Research Insights, a Society of Actuaries Podcast

In this episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast, host Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the SOA Research Institute, welcomes Geralyn Trujillo, Senior Director of Public Policy at the American Academy of Actuaries. Together, they provide a timely and insightful recap of the NAIC Summer Meeting, held August 10–13, 2025, in Minneapolis. This episode highlights key regulatory discussions, actuarial research presented at CASTF, HATF, and LATF, and emerging issues such as climate-induced migration, the application of machine learning and high-resolution imagery in property insurance, and updated experience studies across disability, annuity, life, and long-term care lines. Listeners are encouraged to explore more details from the meeting once the recap is published by visiting the SOA Select Articles from E-Newsletters landing page.  Tune in for expert insights on where actuarial science meets public policy! Send us your feedbback at ResearchInsights@soa.org 

In this episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Kara Clark, Senior Practice Research Actuary at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, is joined by Al Klein, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman, and Erik Pickett, Actuary and Chief Content Officer at Club Vita, to explore Chapter 8: Technological Advances from the paper Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality. This engaging conversation examines how emerging technologies — including wearable tech, bioelectronics, robotics, nanotechnology, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence — are influencing longevity and reshaping the future of mortality forecasting. Through a lively and insightful discussion, the hosts highlight both the opportunities and challenges posed by technology. Topics range from health-monitoring wearables to ethical concerns around AI and equity of access. This episode provides valuable considerations for actuaries modeling the long-term impacts of rapidly evolving innovations. This podcast is part of a special series supporting the SOA Research Institute paper Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality. To read the full report, visit the landing page here. 📘 Explore the full report and other chapters Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org

🦁 It’s World Lion Day—and we’re thinking bigger than the savannah. Climate change doesn’t just impact ecosystems—it shakes global financial systems too. That’s where actuaries come in. In our featured episode, “Implications for Actuaries from the ISSB and Global Climate-related Financial Disclosure Standards,” we talk with Warren Rodericks, FSA, FCIA, about how actuaries can apply their skills to climate scenario modeling, data interpretation, and risk analysis—key tools in understanding the broader impact of climate risk on everything from portfolios to planet. Let’s protect the world’s ecosystems—one model at a time. Questions or comments? Email us at researchinsights@soa.org. Report Landing Page:  https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2024/issb-fin-disclosure-standards/

Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality – Medical Advances Guests: Al Klein, Principal and Consulting Actuary, Milliman Erik Pickett, Actuary and Chief Content Officer, Club Vita In this episode of the Research Insights podcast, Kara Clark is joined by Al Klein and Erik Pickett to explore Chapter 7 of the report Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality. This chapter dives into the crucial role medical advances play in shaping future mortality trends. The discussion covers major 20th-century breakthroughs, today’s promising developments in genetics, biomedicine, medical technology, and electronic health records—and the barriers that could limit their impact. With a forward-looking perspective, the guests reflect on how actuaries can model mortality improvements while accounting for accessibility, adoption rates, and societal behavior. 📘 Explore the full report and other chapters Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org

This classic edition of the Research Insights Podcast, originally published in July 2020, revisits a timely discussion on the ethical use of artificial intelligence in actuarial work. Guest host Gwen Weng, FSA, speaks with the late Neil Raden—founder of Hired Brains and author of the featured report. We republish this episode in tribute to Neil’s thoughtful contributions to the profession. Neil Raden Obituary Questions or comments? Email us at researchinsights@soa.org  Report Landing Page:  Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence

In this special episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, honors the legacy of James C.H. Anderson—a pioneering actuary and visionary in the insurance world. Joining Dale are four esteemed guests who personally knew and worked with Jim: Jay Jaffe, FSA, MAAA, President of Reinsurance Administration, Ltd. Jim MacGinnitie, former Chief Economist of the American Council of Life Insurers Mike Tuohy, Managing Director at Tillinghast Ron Butkiewicz, CEO of First Penn Pacific Together, they reflect on Jim's groundbreaking contributions, including his revolutionary work in gross premium calculations, profit measurement, and the development of Universal Life products. From his early days at Abbey Life to influential consulting roles in London and Atlanta, Jim’s ideas reshaped insurance regulation, product development, and actuarial practice for decades to come. Further Resources to Explore James C. H. Anderson’s Legacy: Gross Premium Calculations and Profit Measurement for Nonparticipating Insurance James C. H. Anderson ASA, MAAA, FCA 1975 November Edition of Emphasis – The Universal Life Insurance Policy  James C. H. Anderson ASA, MAAA, FCA Insurance Hall of Fame Profile James C. H. Anderson ASA, MAAA, FCA Transactions of Society of Actuaries, 1993 VOL. 45 – Obituary James Charles Henry Anderson Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org

In Episode 6 of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute’s podcast series Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality, Kara Clark is joined by Al Klein, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman, and Erik Pickett, Actuary and Chief Content Officer at Club Vita, to discuss the pivotal role of health care in shaping future mortality outcomes. Drawing from the SOA Research Institute report presented at the 2023 Living to 100 Symposium, this episode dives into Chapter 6, which examines health care systems across the globe—from universal government-funded models to private nonuniversal systems—and their implications for access, treatment, prevention, and long-term outcomes. The conversation explores technological innovation, systemic disparities, and the actuarial lens on future health care challenges. 📘 Access the full report and explore all podcast episodes here: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/longterm-drivers-futuremort-podseries/ Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org

In honor of National Safety Month, the Society of Actuaries is re-releasing its very first Research Insights podcast — a foundational conversation that still resonates today. Dale Hall, FSA, CERA, MAAA, Managing Director of Research, introduces the episode, which highlights the findings from the 2017 SOA report, "Analysis of Opioid Overdose Death Trends in the United States." This conversation explores key mortality trends, risk factors, and how actuarial analysis can support public health efforts, especially in tackling the opioid crisis. It’s a timely reflection during a month dedicated to reducing preventable harm. Explore the original report here: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2017/2017-opioid-overdose-deaths-us/ Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org

In this episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research and Lisa Schilling, Director of Practice Research, at the SOA Research Institute, are joined by the 2025 Student Research Case Study Challenge champions from the University of Waterloo—William Zhang, Ki Yan Chan, and Kevin Jiang. These future actuaries—competing as Team Factuarial—share their winning experience, from initial exploration of complex flood insurance datasets to delivering clear, policy-relevant recommendations. They reflect on their challenges, the insights gained through expert mentorship, and how the competition has shaped their perspective on actuarial work beyond numbers and into public policy. Learn more about the competition, review finalist papers, and discover how to get involved in next year’s challenge by visiting the landing page:  https://www.soa.org/research/opportunities/2025-student-research-case-study-challenge/ Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org

In the fifth episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute's special podcast series on the Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality, host Kara Clark, Senior Practice Research Actuary, is joined by Al Klein, Principal and Consulting Actuary at Milliman and co-author of the featured report, and Erik Pickett, Actuary and Chief Content Officer at Club Vita. This episode explores diseases as critical drivers of future mortality. Topics include chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer; mental health and neurodegenerative diseases; and the ongoing threats of infectious diseases and pandemics. The speakers highlight how evolving medical treatments, shifting demographics, and public health infrastructure influence mortality projections—and the implications these have for actuaries. This conversation is grounded in Chapter Five: Diseases from the report, Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality, originally presented at the 2023 Living to 100 Symposium. 📘 Explore the full report and access the entire podcast series here: https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/longterm-drivers-futuremort-podseries/ Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org 

In this special classic episode of Research Insights, we revisit a powerful discussion from May 2020, when the world was grappling with the mental health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Five years later, this conversation is still as relevant as ever. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, we're spotlighting how actuarial research intersects with mental health trends—and why those insights still matter today.  Whether you're in the actuarial field or simply someone who values mental well-being, this episode offers a thoughtful, data-informed perspective on the challenges we continue to face. For mental health support, visit MentalHealth.gov or call or text 988. Visit the Landing Page:  Mental Health Trends and COVID-19

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ In this episode, we learn that although inequality, per se, is not a direct driver of future mortality, it is an underlying cause of many other important drivers.  Don't miss out on this insightful and thought-provoking discussion! 🎧✨   Discover fascinating insights from the report and learn about the broader spectrum of drivers and environments that impact long-term projections. 🔍   Landing Page:  https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/longterm-drivers-futuremort-podseries/   Tune in and share your thoughts:   ResearchInsights@soa.org ✨

Hello and welcome!   We have a great episode for you today. Our guest is Geralyn Trujillo, Senior Director of Public Policy at the American Academy of Actuaries. She and our host, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, will be walking us through key takeaways from the recent NAIC 2025 Spring Meeting, held in Indianapolis from March 23 to March 26. If you’re looking for a clear and thoughtful recap, you’re in the right place. Let’s get started! SOA e-Newsletter:  NAIC Spring 2025 Meeting Recap Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org 

Welcome to the April edition of Research Insights Classic, where we revisit some of our most impactful discussions. In this episode, we delve into the findings from two 2017 reports on climate, weather, and environmental sources. These comprehensive studies explore the intricate relationships between climate patterns and their effects on various sectors, providing valuable insights for researchers and policymakers alike. Join us as we re-release this enlightening conversation, shedding light on the critical data and methodologies that continue to shape our understanding of climate risks and opportunities. Climate, Weather and Environmental Sources for Actuaries Climate Sources for Actuaries Send us your feedback at RsearchInsights@soa.org

🎙️ Long Term Drivers of Future Mortality – A Podcast Series - Chapter 3 - Lifestyle 🌟 In this exciting episode, we dive deep into the world of lifestyle choices and their impact on future mortality rates. 🏃‍♂️🍎  Don't miss out on this insightful and thought-provoking discussion! 🎧✨   Series Landing Page:  https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/longterm-drivers-futuremort-podseries/   Tune in and share your thoughts:   ResearchInsights@soa.org 🌟👂📈

Good afternoon Listeners!  We have a great Research Insights Podcast Classic to bring to you today. In honor of International Women’s Day, which is observed on March 8 every year, we thought it fitting to bring to you our first International Women’s Day podcast which aired on March 8, 2024.  Listen to Jenny Haid and Eileen Luxton talk about their interesting professional and personal journeys and the women who inspired them along the way!  Enjoy this Research Insights Podcast Classic!   Send us your Feedback!  ResearchInsights@soa.org

Unlock the secrets to optimizing your organization's retirement plans with our latest Research Insights Episode! 🎙️ 📊 Join Haig Nalbantian, Co-President/Co-Founder of Workforce Sciences Institute, and David Rosenblum, FSA, EA, FCA, and Managing Director at Agilis, as they dive into a data-driven framework tailored to your unique strategy. Discover how economic and workforce trends impact plan effectiveness and learn to prioritize critical changes for maximum impact. Tune in to transform your approach and drive your organization's success! 🚀💼   Visit the landing page and read the report:  https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/workforce-impact-retirement-plans/    Send us your feedback:  ResearchInsights@soa.org

🎙️ Special Episode Alert! 🎙️ Celebrate International Women's Day with us on the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast! 🌟 Join our Guest Host Sherry Chan, FSA, MAAA, EA, FCA as she chats with Karen Burnett, FSA, FCIA and Si Xie, FSA, CERA, FCIA about their inspiring journeys in the actuarial field. 🚀👩‍💼   Discover their stories, challenges, and the women who have inspired them along the way. 🌸✨ Don't miss this empowering conversation!   Tune in now and be inspired! 🎧💪   Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️ Join us on the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast as we interview the esteemed Yair Babad, Professor (Emeritus) at the University of Illinois, Chicago, who is one of the authors of the Long-Term Drivers of Future Mortality report! 🌍 ✨ Discover fascinating insights from the report and learn about the broader spectrum of drivers and environments that impact long-term projections. 📊🔍 Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Yair, who dropped by the SOA while on his nationwide visit, as he shares his expertise on mortality, morbidity, and the evolving role of actuaries. 🌟👨‍🏫   Tune in now and stay informed! 🎧📈   Send us your feedback at ResearchInsights@soa.org

Episode 2 of our podcast series "Long Term Drivers of Future Mortality" is now live! 🎉 Dive into the fascinating topic of Aging, the most significant driver of mortality. Don't miss out on this insightful discussion!   Tune in and share your thoughts:   ResearchInsights@soa.org 🌟👂📈   Landing Page:  https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2025/longterm-drivers-futuremort-podseries/