Research is a cornerstone of the SOA, with about 35 research projects underway at any given time. Traditionally the SOA has performed experience studies, which collect and analyze data from multiple insurance companies. These studies then give those companies a broader perspective in any number of areas.

The SOA is also leading an industry–wide project that is looking at the effects of preferred valuation mortality in life insurance. These studies obtain data and report experience on policies issued under the preferred underwriting paradigm.

The SOA also performs independent research on a variety of topics that are geared toward issues concerning organizations and individuals. These include:

• Inflation risks–the SOA has released research on the impact of inflation on re-tirees and pre-retirees.
• "Living to 100"–as a growing number of people reach this milestone, the SOA researched the financial impacts on the aging population.
• Pandemics–the SOA is researching the potential effects on health insurers if a pandemic hits the United States.
• Secondhand Smoke–an SOA study found that the annual cost of excess medical care, mortality and morbidity from secondhand smoke exposure in the U.S. is approximately $10 billion.