Description: This report presents initial findings from a project investigating the direct and indirect impacts of COVID-19 in the post-acute phase of the pandemic. These findings focused on cause-specific excess mortality in the first three pandemic years, March 2020 to February 2023. In addition, the authors investigated how different mechanisms contributed and could continue to affect mortality rates following the acute pandemic period. The study is based on weekly mortality data by age and cause of death from 2015 to 2023 obtained from the National Center for Health Statistics at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, combined with population estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau. Weekly excess deaths by age and cause comparing observed deaths to deaths expected based on pre-pandemic trends were computed. Then the temporal correlation between weekly COVID-19 and excess deaths from other causes at various lags were assessed. The authors developed a theoretical framework to interpret the results of this analysis and understand potential underlying factors responsible for excess mortality.

Description: "Issues surrounding end-of-life and palliative care are not well understood and there is little research in the actuarial literature. From an actuarial perspective, however, end-of-life is important because of the significant cost to the healthcare system. Ian Duncan will discuss some of his research on the financial implications of end-of-life care, as well as the outcomes of a palliative care program. Dr. Matzo is an engaging personality with decades of experience in gerontology and palliative nursing, including training and teaching professionals in the field. Dr. Matzo focuses on educating the public on the importance and benefits of palliative care and hospice (care given in the final six months of life). In this session on “Palliative Care Public Education,” Dr. Matzo will give us an overview of the benefits of palliative care and how this knowledge empowers the individual to make important decisions about their healthcare options. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the role that the actuarial profession may play in this area."

Description: "Weighted compositional data analysis for modeling and forecasting life-table death counts – Han Lin Shang, Ph.D., Professor of Business Analytics and Director of Research at the Department of Actuarial Studies and Business Analytics at Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, Steven Haberman, PhD, Bayes Business School, City University of London, UK Compensation Effect of Mortality as a Challenge to Life Extension – Natalia S. Gavrilova, Ph.D., Leonid A. Gavrilov, Ph.D. Academic Research Centers, NORC at the University of Chicago"

Description: In discussing the contemporary reactions to this regulation, as well as how EU-based insurance firms adapted to the shift, this segment will invite us to question our assumptions on the role of gender-based pricing in the future of the industry. In the latter half of the presentation, we will delve into the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals when accessing life, health, and auto insurance.

Description: CMS has pioneered innovative strategies for Medicare and Medicaid to address Social Determinants of Health (SDOH). Employers can learn from these models to implement similar approaches for their employee populations. Learn how employers can understand and address SDOH, the incentives for doing so, and the broader benefits.

Description: The article provides a summary of key issues presented at the 2023 U.S. Living to 100 Symposium focused on the interests of retirement professionals and retirees. It provides an overview of the subjects covered. The discussion focused on the well-being of retirees and the development of the retirement system. It is focused on late-in-life issues and having the best life possible during that period. It balances technical and lifestyle issues, with an emphasis on mortality and longevity trends and influences. Some of the topics discussed include the impact of COVID, climate, housing, and age-friendly communities. The Elder Tech Symposium was merged into Living to 100 and includes discussion of a variety of technology approaches to improve lives and simplify support. The symposium recognized that the decisions needed and concerns during retirement are different later in life, particularly as people decline.

Description: The SOA Research Institute has executed research for over twenty years on some repeating themes and topics. The reports build on each other and add content. This article summarizes and discusses a summary report on long-term care, caregiving and housing linked to long-term care and caregiving.

Description: The SOA Research Institute Aging and Retirement Strategic Research Program and Retirement Section are pleased to make available a research report that examines megatrends and potential paradigm shifts, and how they may impact the future of retirement and retirement plans, as well as the macro forces that will shape those trends.

Description: The Society of Actuaries’ Committee on Finance Research and Investment Section are pleased to make available a research report explores gross domestic product (GDP) as a metric of economic growth.

Description: The Actuarial Research Clearing House (ARCH) is an informal communication providing current actuarial research to friends and members of the actuarial community. View the second issue for 2024.