SOA Podcasts - Society of Actuaries

In this episode Joe Alaimo interviews Jeremy Levitt.  Actuarial models are central to decision-making across insurance, finance, and risk management—but without proper validation, even the most sophisticated models can lead to costly errors. In this episode, Joe and Jeremy take a deep dive into model validation: defining its purpose, outlining key procedures, and highlighting the risks of getting it wrong. Jeremy shares expert insight on balancing thorough analysis with real-world constraints like timelines and budget, while also addressing cultural and structural barriers to effective validation.

We also explore how AI is beginning to influence model validation, fro...

Join host Tiana Zhao as she explores the transformative power of Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) in the world of marketing and distribution actuarial work. This episode of the SOA Marketing and Distribution podcast dives deep into:

Join host Justin Le, ASA, MAAA for a talk with Kate Smith FSA, MAAA about finding meaning and purpose in our work as actuaries. Kate is a Director and Actuary working in Valuation at Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company. In this episode Kate shares her perspective and advice on connecting her work to the impact on her company’s members.

Listen as Danny Moore interviews Charlie Larimer on Epidemiology and Predictive Analytics.  Listen as Charlie gives his insight on applying predictive analytics techniques to determine drivers of health outcomes in differing populations and regions.

This interview featured Amanda Hug, the president and chair of the Society of Actuaries, discussing the role of actuaries in building trust with AI models. Amanda shared a personal anecdote from a trip to Uganda, highlighting the global reputation of actuaries. The discussion covered the importance of integrity, excellence, and professionalism in the actuarial field and provided advice on incorporating AI into actuarial processes while maintaining ethical standards. 

Contributors: Amanda Hug, FSA, MAAA ;  Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA

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Arielle Galinsky—Harvard Kennedy School MPP candidate, JD candidate at Yale Law School, and advocate for aging with dignity—joins host Roger Loomis for a wide-ranging conversation on caregiving, aging, and how her generation sees the future of LTC financing.

Listen to this interview with Whitney Pratt – an actuary who leads a team of data scientists – about similarities and differences of the two fields and how we can better work together.  If you are an actuary wanting to know more about data science, or trying to choose between the two career paths, this is a must listen!

Becoming credentialed is one of the major goals for an actuary, but what does life look like after? Join Carly Mauro, FSA, MAAA and Chris Lombardi, FSA, MAAA as they discuss “the void” and how to approach personal growth, investing time in the community and the SOA, and professional development after exams. 

SOA is proud to present the audio version of the winning entry in the 2024-25 Speculative Fiction Contest, Faulty Medication by Brian Tajlili, FSA, MAAA. Here is what the contest's literary judge, Dr. Bob Mielke, had to say, “Nothing but positives here. A plausible and timely scenario, excellent world-building, vivid incidents, lively and detailed, polished and very well-written. …This story has a real shot at publication even beyond the realm of actuaries.” Find the written version at https://www.soa.org/sections/2024-25-speculative-fiction-art/

Join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA, as she explores the emerging field of marketing actuaries in this insightful episode of the SOA Marketing and Distribution podcast. Discover how these professionals blend actuarial science with marketing strategies to drive data-informed business decisions. Tiana breaks down the key responsibilities of marketing actuaries, including data analysis, predictive modeling, customer segmentation, and pricing optimization. Learn how this evolving role is shaping the future of marketing in our increasingly data-driven business landscape. Whether you're an actuary looking to expand your skillset or a marketing professional curious about the power of actuarial science, this episode...

In this podcast, Michael Frings FSA, MAAA, now Chief Actuary at one of the Bermuda insurance companies, shares his experiences on his career path, where he started from an unexpected place -- medical school, which ultimately took him to where he is now -- an actuary. Please join us as we explore how Michael navigated his "unusual" path, how he found success, and what one may expect entering the profession from a different background.

In this podcast episode Joe Alaimo interviews Bob Leach.  Bob introduces us to model validation concepts from the article that he has written for the emerging topics community: Model Validation 101: Bring your Calculus Mindset!  Bob discusses how to use calculus concepts to validate results from actuarial models.  This discussion is in the context of principle-based reserve valuation models, but the concepts can be extended to other types of actuarial models, like pricing or risk management models.  Partial derivatives of the value function can be used to validate that a model is appropriately applying discount rate, expense, withdrawal rate and othe...

In this podcast Darryl Wagner, Principal with Deloitte Consulting, discussed the complexities and principles of IFRS 17, highlighting its goal to standardize insurance accounting globally. He explained the building blocks of IFRS 17, including best estimate cash flows, risk adjustment, and contractual service margin (CSM). Darryl emphasized the significant data and technology requirements for implementation and the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration among actuaries, accountants, and technology teams. He also compared IFRS 17 with US GAAP, noting similarities and key differences. 

More dynamic content such as this is available on the SOAs Professional Development Edge+ product.   https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd...

Host Jackie Lee discusses the MAPD historical and future landscape of the Medicare Advantage market. They talk about notable milestones throughout the years and their impact on the growth of this sector.

This podcast features Robert Eaton, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman and Sherry Chan, Managing Director at EY.  They discussed the role of actuaries in overseeing AI models, highlighting their unique skills in data analysis and model evaluation. Robert and Sherry emphasized the importance of actuaries in ensuring AI models are free from bias and leveraging AI to handle routine tasks, allowing actuaries to focus on strategic and analytical roles.  

For more info on PD Edge+ click here:   https://www.soa.org/prof-dev/pd-edge/

Join host Tiana Zhao as she explores the critical role of relationships in actuarial marketing and distribution. In this insightful episode, Tiana discusses why strong partnerships are essential in the insurance and financial services industry, and provides practical tips for understanding distribution partners, effective communication, collaborative product development, and building trust.

Join Host Jackie Lee with Brian Pauley as they discuss the characteristic of leaders, including developing an abundance mindset. Their discussion is based on the High Road Leadership book by John Maxwell and Brian’s article featured in The Stepping Stone.

Join Joe Alaimo, Founder and CEO of ProComp, and David Schraub, Founder and CEO of David Schraub Actuarial Consultancy, as they discuss the rapidly developing regulatory frameworks surrounding AI in the insurance industry. They explore the intricacies of laws and guidelines across the U.S., Canada, the European Union, and China, focusing on AI's role in underwriting, pricing, and risk management. David shares insights on how actuaries can navigate the regulatory challenges of AI while promoting fairness and transparency. Key topics include transparency, data governance, anti-discrimination efforts, and how different regions are approaching these issues. If you're interested in...

Dive into price transparency with Danny Moore and Greg Mottet, founder of Vairate. In this episode, they discuss a study exploring inpatient maternity rates in Washington, as well as the use of price transparency in payer-provider negotiations and its impact on consumers, payers, providers, and employers.

Roger Loomis and Steve Schoonveld discuss the state of the Long-Term Care Insurance industry and the opportunities to modernize products and broaden coverage.

In this episode, join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA, to explore the principles of “The New One Minute Manager” by Ken Blanchard and Spencer Johnson.

Join host Andrea Wang, ASA, ACIA, for an inspiring episode featuring Vincent Lepez, PhD, IAF (Institut des Actuaires Francais), a distinguished leader and a seasoned expert in the insurance and reinsurance industry. With decades of experience bridging academia and diverse global sectors, Vincent unveils his remarkable career journey, offering actionable insights on discovering your passion and mastering industry transitions.   

Tune in to uncover how curiosity, adaptability, and strategic risk-taking can transform your professional path and unlock your fullest potential. 

Roger Loomis interviews Matt Morton about the next generation of the SOA’s Long-Term Care experience study. You can reach out to Matt Morton at mattmorton@illumifin.com.

Host Victor Zhao, FSA, CERA sits down with Frank Cheung, FSA, MAAA, CEO and Founder of Accorded, to explore how modeling headaches and operational friction inspired him to launch an actuarial data and analytics infrastructure startup. Frank shares how he identified the core problem, validated it through deep industry conversations, and took the leap into entrepreneurship.

Join us for an insightful conversation with host Tiana Zhao and guest Lilach Frenkel from CAAT Pension to explore the evolving world of pensions.

How do you go from working in a structured corporate actuarial role to forging your own entrepreneurial path? In this episode, Yisi Wang, FSA, CFA sits down with Jing Lang, FSA, FCIA, a seasoned actuary, writer and entrepreneur, who transitioned from corporate actuarial science to entrepreneurship. She shares her journey, the challenges she faced, and the strategies that helped her navigate uncertainty. Whether you're contemplating a career shift, exploring entrepreneurship, or simply love hearing stories of transformation, this conversation is packed with insights, inspiration, and lessons on taking calculated risks! 

In this episode, Joe Alaimo interviews Joan Barret to discuss climate change, highlighting their impacts on the environment and everyday life and the roles actuaries play in assessing risks and solutions related to climate change.

Do you need professionalism credits? Look no further and listen to host Jackie Lee discuss experiences with the ABCD for counseling from guests Cathy Quock and Lydia Tolman.

Join host Silver Zhou, FSA, Chair of YPAC, for a dynamic conversation with Matthew Duke, ACAS, a seasoned actuary, insurance industry leader, and longtime volunteer in various actuarial organizations. Duke shares the deliberate and strategic steps that shaped his career in both traditional actuarial roles and non-traditional industries. Along the way, he reveals invaluable insights on the impact of mentors and coaches at different career stages and why understanding people is key to success as a business leader. 

Listen in to get those professionalism CE credits with host Jackie Lee and guest Cathy Quock. They talk about the differences between actuarial communications in a consulting role or internal company setting. They reference the Code of Professional Conduct and ASOPs.

Roger Loomis talks with Eddie Armentrout of Actuarial Research Corporation about the SOA Research Institute’s LTC Population Research Model, which can be used to examine the impact of public LTC plans on beneficiary finances and service utilization.

In this podcast episode, join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA and guests Dennis Li, Director of Business Development and Partnerships at Amplify Life Insurance, and Christopher Rzany, Vice President of Strategic Marketing Alliances at Fidelity Life Association and eFinancial, to explore the dynamic world of partnerships. This podcast delves into challenges, evolution and emerging opportunities in this critical aspect of insurance and financial services industries.

Nick Kocisak, FSA, in his final episode as host, speaks with Si Xie, FSA, FCIA, CERA, about her experience working as an actuary in international markets. Si provides detailed insights into her observations from working in international markets, describes challenges and opportunities presented by international work, and offers advice on how you can establish your international footprint. 

Join Anders Larson and Shea Parkes as they dive into the world of large language models (LLMs) again.  Actuaries are familiar with matrix multiplication, which is at the heart of most LLMs, but not all actuaries are as familiar with how complex software application components work together.  In this episode we tease apart the models from the applications and discuss which is responsible for what parts of the magic.

Join us for another exciting episode of YPAC podcast as host Ganiu Shefiu, FSA, FCA sits down with Yvonne Palm FCAS, FIA (African Actuary with a global mindset and a CAS board member) and Teju Scott ASA who had both trained abroad and have come back to Africa to contribute to the development of the Actuarial profession. They both share invaluable advice on how to navigate the new environment and what it takes to live in Africa and how they have contributed to the success of the local actuarial society in Africa. Finally, they spoke about volunteering and how...

Join Dave Dillon as he interviews the authors, Rich  Junker and Curtis Robbins, of the new book, “Design Your Future with the Competency Framework”, inspired by the Society of Actuaries Competency Framework and published by ACTEX Learning. The authors share their personal career perspectives and celebrate the worldwide diversity of actuarial careers from over 26 successful actuaries contributing to the book.

In this video, we interview Chris Lombardi, FSA, MAAA, CERA Associate Director at WTW, and Jeanne Cho Stokke, FSA, MAAA, about goal setting and people management. They share techniques and tools for actuaries to become effective leaders in the profession. Jeanne's experience as a former Pro LPGA golfer and Chris's background in jiu jitsu highlight how these skills have contributed to their career success.

In this podcast episode, join host Tiana Zhao, FSA, CERA for an insightful exploration of distribution channels and how to choose the right ones for your business. We dive deep into the various ways products and services can reach customers, from traditional retail to cutting-edge digital platforms.

Roger Loomis interviews Phyllis Shelton about innovative LTC solutions.

Philip Wright, ASA, hosts Matt Burns, FSA, on a topic that will connect deeply with young professionals: Intentional Leadership. Whether you haven’t taken your first exam or early in your career, today’s conversation will provide valuable insights into growing as a leader while navigating the modern challenges of our profession.