When there is a significant volume of data and associated risks to analyze, an actuary is typically an appropriate fit for the task at hand. One area of focus on the rise, relevant to those with an actuarial background, is sports analytics. While sports analytics isn’t new, it’s a booming field that’s becoming increasingly sophisticated,…
Actuaries are trained in long-term future planning, and yet, in my view, too often we still judge ourselves by how well we are performing based on legacy benchmarking of what “actuaries are supposed to do.” Many activities we perform and consider to be “definitely actuarial,” such as valuation, pricing, business planning and modeling, still operate…
You’re having a normal week, and then it happens: a job posting you weren’t expecting. A stretch role, a promotion, a pivot—something that makes you pause and think, “Should I go for this?” I’m sure some actuaries feel a familiar mix of emotions in this moment: excitement, hope … and uncertainty about whether they’re ready…
As a corporate actuary for a Canadian life insurer, I focused my attention on topics such as IFRS 17, Financial Condition Testing and ORSA. Now retired, I’ve redirected my energy to explore which NHL forward had the most dominant goal-scoring season. Hockey is our national pastime, notwithstanding the fact that it’s been 32 years (as…
In Asia, as reports show, rapid economic growth and an aging population are driving the need for effective retirement income solutions. Ensuring that pension systems can provide a sufficient and stable income across economic cycles is crucial to the well-being of retirees, who now account for an increasing share of the population. Against this backdrop,…
In the current macroeconomic context of low interest rates and interest rate uncertainty, the Chinese life insurance industry may seek to achieve sustainable development through product innovation and risk management. The low-interest-rate environment is not a risk itself, but rather, in my opinion, represents an opportunity to push the industry to return to the core…
As we celebrate Black History Month, stories of resilience, determination, and trailblazing success speak louder when they come from within our own communities. Marc-Edouard “Teddy” Kernisant’s journey to becoming a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA) and a Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries (FCIA) is one such story, demonstrating that the journey…
A simple remark during an editorial meeting caught me off guard: “Liz, did you know I’m the Chicago lead for the IABA (International Association of Black Actuaries)?” In that moment, something clicked. That single comment opened a broader reflection on how geography has shaped the experiences of Black actuaries—and how those dynamics are being rewritten…
For The Actuary’s focus on Black History Month, I’m pleased to share the story of Dr. David Blackwell, one of the great mathematical geniuses of the 20th century. Dr. Blackwell was a truly brilliant mathematician who made critical advancements in his field while also creating opportunities for others throughout his career and life. He’s an…
The ever-changing world continues creating new financial and economic risks for actuaries to help address. As a global organization, the Society of Actuaries (SOA) has made international growth part of its strategic goals to accelerate the actuarial profession and better support its candidates and members. In 2025, the SOA leaned into its commitment to international…