Description: Part 2 of two-part series of interviews with former SmallCo section chairs exploring their experience with the section, the future of SmallCo, and final thoughts.

Description: This article ackowledges the contribution of outgoing members of SOA Education and Research ( E & R) Section Council, introduces new council members, and provides some useful information for the current section members.

Description: This article takes a look at how defined benefit (DB) pension plan financials ended the third quarter of 2023 on a solid footing, improving the capacity to take meaningful de-risking actions; as DB plans look to de-risk at reasonable costs, they may find it beneficial to consider a broad range of investment options; and completing a core bond allocation with private credit and income-oriented alternative strategies can help achieve important savings over other frequently pursued de-risking approaches, without materially increasing the funded status volatility or downside risk

Description: This article provides an overview of activities that should be considered by an actuary when validating a predictive model. It describes several components to consider when validating a predictive model and provides an examination of various methodologies that can be implemented in the validation process.

Description: Subtitle: My real-life connection to (almost) every supplemental product Data is king, but maybe it should be dethroned once in a while so we can better understand the "why" behind the data.

Description: A recounting of all the accomplishments the Joint Risk Management Section had in 2021 crediting those responsible for their successful completion.

Description: Best practices for a successful model conversion or transformation. It details the key stakeholders involved and the processes and tasks across various stages of the model conversion.

Description: This article aims to delve into the rationale and calculation logic of the variable fee approach (VFA) which is applied to the insurance contracts with direct participation features under IFRS 17. In actual practice, the variable fee approach can be implemented in two methods, which are from fee income or total cash flows point of view. These two methods will achieve the same outcomes but are featured with different insights and varying degree of operational ease. Detailed roll-forward steps of contractual service margin (CSM) for these two methods are elaborated in the article, along with a numerical example by using a variable universal life product to help the readers comprehend the rationale behind the variable fee approach.

Description: The insurance industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by a rapidly evolving landscape that is reshaping the way insurers market and distribute their products. This article delves into the key trends and factors shaping the industry, exploring the implications for insurance companies as they adapt to the changing environment.

Description: The importance of exposure modelling from a climate analysis perspective.