Description: COVID-19 and the accompanying policy changes have disrupted virtually everyone’s personal and professional lives. In April 2021, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) surveyed members and candidates to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the careers of actuaries and aspiring actuaries. The survey was sent to 26,101 members and candidates. Approximately 7% (1,912) responded and included demographic information. In addition, the SOA investigated actuarial exam progress at an aggregate level. Here are highlights of the findings.

Description: The Retirement Section and Retirement Section Research Committee are pleased to make available a research report examining academic and practitioner research on low interest rates in the United States.

Description: This paper, part of the Society of Actuaries [SOA} ‘Research Projects – Finance/Investment,’ and sponsored by the Society of Actuaries Committee on Finance Research, is a research report exploring the mechanics and implementation of economic capital programs for life insurance companies. The report includes discussion of the common methods for calculating economic capital with advantages and disadvantages of each method among other topics. In addition to the, a PowerPoint presentation with highlights from the report is also available.

Description: This research summarizes interviews of individuals 85+ years old, looking at how habits and behaviors from earlier in life affect the later years of retirement.

Description: Survey to determine: 1. The general level of lapses and mortality expected for individual level premium term life insurance products for the period following the level premium period 2. Company experience for lapses and mortality for these products following the level premium period 3. The size of the premium increase at the end of the level premium period and the impact, if any, this has on lapse rates and mortality.

Description: This is a research report describing the results of an Emerging Risks Survey that asked members of the International Network of Actuarial Risk Managers [INARM] about emerging risks that will have the greatest impact over the next few years. They were also asked by modeling techniques and future spending on risk management.

Description: Research report that investigates the challenges associated with determining a fair value assessment for embedded options in two product types, explains period-to-period changes in value and discusses incorporating these values into financial projections and product pricing.

Description: A research report that examines the effect of ERM adoption on a firm’s corporate reputation. The authors use a wide range of metrics as proxies to capture the essence of a firm’s reputation from the perspective of numerous stakeholders.

Description: Research projects in pension - Pension Risk Management: Derivatives, Fiduciary Duty and Process by Susan Mangiero

Description: This SOA report identifies methodologies currently in use by life insurers as well as potential new strategies to manage balance sheet and income volatility risk associated with fair value and related accounting