Description: In this project the researchers explored the new opportunities provided by the ongoing revolution in information technology for studies of exceptional human longevity. Methodologies and interpretation of the results were presented.

Description: The embattled life insurance industry in Australia needs to come to terms with a new environment of heightened claims volumes, unprecedented losses, changing distribution models and even reduced benefits. Like the mythological phoenix that spectacularly regenerates from its ashes every century, Australia’s life insurance industry needs something special to rise from its ashes. Claims management innovation promises to give the necessary impetus for a market that is desperate for some good news, whilst laying the foundation for a claims revolution worldwide.

Description: This actually is a copy of an appendix of a research paper sponsored by the SOA Committee on Finance Research. You can read the entire research paper: “Lapse Modeling for the Post-Level Period—a Practical Application of Predictive Modeling” at the SOA site https://www.soa.org/Research/Research-Projects/Finance-Investment/lapse-2015-modeling-post-level/#sthash.W9lERSls.dpbs, but you can read this valuable appendix copied here in this issue to see how to build a PM step-by-step using your data and the R programming language. We thank Richard Xu, Dihui Lai, Minyu Cao, Scott Rushing, and Tim Rozar for their excellent paper and the Society of Actuaries, for the permission to reprint this portion of the paper.

Description: The article gives actuaries an introduction to Academy Health, the notable health policy research organization.

Description: This was a presentation of ACO efforts around the U.S. with great website links to resources, geared to actuarial consultants for employers. From May 2012.

Description: Inventory of 150+ ACO, PCMH, bundled payment, and aligned contracting efforts all over the U.S. Medicaid, Medicare and commercial markets - 2012

Description: This “Application of Predictive Models Techniques to Measure Dynamic Policy Holder Behavior in Annuity Contracts” paper by Towers Watson researchers is one of a collection of essays that examine how existing or new methods or models can be applied to the life insurance industry.

Description: This article discusses the use of mortality catastrophe bonds as a risk mitigation tool.

Description: Alternative sources of learning available for free or at low cost if you wish to round out your F&F education about machine learning, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms and the millennia of biological advances we draw from when we use these techniques.

Description: Health Watch, Issue 79, December 2015, Health Watch