Description: This is the abstract of a preliminary report on a research project about the applications of dynamical systems theory in actuarial science. The project is funded by the AERF. The paper will briefly describe the nature of dynamical systems and present a tentative model derived from percolation theory that could be used to understand the pricing variations encountered in a competitive environment and that could also be used as a model for credibility. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1992, Vol. 1.

Description: This abstract describes a paper that proposes a stochastic population structure model based on the Leslie matrix, in which a Lee-Carter model framework is used to describe the future mortality and fertility changes.

Description: Public policy makers acknowledge that there exist significant tax incentives for the use of Registered/Qualified Pension Plans and RRSP's/lRA's. This is the abstract of a paper that first analyzes these tax advantages as to the component source, i.e., how much of the advantage can be attributed to the tax deductibility of contributions and how much is because of the non-taxation of the investment income until taken. The paper then attempts to determine and illustrate whether or not these elements of tax assistance should be viewed as tax deferral or tax waiver. The analysis shows that any tax advantages associated with the deductibility of contributions is only tax deferral. However, the paper proves that there is a permanent loss to the taxpayers associated with the non-taxation of earned investment income until taken which should be viewed as a tax subsidy or tax waiver. The paper ends with a short discussion of the public policy issues raised by these findings. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1994, Vol. 1.

Description: This is the abstract of a paper that summarizes of the curriculum and other features of the university actuarial science programs in North America. The report, includes most schools listed by the SOA as offering actuarial science courses including substantially all of the Course 150 material. This summary was prepared by the author for the SOA Career Encouragement Committee and is being presented at this Actuarial Research Conference to share the information with faculty involved with actuarial education in North America. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1996, Vol. 1.

Description: A proposal for a minimum continuing capital and surplus requirement for life insurers has recently been circulated by the Department of Insurance Canada for comment by the life insurance industry and the actuarial profession in Canada. This talk describes some of the reasoning and methodology underlying this proposal.

Description: This is the abstract of a paper that builds on previous work concerned with measuring equity, and considers the problem of using observed claim data or other information to arrive at premiums which maximize equity. When these optimal premiums are used, it is shown that gathering more information or refining the risk classification must always increase equity.

Description: The results of a mortality study for Canadian pensioners are presented. From Actuarial Research Clearing House, January 2000, Volume 1.

Description: When a pension plan surplus reaches a high level, distributing some of it may be desirable. This article proposes a percentile-based criterion for how much to give. From Actuarial Research Clearing House, Volume 2000,Vol.1.