Actuaries. Behind the spreadsheets and complex models lies a diverse group of individuals with passions and pursuits that extend far beyond the confines of their offices. As part of The Actuary’s Passions & Personalities series, I was fortunate to connect with one such actuary—Alex Ryan, FSA, FCIA, CERA. Alex’s day job is that of a…
For The Actuary’s November issue, I’m pleased to share the story of Owais Ansari, FSA, Dubai-based CEO with Munich Re for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, Pakistan, and Takaful markets. For Owais, actuarial science wasn’t just a career choice—it has become a lifelong passion for solving complex problems and contributing meaningfully to…
In a world increasingly shaped by data and risk, actuaries stand as guardians of financial stability. Yet, many actuaries remain behind the scenes, their voices unheard. Imagine the impact if these analytical minds stepped into the spotlight, sharing their insights not just within their companies, but with the world. Thought leadership does not have to…
Working in a hybrid work model has become a defining characteristic for many actuaries. In 2025, as reports show, many large insurers in the United States will have implemented policies requiring employees, including actuaries, to work from the office 2–3 days per week as part of their hybrid work arrangements. As the hybrid model is…
In this world with sometimes too many, but at other times too few choices, career planning can feel like navigating a jungle. There’s no shortage of stories to tell about these career navigations, and one I’m pleased to bring to The Actuary is my conversation with actuarial consultant Scott Allen, FSA, MAAA. Here, Scott discusses…
Canada’s occupational pension system is at a critical juncture: more Canadians than ever before are managing their own pension savings via registered retirement savings plans and defined contribution pension plans, now holding more than $1.5 trillion nationwide. Many retirees are faced with the consequences of a laissez-faire approach to retirement savings—a by-product of the general…
Since its inception, the actuarial profession has been associated with technical rigor coupled with deep mathematical precision. In fact, an origin of the word “actuary” can be traced to the days of the Roman Empire, when the Latin word “actuarius” was given to those who meticulously recorded public actions of the Roman Senate.1 As the…
Generative AI marks a significant advancement in artificial intelligence (AI). It is distinguished from traditional AI by its ability to create new content in the form of text, images, code and voice. Unlike traditional AI, which analyzes patterns in data for forecasting or classification, generative AI produces outputs not previously found in the data. Generative…
At the heart of modern actuarial work is the need to process vast amounts of data rapidly and accurately while sustaining complex, computationally intensive models. Whether by scaling up a single high-performance computing system or orchestrating a distributed network of machines, the strategic decisions behind hardware selection play a pivotal role in meeting these operational…
For its summer international focus, The Actuary takes a look at Bermuda, one of the largest global reinsurance domiciles and, as reports show, home to more than 40 life and annuity entities. From multinationals to boutique life reinsurance firms, Bermuda has a mix of experience levels, all of which are adapting to regulatory enhancements. In…