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/

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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/

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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:   [email protected] ✨

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

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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

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🎙️ 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:   [email protected] 🌟👂📈

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!

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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/ 

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🎙️ 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! 🎧💪

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