Annual Meeting Cross Discipline Sessions

As inflation rears its ugly head, the implications are far reaching. Speakers at this session address inflationary trends at a macro level and the trickle effect on wage inflation, investments, benefit costs and the general cost of doing business. Let's party like it's 1981!

The CCA’s Business Session precedes the Monday General Session with the welcoming of attendees, announcement of new directors and officers, Treasurer’s Report and presentation of the CCA’s annual awards. Our keynote presentation features technology marketing strategist and futurist Crystal Washington. Crystal takes complex social media, app, and web topics, and makes them easy to understand and accessible for everyday people, offering practical tips for using technology to strengthen client connections without losing that personal touch.

Presenteeism ensures that employers have the people they need to run their business. Employee well being is an important component of the solution. This session will define what presenteeism is, why it matters, how to manage it, and the role of well being in the process.

The revised US Qualification Standards (USQS) that are effective as of January 1, 2022 include an annual one hour bias topics continuing education requirement. Following a brief introduction discussing the evolution and implications of this requirement in the USQS, our speakers discuss several types of bias, including specific examples from both the retirement and health practices. We hope that all attendees leave with not only their bias topics requirement satisfied for 2022, but also with a keener understanding of how biases may emerge in actuarial practice.

Climate-related risks arise when various direct and indirect climate-related impacts affect the physical resources or assets of individuals or entities. When climate impacts also interact with various socioeconomic systems, the result may disrupt the mechanisms traditionally used to maintain financial stability. To an actuary that means assumptions may change or may need further disclosure, especially with growing regulator focus and the focus on climate-related financial disclosures across many insurance and financial services industries. The panelists cover the Actuaries Climate Index (ACI); discuss the Actuaries Climate Risk Index (ACRI); highlight the evolution of actuarial research on these topics including six climate issue papers promulgated by the International Actuarial Association; and explain what actuaries from all disciplines need to know about climate change including disclosures proposed or considered by various regulators.

Absent any legislative action, Social Security benefits will decrease by about 25% in 2033. With an eye toward addressing this problem, we will discuss different levers we could pull to make Social Security solvent. Should we increase taxes? Cut benefits? A bit of both? We'll use polling to gather input that will serve as the starting point for a Social Security reform package that will ultimately be presented to lawmakers. Let’s harness the brainpower of actuaries and help make a difference.

Trying to balance an employer's need for talent with employee's expectations is becoming even more challenging. How will the experience of remote working during the pandemic impact the future workplace, whether physical or virtual? What are some of the solutions to address staffing needs and employees’ needs? Is the financial cost resulting from the Great Resignation sustainable? What will the total reward system look like that satisfies these conflicting goals?

While sales is a dirty word for many consultants, business development is a necessary skill. Panelists provide a lively discussion on developing relationships and sales skills to enhance client relationships and improve business win rates.

In our increasingly digital world, the human element is what will continue to help distinguish actuaries from algorithms. What is your adaptability quotient? Your emotional quotient? What do these distinctions even mean, and why are they important? This session will explore why it is important that these human elements have an essential part of professional development for actuaries.

83% of Americans are stressed out at work and 55% are unsatisfied with their jobs. The impact? Close to a trillion dollars in lost productivity and increased costs. Luckily humor is here to help. People who use humor are more productive, less stressed, and happier. This interactive and experiential program will teach you what humor at work means, why it is desperately needed, and how to use humor to create a positive work culture, increase team productivity, manage stress, and have more fun.