About the Society of Actuaries Research Institute

Serving as the research arm of the Society of Actuaries (SOA), the SOA Research Institute provides objective, data-driven research. We combine tried-and-true practices with future-focused approaches, helping the actuarial community effectively identify, predict and manage risks.

The SOA Research Institute provides clarity and solutions for financial risks and societal challenges. The volunteers for this research include a network of actuaries, academics, employers, the insurance industry, regulators, research partners, foundations, and research institutions, sponsors and non-governmental organizations who collaborate to provide support, knowledge and expertise to benefit the industry and the public.

Managed by experienced actuaries and research experts from a broad range of industries, the SOA Research Institute creates, funds, develops and distributes research to elevate actuaries as leaders in measuring and managing risk. These efforts include experience studies, essay collections, webcasts, papers, survey reports, and original research on topics impacting society.

Harnessing its peer-reviewed research, leading-edge technologies, new data tools and innovative practices, the SOA Research Institute seeks to understand the underlying causes of risk and the possible outcomes. We develop objective research spanning a variety of topics within our strategic research programs: aging and retirement; actuarial innovation and technology; mortality and longevity; diversity, equity and inclusion; health care cost trends; and catastrophe and climate risk. The SOA Research Institute has a large volume of topical research available, including an expanding collection of international and market-specific research, experience studies, models and timely research.

Volunteers, Partners and Employers

The SOA Research Institute completes critical research through the support of volunteers, employers and their staff. We value all the expertise and time commitment of its volunteers. Volunteers gain new experiences and first-hand knowledge during the development of the research, helping shape the direction of that research.

Looking to the future, the SOA Research Institute needs continued support from volunteers to identify, develop and complete critical research. Volunteers gain first-hand knowledge and experience when working with research projects, helping fill the gaps on the types of research to develop, and where best to spend the Institute’s time and efforts.

Visit the database of volunteer opportunities to see learn about actuarial research project needs and volunteer openings.
See the latest call for research proposals, papers, essays, and data requests.

SOA Membership

SOA members have access to the SOA Research Institute’s quality practice research, which is intended for use in actuaries’ everyday work. There is an evolving list of topical research, along with experience studies and models. Our research not only analyzes data sources and identifies trends, it also helps to uncover the potential drivers of these trends.

Whether serving as a volunteer on a project oversight group or as a committee participant, there’s a lot that members, especially new associates and fellows, can do to help. Through research participation, members gain new networks and expand their experience, plus they become part of the research community by addressing emerging insights on complex topics.

The SOA Research Institute has many years of knowledge with experience studies for nearly all lines of business sold by life insurance companies along with studies of pension liabilities. We provide a continuous stream of information from experience studies through research reports and data provided to SOA members.

Listen to the Research Insights Podcast, hosted by R. Dale Hall, FSA, MAAA, CERA, Managing Director of the SOA Research Institute.
See the latest call for research proposals, papers, essays, and data requests.
Visit the database of volunteer opportunities to see learn about actuarial research project needs and volunteer openings.

Insurance Industry and Regulators

The SOA Research Institute conducts critical research to provide clarity and solutions on risks and societal challenges. We help shed light on key risks and the drivers of why it happens. The SOA Research Institute has long since developed studies with improvement scales, tables and models that have later been built into regulations and seeks to inform public policy through its data-driven research.

Access the collection of actuarial tables, models and other tools.
Explore the Institute’s research pages and view a wide variety of research projects by topic.

Research Sponsors

Focusing on delivering trusted and innovative risk research, the SOA Research Institute analyzes data sources and identifies trends, and we uncover the potential drivers of these trends. To continue this valued research, the SOA Research Institute seeks new research partnerships, grant opportunities and sponsorships. Through this support, we can conduct more research on behalf of the actuarial profession and help identify and manage risks impacting society and the public.

Contact the SOA Research Institute to learn more about sponsorships and related research projects for the future.

Foundations, Institutions and Non-Governmental Organizations

The SOA Research Institute conducts research on behalf of the actuarial profession, and we seek partners and collaborators to work with us on relevant research benefiting many business sectors and the public. The SOA Research Institute seeks opportunities to discuss how to work together through funding, data access and other forms of support. We serve as a knowledge-source, ready to help identify the best people for future projects and how to help collaborate with it. The SOA Research Institute has the capabilities to identify researchers, provide project management support and locate actuarial volunteers to serve as project oversight group members.

See the latest call for research proposals, papers, essays, and data requests.
Contact the Institute to discuss potential partnerships and joint projects.

Actuarial Candidates and Students

Candidates are the future research volunteers. They are the potential committee members and leaders on critical actuarial research. As candidates pursue the path to becoming an SOA member, the SOA Research Institute has a variety of resources to assist with their actuarial work, from models to data, data analysis and primers on existing and emerging topics. The SOA Research Institute works closely with colleges and universities to offer:

Knowledge extension grant programs
Student Research Case Study Challenge for actuarial students to highlight their skills in addressing a real-world challenge
Collection of actuarial tables, models and other tools.

General Public

The SOA Research Institute serves as a respected source for data and data analysis, helping highlight key risks, challenges and their potential solutions to societal challenges. The SOA membership has worked on research for the insurance industry for many years, and values feedback and input to continue these vital efforts on behalf of the actuarial profession. The SOA Research Institute’s public-facing research includes retirement and aging (especially on retirement risks), health care, long-term care and mortality improvement, providing insights to inform society. In addition to developing its own research, the SOA Research Institute provides analysis of public data, such as from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to help actuaries and the public make sense of it and to identify trends and potential drivers of those trends.

Explore the Institute’s research pages and view a wide variety of research projects by topic.