Description: Exploration of sources of volatility in retiree health valuations, noting how volatility arises and might be mitigated, with discussion of valuation parameters more problematic for retiree health benefits than for pensions. Three significant influences on retiree health valuation volatility are covered-- changes in benefit level, fluctuations in cost level, and alterations in eligibility for, or duration of, benefit – and attention focused on the last two. Specific conclusions result in recommendations, which are supported by practical examples contrasting volatile measurement results with those likely from the recommended practices. Theoretical discussion includes health claim variation, health trend usage, financial economics, option pricing, discount rates, and deterministic vs. stochastic modeling.

Description: Key Health Issues for 2003, as identified by the Health Benefit Systems Practice Advancement Committee HBSPAC and the Health Section Council HSC of the Society of Actuaries, which will have their top priority attention.

Description: Presented at April 1986 Spring Meeting. This session discussion is about the current and future challenges in the employee benefits area, is the actuarial profession adequately preparing its members to meet those challenges, and do our clients and publics view us as playing a vital role in employee benefits developments.

Description: Preparing an effective actuarial memorandum in support of the health actuarial opinion.

Description: The article discusses the sustainability of the ACA individual market from a public entitlement standpoint. A key point of measuring sustainability is the reliance on market forces rather than federal budget constraints. The article explains why an actuarial viewpoint of sustainability is necessary to a greater extent than other public assistance and social insurance programs. The article challenges actuaries to be a bold, objective voice in a space that is full of opinionated but often uninformed viewpoints.

Description: Presented at June 1996 Spring Meeting. This discussion looks at redirecting the traditional role of the actuary into new areas such as working with doctors to deal with medical management issues, dealing and negotiating with providers and how to help the company develop a provider payment strategy. Employers negotiating directly with providers is also discussed.

Description: Discusses cost-benefit decision-making for acquiring electronic data-processing equipment and installation issues, ability of small companies to compete in pension trust arena, effectiveness of various agency compensation programs in stimulating sales and improving persistency, success of sales to substandard risks and rating methods, and pricing, reinsurance and experience with individual hospital and medical policies.

Description: This is a guide to underwriting literature which covers a broad range of underwriting issues and the actuary's role in underwriting.

Description: This article introduces a research report that studied the relationship of nontraditional variables with health costs.

Description: Letter from the Editor