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. Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:42:15 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 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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]]> The Risks Reshaping 2026 https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/the-risks-reshaping-2026/ Wed, 20 May 2026 16:54:54 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10015 The Emerging Risk Survey has become a cornerstone initiative of the Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute and the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), offering a yearly snapshot of the most pressing risks facing the insurance and financial services industries. The 19th annual survey had more than 350 respondents. In addition, more than 100 of those […]

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]]> GLP‑1 Medications https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/glp-1-medications/ Wed, 20 May 2026 16:54:53 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=10019 GLP‑1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonists have rapidly transformed the landscape of obesity and diabetes management. Initially developed for diabetes, these drugs have recently seen a surge in popularity, largely due to widespread media coverage and endorsements as a “miracle cure” for weight loss. GLP‑1 drugs received initial regulatory approval in 2014, and 2021 is typically […]

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]]> Leading Through Change https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/leading-through-change/ Tue, 12 May 2026 19:08:16 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=9985 Editor’s note: Society of Actuaries (SOA) CEO Greg Heidrich originally presented some of this content about the changing industry landscape during the 2026 ReFocus Conference, which was sponsored by the SOA and the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI). We live in a world of great change that is often disorienting, confusing and at times […]

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]]> From Claims Control to Operational Governance https://www.theactuarymagazine.org/from-claims-control-to-operational-governance/ Tue, 12 May 2026 19:08:16 +0000 https://theactmagstage.wpengine.com/?p=9984 In many insurance lines, periods of stress follow a familiar pattern: deteriorating experience prompts corrective action, which alters behavior, and those behavioral changes further destabilize results. At times, actuaries recognize this dynamic in hindsight, after loss ratios, lapses or utilization trends have already exceeded expectations. In the post-pandemic environment, this pattern has become more pronounced […]

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