Description: The Brazilian market is presently the largest life market in Latin America, so the recent news regarding the abolishment of the reinsurance monopoly there will certainly place Brazil on the radar screens of all major life reinsurers. The article describes the impact on the Brazilian lfe insurance market and the international reinsurance market.

Description: The United States has received severe negative press the last several years regarding its massive U.S. federal government debt, currently estimated as of April 2007 at about $8.9 trillion. This article looks at the U.S. debt relative to other countries and also explores the impact on U.S. investments.

Description: This is a synopsis of a report that actuaries have been participating in regarding insurer risk assessment for solvency purposes.

Description: Discusses some basic issues for women to consider in planning for the possibility of being alone.

Description: The article summarizes a survey conducted by the Pension Section's Research Team. Nearly 2,400 actuaries responded with answers that ranged from abolishing the system to expanding the program to include all workers. The question, What changes, if any, should be made to the current system? is recapped.

Description: This article presents highlights from a Roundtable Discussion held at the 2008 Annual Conference of the National Academy of Social Insurance - NASI. Some issues discussed are the results of the SOA 2007 Survey on the Risks and Process of Retirement, the phases of retirement and the changes during retirement as a function of changing health and capability, age, changing family status and employment status.

Description: Article discussing the use of enterprise risk management in the health care industry.

Description: John Dewan, FSA, and his non-traditional career into baseball and STATS

Description: An article from The Actuary that discusses the new non-forfeiture value. The secondary market for life insurance is redefining the way policies are valued. Paradign shifts don't occur overnight. Yet, somewhere along the line, there comes a convergence of factors that makes significant change inevitable. With regard to the secondary market for life insurance, this tipping point is already in the rear-view mirror.

Description: Article discussing the SOA’s plans for growth.