Description: This report looks at a proposed amendment to the Society of Actuaries' Constitution as to whether or not the Society should have any collective voice on public questions and, if so, under what conditions it should be heard. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1966, Vol. 18, Pt. 1, No. 52.

Description: This session will recap the history of the involvement of the actuarial profession in the debates on health care reform. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 21, No. 4b.

Description: Preview of the May 2010 issue of Health Watch, with focus on the growing importance of actuaries, particularly in light of new developments in health care reform, clinical integration, enterprise risk management, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act.

Description: Presidential address by the former President of the Society of Actuaries. Includes discussion of the need for growth in membership and legal accreditation

Description: The article notes, as explained in Norman Solomon’s paper, TSA XV, 167, so-called windfall appropriations are required annually to finance dual benefits to which certain railroad workers became eligible under the Railroad Retirement Act in consequence of pre-1975 employment that entitled them to both Railroad Retirement and Social Security benefits. The author then notes that the Office of Management and Budget has arbitrarily reduced revised appropriations, and that “the actuarial profession should take a strong stand against this by-passing of actuarial determinations.”

Description: The author discusses a definition of an actuary that he suggested several years earlier, noting that the public has a right to know why we think we constitute a profession, and why it should care. The author’s definition is: “that professional who is trained in evaluating the current financial implications of future contingent events.”

Description: This panel discussion is from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 16-17 in New York. The panelists debunk myths, the conventional wisdom that actuaries have no place in the public policy arena, whether because the profession is too small to influence public policymakers, or legislators just don't want to hear from professionals whose work is so technical in nature and specialized in its application, or that It's not really necessary to become too involved in public policymaking, because what goes on in legislatures just doesn't affect actuaries’ day-to-day working lives. The panelists provide insights on lending actuarial expertise to policymaking debates. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 2.

Description: This panel discussion is from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held June 3-5 in Colorado Springs. The panelists debunk myths, the conventional wisdom that actuaries have no place in the public policy arena, whether because the profession is too small to influence public policymakers, or legislators just don't want to hear from professionals whose work is so technical in nature and specialized in its application, or that It's not really necessary to become too involved in public policymaking, because what goes on in legislatures just doesn't affect actuaries’ day-to-day working lives. The panelists provide insights on lending actuarial expertise to policymaking debates. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 3A.

Description: Actuaries and the Actuarial profession have an obligation to act in the public interest. It is not enough to pass exams, keep current and do "good actuarial work.” Both Science and public service must be reflected in all of our activities...The intent of this article is to clarify what "acting in the public service” means for actuaries, particularly U.S. actuaries. It emphasizes the importance (necessity) of examining the "public interest" in everything we do ... and to warn the public where we have concerns. ...Acting in the public interest (a requirement for any profession or professional, is critical to the profession's future reputation and relevance.

Description: An article from The Actuary that highlights Stephen C. Goss, chief actuary at the Social Security Administration, who was recently awarded the National Academy of Social Insurance's NASI first ever Robert M. Ball Award for outstanding achievements in social insurance. According to NASI, Goss exemplifies 'public service' at its very best. The Actuary asked Goss if he could give a little more of himself and answer some questions about his career, which, of course, he did.