Description: This is an interview with Shane Chalke, FSA, MAAA, who has started three businesses since 1983. Chalke, the youngest person ever to be elected to the SOA Board of Governors, has a knack for making the right business decisions. He tells how his actuarial background has played a role in his success, and what makes him a winner.

Description: This is an interview with Steve Vernon, FSA, MAAA, who runs his own business for helping people live long and prosper–financially, emotionally and with respect to their health. His contribution to society is to use his actuarial expertise and communication skills to help the baby boom generation face these challenges.

Description: The Actuary recently asked Bob Smyth of Gant Travel Management some questions regarding international travel. Smyth says if you plan well and are up to date on new regulations and passport requirements, traveling abroad is smooth sailing.

Description: Feature article discussing the Morris Report and its influence on U.K. actuaries and development of the Financial Reporting Council FRC. This includes the Board for Actuarial Standards BAS, Professional Oversight Board POB, and the Accountancy & Actuarial Discipline Board AADB.

Description: Feature article discussing the pros and cons of insurance companies in stretch management, using dreams to set business targets with no idea how to get there.

Description: Discusses variability in per capita health-care costs by health-care provider.

Description: This article is about variable annuity products in Japan. Topics covered are the history of variable annuities, product and risk management, distribution, the regulatory environment and the market outlook.

Description: This article is an interview with Ron Gebhardtsbauer, Senior Pension Fellow at the American Academy of Actuaries about his career and how his passion for serving.

Description: The viability and future outlook for the individual disability industry has dramatically improved from where it was 10 years ago. Evidence of this turn–around can be found in the industry's current profitability and its development of new markets. This article discusses where the market stands today.

Description: This article summarizes a recent session at an SOA meeting that presented tips on improving and speeding the product filing process.