Description: The topic of social and demographic changes has been included in the Emerging Issues Advisory Committee's screening because changes in demographics and social norms can directly impact products offered and how they are distributed by the life insurance industry. Also, changes in demographics can impact pricing and underwriting refinements within the industry. This article focuses on mortality from obesity and on mortality of the older population.

Description: Article from Pension Section News, May 2007, No. 64, discusses the trends in Europe on retirement plan designs and investments. European pension funds face challenges similar to those facing North American plans, so developments in Europe may help U.S. and Canadian plan sponsors find their way to a reasonable resolution of their current problems.

Description: This is an article that highlights recommended reading by the Health Practice area communications committee. The readings cover a broad subject matter from risk assessment, medical technology to uninsured.

Description: The article summarizes the SOA survey conducted of risk professionals regarding their understanding of important risk terms. The results contain perceptions by individuals and also firm-level information. Survey responses clearly demonstrated high differences in risk definitions.

Description: This article discusses the trend toward outsourcing of insurance assets to third party money managers which has grown steadily as insurers face increasing market challenges. Insurers are finding that a strategic approach to outsourcing investments is critical to enhancing value within both liability reserves and surplus portfolios.

Description: This article provides a status report on the criteria for achievement of the CAE Centers of Actuarial Excellence designation.

Description: This article discusses the use of product databases to increase response rates from direct mail campaigns. The concept includes renting name lists for a year, appending demographic information, and using a model to better target prospects.

Description: Article on how new technology can help streamline contracting, licensing and new business workflow processes.

Description: The first Baby Boomers turn 60 this year, which will begin a tidal wave of new retirees in the coming years. Unfortunately for these retirees, the long–term funding of Social Security is unclear, defined benefit plans cover fewer and fewer of today's workers, and defined contribution plan savings rates are generally not high enough to compensate for a lengthy retirement. This article describes how this wave of retirees presents a growing opportunity for the insurance industry.

Description: Have you ever wondered why patterns persist in the stock market but never change our expected return? Efficient-market theory has been attacked by many sides, especially due to the existence of irrational investors.