Description: This essay explores the role that the emerging defined contribution retirement system may be playing in the growth of wealth inequality in the United States. The current system leaves many Americans with little or no retirement savings. Those with higher accumulation levels appear to invest proportionally more in equities, which may have an exponential effect of balances over long time periods. The author hypothesizes that willingness to take investment risk involves the relationship between the amount an investor has accumulated and what she/he needs in order to cover basic costs of living. This is one reason that investors with greater accumulation levels may be able to earn higher rates of return. The essay concludes by suggesting that the U.S. defined contribution system should include all workers and provide additional fiduciary guidance. Examples reforms, both in the U.S. and other countries, are provided.

Description: In this article chairperson Anthony Dardis takes a look back at the achievements of the Investment Section Council halfway through his tenure as chair.

Description: This article contains the treasurer's report from the Smaller Insurance Company Section Council meeting at the 50th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

Description: The transition from personal producer to manager/leader is a shift that can be difficult for many professionals, including actuaries. Appreciating and understanding the fundamental differences between the two roles is critical to success.

Description: SOA International Section Council 2012 accomplishments

Description: Emails are to the business world what cars are to a road trip: we can't get anywhere without them. This article offers 6 specific strategies to write emails more effectively. The theme is that re-reading your emails to check for a clear goal, conciseness, appropriate tone, etc. is a worthwhile time investment as it saves your reader time and prevents problems caused by miscommunication.

Description: Technology In Microinsurance This literature review provides insights on emerging technologies that ... the actuarial profession within the space of microinsurance for the purpose of establishing a frame of ... Description: This literature review provides insights on emerging technologies that interact with the actuarial profession within the space of microinsurance for the purpose of establishing a frame of reference for actuaries to use in their work. Furthermore, it intends to spark readers’ interest in, and create a vision for, how microinsurance and its associated technologies may impact the actuarial industry in the future.

Description: The author briefly describes a hypothetical example of several unconscious biases in the workplace, drawing upon the behavioral economics work of Kahneman and Tversky. He presents data to refute the snap judgments that are all too common in human interaction.

Description: Five Quick Ways to Improve Your Leadership in 2020

Description: How great servant leaders develop their people.