Description: While some people proclaim the imminent triumph of renewable energy, this article argues that fossil fuels will continue to be part of the energy mix.

Description: This panel discussion is from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 16-17 in New York. The panelists present an overview of the regulatory framework for investments, discuss emerging issues for new investment vehicles, provide a valuation actuary update, discuss the regulatory attitude toward asset securitization, junk bonds and hedging, discuss regulatory developments related to the valuation of private placement, mortgages, real estate, and other securities, and discuss developments related to the Mandatory Securities Valuation Reserve, ‘MSVR,’ and capital requirements. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 2.

Description: This presentation is from session number 36, presented at the 1999 Valuation Actuary Symposium, held September 23-24 in Los Angeles. Today’s low interest rate environment has helped spark enthusiasm for new investment vehicles with a potential for higher returns than more traditional asset classes. The panelists discuss structured securities, convertible bonds, mortgage backed securities, and other investment vehicles.

Description: This report presents the results of the 1986-92 Credit Risk Event 'CRE' Loss Experience Study which represents a continuation of the 1986-89 pilot study analyzing loss experience by institutional investors on private placement bonds. This continuing study is being conducted under the auspices of the Society of Actuaries and involves thirteen institutional investors which accounted for between 34% and 42% of outstanding life insurance company private placement bond holdings during the study period. The study measures incidence rates, loss severities and economic loss rates associated with credit risk events for privately placed debt during the years 1986-92. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1997-98 Reports.

Description: This article discusses the magnitude and impact of the subprime crisis.

Description: This article discusses Asset-Backed Securities as a low volatility alternative to Intermediate Government Bonds.

Description: Most investors give convertible securities less prominence than stocks and bonds in their investment portfolios. The attention span given to learning the intricacies and finer points of this hybrid security is quite narrow. In fact, most of us may not even know that a “golden age” existed or whether it has peaked. It’s far beyond our immediate concerns.

Description: This session from the 1995 SOA New Orleans Meeting discusses implementing an equity portfolio to support a reserve for long-term liabilities. Also covered will be valuing, pricing implications, cash-flow testing and implications on risk-based capital. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 21, No. 1.

Description: In this presentation, session number 10PD at the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries held October 17-20 in San Francisco, the panelists discuss their experiences with asset valuation methods. Topics include characteristics of an effective asset valuation method, the extent to which recent economic activity should influence the smoothing period selected, whether one method smoothes valuation assets more than another, whether different methods for funding and expense make sense, and whether the current asset valuation method is accomplishing its intended purpose. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 3.

Description: This session from the 1984 SOA New York City Meeting covers new fixed income investments and traditional investments and investments suitable for pension and savings funds. Discussions include investments such as mortgage-backed securities, financial futures, stripped treasuries, covered calls, discount bonds and junk bonds. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 10, No. 3