The latest Contingencies web exclusive—“What the Hack?”—explores cyber risk, cybercrime, and cybersecurity, addressing the current state of play of the cyber threat landscape and how insurers are keeping up with ever-evolving capabilities of motivated hackers—and the role actuaries play in pricing and mitigating threats. Also, be sure to listen to the interview with Norman Niami, chairperson of the Academy’s Cyber Risk Task Force, who offers his on-the-ground perspectives on this timely topic.  (December 01, 2021)

The Academy, which sets standards for qualification, practice, and conduct for actuaries practicing in the United States, has revised the standards defining the qualifications for actuaries who issue statements of actuarial opinion (SAOs) in the United States. The revised Qualification Standards for Actuaries Issuing Statements of Actuarial Opinion in the United States (USQS) will replace the existing qualification standards as of Jan. 1, 2022. Changes to the USQS include a new requirement for one CE hour of bias education annually, important clarifications regarding qualifying to issue SAOs in particular subject areas, and changes related to non-U.S. actuaries and to Enrolled Actuaries issuing SAOs in the United States. Read the news release. (November 30, 2021)

The November Actuarial Update covers the revised Qualification Standards for Actuaries Issuing Statements of Actuarial Opinion in the United States (USQS), which will replace the existing qualification standards as of Jan. 1. Also in the issue, the Life and Health Qualifications Seminar returned as a live event; the Council on Professionalism added “Education” to its name—reinforcing education’s role in its mission; the latest “Actuary Voices” podcast episode features Christian Benjaminson, an active pension volunteer; and the “Professionalism Counts” column offers “More About ASOPs—Disclosures, Notable Changes, and Handling of Comments.” And, read all about the Academy’s outstanding Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum, held in early November, in a special supplement to Actuarial Update. (November 30, 2021)

The November Actuarial Update supplement covers all aspects of the Academy’s successful Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum, which was held Nov. 4–5 in the nation’s capital as a hybrid event. It featured high-profile speakers including authors Robert Costa and Cathy O’Neil; Maryellen Coggins succeeding Tom Campbell as the Academy’s 57th president; plenary sessions on professionalism, COVID-19, big data and algorithms, insurance regulation, and diversity, equity & inclusion; presentation of the Academy’s annual service awards; and property/casualty, health, life, and pension breakout sessions. (November 30, 2021)

Read Academy President Maryellen Coggins’s Thanksgiving message to Academy members, wishing you well and thanking you for their membership. (November 23, 2021)

Read the latest issue of This Week—the Academy’s end-of-week digital newsletter, compiling a week’s worth of news, updates, and media coverage in one convenient, easy-to-use publication. (November 19, 2021)

Read the latest issue of This Week—the Academy’s end-of-week digital newsletter, compiling a week’s worth of news, updates, and media coverage in one convenient, easy-to-use publication. (November 12, 2021)

Read the latest issue of This Week—the Academy’s end-of-week digital newsletter, compiling a week’s worth of news, updates, and media coverage in one convenient, easy-to-use publication. (November 05, 2021)

The Data Science and Analytics Committee released a major issue paper, Big Data and Algorithms in Actuarial Modeling and Consumer Impacts. The purpose of this paper is to provide a framing for understanding how developments in big data and artificial intelligence (AI) may impact insurance offerings and their oversight; education for actuaries, regulators, legislators, and other interested stakeholders on the evolving impacts of big data and AI technologies on the oversight, accessibility, and sustainability of insurance since the publication of the Big Data and the Role of the Actuary monograph; and education for a framework on algorithmic accountability and considerations specific across different lines of insurance. Read the news release. (November 04, 2021)