This Week … In a Minute

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This Week—A Focus on Membership & Member Benefits

New for 2026: Member Voluntary CE Attestation Underway

Beginning this year, all members will have the opportunity to complete a voluntary continuing education (CE) attestation, with participation reflected in the Academy’s online membership directory.

While Academy volunteers have been required for many years to submit their annual CE attestation along with their conflict of interest (COI) acknowledgment, beginning this year all members are encouraged to participate in the voluntary attestation as a visible demonstration of professionalism, an ongoing commitment to deepening knowledge through CE, and a way to reinforce public confidence in the U.S. actuarial profession and your MAAA designation. Read more.

🔔 Annual Volunteer COI/CE Acknowledgment—Volunteer Action Needed

The Academy has begun the annual process of contacting volunteers and interested parties to obtain required acknowledgments of the Academy’s conflict of interest (COI) and CE policies. Volunteers who serve on Academy boards, councils, committees, subcommittees, task forces, and work groups are required to annually acknowledge the COI policy that applies to all who participate in Academy work.

Although Academy work products are not viewed as statements of actuarial opinion (SAOs), volunteers who are members must also attest they meet USQS CE requirements to encourage ongoing investment in continuing knowledge development that aids the creation of such work products for our many stakeholders.

Is Your Academy Member Profile Up to Date?

With 2026 well underway, it’s a good time to take a few minutes to ensure your Academy member information is up to date. Here are some member benefits reminders and things to check in your member profile:

✅ Dues reminder—Have you paid your 2026 member dues? They were due Jan. 1. Log in to view your profile to keep your membership active and up to date.

✅ Employment—Have you recently changed jobs? Verify that your contact information reflects your new role and any addresses (email and/or mailing address) are accurate and that a secondary means of contacting you is included in case changes occur. Looking for a new opportunity? Visit the Academy's Career Center.

🔓 Tap Into Your Many Member Benefits

Taking advantage of your many Academy member benefits? They include:

Free & Discounted CE via Academy Learning—Missed a recent webinar in your practice area (or professionalism)? Visit Academy Learning to catch up, register for upcoming webinars and events, boost your professionalism development, track your CE, and more.
Publications—The Academy’s flagship Contingencies award-winning magazine—and This Week and casualty, health, life, and retirement practice-area quarterly newsletters.
Blogs and podcasts—Keep up with the Academy and stakeholder goings-on with the Actuarially Sound blog and Actuary Voices podcast, each updated regularly.
Member Spotlight—Academy members are regularly profiled in the Academy Member Spotlight. Interested in being in the spotlight? Drop us a note.
Spring Policy Forum—The upcoming March 9 Spring Policy Forum, to be held in conjunction with the annual Academy Hill visits on Capitol Hill in Washington, is a one-stop shop to for attendees to hear insights about 2026 priorities and focus of federal legislators and regulators, and national trade and stakeholder organizations.
Become a volunteer—Learn about the Academy’s many volunteer opportunities.
Resource Center—Visit the Resource Center to stay on top of the latest Academy news and activity.
Member Benefits webpage—For a big-picture view of your member benefits, visit the Member Benefits webpage.

To learn more about the Academy’s plans for 2026, read “Powering the Profession,” an article by Executive Director/CEO Bill Michalisin and featuring Academy senior directors, published in the January/February Contingencies.

Managing a Newly Credentialed Actuary?

If you supervise or mentor a newly credentialed actuary who has not yet joined the Academy, now is a great time to encourage them to explore membership for the opportunity to become a more informed actuary. As of Jan. 1, 2026, the Academy implemented updated membership requirements for first-time applicants and those reinstating membership (current members are not affected). Applicants must:

Attest to meeting the Academy’s Competency Framework for new members through exams, education, and/or experience.
Have an Academy-recognized actuarial credential from a recognized actuarial organization.
Have three years of responsible actuarial experience, including at least one year of U.S. experience.

Newly credentialed actuaries may also be eligible for a 50% first-year dues discount (if within three years of earning their first actuarial credential), making membership an accessible entry point to the Academy’s member benefits and resources. Encourage your colleagues who are not Academy members to join now—if you have questions or need additional information, please reach out via the Academy online support form.

Around the Academy

Academy in the News

Risk Market News published an article focused on the Academy’s recent cross-practice letter to the National Science Foundation outlining concerns over the potential impact of announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Think Advisor reported on the Academy’s recent data update to the Social Security Challenge, noting the increased difficulty of addressing Social Security’s future projected financial shortfall absent reforms.

Event Calendar

March 9	Spring Policy Summit; Washington, D.C.
March 10	Academy Hill visits; Washington, D.C.
March 26	Changes Ahead for ASOP No. 6: Your Input Requested! (professionalism webinar).
April 16	Health Summit: Broadening the Focus; Washington, D.C.
May 12–13	Insuring the Future: Insurance Investment Summit; New York City
Sept. 14–16	Casualty Loss Reserve Seminar; Las Vegas
Sept. 28–Oct. 1	Life and Health Qualifications Seminar; Arlington, Va.
Dec. 7–8	Seminar on Effective P/C Loss Reserve Opinions; Nashville, Tenn.