The Actuary Magazine https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/ Published six times a year by the Society of Actuaries (SOA), The Actuary gives readers the information they need to stay on top of actuarial trends and enhance their business career development. Wed, 24 Jun 2026 15:46:07 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 Utilizing AI Study Techniques https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/utilizing-ai-study-techniques/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:10:11 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10051 While finishing my final undergraduate semester as a math major at the University of North Texas, I decided to experiment with artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance my study techniques. This article walks through my journey of what inspired me to start using AI (specifically, large language models (LLMs)), and some of the lessons I learned. […]

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]]> Refreshing Our Brand https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/refreshing-our-brand/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:02:09 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10047 The actuarial profession and the Society of Actuaries (SOA) have long been defined by their ability to adapt, innovate and lead through change. Over the past decade at the SOA, we have expanded our global presence, enhanced our educational pathways, and reinforced our commitment to preparing actuaries to lead in a world shaped by emerging […]

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]]> 27 Managers. 10 Leadership Lessons. https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/27-managers-10-leadership-lessons/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:45:12 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10044 I have had 27 managers in 25 years. There is much I have learned about leadership from each of them. This is how I came to average more than one manager per year over a quarter-century career: I rotated through positions as an actuarial student. Each rotation came with a new manager. I applied for […]

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]]> Insights: FSA Exam Process https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/insights-fsa-exam-process/ Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:53:58 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10041 For some actuarial professionals working toward their Society of Actuaries (SOA) ASA and FSA designations, the exam process can, no doubt, feel a bit mysterious. How are questions selected? Who decides what makes it onto the exam? What happens behind the scenes during grading? For The Actuary’s June focus on education, Tiana Zhao, a vice […]

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]]> From Vision to Execution https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/from-vision-to-execution/ Fri, 29 May 2026 17:54:12 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10031 Across industries, actuarial modernization is increasingly viewed as a strategic priority. Some reports show billions being allocated worldwide to these efforts, highlighting their importance to companies’ strategies and competitiveness. The Actuary has published other articles on the topic of actuarial modernization, including: Actuarial Modernization Errors, which looks at why transformation projects may fail and how […]

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]]> Adapting to a Hotter, Riskier World https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/adapting-to-a-hotter-riskier-world/ Fri, 29 May 2026 17:48:44 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10029 In climate-speak, “mitigation” refers to actions that lower emissions that increase the total amount of greenhouse gases, slowing the rate or level of human-caused global warming and addressing the root causes of climate-related risks. In contrast, adaptation involves adjusting to current or projected climate conditions to reduce harm or capitalize on its beneficial opportunities. It […]

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]]> A Career in Reflection https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/a-career-in-reflection/ Fri, 29 May 2026 17:41:55 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10028 In the early 1980s, I wandered aimlessly as a math major during my first two years in college at Penn State University. When I had no response to my dad’s question about my plans (I was tempted to say “just one word: plastics”), he suggested I consider becoming an actuary. Having never heard the word […]

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]]> Actuarial Insights: ACA Premiums https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/actuarial-insights-aca-premiums/ Fri, 29 May 2026 15:16:13 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10026 Given the news coverage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and ACA premium subsidies of late, you may have found yourself wondering, “How do ACA coverage and related subsidies really work?” For instance, you may have seen reports indicating significant increases in ACA premiums in 2026 and wondered, “How can that be possible?”1 In 2026, […]

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]]> Product, Process, Channel https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/product-process-channel/ Wed, 20 May 2026 16:54:55 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10013 Reports and surveys indicate that the insurance industry is undergoing a profound distribution transformation. Traditional channels have served consumers well for decades; insurers have optimized for long product cycles, hierarchical channels and intermediary-driven sales. Yet consumers now live in an on-demand world, where insurers can extend their experiential strengths into digital-first moments. The gap between […]

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]]> Analysis: GLP-1s and Mortality Risk https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/analysis-glp-1s-and-mortality-risk/ Wed, 20 May 2026 16:54:54 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10017 The intense interest surrounding glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and other incretin-based medications is impossible to ignore. They have received significant public and media attention due to their potential implications for obesity and related conditions. Some commentators have touted them as “everything drugs” that will rewrite the trajectory of human mortality and reverse stagnating life expectancy trends. […]

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