Description: In How Significant Is Statistical Significance? The author discusses the p-value that is often used to determine significance. Sometimes we place too much reliance upon canned metrics and lose the ability to notice when something is mathematically sound but not sensible. The article provides three simple examples that require no complicated mathematics to follow yet provide a basis for some deep thought about statistical significance versus substantive significance.

Description: This article discusses the importance, measurement and improvement of product development efficiency.

Description: The author discusses an interpretation of the surrender charge limitations specified in New York’s Regulation 77 which increases the maximum allowable surrender charges for renewal years. This interpretation was presented to and accepted by the New York State Insurance Department.

Description: The chairperson reviewed the accomplishments from the prior year and provided a preview of upcoming events.

Description: The Universal Life Work Group ULWG of the American Academy of Actuaries’ AAA Life Valuation Subcommittee was formed in July 2004. Its charge is to develop a new “principle-based” approach definition follows for statutory reserves and capital requirements for life products with certain types of benefits and guarantees, where the value of the contract obligations vary significantly due to such things as future interest rates or equity returns.

Description: A follow-up to the article “Comfort Food for an Actuary: Cognitive Testing in Underwriting the Elderly,” published in the May 2006 edition of Product Matters! This article presents the updated results, based upon three more years of data, of the Delayed Word Recall DWR Test mortality study. mortality study.

Description: The National Center For Health Statistics recently came out with preliminary 2006 U.S. population mortality statistics—showing lower mortality and a record life expectancy!

Description: The purpose of this survey is to provide international actuaries with benchmark assumption data.

Description: This article discusses the whys and hows of managing risk and capital at the enterprise level.