Calling all Actuaries -- Please make a short post if you are an ASA or FSA

[chinaco]

We have alot of discussion/debate about the withdrawal phase of our portfolios. I know the actuarial profession has many sub categories of expertise. If you have experience developing Life Insurance products, pension funds, endowments... please make a brief comment.

For that matter... If you are an actuary (FSA or ASA), please post.

I am curious as to how many actual Pros with experience are on the board.

 

[saluki9]

I'm not an actuary, but I do spend an awful lot of time developing withdrawal strategies for people

 

[ats5g]

eh, I worked as a pension actuarial analyst for two year before getting laid off. 'Twas a blessing in disguise as I never passed any exams.

- Alec

 

[firedude]

My college degree was in Math with a Actuarial Science emphasis. I passed 2 exams but ended up as a actuarial programmer instead of an actuary.

 

[Brat]

There are a couple folks on the board who are math mavens. I too have a degree in mathematics, but that was many years ago. I'm no maven, just an old crow.

Given the calculation tools available today the challenge for an actuary are the ASSUMPTIONS made in the estimate of risk. Remember, actuarial calculations are predictors for a pool or universe. Actuarial longevity is irrelevant if heart disease or cancer runs in your family, or if you are an active alcoholic or drug addict.

Here are a couple websites that 'amuse' me:
http://www.soa.org/ccm/content/?categoryID=223007

http://www.fpanet.org/journal/articles/2004_Issues/jfp0204-art1.cfm?renderforprint=1

 

[brewer12345]

Not an actuary, but I have worked with enough ofthem (mostly life actuaries) to believe that we won't ever see many here. They tend to be driven and into their chosen profession.

 

[spitting_llama]

I am an ASA. (How's that for a short post? )