Description: Genetic algorithms [GAs] and neural networks [NNs] are currently being used in actuarial and financial modeling. Nonetheless, while there is a general awareness of the nature of these techniques, there is often only vague familiarity with the details of how they are implemented. This paper is intended to help alleviate this situation. Its purpose is to present an overview of GAs and NNs, which includes an explanation of what they are, how they work, and an example of how they are implemented.

Description: This paper reviews the applications of operations research methods in the insurance industry. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1995, Vol. 47.

Description: The American Academy of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries have joined resources to maintain this Economic Scenario Generators Excel Workbook tool for use in regulatory reserve and capital calculations. Please see the SOA website research pages for further information on this tool and how to use it.

Description: This report, the second such report, presents the compilation of data received from life companies responding to a survey on preferred risk underwriting and provides opinions of the Task Force on Preferred Underwriting with respect to future trends.

Description: This study was undertaken to review pooled companies’ mortality experience on cases reported to the Medical Information Bureau, MIB, with findings suggesting an increased probability of ethanol related complications or hepatic dysfunction. The study examines the mortality associated with evidence of excessive alcohol use, an adverse driving record or abnormalities of the liver function tests.

Description: Recognizing an opportunity to help serve its members in this age of increased financial oversight, the Health Section of the Society of Actuaries commissioned a series of guides on the use of statistical techniques specifically geared for the work of health actuaries. In this first guide in the series, the topic is an estimate well-known to health actuaries- the calculation of incurred but not reported [IBNR] health claims reserves. In particular, this guide focuses on the development of confidence intervals around IBNR estimates.

Description: The multi-risk scenario generator is an output of the Smaller Insurance Company Section’s sponsored Principle- Based Reserves Simplified Methods study performed by Mark Birdsall, Steve Strommen, and Brian Hartman. The scenario generator can be used for all material assumptions in an actuary’s cash flow projection software.

Description: 2023 Generally Recognized Expense Table (GRET) recommendations.

Description: The Product Development Section, the Financial Reporting Section, the Modeling Section and the Committee on Life Insurance Research are pleased to present new research on modeling and forecasting cause-of-death mortality. Authored by a Milliman team led by Alexandre Boumezoued, the report develops a framework for forecasting cause specific death rates. Included also is a Cause of Deaths Forecasting Tool and a user guide for the tool.

Description: This report provides a resource guide for asset-liability management practitioners, including methodology reviews, a survey of ALM practices, and guidance for applying ALM questions to real-world situations.