Reflections on the 2010 International Congress of Actuaries
The 2010 International Congress of Actuaries in Cape Town is over. It has been, I think, a great success. Over 1,500 delegates - more than ever before - came to the congress from Europe, Australasia, North and South America, Asia and, of course Africa....
Alphabet soup and bird genes
I'm currently at the International Congress of Actuaries in Cape Town, and it's amazing what you learn. For example, today I learnt that whilst mammals have X and Y chromosomes, with women having two X's and men having an X and a Y, birds have W and Z...
Enterprise risk management
Whilst at the International Congress of Actuaries, I took the opportunity to visit the University of Cape Town. This has a large and successful actuarial science program, and a lot of very bright students (and staff!). I spent my time at the university...
Saving defined benefit pensions
The NAPF's new investment council chairman Ray Martin has announced six changes he believes are needed to save private-sector defined benefit pensions. Reverse the Government’s decision to withdraw higher rate tax relief on pension contributions. Simplify...
Size is not everything
President Obama's proposal to reduce the size of banks and split off the risky operations will, if implemented, reduce the risk of future systemic banking crises. However, it will still leave a number of problems in place. It is intended to cut the number...
Pensions in Japan
I have just returned from a very interesting trip to Japan. I was invited to give a series of lectures on enterprise risk management at the University of Kyoto, and to talk to members of the Institute of Actuaries of Japan in Tokyo about the way in which...