Description: "Issues surrounding end-of-life and palliative care are not well understood and there is little research in the actuarial literature. From an actuarial perspective, however, end-of-life is important because of the significant cost to the healthcare system. Ian Duncan will discuss some of his research on the financial implications of end-of-life care, as well as the outcomes of a palliative care program. Dr. Matzo is an engaging personality with decades of experience in gerontology and palliative nursing, including training and teaching professionals in the field. Dr. Matzo focuses on educating the public on the importance and benefits of palliative care and hospice (care given in the final six months of life). In this session on “Palliative Care Public Education,” Dr. Matzo will give us an overview of the benefits of palliative care and how this knowledge empowers the individual to make important decisions about their healthcare options. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the role that the actuarial profession may play in this area."

Description: "Can you answer the question 'what are the chances we will lose more than $1 million next year?' without saying 'it depends'? If you miss a projection, can you quantify the chances that the miss was due to random variation vs. an incorrect projection? ten in as presenters demonstrate how to answer these questions and others using total risk analysis. Total risk analysis includes quantifying both the random variation risk and the projection risk associated with actuarial functions like pricing and reserving. After attending this session, you will be able to describe total risk analysis, apply total risk analysis to many actuarial functions."

Description: "Examine the impact of traditional deductibles on health care equity and the need for innovative plan designs. You will learn about the limitations of consumer-driven health care costs broadly today, as well as alternative cost-sharing approaches that have been successful in driving consumerism without exposing members to high costs. By attending the session, you will be able to: Have a clearer understanding of the issues surrounding deductibles Be equipped with practical ideas for creating more equitable and effective cost-sharing solutions Assess the feasibility and potential impact of implementing these solutions for your own organization"

Description: "Weighted compositional data analysis for modeling and forecasting life-table death counts – Han Lin Shang, Ph.D., Professor of Business Analytics and Director of Research at the Department of Actuarial Studies and Business Analytics at Macquarie Business School, Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, Steven Haberman, PhD, Bayes Business School, City University of London, UK Compensation Effect of Mortality as a Challenge to Life Extension – Natalia S. Gavrilova, Ph.D., Leonid A. Gavrilov, Ph.D. Academic Research Centers, NORC at the University of Chicago"

Description: This will be my last column in The Actuary as your President. It has been a great honor and privilege to serve the actuarial profession in this capacity. I treasure the support so many of you have expressed during the past year. The SOA is blessed to have such strong commitment from so many dedicated volunteers, as well as top-notch staff support. It has truly been the highlight of my career as an actuary. From The Actuary Magazine October 2005

Description: Todd Bault, senior research analyst, Institutional Research, Sanford C. Bernstein & Company and a Fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society, was recently named the top equities analyst in the non-life insurance sector by Institutional Investor as part of the magazine's 2004 All-America Research Team, according to a press release from Casualty Actuarial Society. As part of its ongoing quest to highlight the careers of actuaries who have moved into non-traditional roles, thereby opening new employment avenues for the actuary profession, The Actuary asked Bault to answer a few questions about his career. From The Actuary Magazine February 2005

Description: This is the archived education catalog for spring 2008.

Description: This is the spring 2007 archived education catalog.

Description: Suggested study methods for candidates preparing for exams.

Description: This is the archived education catalog for spring 2008.