Description: Based on work performed by Bob Howard, a former member of RPEC, the SOA developed a spreadsheet-based program that allows users to create a customized mortality improvement scale using the RPEC_2014 model. The RPEC_O2_v2018 model found here utilizes the same projection methodology underpinning the RPEC_2014 model except that the historical rates have been developed using “order-2” Whittaker-Henderson graduation rather than “order-3”.

Description: This web site provides an introduction to the 2007 and 2008 surveys regarding policyholder behavior in the tail. The purpose of the surveys is to gather the range of assumptions actuaries use in pricing, reserving, and risk management of minimum guarantees on Variable Annuity products, such as death benefits, income benefits, withdrawal benefits and maturity benefits. A link is provided to the report which is entitled 'Policyholder Behavior in the Tail Risk Management Section Working Group Variable Annuity Guaranteed Benefits 2007 & 2008 Survey Results.'

Description: Web page for posting of research report identifying considerations for actuaries and annuity insurers in determining the actuarial present value of additional benefits for computing required minimum distributions under a deferred annuity contract. The paper discusses types of benefits covered under Treasury Regulation Section 1.401 a9–6, Q&A–12 as well as possible assumptions and methods for calculating the actuarial present values of additional benefits provided under an annuity contract.

Description: This paper, part of the Society of Actuaries [SOA} ‘Research Projects – Life Insurance,’ sponsored by the Reinsurance Section, Smaller Insurance Company Section and the SOA’s Committee on Life Insurance Research, examines challenges encountered by smaller insurers in obtaining life reinsurance, the challenges and opportunities life reinsurers face in servicing these companies, and considers some possible solutions that might help to resolve the challenges encountered.

Description: This web page describes the RP-2014 Mortality Tables report.

Description: The primary focus of this study was a comprehensive review of recent mortality experience of public retirement plans in the United States.

Description: This web page provides an introduction to a research report that explores key factors associated with an insurer's reputational risk. The report examines conditions that would generate incentives for insurers to behave in a way that causes loss of their positive reputation. A link is provided to the report entitled 'Risk Management Determinants of Insurers Reputational Risk,'

Description: This research report, part of the Society of Actuaries [SOA} ‘Research Projects – Finance/Investment,’ is sponsored by the Society of Actuaries [SOA] Committee on Finance Research. This paper explores and summarizes current practices on the interest-rate risk of traditional life and health insurance products.

Description: This paper, part of the Society of Actuaries [SOA} ‘Research Projects – Finance/Investment,’ sponsored by the SOA Committee on Finance Research, is the result of research done to determine the viability of actuarial counseling. It explores some of the newer markets for actuarial services. Input was gathered from two focus groups, one consisting of a group of retirees and another composed of a group of professionals.

Description: The Society of Actuaries’ Retirement 20/20 project kicked off in 2006 with a conference titled “Building the Foundations for New Retirement Systems.” The conference focused on needs, risks and roles for the stakeholders in today’s retirement system, and discussed how to make social insurance, private pensions, private savings, annuities and other retirement plans work better in the 21st century. One key theme that emerged was that wherever possible, systems should be designed to self-adjust, specifically to correct for changes in economic and demographic conditions. The Pension Section Council of the SOA commissioned this paper to explore where self-adjusting systems are in place today and what they do and don’t do. Most self-adjusting mechanisms that exist today are in social insurance systems, and they often focus on ways to adjust for changes in longevity. The Pension Section Council hopes that this paper will spur researchers to develop more ways that self-adjusting mechanisms might work to shape social insurance and private retirement plans into the 21st century.