Academy Regular Director Elections End Monday, Sept. 16

• Don’t miss the deadline to vote! Check for an email from Intelliscan (elections@intelliscaninc.net), the Academy’s election vendor, for your online ballot. If you can’t find your ballot and would like to vote online, visit the Intelliscan website to submit your votes. Visit the Academy Board Election Center to learn more about this year’s candidates.

ICA 2014 Early Registration Deadline Extended: Significant Discounts and Opportunities

• Early registration deadline for the 2014 International Congress of Actuaries is now Oct. 18, 2013. Join your fellow actuaries from every discipline and from around the world at ICA 2014 in Washington, March 30-April 4. Visit www.ICA2014.org for the full line-up!

Academy in the News

• The Academy’s issue brief, “The 80% Funding Standard Myth,” was cited in a CNSNews.com story’s discussion of the Illinois state pension system’s funding levels.
• The Academy Medical Loss Ratio Regulation Work Group’s Sept. 6 public comments to the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) on the recently proposed Medicare MLR report were highlighted in the Sept. 9 edition of the BenefitsLink Health & Welfare Plans Newsletter.

New Public Policy Activities

• Updated Economic Scenario Generator FAQs: The Joint Economic Scenario Generator Project Oversight Group has updated a list of Frequently Asked Questions for Version 7 of the interest rate generator for life insurance products. 

Newly Released Publications

• September HealthCheck: Read about two upcoming webinars on health practice notes, a comment letter on MLR requirements for Medicare Advantage and Part D programs, new CMS and Treasury final rules, and Academy experts in the news.

Opportunities to Learn and Earn CE

• Sept. 15–17, Casualty Loss Reserve Seminar: Attend this seminar to stay current with loss reserving developments and learn from expert analysis of innovation in reserving. Practical sessions in estimating reserve risk and evaluating the effectiveness of various estimation techniques are offered, as well as professionalism sessions to help you comply with standards and communicate results.
• Sept. 19, LPC–NAIC Summer Meeting Overview and PBR Progress Webinar: Register now for the Life Practice Council’s Sept. 19 webinar to learn about the Academy’s activities at the NAIC Summer Meeting and progress on principle-based reserving, which is now being adopted by the states. Speakers will lead an in-depth discussion of reserving developments for non-variable annuities (VM-22) and also provide updates on Life Actuarial Task Force activity and related professionalism initiatives.
• Sept. 20, Understanding the ACA—Minimum Value and Actuarial Value Calculations Webinar: For those who calculate minimum or actuarial values under the Affordable Care Act or would like more information, register now to learn about the new minimum value and actuarial value requirements under the ACA and some of the technical issues associated with these calculations.
• Just added! Sept. 27 Webinar: Valuing Reserves, Liabilities, and Assets In Large Group Medical—A Guide for Health Actuaries: Learn what’s new and find out what has been updated in the Academy’s practice note, “Large Group Medical Insurance Reserves, Liabilities, and Actuarial Assets,” which provides information for valuation actuaries regarding their responsibilities relating to the determination of reserve levels and other actuarial assets and liabilities for large group medical insurance coverage. The webinar topics will include the definition of large group medical business, funding arrangements that are currently being used, pertinent regulatory and legislative issues, and asset adequacy analysis.
• Sept. 24–25, Life PBR—The New Valuation World Seminar: Don’t miss this seminar that combines instructor-led training with small-group discussions on the practical application of principle-based reserving as outlined in VM-20. PBR experts will discuss the latest developments, including the draft PBR for Life Products actuarial standard of practice (ASOP) exposure and PBR practice note—both expected to be completed this year.
• Nov. 4, Academy Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon: Join award-winning author, journalist, and radio and TV personality Stephen J. Dubner, co-author of the international bestsellers Freakonomics and Superfreakonomics, as he shares his wit and insight at this year’s event. The luncheon is being held in conjunction with the CAS Annual Meeting in Minneapolis. The Academy will hold its presidential transition and present the Academy member awards.
• Early bird ends today! Nov. 11–14, Life and Health Qualifications Seminar: Register by Sept. 13 and receive $200 off the regular registration fee for this instructional seminar—a primary source of education for actuaries who wish to be qualified to issue actuarial opinions for either the NAIC Life and A&H Annual Statement or the NAIC Health Annual Statement but may not have met the specific knowledge requirements set forth in the U.S. Qualification Standards.
• Nov. 13–14, P/C Effective Loss Reserve Opinions Seminar: Whether you’re an actuary who signs P/C loss reserve opinions or one who assists in preparing them, this hands-on seminar will offer you an opportunity to deepen your expertise, become more efficient in your work, and differentiate yourself from others in your field. Don’t miss this highly interactive and customized seminar!

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