The Social Security Committee released its updated monograph, Social Security Reform Options, that analyzes proposals to address Social Security’s financial challenges. Click here to read the news release. (March 03, 2014)

The Pension Committee sent comments to the Internal Revenue Service regarding Notice 2014-5, Temporary Nondiscrimination Relief for Closed Defined Benefit Plans and Request for Comments. (February 28, 2014)

The Academy announces a public policy research partnership with the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI) to complement the Academy’s intensive examination of health care costs and quality of care in the United States. Click here to read the news release. (February 27, 2014)

The Natural Catastrophe Subcommittee submitted comments to U.S. House members on repealing some premium increases mandated by the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012. (February 26, 2014)

The Academy has launched a new series of public policy papers designed to make its actuarial analysis of public policy issues more accessible. Each paper in the Essential Elements series will provide a succinct analysis, supplemented by infographics, that allows the reader to quickly grasp an issue and its significance in the public debate. Visit the Essential Elements webpage now. Click here to read the news release. (February 26, 2014)

The Life Principle-Based Approach Practice Note Work Group completed its draft Practice Note for Principle-Based Reserves of Life Insurance, which is exposed for comment until April 25.   (February 24, 2014)

This webinar discusses how Precept 13 applies to actuaries and actuarial work, steps to take when faced with a potential Precept 13 situation and issues surrounding compliance with Precept 13, and particular case studies in light of Precept 13 obligations. (March 14, 2014)

The Public Plans Subcommittee published an issue brief introducing the objectives and principles for funding pension plans for state and local government. The brief states that policies used to establish funding for these plans should be formulated to maintain an appropriate balance among  the competing objectives of benefit security, generational equity, and contribution stability. Read the news release. (February 19, 2014)

The Joint Academy/SOA Long-Term Care Valuation Work Group released a final report to the NAIC’s Long-Term Care Actuarial Working Group that highlights the work group's process in considering the development of an LTC valuation table. (February 14, 2014)

The Financial Reporting Committee sent a letter to the Financial Accounting Standards Board on proposed wording to clarify the methodology used in determining the "top down" discount rate. (February 14, 2014)

In this month's Health Check, read about Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello's written testimony on the ACA risk-corridor program, the Academy's RBC work groups' concerns with a Capital Adequacy Task Force operational risk proposal, the Rate Review Practice Note Work Group's recent comments to CCIIO, legislative and regulatory updates, news coverage of Academy health policy activities, and much more. (February 12, 2014)