Insights and Ideas from the American Academy of Actuaries
Contingencies
Features
Four Letters—So Many Benefits
The value of an MAAA In the intricate tapestry of the actuarial profession and business community, the MAAA designation shines as a hallmark of excellence, embodying a commitment to professionalism, expertise, and continuous learning. Recent...
MAAA in Focus
A roundtable discussion with senior leadership on Academy membership. For this special feature, Contingencies sat down with five leaders of the Academy to delve into the profound impact of the MAAA designation. Our roundtable discussion explores...
On Fertility: The story of a baby bust
By Sam Gutterman FERTILITY HAS FALLEN OFF A CLIFF IN MANY COUNTRIES, with some currently at all-time lows. Few countries are seeing a rebound. This article intends to investigate key reasons for this seismic demographic event, explore some of...Departments
Member Spotlight
Emma Casehart
What is your practice area and/or area of expertise?
I am a property and casualty actuary, specializing in ratemaking for personal lines insurance. My main focus is homeowners insurance, but I've previously worked on other personal lines,...
Actuarially Sound
Agenda Preview: Casualty Breakout Sessions at Envision Tomorrow
WHO: Casualty actuaries
WHAT: Breakout sessions focused on state reforms, extreme weather, and cost drivers
WHERE: Grand Hyatt Washington, Washington, D.C.
WHEN: Oct. 15-16
HOW: Register for "Envision...
Actuarially Sound
Chicago Was Academy’s Kinda Town to Talk Policy at NAIC
By Geralyn Trujillo Senior Director, Public Policy
08/27/24
The Windy City was preparing for an onslaught of excited and engaged individuals this month-although it may not have been whom most of America was thinking about. While more...
Actuarially Sound
Popularity Won’t Save Social Security If Policymakers Don’t Act
By Ted Gotsch Senior Policy Analyst, Content and Publications
(08/13/24)
Americans may increasingly hold polarizing views about the role of government, but there is at least one federal program that brings people of all political...
Actuarially Sound
Heat Is Increasingly a Cause for Concern in Workers’ Comp Cases
By Rob FischerPolicy Analyst, Casualty
(8/6/24)
As we roll into the dog days of summer, I am getting sick and tired of the heat in Washington, D.C. Thankfully, my job at the American Academy of Actuaries can be done from central air-cooled...
Member Spotlight
Maggie Ruzicka
What is your practice area and/or area of expertise?
I am a health actuary focused on cost-effectiveness, health quality, and health equity.
What led you to become an actuary? and what attracted you to the profession?
I had worked as a...
Actuarially Sound
What Will the ‘Death’ of Chevron Deference Mean for Public Policy?
By Ted Gotsch Senior Policy Analyst, Content and Publications
The world of federal regulation is one that often seems opaque for those not intimately familiar with the process of rulemaking. Only those who work in federal regulations get...
Actuarially Sound
AI Is Shaping the Future of Underwriting, Fraud Detection, Risk Management
By Will Behnke Policy Analyst, RMFRC
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing all aspects of the world around us, and that includes actuaries and the insurance sector. The incorporation of advanced technologies like AI...
Actuarially Sound
PBR Bootcamp Serves as an Education for Life Actuaries
By Amanda Barry-Moilanen Policy Analyst, Life
When reasonable people come across the acronym "PBR," it can elicit visions of mediocre beer, baseball reports, and even professional bull riding. But actuaries know better. They see "PBR"...
Editor’s Note
The Journey Is the Reward
By Eric Harding
AS WE SLING OUR PACKS OVER OUR SHOULDER, we often set our sights on the destination-a breathtaking summit, a serene lake, or a hidden waterfall. However, it's often the journey that truly enriches our souls.
A personal...
President’s Message
Cyber Risk and Security
By Lisa Slotznick
CYBER, ONE OF THE ACADEMY'S MEGA ISSUES FOR THE YEAR, affects all of us due to the pervasive nature of information technology that connects us in our daily transactions.
Various manifestations of information technology-such...
Up To Code
Precept 13—A Snitch in Time
By Edward E. Burrows
JOHN WAS FINISHING ATTENDANCE AT A CONTINUING EDUCATION SESSION. It had been a long session covering complex new material. John knew he needed credit for the session to stay current with qualification requirements. More...
Hot Topics
Hacking the Planet—Part 5
Climate Engineering: The Insurance Perspective-Challenges and New Models
"If a tree is saved even at the cost of one's head, it is worth it." -Amrita Devi BishnoiThese were the last words of Amrita Devi Bishnoi, said before she was beheaded in...
Book Review
Calculating Race: Racial Discrimination in Risk Assessment
Equations and InequalityCalculating Race: Racial Discrimination in Risk AssessmentBy: Benjamin Wiggins. Oxford University Press. 2020.
Review by James Lynch
Around 1880, actuaries at Prudential Life Insurance saw a problem in their book....
Cryptic Puzzle
For Your Amusement
By Tom Toce
This issue, we have a puzzle that has nothing to do with
Taylor Swift. Instead, I offer a new construction from the formidable team of
Bob Fink and Jerry Miccolis, which I think you'll enjoy. They write:
Welcome to the AAA...
Puzzles
It Never Rains in Southern California
By Josh Feldman
A few months ago, I finally convinced my parents to get
cable television for the first time. While I thought it was great that my folks
finally had access to 200 channels instead of just eight, I admit I was nervous
that my dad...
The Last Word
Trade-offs
By Sam Gutterman
The phrase "my way or the highway" epitomizes an inflexible mindset, dismissing alternative perspectives and options. But life is full of trade-offs, where conflicting objectives require tough decisions amid much uncertainty and...
