Description: Provides background about Prescription Drug Plans, PDPs, and the standard benefit package offered under Medicare Part D. It also provides a basic overview of the bid-development process for a PDP and summarizes some general strategies and observations used in developing the 2006 bids that will likely be used for 2007.

Description: Feature article describing the need and reasoning for the new SOA Section, Social Insurance and Public Finance.

Description: Presidential column about cooperation amongst the various actuarial organizations.

Description: This editorial notes how change is constant in the world around us and that the SOA has adopted a theme of change. Articles in this issue of The Actuary, which are all related to change, are summarized.

Description: First of all, I probably watch too many awards shows -- the kind where the winners have a long list of people to thank for their success -- one of whom always turns out to be their muse. A muse seems to be a very popular thing to have, but all it does for me is cause visions of Zeus' daughters in long, white, flowing robes to flitter through my mind and I begin to wonder why they are giving the award to the winner and not to the muse. Well, just like the bandito Gold Hat in the 1948 film version of "Treasure of the Sierra Madre" didn't need no stinkin? badge to pursue his dream, I don't need a muse to pursue mine and neither should you.

Description: This is a review of 'Restructuring Retirement Risks,' a collection of papers that examines retirement risks, edited by David Blitzstein, Olivia Mitchell, and Stephen Utkus. The papers, which are a must–read for serious students of retirement systems and a good introduction for those not as familiar with the issues, explore the stresses being placed on those systems and ever–increasing uncertainty as Baby Boomers begin to move into retirement.

Description: This is an editorial about the actuarial profession. From The Actuary Magazine August 2007

Description: In October 2006, the SOA Board of Governors approved proposed changes to the existing Constitution and bylaws that will streamline these documents into one governing document. Voting fellows will be asked for their endorsement of these changes in conjunction with the annual election for officers and directors beginning Aug. 9, 2007. From The Actuary Magazine August 2007

Description: A former health actuary, who became a health insurance expert witness, tells about her work, who she deals with, and how she gets business.

Description: Reports the results of one application of a Future Research technique-in this case, forecasting future economic variables.