Arnold Dicke, Chair of the Role of the Actuary Subgroup, presented an update on the development to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on the definition of “qualified actuary” in the valuation manual and standard valuation law.  (December 01, 2017)

Dave Neve, Chair of the Academy’s Life Practice Council, presented a preliminary summary to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on the aggregation of mortality segments in VM-20. (November 30, 2017)

Mary Bahna-Nolan, Chair of the Academy’s Life Experience Committee, gave a presentation to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on developing accelerated  underwriting techniques. (November 30, 2017)

Mary Bahna-Nolan, Chair of the Academy’s Life Experience Committee, gave a presentation to the NAIC Life Actuarial (A) Task Force on joint committee recommended changes related to guaranteed issue (GI) tables, and exposed simplified issue (SI) exposed tables and report.  (November 30, 2017)

The November Actuarial Update provides full coverage of the Academy’s Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum, held this month in Washington. Included is a recap of the plenary-session speakers including the Washington Post’s Bob Woodward, and practice-area breakout sessions covering key casualty, health, life, and pension issues. Also in this issue: the Academy’s Life and Health Qualifications Seminar drew a capacity audience, the Health Care Delivery Committee’s issue brief on comparative effectiveness research, and the “Professionalism Counts” column that outlines Academy resources. (November 30, 2017)

The Retirement System Assessment and Policy Committee published an issue brief on state-based initiatives to expand retirement coverage among workers who do not have access to employer-sponsored plans, and the alignment of these efforts with the Academy’s Retirement for the AGES principles. (November 29, 2017)

The Risk Sharing Subcommittee and Premium Review Work Group submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regarding the proposed rule for the 2019 benefit and payment parameters. The comments address proposed changes to the risk sharing mechanisms, special enrollment periods, essential health benefits, minimum essential coverage, and medical loss ratios. (November 27, 2017)

The Health Practice Council submitted a letter to the U.S. Senate providing comments on the potential consequences of eliminating the ACA's individual mandate, as recently included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. (November 21, 2017)

The Multiemployer Plans Committee submitted a comment letter to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) on modifications to the instructions for the 2017 Schedule MB (Multiemployer Defined Benefit Plan Actuarial Information) of the Form 5500. (November 20, 2017)

The Comparative Effectiveness Work Group of the Health Care Delivery Committee published an issue brief providing an actuarial overview of comparative effectiveness research, including measuring its impact and its potential to reduce health care costs. (November 17, 2017)

The Non-Guaranteed Elements Work Group submitted a comment letter on the NAIC's Life Insurance Buyer's Guide Q&A Draft.  (November 15, 2017)

The fall Casualty Quarterly covers the latest in flood insurance, including congressional progress in reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program; the Actuaries Climate Index reaching a new high; state and federal legislative and regulatory activity; and more. (November 16, 2017)

The Academy published a new Essential Elements paper, Tax Treatment of Pensions and Insurance Protections, highlighting select tax treatments of pensions and insurance protections, and outlining the potential public policy trade-offs of changes to the tax code. Essential Elements is a series designed to make actuarial analyses of public policy issues clearer to general audiences. (November 13, 2017)