (ERM). Compared to other actuarial disciplines, health actuaries have not historically focused as much on ERM. But health coverages do have risks that can threaten an insurer's solvency, and ORSA (now in force in most states) will force health insurers to beef up their ERM capabilities.

Description: Feature article describing the different types of risk cultures companies can have.

Description: Many top-performing businesses aren’t just risk aware, but rather risk intelligent. Such a posture helps prepare companies for a major event and can demonstrate to a regulator or auditor that an appropriately strong control framework is in place. Better still, companies gain real strategic value from a “risk adjusted” understanding not only of their threats and vulnerabilities, but also the upside opportunities associated with various risks. It starts with having both qualitative and quantitative information to identify, assess and manage risks. Strategic risk management, at its core, is about creating value by increasing transparency and accountability, and quality of information. More than a mere compliance exercise, effective risk management enables more informed strategic decision making, increased accountability and transparency, a greater likelihood of organizational success, and – ultimately – competitive advantage, as borne out by many studies that correlate risk management and financial results.

Description: The article is based on a study of causes of insolvency and decisions made by management, regulators, and policyholders over the life cycle of the insolvency.

Description: This article discusses the current state of the IAIS' initiative on their group Insurance Capital Standard.

Description: Feature article describing what makes a company a systemically important financial institution and the new rules those companies will have to follow.

Description: Many top-performing businesses aren’t just risk aware, but rather risk intelligent. Such a posture helps prepare companies for a major event and can demonstrate to a regulator or auditor that an appropriately strong control framework is in place. Better still, companies gain real strategic value from a “risk adjusted” understanding not only of their threats and vulnerabilities, but also the upside opportunities associated with various risks. It starts with having both qualitative and quantitative information to identify, assess and manage risks. Strategic risk management, at its core, is about creating value by increasing transparency and accountability, and quality of information. More than a mere compliance exercise, effective risk management enables more informed strategic decision making, increased accountability and transparency, a greater likelihood of organizational success, and – ultimately – competitive advantage, as borne out by many studies that correlate risk management and financial results.

Description: Based upon Salim Ismael's keynote address at the SOA Annual meeting in Austin as well as his book Exponential Organizations, this article discusses the disruptive power of two significant trends: the transformative power of new, scalable technology, and the generational shifts caused by Boomers leaving the workforce and Millennials' rise to prominence.

Description: This article considers ways actuaries can meet the growing demands of senior executives by redefining their role and the actuarial operating model.