Actuary on CNN

Academy Public Interest Committee Chairperson Tom Terry discussed increasing the retirement age for Social Security with CNN's Don Lemon on July 18. (07/26/10)

• Transcript
• Video

Former GAO head addresses Academy leaders

Peter G. Peterson Foundation President and CEO David Walker was the keynote speaker during the Academy's summer policy summit on July 19. A copy of his presentation is available here. (07/20/10)

How will the new pension accounting standards affect you?

The Academy's Pension Practice Council presented a webinar on July 15 about the Governmental Accounting Standards Board's recently released Preliminary Views document on Pension Accounting and Financial Reporting by Employers. Panelists discussed several aspects of the GASB document along with an overview of the GASB's progress on the Pension Accounting and Financial Reporting research project. (07/16/10)

Access the webinar:

• Audio
• Slides

2010 Volunteer Survey Closed after Record Number of Responses

More than 700 Academy members – a record number and more than double the 2009 response rate – have stepped forward to contribute to the Academy’s vital work on public policy issues and professionalism by completing the annual Volunteer Survey by its July 9 closing date. New to the survey this year is the Academy Advisors, a virtual committee that will employ easy-to-use web-based survey research technology to capture feedback and advice from a representative group of Academy members. Academy Advisors will begin its work with approximately 300 members. Academy volunteers working over the past year produced substantial, noteworthy work that touched every practice area and every aspect of the profession; the response to the 2010 Volunteer Survey reflects an ever-increasing commitment among actuaries to volunteer their time, talent, and expertise to advance the profession and serve the public interest. Thank you!

Read the June 2010 Newsletter of the International Association of Actuaries

The Academy is pleased to share the IAA’s June newsletter with our members. Articles of interest in this issue include:

• Stochastic Modeling – Release of New Publication
• Comprehensive Actuarial Risk Evaluation
• Request for Proposal – Determination of Discount Rates
• Climate Change
• Microinsurance Working Group
• Financial Education
• International Actuarial Standards of Practice

Governance Task Force status update

The Governance Task Force held a conference call on June 2. A new status update has been posted on its webpage. (06/16/10)

New message from Academy President

Academy President Ken Hohman provided updates from the most recent board of directors meeting. (06/08/10)

• Past messages from the Academy president

Strategic Planning Committee status update

The Strategic Planning Committee met in Washington on May 19. A summary is available on the committee's webpage. (06/03/10)

Life and Health Qualifications Seminar Registration Now Open

Registration for the annual Life and Health Qualifications Seminar is now open. Seating is limited for the November 1 – 4 seminar, which will be held this year in Arlington, VA. To find out more about the seminar and to register online please click here. (06/01/10)

Risk Adjustment issue brief released

The Academy Health Practice Council released a new issue brief, Risk Assessment and Risk Adjustment. The brief provides an overview of risk adjustment and outlines general considerations for implementing a risk adjustment mechanism under PPACA. (05/26/10)

Systemic risk white paper released

The Academy Financial Regulatory Reform Task Force released the white paper, Role of the Systemic Risk Regulator. The white paper outlines new key functions necessary for effective systemic risk regulation. (5/5/10)

• Related news release

Pay dues online

If you haven't renewed your Academy membership, pay your 2010 dues online. To pay dues, log into your member account. Online dues payment is fast and efficient.

Read the 2009 Record to learn in detail about the real value that Academy membership adds to your professional life.

Council's Response to DOL/Treasury Request

The Pension Practice Council and Life Practice Council responded to a request for information from the departments of Labor and the Treasury regarding lifetime-income options for participants and beneficiaries in retirement plans. (5/4/10)

• Related news release

Actuaries plan ahead to health reform implementation

With the enactment of health care reform legislation, the Academy says the successful implementation of this and forthcoming reconciliation legislation will require coordinated efforts to ensure that the regulatory development process accomplishes the intended goals of reform. View the letter to Congress. (03/24/10)

Looking for an issue of Health Check?

All issues of Health Check, a biweekly report from the Academy on health care reform, are now conveniently archived on the Academy's website. (03/22/10)

Academy seeks volunteers

The Risk Management and Financial Reporting Practice Council is looking for volunteers for the Financial Regulatory Reform Task Force and the ERM Subcommittee of the Risk Management and Solvency Committee. If you are interested, please contact Tina Getachew at getachew@actuary.org. (03/22/10)

Help from PAL

The Academy's Pension Assistance List (PAL) program helps people who have questions about their pension plans.

• Members of the public: Ask for assistance.
• Actuaries: Volunteer for PAL