Description: Web page introducing a study sponsored by the SOA Health Section of nine papers that look at frequently used methodologies of measuring outcomes of health intervention programs.

Description: Web page for posting of study which examines the financial statement disclosure practices of 25 major life insurance companies, the extent to which these practices are standardized and the relative value to the investment analyst community.

Description: This paper, part of the Society of Actuaries [SOA} ‘Research Projects – Finance/Investment,’ incorporates data from a similar study for years 1986 through 1992 and extends the results with data through 1995. This study focuses on the question of the extra return of high yield bond investments after asset losses, as well as some corollary items such as relative growth rate of high yield bond companies, emphasizing life insurance company results.

Description: Project overview of study done in Alternative and Complementary Medicine. Page includes links to Data Source Report and commentary.

Description: Z-factor analysis under a principles-based approach for U.S. life insurance products. Under PBA, the Z-Factor is a measure of margin in excess of the best estimate assumptions embedded in the statutory reserves of a life insurance product or block of business. Specifically, our assignment was to explore the applicability of the Z-Factor calculation when considering the risk margins and minimum required capital under PBA.

Description: Home page for posting the report. The research examines various benchmarks for analyzing option adjusted spreads of the major fixed income asset classes of life insurance companies.

Description: This web page contains a link to a May 2008 research report by Thomas J. Walker regarding Canadian pension plans. Much has been written about the problems facing not only the Canadian retirement system but that of almost all countries. The author states that the current Canadian regulatory framework is disjointed, inconsistent and bureaucratic. The focus of this paper is to define, describe and discuss what the author sees as the fundamental first step in redefining Canadian pension plans.

Description: Home page for web posting of this report which summarizes the results of its Delphi study to identify and debate possible new approaches, utilizing technology, to acquiring business by life insurers.

Description: This the web page for posting of the report which summarizes the results of a study on the application and adoption of credibility theory within the life insurance and annuity industry.

Description: Twelve companies field tested the proposed principle-based valuation manual for four different product lines: term life, universal life, whole life and deferred annuity. This report compares the reserves and C3 capital amounts under PBA versus current formulaic standard and discusses practical aspects in applying the proposed methodology.