Description: The author notes “a telescope and a kaleidoscope both provide a view but that is where the similarities end. A telescope shows us an actual view whereas a kaleidoscope creates a view from broken pieces of glass. This article will analyze which analogy is closer to the stochastic modeling of interest rate or stock market projections.”

Description: The different broad purposes served by the material change concept under federal tax law are outlined. More specific material change and similar issues that are pertinent to particular Code provisions and guidance from the IRS that has addressed those issues are also addressed. In the final part of this article, authors comment on whether any overarching principles can be gleaned that can assist insurers and policy owners in making decisions about whether particular changes can safely be made, and thoughts are offered with respect to future potential IRS guidance that would be helpful as taxpayers navigate these often uncertain waters.

Description: Describes the risk-based capital measure adopted in Switzerland.

Description: Chairperson’s column discussing the state of the world today and how that influences investment strategies and describes to seminars the section sponsored to keep members apprised of changes.

Description: Is Risk/Return a sound tool for decision-making? No. It is not consistent, not objective, distorts decision and degrades governance. Why? What shall we do then?

Description: Describes a process for identifying relevant industry experience to credibility-weight with relevant company experience to set modeling assumptions and margins.

Description: Observations from the author's experiences auditing blocks of LTCI business.

Description: Socio-economic mortality differentials are important to insurers, reinsurers as well as the general public. Detecting them, tracking them and explaining them is the subject of ongoing research and debate within the actuarial community as well as the wider public. The intention is to raise awareness within the reinsurance section membership for mortality differentials and concentration risk, as well as highlighting the value of interdisciplinary work and modern statistical methods. This intention overlaps with the goal of the SOA's Living to 100 Symposium, to be held in January 2017 in Orlando, Fla.

Description: Latest summary of LEARN presentations to regulators about reinsurance

Description: Practical Considerations for Implementing the New Statement of Position for Long Duration Contracts and for Separate Accounts –