Description: The author suggests that the ability to negotiate is the ability to achieve a specific type of outcome. Given corporations and people are held to their own high standards, we all would get what we want more often and that is the goal. From The Stepping Stone, February 2012, Issue No. 45.

Description: This article considers ways actuaries can meet the growing demands of senior executives by redefining their role and the actuarial operating model.

Description: Discusses the peer-review process as it relates to articles submitted for TAXING TIMES.

Description: The author has gathered a variety of resources, general theories, and specific practices concerning spreadsheet errors and their avoidance.

Description: In this article, we aim to outline the advantages of smaller programs and gather opinions on the challenges these programs face in their efforts to emphasize these strengths. For our purposes, we define small actuarial programs as those with a relatively low student enrollment count. The following are three key advantages of small programs, which are similar to those of small colleges:(a) Enhanced benefits from small class size; (b) Adaptable curriculum; (c) Increased opportunities for each student. A variety of similar other issues are also discussed with recommendations, challenges, and invitations for further dialogue.

Description: The authors reflect on the 2023 SOA ImpACT Conference. They share some of the networking opportunities, and give overviews of the general sessions as well as some of the breakout sessions. They discuss reasons for attending an in-person meeting beyond getting continuing professional development credits.

Description: A compilation of reader responses is presented to a real life situation involving a business decision. This issue’s case study involved a recently promoted chief actuary receiving pressure to make a downward reserve adjustment at year end.

Description: This article provides a high-level description of how the One Big Beautiful Bill passed enacted on July 4, 2025 specifically affects life insurers. Primarily in this article, ACLI reflects on its 18-year collaboration with the Society of Actuaries through the Taxing Times publication, highlighting key tax legislation impacts and ongoing advocacy for the life insurance industry. This final column acknowledges past achievements and emphasizes continued commitment to industry representation amid evolving challenges.