Description: This session is an in-depth interview of Amanda Hug and Micheline Dionne, president of the SOA and past-president of the International Actuarial Association (IAA), respectively. SOA is the largest professional society for the actuarial profession, and the IAA represents actuaries from over 100 countries. We’ll touch on topics such as AI, the future of work for actuaries, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), among others. At the conclusion of the session, the attendees would be able to get a better understanding of the strategic directions of both organizations and how each plans to navigate its perceived challenges and opportunities. Interviewees: Amanda Hug, FSA, MAAA, Director at WTW, incoming president of the SOA Micheline Dionne, FCIA, Past-President of International Actuarial Association (IAA) Interviewer: Jing Lang, FSA, FCIA, President of Deepwork Academy and host of the Be Brilliant with Jing Lang podcast.

Description: This session will explore the considerations and best practices for developing AI tools that are useful, safe, and transparent for actuarial work. While large language models (LLMs) offer exciting possibilities, it is crucial to understand when and how to use them effectively. The session will cover key concepts of LLMs and case studies on developing AI tools for retrieval-augmented generation and summary creation of actuarial documents. Attendees will learn about the importance of designing workflows that nudge users towards safe and effective processes. By the end of the session, participants will gain insights into the responsible use of LLMs in actuarial practice and learn how to leverage their potential to support professional growth.

Description: As companies strive to remain competitive in today's dynamic marketplace, the role of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) has evolved significantly. It has transitioned from a purely operational function to a strategic imperative. This is most apparent in the life insurance sector, where complex regulatory changes and technological advancements are reshaping traditional practices. In this session, we will delve into the critical aspects of modernizing FP&A within the life insurance industry, exploring key challenges, emerging trends, and best practices. Key areas of discussion include: - Navigating Different Regulatory Frameworks: Companies have to navigate different regulatory lenses for various purposes including budgeting, capital management, rating agencies review, etc. The implementation of regulatory frameworks such as IFRS 17, LDTI, and Principles-Based Reserves (PBR), and the recent trend in establishing Bermuda entities has significant implications for financial reporting and capital management in the life insurance sector. We will discuss how companies can explore strategies for compliance and adaptation within the FP&A process. - Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation: Companies are faced with higher expectations to guide both internal and external parties on the financial impact of their plans. A comprehensive exploration enabled by advanced analytics is critical for communicating, prioritizing, and allocating a company's resources on transactions, product development, and capital management. Our panel will explore how strategic planning has advanced in recent years, providing insights into effective approaches for aligning strategic objectives with financial resources. - Technological Advancements: The rapid pace of technological innovation has opened new possibilities for FP&A, offering advanced modeling techniques and data analytics capabilities. However, many organizations face challenges in harnessing these technologies effectively. This session will examine the role of technology in modernizing FP&A and highlight best practices for implementation. By attending this session, participants will gain: - Strategies for aligning strategic planning with resource allocation and effectively communicating financial impacts to internal and external stakeholders. - An understanding of the current state of FP&A within the life insurance industry, including emerging trends and challenges. - Insight into the implications of regulatory and technological advancements on FP&A processes and functions. - Best practices for leveraging technology to enhance FP&A capabilities and drive strategic decision-making.

Description: The session will address the potential benefits of (re)opening corporate defined benefit plans for plans for plan sponsors and participants alike. Despite a shift from DB to DC trend over the last 20 years, this topic is particularly relevant as many US plan sponsors are enjoying overfunded DB plan funded status, struggling with retirement income solutions in DC plans, and navigating workforce management and recruiting considerations. This session will discuss how innovative plan designs, such as market-return cash balance plans and variable-annuity plans, reduce plan sponsor risks associated with traditional DB designs. We will also discuss investment, balance sheet, retirement readiness, and implementation considerations.

Description: Delve into the nexus of actuarial science in the heart of D.C. This session offers an in-depth look at the sophisticated mechanics behind additional health insurance reserves, framed by the unique regulatory landscape of national policy. As we explore premium deficiency reserves and additional reserve requirements, attendees will understand how regulatory oversight and frameworks influence these critical actuarial items. Through engaging discussions and case studies, we'll uncover the strategic intersections between actuarial decisions and policy implications, offering insights into effectively navigating the complexities of governance and regulation as they relate to additional health insurance reserve. Join us for a compelling journey through the art and science of actuarial work in the political arena.

Description: In this session, we will discuss best practices in ALM and Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) modeling approaches to account for the complex relationships between insurance liabilities and the portfolios backing them. We will highlight how robust modeling techniques not only result in optimal asset decisions from a long-term value perspective but can also result in better capital efficiency. At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to identify the key aspects of a successful ALM and SAA framework for liabilities subject to PBR.

Description: In this session, we will review how the previous and current concerns of pharmacy actuaries will affect the forecasting and review of upcoming pipeline events. After this session, attendees will have a broader understanding of the implications of what is coming next in the pharmacy pipeline and how they can be thinking about it.

Description: As health insurance self-funding becomes more popular among smaller group sizes, risk is evolving for the MGUs, stop loss writers, and reinsurers that cover them. Assessing more small groups at lower attachment points means rethinking traditional stop loss underwriting techniques.

Description: When designing and pricing a healthcare product, it is not only important to know how to model frequency and severity, but it is essential to understand human behavior. Of course, the issue of anti-selection in medical insurance is well known as individuals know more about their health and prior expenditures than an insurer does. This type of behavior is certainly rational, and to be expected.

Description: Inspired by other financial savings products available to Canadians, this article describes a potential solution for financing future health expenses with the creation of a Registered Health Savings Account (RHSA). This solution has been thought on the basis of four premises : 1- Individual Accountability for Health Expenses; 2- Early Savings Leads to More Accumulation; 3-PreferredTax Treatment for Personal Health Savings; 4- Complementing current public and private health systems; Main elements of the RHSA are described (Contributions, Accumulation, Utilization of account, Management by financial institutions).RHSA'S expected balances and some other results under three scenarios (a person in good health, one in poor health, and one with unexpected death at age 45) are summarized in a table. Health expenses deducted yearly from RHSA's balance were estimated using total, per capita, provincial government health expenditures by age-band for Canada, in 2020, from the Canadian Institute of Heath Information’s (CIHI), which account for 71.8% of total expenditures, that is public + private. Thus 28.2% of total expenditures were used for private health expenditures, then forecasted to 2024 and projected using a 4% annual trend. Some objections to the solution explored were anticipated as well as some refutations to these objections.