Description: Abstract: The U.K. Pension Protection Fund (PPF) was established in April 2005 to protect the pensions of members of U.K. private sector defined benefit pension schemes that have insufficient assets and whose corporate sponsor fails. The Fund takes over the pension scheme assets and assumes responsibility for the payment of compensation to the former members of the scheme. The PPF is funded by a levy on the population of eligible schemes. To improve its ERM framework, the PPF has undertaken a reverse stress testing exercise. This analysis provided the organization with new insights into its risk profile, the scenarios leading to the PPF’s potential “failure,” and interactions between these scenarios. This paper discusses the principles and objectives of reverse stress testing in the special case of the PPF and then illustrates the application of complex system science techniques for the purpose of reverse stress testing.

Description: Project portfolio risk management and risk analysis form one of the critical components of enterprise risk management. Organizations measure and analyze risks associated with projects, project portfolios, and programs. The important step of the process is quantitative risk analysis of project schedules using event chain methodology (ECM). ECM is a stochastic modeling technique for schedule risk analysis. All risks, including schedule and nonschedule-related risks, are assigned to a particular project and within this project to the particular activity or resource. Further, ECM allows one to model the relationship between project risks by defining risks that cause or trigger other risks. All risks and relationships between them will be presented on the project or portfolio Gantt charts using event chain diagrams. After risks are assigned to project and portfolio schedules, Monte Carlo simulation of the project schedule is performed. ECM simplifies complex risk analysis process.

Description: Many top-performing businesses aren’t just risk aware, but rather risk intelligent. Such a posture helps prepare companies for a major event and can demonstrate to a regulator or auditor that an appropriately strong control framework is in place. Better still, companies gain real strategic value from a “risk adjusted” understanding not only of their threats and vulnerabilities, but also the upside opportunities associated with various risks. It starts with having both qualitative and quantitative information to identify, assess and manage risks. Strategic risk management, at its core, is about creating value by increasing transparency and accountability, and quality of information. More than a mere compliance exercise, effective risk management enables more informed strategic decision making, increased accountability and transparency, a greater likelihood of organizational success, and – ultimately – competitive advantage, as borne out by many studies that correlate risk management and financial results.

Description: This article discusses key considerations to build an incentive compensation program.

Description: State regulators' review of predominant LTC Risks after review of year-end AG51 reports.

Description: Essays advocating for incentive compensation linked to the level of risk in an organization.

Description: In this article, we provide practical guidance for understanding how to develop and apply an effective risk appetite statement.

Description: Feature article that discusses the importance of developing a risk tolerance statement.

Description: An overview of the articles in the August 2012 issue of Risk Management and a list of winners of the most recent call for papers, “Risk Metrics for Decision Making and ORSA.”

Description: An exploration of Canada’s federal regulator of financial institutions (OSFI) and its more formal assessment of the actuarial function of insurers.