Research Insights, a Society of Actuaries Podcast

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

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🦁 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 [email protected].

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

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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 [email protected]

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 President at Tillinghast
• 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

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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/

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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/

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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/

Send us your feedback at [email protected]

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