This Week … In a Minute

Only have a minute? Catch up on the week’s top stories with the latest “This Week … In a Minute” video. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to receive videos as they are released.

Happy Holidays From the Academy

This is the last issue of This Week of the year; the next issue will be published on Jan. 9, and the December Actuarial Update will be published at the end of this month. Happy holidays from the Academy.

PROFESSIONALISM

‘Tales From the Dark Side’ Covers ABCD Case Studies

The popular Tales From the Dark Side annual professionalism webinar featuring Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline (ABCD) speakers continued Friday, with presentations by ABCD members Tim Geddes and Cande Olsen, joined by ABCD Director of Professionalism Ed Lee. They explored scenarios based on issues raised in requests for guidance (RFGs) and inquiries that have come before the ABCD.

Speakers discussed the RFG process and various RFG examples such as covering control of work product in the face of pressure from a principal, issues arising from modeling software, Precept 13 obligations, when an apparent violation may be considered resolved, and what is considered an actuarial service. Academy General Counsel and Senior Director of Professionalism Brian Jackson moderated. Catch a replay on Academy Learning, free for Academy members.

MEMBERSHIP

Dues Reminder—Is Your Academy Profile Up to Date?

Before the end-of-year rush, please take a few minutes to make sure your Academy member information is up to date. Here are a few things to check in your member profile:

Dues—Have you paid your 2026 member dues? Dues need to be paid by Jan. 1to start the new year as a fully paid-up Academy member. Read Academy President Tricia Matson’s letter to members.

Employment—Have you changed jobs? Check that your contact information reflects your new role and any addresses (email and/or mailing address) are accurate.

Credentials—Have you gained a new credential? Congratulations! Please take a few minutes to update your profile to reflect your achievement. Log in to your member profile today.

ICYMI: Membership Webinar—In case you missed it, Wednesday’s webinar, Maximize Your Membership: A Comprehensive Guide to Making the Most of Your Academy Experience, featured Academy staff who highlighted the value of your membership. Watch a replay on Academy Learning.

OUTREACH & NEWS

Academy Law Manuals Available for Preorder

The Academy’s annual life & health valuation and P/C loss reserve law manuals are available for preorder.

Life and Health Law Valuation Manual—The Life and Health Valuation Law Manual, updated annually, contains information to help appointed actuaries know the requirements of the NAIC model Standard Valuation Law and the model Actuarial Opinion and Memorandum Regulation. Preorders are now available for the 2026 edition. Place your preorder today.

P/C Loss Reserve Law Manual—The P/C Loss Reserve Law Manual is designed to help appointed actuaries know the NAIC requirements for annual statements of actuarial opinion. It contains a compilation of insurance laws relating to P/C loss and loss expense reserves for all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Place your preorder today.

Academy in the News

A subscriber-only Politico Pro story cited the Academy’s discussion brief on the interconnectedness of health coverage sources for the under-65 population.

EDUCATION & EVENTS

Life, Research Webinars Set for January

Mark your calendar for the Academy’s January webinars, to kick off 2026 with a great start on your continuing education (CE):

Jan. 13: Refining US GAAP for Long-Duration Insurance Contracts—This webinar will feature presenters from the Life GAAP Reporting Committee. Chairperson Leonard Reback will moderate.

Jan. 21: Ensuring Fairness in Life Insurance Underwriting: A Governance Checklist—Presenters from the Life Underwriting and Risk Classification Subcommittee will discuss issues related to the recently released life governance checklist. Subcommittee Chairperson David Schraub will moderate.

Jan. 29: Bias in Assessing Financial Risk: Insights from the 2025 Research Award—This webinar will feature insights from Academy 2025 Award for Research recipient Xi Xin and other presenters. Former Research Committee Chairperson Grace Lattyak will moderate.

Webinar Covers Capital Markets

In Tuesday’s Capital Markets: What Now? retirement webinar, Pension Committee presenters addressed how uncertainties such as rising federal debt, demographic shifts, slowing globalization, and technological change add complexity to the market outlook. Watch a replay on Academy Learning.

PUBLIC POLICY

Post-NAIC Briefing, Actuarially Sound Blog Post

A post-NAIC briefing featuring the Academy’s public policy staff highlights the Academy’s presentations and engagement at the NAIC Fall National Meeting earlier this month in Hollywood, Fla. Also, read a recap of the Academy’s NAIC activity in an Actuarially Sound blog post.

Public Policy in Action

The C-1 Subcommittee presented an update on CLO C-1 factors modeling to the NAIC’s Risk-Based Capital Investment Risk and Evaluation (E) Working Group.

Resource Center—Visit the Academy Resources webpage to stay on top of the latest Academy news and activity.

EVENT CALENDAR

Jan. 13	Refining US GAAP for Long-Duration Insurance Contracts (life webinar)
Jan. 21	Ensuring Fairness in Life Insurance Underwriting: A Governance Checklist (life webinar)
Jan. 29	Bias in Assessing Financial Risk: Insights from the 2025 Research Award (research webinar)

Visit the Event Calendar for a complete listing of Academy events.

Coming Soon—Casualty Quarterly

In the Winter Casualty Quarterly, read about the vice presidents’ panel discussion at the Academy Leadership Summit and Governance Transition, where Casualty Vice President Susan Kent discussed upcoming Casualty Practice Council priorities.