The October “Professionalism Counts” column looks at “Must, Should, May: When Do You Need to Disclose a Deviation From an ASOP?” (October 30, 2020)

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. (October 30, 2020)

The October Actuarial Update previews the high-profile plenary speakers and practice-area breakout sessions at next week’s Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum, a virtual event that will take place Nov. 5–6. There’s still time to register for the Academy’s marquee annual event. Also in the issue, coverage of the Oct. 30 professionalism webinar, “Tales From the Dark Side: Trick or Treat!”; the incoming chairpersons and new members of the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline and the Actuarial Standards Board; a life work group released a white paper on the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act; a November pension webinar will look at an exposure draft of a practice note on Actuarial Standard of Practice (ASOP) No. 56, Modeling; and the “Professionalism Counts” column looks at “Must, Should, May: When Do You Need to Disclose a Deviation From an ASOP?” (October 30, 2020)

Academy President D. Joeff Williams’ Oct. 29 letter to members announced the membership renewal period and includes a link to “The Meaning of Your Membership,” which highlights the many mission-critical aspects of the Academy’s work in 2020. To pay your annual dues directly, please log in to the Academy’s website. (October 29, 2020)

The Academy’s Principle-Based Reserving (PBR) Analysis Templates Task Force published six templates to assist users when performing PBR analysis or preparing PBR Actuarial Reports required by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners Valuation Manual (VM-31).  (October 29, 2020)

Actuarial Memorandum Practice Note Work Group of the American Academy of Actuaries’ Health Practice Council released the Actuarial Memorandum Practice Note. The purpose of this practice note is to provide information that can be useful for appointed actuaries dealing with the challenges of producing an Actuarial Memorandum in support of the Actuarial Opinion filed as part of the Health Annual Statement Blank (often referred to as the Health Blank or the Orange Blank). However, the concepts covered in this practice note could be useful for other situations requiring documentation for health business. (October 29, 2020)

The Fall HealthCheck includes a Q&A with Annette James, chairperson of the Academy’s Health Equity Work Group, on some of the new work group’s goals. Also, a Capitol Forum webinar on health equity issues, a webinar on the ASOP No. 6 practice note exposure draft, and a preview of the health breakout sessions at the upcoming Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum. (October 27, 2020)

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. (October 23, 2020)

The Health Practice International Committee (HPIC) released the International Health Care Funding Report. This report is the first iteration of a project is intended to be an illustration of international models of health care funding, and reflects the state of 36 health funding systems from around the world as of December 31, 2019. This report is a joint effort of volunteers of the American Academy of Actuaries Health Practice International Committee (HPIC), the International Actuarial Association Health Section (IAAHS), and the Society of Actuaries (SOA) International Section. (October 23, 2020)

The Fall Life Perspectives includes a Q&A on the Tax Work Group’s white paper outlining the most significant changes in the taxation of life insurance companies that were made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). Also, the interactive Virtual PBR Boot Camp covered a range of issues, the latest “Actuary Voices” podcast features Life Vice President Laura Hanson, and a preview of the life breakout sessions at the upcoming Annual Meeting and Public Policy Forum. (October 22, 2020)

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. (October 16, 2020)

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. (October 09, 2020)

The Academy's Tax Work Group released a white paper outlining the most significant changes in the taxation of life insurance companies that were made by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA). (October 08, 2020)

The Pension Committee published an issue brief detailing Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) single-employer premiums and considering their impact on pension plan sponsorship. (October 08, 2020)

The Fall Casualty Quarterly leads with a Q&A about wildfires, following recent West Coast wildfires and the Academy’s new Essential Elements paper on the topic. Also, a webinar on workers’ compensation and COVID-19, the Academy’s comments to the NAIC on a predictive-models exposure draft, and a second update to the 2017 flood insurance monograph as Congress extended the National Flood Insurance Program for another year. (October 07, 2020)