Description: This paper, a study of Canadian life insurance company expenses, is regarded by the author, Arthur Pedoe, as a continuation of his earlier study presented to the Society of Actuaries in 1952 TSA IV, 485. In examining various expense trends the author emphasizes what he feels to be useful, namely an overall expense ratio defined as actual to expected total company expenses. The paper and ensuing discussion explore how expected expenses should be determined, as well as examining trends in group business expenses, among other topics. From 1961 Transactions Vol. 13, No. 35 AB.

Description: This paper raises the following questions regarding mortality and underwriting: How does mortality under term insurance compare with that under permanent insurance? To what extent should large amounts of accidental death benefits be a matter of underwriting concern? What are the pros and cons of issuing triple indemnity benefits as an adjunct of life insurance policies? From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1960, Vol. 12, No. 34.

Description: Article Editorial Board Changes by Moorhead in The Actuary, April 1979, Volume 13, number 4

Description: Article An Interview With Orlo R. Nichols, FSA 1979 a blind actuary, who recently completed the Society of Actuaries Fellowship examinations

Description: This is an article about mathematical observations from children of actuaries. The article begins: In our January editorial we mentioned,just as a curiosity, that the first of all actuarial examinations London, 1850 asked candidates to find the fractional value of the recurring decimal, x = .27272727. A member’s 7th grade grandson B. MacKinnon then told us February issue that you just eliminate the recurring element by subtracting the value of x from the value of 100x.

Description: This article discusses key excerpts from testimony in June and July 1981 by James R.Swenson, Chairman of the Academy’s Committee on Social Insurance, to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, and to the Senate Subcommittee on Social Security. The testimony recommended that the long term problems of Social Security be addressed at the same time as the short term imbalances, that benefits be adjusted to affordable levels e.g. gradual increase in retirement age, that more attention be paid to pessimistic actuarial projections, that the actuaries be given more latitude in selecting assumptions, and that the law be amended to require actuarial certifications for Social Security.

Description: This article describes the Gregorian calendar. Assuming, as perhaps we may on an 8,500 circulation, that 40 people perused our April Editorial urging a 1982 calendar change to mark the 400th anniversary of Pope Gregory XIII’s work, its yield was a stellar 10% response. Which would have been gratifying except that the solidly supporting responsewas only 2 1/2% - thank you, Peter M. Thexton!

Description: The 1982-83 appeal for Minority Recruiting Project money is in full swing, says William E. Watson of our Subcommittee. As usual, appeals are made to two groups: companies that employ actuaries, and individuals such as you and me.

Description: This featured several amusing references to the actuarial profession in various venues including an open letter, a story and a play.

Description: A committee chaired by former Prime Minister, Sir Harold Wilson, has published its findings from a study on the functioning of British financial institutions and their value to the economy. This article reports on five of the report's topics that are of special interest to actuaries.