Description: This article provides an update of International Section strategic intiatives from the current section chair.

Description: Description of benefit reduction options that are available to insureds at the time of a rate increase and how regulators may view them.

Description: The article looks at the impact of voluntarily offering nonforfeiture benefits at the time of a rate increase on ALR and future profits.

Description: The interview discusses the ACA exchange intiatives program, a strategic project of the SOA focusing on ACA marketplace emerging data and actuarial principles

Description: A strategy is shown to yield greater amount and sustainability of retirement income by coordinating draws from retirement savings and home equity.

Description: This article examines the relationship, future and current, between insurance agents and technology and determines that technology can enhance/optimize agents.

Description: As we further explore how life insurance customers think and behave, we can address their needs more effectively. Using data and predictive analytics we can better identify groups to target. By embracing technology and approaching customers with the right distribution channels based on preference, we can make life insurance more accessible. We can speak the customers' language. We can understand that they are not all created equal, and tailor products to meet individual needs. In short, we can leverage data, research and technology to become very consumer centric. Getting closer to the customer, can we lower the perceived cost, and raise the perceived benefit of life insurance to a point where customers get excited? Will this not then be a product to buy, not sell?

Description: The impact of Fed’s QE program on the financial markets has been enormous and profound. The tapering and the eventual removal of the stimulus will be equally enormous and profound, and may be disruptive. To adapt to the potential regime change in near future, some investment strategies have been proposed: (1) shorten duration to focus on the short end of the yield curve and create laddered portfolios; (2) reduce allocation to high yield bonds; (3) rotate out interest rate sensitive sectors such as utilities; and (4) use interest rate derivatives to hedge the interest rate uncertainties lying ahead. On the other hand, contrarians who see the QE program continuing may stay the course and consider (1) adding duration, (2) gaining exposure to high yield bonds, and (3) increasing allocation to utilities and telecoms.

Description: Response to Life Insurance 2020 Foresight – A Call for Essays. An essay stating the author’s vision for the future of the life insurance sector.