Insights and Ideas from the American Academy of Actuaries

Contingencies

Current Issue Key Topics Archives Actuary Voices Member Spotlight Actuarially Sound Web Exclusives

November/December 2026

What has kept the Code of Professional Conduct relevant for 25 years? How should aging societies prepare for the demographic future already taking shape? And what do the profession’s rising stars see ahead? Explore these topics and more in this...

Features

12 Rising Stars Look Ahead

The 2026 Rising Actuary Award recipients share their perspectives on careers, mentorship, AI, the future of the profession, and the value of Academy membership. Meet the 12 actuaries honored with the Academy’s 2026 Rising Actuary Award, which...

The Code at 25

By Virginia Hulme

A principles-based framework built 25 years ago continues to guide a profession in constant evolution.

Tales From the Dark Side

Five hypothetical case studies from the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline illustrate the professionalism challenges actuaries may face in the workplace—and how to respond.

Adapting to an Aging World

By Xinyi (Cindy) Hu

Low fertility may be harder to reverse than policymakers hope. Aging societies need to build systems resilient enough for the demographic future that is taking shape.

Your Next Coworker May Not Be Human

By Beth Baker

Agentic AI is moving into the workplace. Here’s what actuaries need to know about working alongside a new kind of digital colleague.

Human Oversight of Thinking Machines

By Baskar Sundararajan and Srivathsan Karanai Margan

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in decision-making, organizations must rethink what effective governance and accountability require.

Modernizing Actuarial Operations in Reinsurance

By Poojan Shah

Actuarial systems are becoming a strategic differentiator—enabling faster deal evaluation, stronger pricing confidence, and smoother integration.

Departments

Crossword

27th Letter of the Alphabet

By Warren Manners

Ready to put your problem-solving skills to the test? Download the crossword puzzle below and see how many clues you can solve. You can also download the answers to the previous crossword.

Cryptic Puzzle

Miranda Rights

By Tom Toce

Since in court anything you say can be used against you, we offer some good advice, which comes from the entry at 24A. Seventeen answers, eight from across clues and nine from down, have an extra letter. These letters must be removed before...

Editor’s Note

The Little Blue Book That Flew Off the Table

By Preeti Vasishtha

By Preeti Vasishtha I was attending an actuarial conference where the Academy had a booth in the exhibit hall. The little blue books seemed to fly off our booth table as quickly as we could put them out. The little blue book, of course, is...

President’s Message

Ode to the Code

By Tricia Matson

As I write my final Contingencies article as president of the American Academy of Actuaries, I want to share that it has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve in this role. I am deeply grateful for the amazing opportunity to work...

CEO Insights

The Framework Behind Public Trust

By William J. Michalisin

By William J. Michalisin Actuaries help address some of society’s most consequential questions, from the financial security of families and the sustainability of retirement and health systems to the soundness of insurance markets. People...

Up To Code – Perspectives from the ABCD

Earning Self-Regulation Through Professionalism

By Edward Lee

By Edward Lee In early 2019, late on a Sunday night, I received a voicemail from an old friend, Brian Jackson. Brian and I had first met during the summer of 1993 while serving as U.S. Marine Corps lawyers in North Carolina. I was—and...

Policy Compass

MAAA Credential Offers a Strong Standard for Public Policy

By Ted Gotsch

Since its founding more than six decades ago, the Academy has pursued both advancing professionalism within the actuarial profession and serving the public through objective, nonpartisan public policy expertise. Those missions have always been...

Member Spotlight

The Work Behind the Work

Retirement actuary Kevin Wade, MAAA, EA, has spent his career working on the complexities of pension and retiree health care plans. Behind that work is a practical, client-focused approach grounded in clear communication, professional judgment, and...

Puzzles

New Beginnings

By Josh Feldman

A little over 10 years ago, I likely didn’t know what I was getting myself into writing this puzzle column. Full of optimism and naïveté, I easily figured I could come up with a few clever columns a year. Quickly, reality set in, as I struggled...

The Last Word

The Search for Efficiency

By Sam Gutterman

Efficiency usually focuses on “doing things quickly and correctly,” while effectiveness emphasizes “doing the right things well.” The search for efficiency focuses on cost, input, productivity, time, and waste reduction, while effectiveness...

Past Issues

See all

September/October 2026

July/August 2026

May/June 2026

Contact Contingencies Advertise Submit an Article Subscribe Write a Letter to the Editor