Description: This is the presidential address by 1951 president of the Society of Actuaries, Valentine Howell, in which he discusses The Economic Power of Life Insurance Companies. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1951, Vol. 3, No. 7.

Description: In the past months, as COVID-19 has forced the reduced activity in the U.S. economy there has been some very substantial, but varied effects on the U.S. healthcare system. There is a lot of potential for confusion amongst providers and patients with regards to decisions related to which services ought to be rendered and which ought to be deferred. Two specific agencies – the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), and the American College of Surgeons (ACS) have put together some guidance to add more clarity towards what types of services should be provided and what types ought to be deferred. In addition, this paper includes a discussion on what types of services are most likely to be deferred, and which ones will accrue pent-up demand to be released when many of the deferred services become available again.

Description: This presentation is a panel discussion, session number 44PD, from the 2002 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held September 19-20 in Lake Buena Vista, FL. The panelists share their perspectives concerning the current economic environment. They address the impact on the valuation environment and the appointed actuary, statutory and GAAP implications, and the increasing value of actuarial expertise. Topics covered include demographic considerations, rising health-care expenditures, increased investor scrutiny, and the cost of regulation, NAIC developments, solvency and liquidity, and investment opportunities and challenges in the current economic environment. Discussion from participants is included.

Description: The author explores the nature of risk in the actuarial profession and suggests that all of us actuaries in the world are connected by this common bond.

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

Description: This paper presents a complete historical account of the founding of the Society of Actuaries. From Transactions of Society of Actauries 1949, Vol. 1, No. 1.

Description: In his book The Power of Habit (2012), Charles Duhigg tells a tale of finding common ground and reaching consensus on change. The common ground that was sought between warring corporate tribes was mutually beneficial, not just to achieve the ends to which those changes were aimed, but also for the cooperation that they engendered across the entire organization.

Description: This is a listing of names and titles of six key employees of the Society of Actuaries. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1982, Vol. 34.

Description: The Committee on Planning has now established a task force to undertake a structured, in-depth study of The Actuary of the Future/The Future of the Actuary. Feedback and input from all SOA members is urged.

Description: This article discusses the power of moving while giving a speech. Improved wireless microphone technology has made roaming while giving a speech more natural.