Description: The second part of a roundtable discussion on principals-based approach [PBA] and the life insurance industry, in this part discussing mortality experience studies. The first part appeared in the August/September 2008 issue of The Actuary.

Description: Column wrapping up the Pioneers interviews and highlighting past interviews.

Description: A summary of how the SAO plans to strengthen the role of the academic branch of the profession through Centers of Actuarial Excellence and Ph.D. stipends.

Description: Article discussing the best ways to attest continuing professional development.

Description: Article discussing the benefits of the Chartered Enterprise Risk Analyst, CERA, credential.

Description: The January 2001 edition of The Actuary newsletter ran a panel discussion titled Actuaries discuss reasons for growth of offshore operations. There have been major changes in the offshore market in the last three years. New faces have appeared and then disappeared. Major players have become minor players. Business plans have changed. What has gone on recently? We asked industry experts to participate in an update.

Description: This article is a discussion about the trends and changes affecting the life insurance industry by impacting product growth. Read how today's ideas can become tomorrow's successes.

Description: There are growing concerns that the Asian bird flu virus will evolve into a form that can be transmitted from human to human, thus unleashing a new global flu pandemic. This article uses the Spanish flu epidemic and the German life insurance portfolio to analyze the additional claims expenditure due to a pandemic.

Description: This is an article explaining the options employers have under the Medicare Part D, or the Prescription Drug Improvement and Medicare Modernization Act - MMA - that took effect in January 2006. The article discusses 4 options under the MMA with the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Description: A document came across my desk recently that caused me to think about the profession and the way it is structured and led, at least in the United States. The document that I read is a report by the International Actuarial Association's (IAA) Strategic Planning Task Force titled, "A Strategy for the IAA." As an owner of a smaller consulting firm, I'm not in favor of paying additional dues to more actuarial bodies. Also, I was confused about the role of the IAA and the national organizations: is the IAA intended to replace the SOA, internationally? I had some tough questions for Steve and Jim. Here are their responses. From The Actuary Magazine August 2006