Description: The authors examine 19 factors to determine which were most closely linked to permanent and term life insurance premiums sold in the United States in 2020. With spatial regression analysis using multi-scale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) approach, the authors find the following 5 covariates to be the most statistically significant for and positively correlated with permanent insurance sold: household income, percentage of the population that is African American, education, health insurance, and Gini index (a statistical measure of wealth inequality)

Description: The SOA Research Institute Catastrophe and Climate Strategic Research Program released a report that explores the shifting geography of Lyme Disease in the U.S. and beyond and some of the potential determinants of its spread. Lyme Disease is a well-known disease particularly in the eastern U.S., and it is also prevalent in other geographies. This report researches the complex relationship between climate variables and the spread of Lyme Disease in the United States.

Description: The SOA Research Institute engaged Milliman to perform a study examining life insurer practices on accelerated underwriting and how COVID-19 has impacted them. This effort included a separate outreach to actuaries working for twelve different state insurance departments. At the time of this report, three responses to our regulatory survey had been received. Therefore, the results of the three-question survey are discussed in broad terms, rather than using numerical measurements.

Description: Society of Actuaries Names New Recipients of James C. Hickman Scholars Program

Description: Expect to cover key points from the Living to 100 conference around living and social environments for the elderly. Following the review will be a discussion about implications related to LTCI plans and policies around living environments. It will conclude with a peak behind the curtain for pricing for CCRCs.

Description: In 2024, 27 disasters in the United States resulted in damages exceeding $1 billion. These disasters included two winter storms, one wildfire event, one drought/heatwave event, one flooding event, six tornado outbreaks, 11 severe weather/hail events and five hurricanes. The costliest of these events was Hurricane Helene, which resulted in 219 deaths and cost $79.6 billion , although the early 2025 wildfires in the Los Angeles, California area threaten to exceed this economic cost. In Canada, insured catastrophic losses totaled C$8.5 billion in 2024, making it the costliest year on record for the country. Outside the United States and Canada, Cyclone Chido killed more than 1,000 people, a heatwave in Bangladesh impacted 33 million people and a drought in Columbia has had a significant impact on the economy there .

Description: SOA Research Institute / University Partnerships for Artificial Intelligence Topics

Description: The Society of Actuaries (SOA) and Reinsurance Group of America (RGA) have conducted a study on Asia's shifting demographics and its impact on retirement systems. This research explores retirement planning behaviors, financial awareness, and risk perceptions across different life stages, offering valuable insights for policymakers, financial institutions, and individuals. Discover how these findings can enhance retirement security and uncover new opportunities for innovative financial protection solutions.

Description: The SOA has recognized the actuarial programs at Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, and Robert Morris University, Moon Township, PA, as University-Earned Credit (UEC) Centers of Actuarial Excellence (CAE).

Description: This report presents research into recent population mortality experience as it pertains to development of mortality improvement assumptions for measuring obligations of retirement programs in the United States.