Description: Data is an essential component of financial analysis. In this session, the presenters will discuss data governance/management framework and how it can be applied to US GAAP LDTI and VM-51 regulations. This session will also discuss the important relationship between actuaries and IT and how they can work together towards best practices for extracting, managing and using data needed for various actuarial models. Real life case studies relevant for valuation actuaries (e.g. data needs for LDTI and VM-51) will also be presented and examined, highlighting best practices as well as challenges and pitfalls for setting up and governing data processes along with areas for where good communication and strong relationships are important to success.

Description: The chairperson reviewed the accomplishments from the prior year and provided a preview of upcoming events.

Description: Dive into this review on Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AIML) techniques for actuarial modeling for life & annuities. Presenters will showcase learnings from the recent SOA research paper "Predictive Analytics and Machine Learning – Practical Applications for Actuarial Modeling" (Nested Stochastic). The researchers will go over models and methodologies used to develop high-fidelity proxy models for various life & annuity applications.

Description: On January 12, 2023, the Arizona Blockchain Applied Research Center (AZ BARC) and the SOA Research Institute jointly ran a workshop on the use of blockchain technology in insurance and financial industries. The workshop included presentations focused on academic research in the blockchain space by Arizona State University, AZ BARC and an industry expert panel assembled by the SOA Research Institute. This document summarizes the research highlights and the discussions that occurred during the two-hour workshop.

Description: How do Professionalism and the Actuarial Standards of Practice apply as the way we work and tools we use continue to change? Business is conducted via social media and messaging and Generative AI allows for additional scenarios, analysis and oversight. Join us for an interactive session to go deeper into these topics including case studies, polls and a panel discussion.

Description: Feature article that supports the statement that actuaries who are competent coders will differentiate both themselves and the companies they work for. Coding ability will be useful no matter what tools are utilized every day and all of those tools and communities contribute to moving actuarial processes out of the “Spreadsheet Age.”

Description: On July 17, FASB announced a deferral of the compliance deadline for the new Long Duration Targeted Improvements (LDTI) guidance: “a one year deferral for larger SEC filers and a two or three year deferral for all other entities.” This article highlights the opportunity for companies striving to comply to modernize in light of this deferral, and it provides a few specific suggestions to companies who pursue this path.

Description: This article stresses the importance of treating your IT network infrastructure as an indispensable utility as is required to run your email, Internet access, printing needs and a host of other mission-critical applications that you cannot function properly without.

Description: Decentralized finance, or DeFi, is an emerging financial system powered by blockchain technology. This research report aims to introduce actuaries to DeFi and help them develop a solid understanding of DeFi. It will begin with addressing “what is DeFi?” by providing an introduction on blockchains and DeFi. It will then discuss in further detail the key characteristics, applications, opportunities, and risks of DeFi. After providing the foundation, this report will discuss the potential adoption of DeFi and its interaction with the current financial system (sometime referred to as traditional finance for contrast with DeFi), and the implications for practicing and aspiring actuaries. In addition, a glossary of terms used in DeFi and a brief history of the development of DeFi have been included in the appendix.

Description: The global doubling of information content has been estimated to occur at a rate of every 12 hours, and conceivably faster. This ‘infowhelm’ is a double-edged sword for insurers. While maximization of the global knowledge base can fuel innovation, it can occur only in the context of reasonable cost for a higher benefit. The insurance industry – underwriters and actuaries in particular – are challenged to constantly examine new innovations that promise to raise confidence and protective value for insurability, within legal limits. This report aims to be the first of several to alert the SOA of promising innovations for the profession.