Description: As companies strive to remain competitive in today's dynamic marketplace, the role of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) has evolved significantly. It has transitioned from a purely operational function to a strategic imperative. This is most apparent in the life insurance sector, where complex regulatory changes and technological advancements are reshaping traditional practices. In this session, we will delve into the critical aspects of modernizing FP&A within the life insurance industry, exploring key challenges, emerging trends, and best practices. Key areas of discussion include: - Navigating Different Regulatory Frameworks: Companies have to navigate different regulatory lenses for various purposes including budgeting, capital management, rating agencies review, etc. The implementation of regulatory frameworks such as IFRS 17, LDTI, and Principles-Based Reserves (PBR), and the recent trend in establishing Bermuda entities has significant implications for financial reporting and capital management in the life insurance sector. We will discuss how companies can explore strategies for compliance and adaptation within the FP&A process. - Strategic Planning and Resource Allocation: Companies are faced with higher expectations to guide both internal and external parties on the financial impact of their plans. A comprehensive exploration enabled by advanced analytics is critical for communicating, prioritizing, and allocating a company's resources on transactions, product development, and capital management. Our panel will explore how strategic planning has advanced in recent years, providing insights into effective approaches for aligning strategic objectives with financial resources. - Technological Advancements: The rapid pace of technological innovation has opened new possibilities for FP&A, offering advanced modeling techniques and data analytics capabilities. However, many organizations face challenges in harnessing these technologies effectively. This session will examine the role of technology in modernizing FP&A and highlight best practices for implementation. By attending this session, participants will gain: - Strategies for aligning strategic planning with resource allocation and effectively communicating financial impacts to internal and external stakeholders. - An understanding of the current state of FP&A within the life insurance industry, including emerging trends and challenges. - Insight into the implications of regulatory and technological advancements on FP&A processes and functions. - Best practices for leveraging technology to enhance FP&A capabilities and drive strategic decision-making.

Description: This session is an in-depth interview of Amanda Hug and Micheline Dionne, president of the SOA and past-president of the International Actuarial Association (IAA), respectively. SOA is the largest professional society for the actuarial profession, and the IAA represents actuaries from over 100 countries. We’ll touch on topics such as AI, the future of work for actuaries, DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion), among others. At the conclusion of the session, the attendees would be able to get a better understanding of the strategic directions of both organizations and how each plans to navigate its perceived challenges and opportunities. Interviewees: Amanda Hug, FSA, MAAA, Director at WTW, incoming president of the SOA Micheline Dionne, FCIA, Past-President of International Actuarial Association (IAA) Interviewer: Jing Lang, FSA, FCIA, President of Deepwork Academy and host of the Be Brilliant with Jing Lang podcast.

Description: Delve into the nexus of actuarial science in the heart of D.C. This session offers an in-depth look at the sophisticated mechanics behind additional health insurance reserves, framed by the unique regulatory landscape of national policy. As we explore premium deficiency reserves and additional reserve requirements, attendees will understand how regulatory oversight and frameworks influence these critical actuarial items. Through engaging discussions and case studies, we'll uncover the strategic intersections between actuarial decisions and policy implications, offering insights into effectively navigating the complexities of governance and regulation as they relate to additional health insurance reserve. Join us for a compelling journey through the art and science of actuarial work in the political arena.

Description: This session will explore the considerations and best practices for developing AI tools that are useful, safe, and transparent for actuarial work. While large language models (LLMs) offer exciting possibilities, it is crucial to understand when and how to use them effectively. The session will cover key concepts of LLMs and case studies on developing AI tools for retrieval-augmented generation and summary creation of actuarial documents. Attendees will learn about the importance of designing workflows that nudge users towards safe and effective processes. By the end of the session, participants will gain insights into the responsible use of LLMs in actuarial practice and learn how to leverage their potential to support professional growth.

Description: The session will address the potential benefits of (re)opening corporate defined benefit plans for plans for plan sponsors and participants alike. Despite a shift from DB to DC trend over the last 20 years, this topic is particularly relevant as many US plan sponsors are enjoying overfunded DB plan funded status, struggling with retirement income solutions in DC plans, and navigating workforce management and recruiting considerations. This session will discuss how innovative plan designs, such as market-return cash balance plans and variable-annuity plans, reduce plan sponsor risks associated with traditional DB designs. We will also discuss investment, balance sheet, retirement readiness, and implementation considerations.

Description: The NAIC revamped SSAPs No 26R 'Issuer Credit Obligation', No 43R 'Asset-Backed Securities' and 21R 'Other Admitted Assets' effective 1/1/2025. The definition of a bond was changed to be principles-based rather than based on legal form. Current and future bond holdings will need to be assessed against the frameworks outlined in the revised SSAPs to determine which assets will continue to remain on Schedule D (i.e., in scope of SSAP No. 26R and 43R) and which assets will need to be reclassified to Schedule BA (i.e., in scope of SSAP 21R). By attending this session, attendees will understand the regulatory, financial and operational implications of this change for insurers.

Description: We know how accelerated UW has revolutionized the sales process over the last 10 years, but what does the future hold? Join our panel of UW experts as we explore how emerging forces, such as Artificial Intelligence, new data sources and industry regulation, will continue to reshape the underwriting landscape for customers, distributors, underwriters, and actuaries. Learning Outcomes - Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the panelists, leaving with a deeper understanding of how emerging trends will influence the underwriting process going forward.

Description: In this session, we will discuss best practices in ALM and Strategic Asset Allocation (SAA) modeling approaches to account for the complex relationships between insurance liabilities and the portfolios backing them. We will highlight how robust modeling techniques not only result in optimal asset decisions from a long-term value perspective but can also result in better capital efficiency. At the conclusion of this session, attendees will be able to identify the key aspects of a successful ALM and SAA framework for liabilities subject to PBR.

Description: The purpose of this session is to discuss hot topics pertaining to post-LDTI GAAP valuation for FIA and RILA products including FAS 133, market risk benefits, intangibles, and ceded GAAP. At the conclusion of this session, attendees will have a clear understanding of how the industry views GAAP approaches to indexed annuity products in a post-LDTI framework. In addition, attendees will learn about ongoing pain points in GAAP valuation for indexed annuities and areas of post-LDTI GAAP where the industry still has broad variation in methodology and application.

Description: "The video by Syed Raza illustrates how actuaries can use LLMs to efficiently complete routine tasks, freeing up time for more analytical work. It follows an actuary who uses ChatGPT to draft a professional email summarizing Q2 mortality results, generate a meeting agenda with structured time blocks, create an Excel formula to clean up data, and write a formal paragraph for a report on updated assumptions. Each task demonstrates how AI can quickly produce high-quality drafts tailored to tone and context, reducing mental overhead. The video emphasizes the value of providing detailed prompts, setting custom instructions for consistent output, and maintaining data confidentiality when using public AI tools. In conclusion, it positions AI as a fast, context-aware assistant that enhances personal productivity in actuarial workflows, however, stresses the importance of leveraging the actuaries' insights as the human in the loop to assure quality in the final work product. Contributors: Syed Raza, FSA, MAAA; Tom Callahan, FSA, MAAA; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA"