Description: The widening gap in life span between high- and low-income Americans may be eroding the progressivity of Social Security retirement benefits. Differential longevity trends have had the effect of raising lifetime benefits for high earners but not for low earners. Social Security’s long-term financial problems result in part from an increase in average life expectancy driven by wealthier people living longer, and, thereby, collecting more benefits. Policymakers should not use funding shortfalls attributable to these trends as an excuse to cut monthly benefits alike for those who have gained (high earners) and for those who haven’t (low earners).

Description: This article is about the need for actuaries and technical professionals to develop critical leadership and other soft skills, and highlights the ways the SOA Leadership & Development section provides tools to develop those skills.

Description: Are you ready to supercharge your career? Join us for an exciting webcast where industry experts will share how to leverage mentoring and networking for career success. Discover how these powerful tools can transform your professional journey, provide invaluable insights, and open doors to new opportunities. In this dynamic session, our speakers will share their personal stories and practical tips on building meaningful mentoring relationships. You’ll learn proven networking strategies to connect with influential professionals and accelerate your career growth. Don’t miss this chance to gain insider knowledge from industry leaders and receive actionable advice. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming to advance your career, this webcast will equip you with the tools and inspiration you need to succeed.

Description: In this webcast, we will speak with actuarial leaders who developed their personal brand over several years to better understand just how powerful having a personal brand can be in actuarial work.

Description: The SOA's Competency Framework for Actuaries is a tool to help actuaries make decisions related to their individual professional development and career management plans. It applies systematic, sound approaches to selecting professional development opportunities, focusing on the skills needed to go beyond technical and specific actuarial analysis. This is an Excel file that facilitates that process by providing a personal planning workbook.

Description: Since the international financial crisis, accounting standards have become an important part of financial supervision rules, which objectively requires us to study the reform and development of accounting standards from the perspective of financial stability. Since the release of IFRS17 in 2017, the research and discussion of IFRS17 in the insurance industry has focused on technical details and implementation, while the economic impact and pros and cons analysis of IFRS17 are few. As a result, the industry's understanding of IFRS17 is not comprehensive enough, and there are still many disputes, and no industry consensus has been formed. In the future, the insurance industry should strengthen the research and analysis of IFRS17 from the perspective of financial stability, deepen the understanding and cognition of IFRS17, and improve the ability to control and use IFRS17.

Description: After International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) issued International Financial Reporting Standard No. 17 – Insurance Contracts (“IFRS 17”), IASB received much feedback and suggestions for improvement. As a result, in early 2019, IASB made limited changes to IFRS 17. The presentation will briefly discuss the main contents and effects of those changes.

Description: Gearing up-- exploring the rewards for completing the SoA Competency Framework tools of Self-Assessment and Personal Development Plan.

Description: LDTI’s introduction has forced many insurers to examine their existing operations and technologies. They must determine how to optimize compliance efforts while balancing data, analytics and system modernization considerations to achieve maximum value. This article will examine the four key facets—the data, technology, processes, and people—essential to any successful LDTI exercise. It will also touch on the various approaches for tackling LDTI and how a modernization mindset can help insurers realize much greater transformation for the business.

Description: Editor’s note: This is the first article in a series of three covering the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Competency Framework. The subsequent articles will appear in future issues of the Actuary of the Future newsletter. The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Competency Framework is a powerful tool to enable you to design your future. Though it has been the SOA’s instrument for prioritizing continuing education and support to members since 2010, many actuaries are still not fully aware what a potent tool it can be to them in planning their personal careers.