Description: Family structures have expanded in recent decades and so have some beneficiary forms in insurance, banking and investment accounts. This essay includes suggestions for further expansion of those little-discussed but very important forms.

Description: This essay argues against the securitization of residential mortgages. The originating lending institution should have significant skin in the game when it makes a loan, but the securitization process removes this important financial control.

Description: This essay examines the root causes of the 2008 global financial crisis precipitated by the bursting of the housing bubble. The author suggests that if fraud is not addressed, future crises, perhaps even worse, will occur.

Description: An essay received in response to the Committee on Post Retirement Needs and Risks Call for Essays exploring ideas and thoughts on working in retirement and phased retirement programs.

Description: This article presents a hypothesis that the market cycles are primarily created by human actions, behavior and assumptions rather than by random variables. An analysis of main financial events over the last decade reveals that: a Every one of these events has had a human touch b The current financial crisis is an aftermath of the excessive economic boom during this period and c A new economy must emerge from human ingenuity and innovation.

Description: Interest rates rose from 2004 through 2007, so adjustable mortgage rates increased and many borrowers fell behind. After home prices topped out in 2006, speculators and some buyers who had overstretched found it impossible to refinance. This caused mortgage insurance claims. Insurers may want to study others’ missteps.

Description: In the current financial markets turmoil, it is tempting to ask whether things might have turned out differently. I think the pain in our financial markets would have been less if more actuaries had been involved. 10 reason are offered.

Description: The crisis has spread due to a systematic failure of the regulatory system. Over the last 20 years, regulations that fostered market stability were eliminated and new financial instruments were allowed to propagate without any real oversight. Instead of bailing out weak financial firms, we should be liquidating them. All doubtful asses need to be written-downs. We need accurate and transparent accounting.

Description: In light of the increased frequency of the Black Swan stock market events, how should individuals and couples plan for retirement and try to manage the risks involved once retired? Specifically, how much of their retirement assets should they invest in risky rather than less risky assets?

Description: COVID-19 Retirement Essay