Description: The Candidate Connect at the 2024 ValAct Meeting provides information, inspiration and networking opportunities to actuarial candidates pursuing their ASA.

Description: Are you changing careers or starting a new actuarial job? Find out how to network inside and outside of your organization, how to manage taking exams and having a full-time job, and how to make the connections that will help you along the way.

Description: Are you interested in alternative investments and their role in professionally managed institutional portfolios? Join us for an engaging discussion that delves into the nature of alternative investments, the reasons behind their increased utilization, and the benefits and considerations of their use. Our speakers, representing both the insurance and pension sectors, will cover various asset classes and provide valuable insights.

Description: One of the many SOA objectives is to share valuable actuarial insights with the public. The purpose of this site is to gather articles, research, studies and more with a societal purpose focus, {and to also shine a spotlight on members who are committed to societal purpose in their own communities.}

Description: The traditional defined-benefit (DB) plan is a type of plan structured to provide the greatest degree of retirement income security, designed to pay out a guaranteed retirement income for the life of the retiree (and, when applicable, a beneficiary). However, over the last several decades, the number of private-sector employees covered under these traditional plans has decreased dramatically and been replaced by defined contribution (DC) plans. In contrast, public-sector retirement plans, which are exempt from ERISA, have seen a much smaller decline in DB plans. There are many differences in the private and public sector that likely contributed to this phenomenon, but ERISA and the many amendments to it has been a major factor.

Description: A brief review of the 2024 SOA Health Meeting in Baltimore

Description: The 2024 Actuarial Teaching Conference (ATC) provided an engaging platform for actuarial educators to explore current trends and challenges in the field. Organized by a diverse planning committee, the conference introduced new interactive formats, including roundtable discussions that encouraged in-depth dialogue on key topics such as artificial intelligence, student behavior, and experiential learning. One of the major highlights was the strategic focus on networking, with efforts made to facilitate connections before, during, and after the event through digital platforms. Challenges such as selecting diverse yet cohesive presentation topics and scheduling concurrent sessions were effectively addressed by aligning themes with participants' interests. Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the innovative roundtable format, which fostered meaningful conversations and idea exchange. The success of this conference was attributed to meticulous planning, adaptability, and a commitment to innovation, setting a high standard for future ATCs.