Description: An announcement of the roster of the newly reconvened Health Section Research Committee, and an invitation to propose, participate in, and read about the committee's projects. informal RFP to solicit research project ideas, invitationto join project oversight groups and

Description: The article discusses the Texas Pension Review Board's Guidelines for Actuarial Soundness applicable to Texas state public retirement systems (including the system's amortization period), and how these guidelines are consistent with and complementary to both the current GASB 27 ARC disclosure, and the imminent GASB 67 & 68 disclosures. The GASB requirements will change from a de facto funding standard to strictly disclosure requirements, with a focus on plans whose funding trajectory is the poorest.

Description: A study of disability experience examines cost burden and degree of disability, and how these measures vary across different subpopulations. This article summarizes a presentation given at the Society of Actuaries’ Living to 100: Survival to Advanced Ages International Symposium held on Jan. 7–9, 2008 in Orlando, Florida. An abstract of the author's paper was presented in the September 2008 issue of Long-Term Care News.

Description: A discussion of mental health issues facing those in the role of caregiver for a loved one.

Description: Applies the economic concept of negative externality (where firms profit but create unacceptable social costs) to systemic of financial institutions. Identifies alternatives to the traditional (Pigou) response of taxing the firm.

Description: An edited written interview with two actuaries and a public health professional on issues related to the intersection between the two fields.

Description: Comparison of Healthy Michigan and Healthy Indiana Plan Medicaid expansion programs.

Description: A discussion of the recently revised Society of Actuaries Global Initiatives Policy, which covers a variety of issues including relationships with other actuarial associations, professional development issues, and education issues.

Description: In this paper, Honorable Mention Essay for the Society of Actuaries' Entrepreneurial Actuaries Section 2010 Papers Competition, the author discusses the relative lack of personal insurance programs in third world countries, and the opportunities and challenges this presents to entrepreneurial actuaries. This essay discusses approaches for solving the issues in order that personal insurance programs in the third world will become a viable business opportunity. In addition to being an opportunity, the author believes this should also be an area in which actuaries feel a responsibility for finding solutions, because actuaries understand the problems and can find the answers. The author also suggests ways the Entrepreneurial Actuaries Section can help.

Description: The Total Career Benchmark Model, consistent with Retirement 20/20 principles, focuses on reconstructing and maintaining a consistent and reasonable sharing of risks and rewards amongst the four stakeholders: Individuals, Society, Employers and the Markets. Modern technology provides the necessary tools. A series of benchmarks are used for tax limits, target pensions, accrual to date etc. The self adjusting, consistent benchmarks under the TCB Model, means that all stakeholders speak the same language. Individuals and Employers can easily compare what they have to what they need – and more importantly can see how to accrue what is needed. An individual’s ability to tax shelter income over a career is not dependent on the design of any employer pension plan. All funds allocated to an individual remain the individual’s and are not used to subsidize another person – except for the inherent risk sharing of an annuity – by hidden transfers of value.