Research Insights, a Society of Actuaries Podcast

The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute holds an annual Student Research Case Study Challenge, which provides an opportunity for teams of students to apply their actuarial skills on a real-world problem in a business setting. The 2025 Student Research Case Study has just been released! If you are up to the challenge, review the materials, listen to the podcast, and get to work! Visit the Case Study Challenge landing page today: https://www.soa.org/research/opportunities/2025-student-research-case-study-challenge/

Hello Listeners! In this classic episode, we heard from two esteemed actuaries: John Bertko, FSA, MAAA, an independent actuarial consultant serving as the Chief Actuary with Covered California, and Steve Goss, ASA, MAAA, the Chief Actuary at the Social Security Administration discussing the implications of a new U.S. administration on actuarial practice. This podcast originally published in January 2021, capturing the thoughts and perspectives of our experts during a pivotal time of transition. We hope you enjoy this insightful discussion and find it as relevant today as it was when it first aired. Sit back, relax and enjoy this Research Insights Classic!

Hey there Listeners--Happy New Year and Welcome to 2025! We have a special Research Insights Podcast Holiday Edition this morning - What will arrive in 2025. Hear Achilles Natsis, Dale Hall, Lisa Schilling, Patrick Nolan, Patrick Wiese, Pete Miller, Philip Adams, Rob Montgomery, Ronora Stryker, and Steve Siegel share their personal and professional goals for 2025. Send us your feedback at [email protected] Visit the Research Institute: https://www.soa.org/research/research-institute/

🎄 Join us this morning for a special holiday podcast! 🎄 Sit back and listen to the Society of Actuaries Research Institute folk take a journey through the highlights of 2024, celebrating the year's milestones and achievements, and offering a unique and heartwarming glimpse into their lives. Tune in and celebrate with us! 🎉 Send us your feedback - [email protected]

Hello Listeners! We have a great episode today. Our guest is Geralyn Trujillo, Senior Director of Public Policy at the American Academy of Actuaries. The focus of today's podcast is a recap of the recent National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2024 Fall meeting held in Denver, Colorado, from August 12 through August 15. Sit back and listen to key insights from the meeting! SOA e-Newsletter: https://www.soa.org/publications/e-newsletters/articles/2024/enews-2024-12-naic-fall-meeting/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

We present to you a classic podcast titled "Impact of COVID-19 on Retirement Risks," originally published on April 20, 2020. This episode delves into an issue brief that highlights an online discussion about how COVID-19 has influenced retirement risks. The insights shared in this podcast remain relevant for any future epidemics. So, sit back, relax, and immerse yourself in this Research Insights Classic. We hope you find it as enlightening and thought-provoking as we do! Landing page: Impact of COVID-19 on Retirement Risks | SOA Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hey listeners! Welcome back to the Research Insights Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have Warren Rodericks, FSA, FCIA, and Partner at Deloitte, with us. Warren will dive into our latest report on the ISSB and global climate-related financial disclosure standards, giving actuaries the key insights they need. Stay tuned! Report landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/issb-fin-disclosure-standards/ Send us your feedback: [email protected]

Good afternoon Listeners! It is time for another episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast! We have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic to bring to you today. There are many observances in the month of November that center around health and November 6 is National Stress Awareness Day. We thought it fitting to present a podcast that was based on a report published on December 1, 2022 titled "Mental Illness and its impact on U.S. Mortality and Longevity." Enjoy this Research Insights Podcast Classic! Report Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2022/2022-mental-illness-us-mort-long/

Hello Listeners! Tune in to our latest Research Insights Podcast Episode "Actuarial Rock Stars"! Hear Greg Jacobs and Shane Chalke share their incredible journeys from very successful actuarial careers to scuba diving and jazz music. Don't miss these inspiring career and life experiences! Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Greetings Listeners! Join us for the grand finale of our 75th Anniversary podcast series with Episode 7. Today, we have a special guest, Greg Heidrich, Chief Executive Officer of the Society of Actuaries. Tune in to hear Greg share insights into his leadership journey, starting from when he joined the SOA in 2007. Don't miss this one! Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hello Listeners! We have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic to bring to you today. October is National Retirement Security Month, and we dug through our archives for a retirement-focused podcast and found "Aging and Retirement Issues for People of Different Races and Ethnicities – Essay Collection." Enjoy this Research Insights Podcast Classic! Essay Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2021/aging-retirement-different-races/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hello Listeners! Welcome to Episode 6 of our 75th Anniversary podcast series, 'Shaping the Future – The 2020s and Beyond.' Join us as we hear from Jennifer Gillespie, the 73rd President of the Society of Actuaries, who shares insights about her career journey and her presidency during 2021-2022. Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hey there everyone—welcome back! Today, we have an exciting episode lined up for you. We're diving into the recently published report titled "United States Earthquake Insurance Overview: Risk and Coverages by Region with a Comparison to Canada and Puerto Rico." And here to talk with us today is the author of the report, Cody Webb, FCAS CPCU, Founder and Actuarial Consultant at Cuanto Consulting. This comprehensive guide is essential for actuaries, insurance companies, and regulators to understand the scope and challenges of earthquake risk and insurance in the U.S. Send us your feedback at [email protected] Report Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/us-earthquake-insurance-overview/

Hello, Listeners! Welcome back to our 75th Anniversary Podcast Series! In Episode 5 – The 2010s: Pandemic and Progress, we are joined by John Robinson, FSA, MAAA, FCA. Tune in to hear John share his career journey and his experiences as the 74th President of the Society of Actuaries (2023-24).

Hello Listeners! We have a great episode today. Our guest is Geralyn Trujillo, Senior Director of Public Policy at the Academy of Actuaries. The focus of today's podcast is a recap of the recent National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2024 Summer meeting held in Chicago, Illinois, from August 12 through August 15. Sit back and listen to key insights from the meeting. SOA e-Newsletter: https://www.soa.org/publications/e-newsletters/articles/2024/enews-2024-08-naic-summer/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Today is the 23rd anniversary of September 11, 2001. And in observance of this day, we decided to republish the podcast we created 3 years ago "Perspectives on the 20th Anniversary of 9-11," which we dedicated to the victims, and their families, of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The passage of time will never diminish the profound impact of that day.

Greetings Listeners! Welcome to Episode 4 of our 75th Anniversary podcast series - "The Turn of the Century." Listen to Mike McLaughlin, Secretary and Treasurer of the Trees That Feed Foundation and the 61st President of the Society of Actuaries, as he shares insights from his leadership journey during the 2009-2010 term. Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Greetings Listeners! It's time again for another episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast and we have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic to bring to you today. August 21 is National (and World) Senior Citizens Day, and we have found the perfect podcast that aligns with this observance. It is "Living to 100 – Senior Citizen in 2050" It was a discussion focused on one of the sessions at the Living to 100 Symposiums that the SOA held in 2017 titled "The Senior Citizen in 2050. So, sit back and listen to this glimpse of what may lie ahead! Enjoy this Research Insights Podcast Classic! Living to 100 landing page: https://www.soa.org/programs/living-to-100/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hello Listeners and welcome back! Listen to our conversation with Shariq Sikander, FSA, FPSA, CERA, Consulting Actuary and Director at SHMA Consulting. Shariq is the author of the report titled "Takaful: An Alternative Approach to Insurance." This report takes a look at Takaful insurance and how it emerged as a key component of Shari'ah-compliant financial services that aims to cater to individual's insurance needs, while also conforming to Islamic beliefs and norms. Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/takaful-alternative-approach/ Send feedback to [email protected]

Greetings, Listeners! Welcome back to the latest installment of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast! Today, we're excited to share with you a valuable new resource that's essential for both the insurance sector and society as a whole. Introducing the Quarterly Global Warming Report—a series that provides up-to-date insights on climate trends using the latest data from the ERA5 dataset. Join us as Patrick Wiese, the Lead Modeling Researcher at the SOA Research Institute, delves into the details of this pivotal series. Landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/quarterly-global-warming/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Greetings Listeners! Welcome to Episode 3 of our 75th Anniversary podcast series - "The First 50." Listen to Anna Rappaport, FSA, President of Anna Rappaport Consulting and the 49th President of the Society of Actuaries (1997-98), as she shares her inspiring journey in the actuarial profession, detailing the obstacles she surmounted since beginning her career in 1958. Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Greetings Listeners! It is time for another episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast! Listen to Joan Barrett, FSA, MAAA and Consulting Actuary at Axene Health Partners, LLC, and Greg Warren, FSA, FCA, MAAA, Partner and Consulting Actuary at Axene Health Partners, LLC talk with Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Research Institute about the SOA Societal Purpose Report "Reimagining Pharmacy Financing." This report discusses a value-based reimbursement methodology that increases transparency, encourages competition, aligns stakeholder incentives and mitigates total cost of care (TCOC) increases. Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/reimagining-pharmacy-financing/ Send us your feedback at: [email protected]

Good afternoon Listeners! It is time for another episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast! We have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic to bring to you today. We searched through our archive for a podcast that would be appropriate for this time of year, and we came up with "Climate Related Health Issues" which was first published as a Focus Edition on July 27, 2022. Hear R. Dale Hall, FSA, CERA, MAAA, CFA, SOA Research Institute Managing Director, discuss climate related health issues, which are especially relevant in this current season of extreme heat. Enjoy this Research Insights Podcast Classic! Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hello Listeners! We have a great Research Insights Podcast Episode to bring to you today. Listen to the conversation between host Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the SOA Research Institute and guest Magali Barbieri, PhD, Co-Director of the Human Mortality Database and Director of the U.S. Mortality Database, University of California, Berkeley. They are discussing the report authored by Magali and titled "The Impact of Covid-19 on the Socioeconomic Differential in Mortality in the United States." Report Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/covid-socioeconomic-mortality/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Greetings Listeners! Buckle up for Episode 2 in our 75th Anniversary podcast series - The Dawn of the SOA. Listen to Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Research Institute talk about the events that lead up to the joining of the AIA and the ASA to become the one and only Society of Actuaries! Send us your feedback at [email protected]

It's time again for our Research Insights Podcast! Listen to the conversation between Dale Hall, Stephen Carlin and Stephan Mathys discussing the report "A Primer on Generative AI for Actuaries." Actuaries should consider this a point-in-time view of this rapidly evolving industry and use the issues presented here to spark conversation within organizations and across the profession. Report Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/generative-ai-for-actuaries/ We welcome your feedback! [email protected]

We have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic to bring to you today. Six years ago this month, in June of 2018, we published the Research Insights Podcast titled "Auto Loss Cost Trends." This podcast reviewed a set of reports written by the Society of Actuaries, the Casualty Actuarial Society and PCI (Property & Casualty Trade Organization), focusing on Auto Loss Cost Trends. This joint project looked at a number of troubling trends that had been occurring over several recent years. So, sit back and listen to the authors of the report discuss and analyze the change in trend lines, in this month's Research Insights Podcast Classic.

Happy Birthday Society of Actuaries! We have a great Research Insights Podcast to bring to you today. In observance of The SOA's 75th Anniversary, we have a special podcast series to bring to you over the next 6 months. We will take a closer look at the early days of the SOA in future episodes. But for today's episode, we want to take an even deeper dive into the history of the actuarial profession. And to do that, we are very excited to have as our guest - Devadeep Gupta, FIAI, CERA, Actuary, Author and Artist. Devadeep is author of the article "The History of Actuarial Science" which was published in the April edition of The Actuary. So sit back and enjoy Episode 1!

Hello and Greetings Listeners! We have another great Research Insights Podcast to bring to you today. Listen to the conversation between Host Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Research Institute and Guests Erica Baird, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman and Joe Long, Consulting Actuary & Data Scientist at Milliman discussing the report "Statistical Methods for Imputing Race and Ethnicity." After listening to the podcast, visit the landing page to read the report and check out the tutorial. Report Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/stat-methods-imputing-race-ethnicity/ We welcome your feedback! [email protected]

Hello Listeners! We have another great episode of the Research Insights Podcast for you this morning. This talk is focused on the Society of Actuaries Research Institute Report "Retirement Wealth by Race and Ethnicity." Hear the conversation between Host Dale Hall, Managing Director at the Research Institute and Guest Christian Weller, Professor of Public Policy at the University of Massachusetts - Boston. Sit back, listen and enjoy this episode! Send us your feedback at [email protected] Report Landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/disparities-retirement-preparedness/

The Society of Actuaries Research Institute holds an annual Student Research Case Study Challenge, which provides an opportunity for teams of students to apply their actuarial skills on a real-world problem in a business setting. The 2024 Finalists have been announced! Listen to the first place team from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia discuss their winning strategy! Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/research/opportunities/2024-student-research-case-study-challenge/

Hello Listeners! It's time again for another episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast! We have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic to bring to you today. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we combed through our archives and found a podcast which perfectly aligns with this observance. "Research Focus Edition, World Mental Health Day" was first published on October 17, 2022. Listen to thoughts and considerations regarding mental health and enjoy this Research Insights Podcast Classic. For those in need of help - dial 988 for free and confidential support for people in distress.

Hey there Listeners! This is the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast - Focus Edition. The month of May is designated as National Wildfire Awareness month, so in today's episode, we are focusing on the wildfire season, which in recent years, is starting earlier and lasting longer. Tune in and learn about zombie fires and the threat of post-wildfire drinking water contamination. Expert Panel on the Impact of Wildfires on U.S. Health and Life Insurers – Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2023/wildfires-impact-ushealth-lifeinsurers/ Post-wildfire Drinking Water Crisis: Implications and Opportunities for the Insurance Industry – Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/wildfire-drinking-water-crisis/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hello Listeners! We have a great episode today with two guests - Han Li, PhD, AIAA, and Associate Professor at The University of Melbourne, and we also have Timothy Adair, PhD, and Principal Research Fellow at The University of Melbourne. And today we are talking about the Society of Actuaries Research Institute report "Modeling and Forecasting Premature Cardiovascular Mortality: The Role of Obesity and Education." Listen and learn about the role of obesity and education level in determining age-gender-specific premature CVD mortality. Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/modeling-premature-cardiovascular-mortality/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

It's that time again! Time for another episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast! We have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic which aligns to April observances: Financial Literacy month and Earth Day. We searched through our archive for a podcast that intersects these two observances and came up with "Climate Change and Other Impacts on Retirement" which was first published on October 25, 2021. Hear guests Max Rudolph and Anna Rappaport talk about how climate risks can impact our savings planning for retirement. Enjoy this Research Insights Podcast Classic! rRead the essay collection here: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2023/impact-climate-chg-risk-ret/

Hello Listeners! We have a great episode today. Our guest is Tian Wang, Professor at Colorado State University and we are talking about the recently published SOA Research Institute report "Federated Learning for Insurance Companies." Listen and learn about unlocking the potential of Privacy-Preserving Data Sharing! Landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/federated-learning-insurance-companies/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hello Listeners! We have a great episode today. Our guest is Geralyn Trujillo, Senior Director of Public Policy at the Academy of Actuaries. The focus of today's podcast is a recap of the recent National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) 2024 Spring meeting held in Pheonix, Arizona from March 15 through March 18. Sit back and listen to Host Dale Hall and Guest Geralyn Trujillo discuss key insights from the meeting. Select Articles from SOA e-Newsletters: https://www.soa.org/publications/e-newsletters/articles/ Send us your feedback - [email protected]

Hello Listeners! It is time for our Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast Focus Edition. On Monday, April 8, 2024, North America will experience a solar eclipse, entering Mexico, passing over the United States, and exiting through Canada. The next solar eclipse to pass over the contiguous United States will not occur for another 20 years (August 23, 2044). Will you be in the path of totality during the eclipse? Listen to this episode, learn everything you need to know, and make your plans to enjoy syzygy on April 8! Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hey there Listeners! We have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic to bring to you today. Four years ago today at 5:00 p.m., the state of Illinois was under a statewide stay at home order due to COVID-19. It was a scary time, and life as we knew it forever changed. Around this time we published one in a series of special episodes focusing on COVID-19, and we thought it a good idea to pull this episode out of our archives, dust it off and share it with you all over again. The episode is "U.S. Life Insurance COVID-19 Impact: A Mortality Claim Forecast." So, sit back, listen, and learn from this Research Insights Podcast Classic. COVID-19 landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2020/impact-coronavirus/

Greetings Listeners! Don't miss our latest episode! Hear Guest Max Rudolph of Rudolph Financial Consulting, LLC discuss the report "Demographics and Productivity: Drivers of Economic Growth." with Host Dale Hall. Max authored this report, which explores gross domestic product (GDP) as a metric of economic growth. This report also includes an analysis of factors that impact growth and how these factors may be considered for various objectives. Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2023/demographics-productivity-drivers-econgrowth/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Good morning, Listeners! We have a terrific episode to share with you today. The focus of this episode is the report "Long-Term Care, Caregiving and Related Housing Issues: The Perspective of the Individual authored by Anna M. Rappaport, FSA and President of Anna Rappaport Consulting. Hear Host Dale Hall and Guest Anna Rappaport talk about several aspects of long-term care, primarily from the point of view of the individual planning for or providing long-term care. Landing Page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2017/post-retirement-needs-decisions/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Happy International Women's Day Listeners! We have a very special international, all-female episode today. Hear Host Ronora Stryker, SOA Senior Practice Research Actuary speak with Guests Jenny Haid, CFA, FSA and Chief Executive Officer of Club Vita, and Eileen Luxton, FSA, FCIA, and Partner at Mercer, about their very interesting professional and personal journeys and the women who inspired them along the way. Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hello Listeners! We have another great Research Insights Podcast Episode to bring to you today. Hear Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Research Institute speak with Max Rudolph of Rudolph Financial Consulting, LLC about the Key Findings from the 17th Survey of Emerging Risks. Report landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/17th-survey-emerging-risks/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

Hello Listeners! It is time for another episode of our Society of Actuaries Research Institute Research Insights Podcast. Hear the conversation between Joan Barrett, Consulting Actuary at Axene Health Partners, LLC and Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Research Institute discussing the recently published report "Calculated Risk: Driving Decisions Using the 5/50 Research." We hope you enjoy this Research Insights Podcast! Send us your feedback at [email protected] Report landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2023/calculatedrisk-using-550research/

Greetings Listeners! It is time for our monthly Research Insights Podcast Focus Edition. Hear Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research, discuss his presentation, "Using AI Responsibly in Actuarial Practice" that he gave at the 23rd Global Conference of Actuaries held in Mumbai, India two weeks ago. Listen to the podcast, review the suggested research noted below, and send us your feedback at [email protected] Primer on Generative AI for Actuaries landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/generative-ai-for-actuaries/

Here we are again! It's time for our Society of Actuaries, Research Institute, Research Insights Podcast Classic edition. Tomorrow, February 16, is National Innovation Day, and we decided to bring to you the perfect Classic podcast to align with this observance. "Actuarial Innovation and Technology Strategic Research Program Interviews" was published back in April of 2019 and served as an introduction to our new AIT Strategic Research program. Listen to members of the AIT Program Steering Committee talk about the launch of the program. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this Research Insights Podcast Classic! AIT Program landing page: https://www.soa.org/programs/act-innov-tech/

Greetings Listeners! We have a great podcast episode today. We are talking about the report "Expert Panel on the Impact of Wildfires on U.S. Health and Life Insurers." Hear host Dale Hall and guest Rebecca Owen discuss the 2023 wildfire season, which brought severe smoke to the Northeast U.S., and which for some parts of the world, was longer and larger than any time in the recorded past. Report landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2023/wildfires-impact-ushealth-lifeinsurers/ Send us your feedback at [email protected]

It's that time again! It's time for the Society of Actuaries, Research Institute, Research Insights Podcast Focus Edition. Listen to Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research, discuss recent topics impacting the actuarial profession. This episode focuses on a serious health issue that has come to light recently, the new trends in cancer demographics. Cancer Genomics: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2019/cancer-genomics/ Send us your feedback or suggestions for more Focus Episodes at [email protected]

Welcome back Listeners! We have another great episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute Research Insights Podcast! Hear discussion of the report "Challenges and Opportunities with Rethinking Fairness Metrics for Life Insurance Processes: An Actuarial Perspective" which focuses on issues with respect to fairness in the context of processes involved in developing and managing life insurance, especially risk classification, without offering specific solutions or engaging in legal or political debate. Author and Host: Lisa A. Schilling, FSA, EA, FCA, MAAA Advisory Panel Guests: Hezhong (Mark) Ma, FSA, MAAA, Bruce A. Friedland, FSA, MAAA Landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2023/fairness-metrics-life-insurance/

Greetings Listeners! It's that time again--time for another episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute Research Insights Podcast! Hear Authors Lanqi Cheng, Yingqi Zhang and Xinran Luo talk about the report "Market Readiness of LTC Products in Asia-Pacific markets." Landing page: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2023/market-readiness-ltc-asia-pacific/