Claim OwnershipSOA Podcasts - Society of Actuaries
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This is the official podcast feed of the Society of Actuaries
430 Episodes
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What is it really like to work as an actuary in a fast-moving startup versus a large, established company? In this episode, YPAC member Zack Moore sits down with Matt Briggs to unpack the realities of both worlds, from culture and pace to impact, growth, and career satisfaction. They explore how actuaries fit into each environment, the trade-offs between stability and innovation, and what young professionals should consider when choosing their own path. Whether you're climbing the corporate ladder or diving into startup life, this conversation offers insights to help you shape a career that fits your goals.
In this episode of the Get Plugged In podcast originally published in September 2025, host Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries, is joined by Joe Alaimo, CEO of ProComp Consulting Inc. and Community Advisory Team Member of the Emerging Topics Community. Together, they delve into the findings of a recent roundtable discussion focused on the role of generative AI in the actuarial profession. Joe shares highlights from the panel of actuaries and industry professionals who discussed real-world use cases, ethical concerns, and how actuaries are uniquely positioned to navigate the evolving landscape of AI. From code generation and digital coaches to actuarial modeling support, this conversation covers the growing impact of AI in insurance and risk management. Want to explore more? Access the full report and other valuable resources on our Artificial Intelligence landing page at SOA.org Send us your feedback at AI-Insights@soa.org
This podcast episode features Dave Friesen and Tom Callahan discussing the collaboration between actuaries and data scientists. Tom is an Actuary who works extensively with data scientists, and Dave is a data scientist who works with Actuaries, making them a great combo for the topic. Dave highlighted the operational focus of data science in improving workflows and customer experience, while Tom emphasized the financial impact focus of actuaries. They both agreed on the importance of clear communication and common terminology to bridge gaps between the two fields. They also shared examples of successful collaborations and the benefits of using modern data platforms and tools. Contributors: Tom Callahan, FSA, MAAA; Dave Friesen; Joe Long, ASA, MAAA; Jon Forster, ASA, MAAA
Research isn't just for academics! This episode reveals how broad the impact of SOA research is – balancing the retrospective with the prospective – and why it's essential for actuaries and the broader public. YPAC Vice-Chair Tasso Bountouvas and guest R. Dale Hall discuss misconceptions, real-world applications, and how you can contribute – no PhD required. Tune in for practical advice, inspiration, and a glimpse into the future of actuarial science.
Listen in as Greg Fann interviews Moshe Nelkin about Medicare Supplement insurance. We will take you from Medicare basics through product details covering pricing assumptions, factors driving claims trend, regulatory considerations, challenges, opportunities, and more.
Roger Loomis sits down with Stephanie Moench and Michael Rustemeyer to discuss their paper that was just published by the SOA Research Institute: "Long-Term Care Wellness Primer", which can be downloaded here: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/long-term-care-wellness/
Listen to Juan Herrara and Danny Moore discuss pending claims, large claims, and using predictive analytics and other modeling techniques to develop these estimates.
Join host Tiana Zhao as she explores the cutting-edge trends reshaping the insurance landscape. From AI-driven underwriting to climate-focused products, this episode of the SOA Marketing and Distribution podcast dives deep into the technological and societal shifts transforming how we think about risk and protection. Discover how insurtech startups, IoT devices, and changing consumer expectations are driving innovation in product design, distribution channels, and customer experience. Whether you're an industry professional or simply curious about the future of insurance, this podcast offers valuable insights into the forces shaping the industry's evolution and the opportunities that lie ahead.
Anders Larson and Shea Parkes discuss using GenAI applications with coding agents to simulate healthcare costs. They revisit the distinction between large language models (LLMs) and the applications that wrap them. They then use some newer GenAI application functionality to generate some simulated healthcare cost distributions. During their discussion they explore what domain knowledge the modern LLMs already have, and how to supplement that with their own domain expertise.
Description: Listen as co-hosts Jackie Lee and Josh Hammerquist speak to data scientist Supriya Ramachandra as they discuss how she attacks messy data with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. From this discussion, actuaries will learn about how these cutting-edge tools can be used in their work. PleaseNote: At timestamp 11:00: The training data was created through manual annotation — it took 4 annotators about a week to label the clinical notes. At timestamp 12:24–12:26, we said "non-supervised" — the correct term is "unsupervised learning."
In this month's YPAC podcast host Shawn Stender, FSA, MAAA will be joined by Simon Gervais, FSA, MAAA to discuss an often-overlooked topic for young actuaries. With so much focus given to career advancement and "managing up," actuaries looking might overlook the benefits of managing down to promote younger professionals within their organization. This podcast will discuss how managing down can not only benefit your career, but also the actuarial profession.
Join Danny Moore and Aaron Jurgaitis as they discuss tertiary and quaternary care from an actuarial perspective. Danny and Aaron discuss: Definitions around the different levels of care, from primary up to quaternary Specifics around the types of care delivered in the specialized facilities that deliver this care, and The key themes actuaries need to keep in mind when analyzing data that include these types of services. Aaron shares information from his background of performing analysis for pediatric and academic facilities that highlight important factors that actuaries should consider, such as relative efficiency, referral patterns, episodes of care vs. points in time, and the specific value of expertise that these facilities contain. The information shared is relevant from both a provider and payer point of view, and will broaden your understanding of the unique characteristics of tertiary and quaternary care providers.
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, from automated testing to AI-driven challenger models. Whether you're a practicing actuary, a risk professional, or a stakeholder relying on actuarial outputs, this conversation offers valuable guidance on how to build confidence in your models—and the decisions they support.
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: The fundamentals of OKR methodology and its adoption by tech giants How OKRs can enhance clarity, focus, and measurable outcomes for actuaries A practical example of implementing OKRs in an insurance company setting Strategies for marketing and distribution actuaries to leverage OKRs effectively
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 Thanks for watching and don't forget to subscribe!
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.
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Pretty cool that you're pointing out that visualization isn't just for making pretty pictures. it can actually be a powerful tool for generating insights. We recently published a blog post about this topic, and its application to actuaries. Check it out! https://slopesoftware.com/2020/04/03/data-visualization-aint-just-for-marketers-anymore/