Shaping the future under uncertainty: where next for public appraisal?
The IFoA’s Green Book Task and Finish Group reflects on some significant aspects of the UK government’s Green Book Discount Rate Review including ‘social insurance’.
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Private credit: First Brands case study
This blog is the first in a series by the IFoA Private Credit Working Party. We begin with a case study that allows an examination of the credit risk, structural complexity, and regulatory considerations through the lens of the bankruptcy of First Brands, a privately owned American auto parts manufacturer, in September 2025.
From macro to mandate: how is AI set to reshape the investment decision-making lifecycle?
The articles in this blog series will follow the 7 lifecycle stages set out in this introductory piece. Each one will focus on what is actually being done at the current stage, what it takes to do it responsibly, and what it means for how investment actuaries work. We will keep them short, practical and – where the evidence warrants it – genuinely enthusiastic about what is possible. Watch this space. There is a lot to cover, and we are only getting started.
Wellness and prevention in the UK insurance industry: where do we stand today?
The IFoA Wellness and Prevention Working Party gives an overview of the prevention landscape and explores the insurance industry’s involvement in the UK.
When black swans turn into gray rhinos: part 6 – a life insurer’s perspective
In the sixth part of our swan blog series, we take a look at the implications and challenges presented to life insurers when it comes to exploring climate risk through this lens.
An actuarial roadmap for better retirement outcomes
The UK pensions landscape is at a turning point. Major reforms, including the Pensions Investment Review, the Pension Schemes Act, the new Pensions Commission, and the State Pension Age Review are reshaping Defined Benefit (DB), Defined Contribution (DC), Collective Defined Contribution (CDC), and state systems alike. The decisions we make over the next five years will shape retirement outcomes for generations.
Black swans, flux capacity and the Isthmus of Chaos: A dynamic response to the House of Lords call for better extreme risk preparedness
To prepare for extreme risks, organisations must understand not only what could happen, but when disruption may accelerate and how fast it may overwhelm resilience.
Did I write this blog post?
Let’s begin with a straightforward question: Did I write this blog post? Yes. And also, perhaps not entirely.
Help shape the future of nature-informed insurance underwriting
As nature-related risks become increasingly material to insurers and reinsurers, the PSI Climate–Nature Nexus Atlas offers an emerging framework for integrating ecosystem insights into underwriting, risk assessment and decision-making.
What is impact investment and what are its challenges?
As a newly created IFoA Impact Investing Working Party, we are looking to produce a source of knowledge on the topic of impact investing that is current and relevant, provokes critical thinking, and helps to shape future action.
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Your chatbot, your responsibility?
Hazel Davis, of the IFoA’s Professionalism, Regulation and Ethics Working Party, unpacks some of the issues for companies using chatbots.
Net zero investing in Brazil
This is part of a series of blogs exploring the investment markets in some of the largest greenhouse gas emitting countries outside the UK and EU. We delve into how these investment markets are supporting the net zero transition. Here, Martin Earle explores net zero challenges and opportunities in the world’s seventh largest economy: Brazil.
Understanding collective defined contribution schemes: a path to effective design
The Collective Defined Contribution Working Party highlights key principles and considerations for effective CDC scheme design.
IFoA Greater China Committee makes a strong start to member engagement in 2025
On 10 and 11 January, the Greater China Committee held launch events in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing with a combined attendance of almost 300, including IFoA members, stakeholders and academia.
India: the road to net zero by 2070
This is part of a series of blogs exploring the investment markets in some of the largest greenhouse gas emitting countries outside the UK and EU. We delve into how these investment markets are supporting the net zero transition. Here, Neha Agarwala examines India’s progress.
Finding our balance with nature: introducing Planetary Solvency
Today we publish ‘Planetary Solvency – finding our balance with nature’, the IFoA’s fourth report in collaboration with climate scientists. Here, report author Sandy Trust introduces the concept of Planetary Solvency and why it is essential for future prosperity.
Guest blog: Could the consequences of climate change frustrate our ability to tackle its causes?
The IFoA’s report ‘Climate Scorpion: the sting is in the tail’ highlighted not only the tail risks but the potential for positive tipping points – acceleration of positive trends. But it’s important not to be overly optimistic about our prospects.
Past Sustainability Board chairs Nick Spencer and Sandy Trust asked leading academics Laurie Laybourne and Ben Shread-Hewitt at the Strategic Climate Risks Initiative to outline ‘derailment risk’. What if the physical impacts of climate change do not accelerate our progress to a low-carbon, stable climate future, but act as a barrier against it?
This is an important ‘third rail’ that actuaries should be aware of in their policy and future pathway projections.
What impact will AI have on risk pooling?
Nick Reilly, of the IFoA’s Professionalism, Regulation and Ethics Working Party, delves into some considerations for risk pooling in the age of AI
Designing reward functions: reinforcement learning
Disha Dagli, of the IFoA’s Professionalism, Regulation and Ethics Working Party, sets out some of the considerations for reinforcement learning and reward functions
Findings of the IFoA Climate and Sustainability Scenarios Committee
Nick Spencer, Chair of the IFoA’s Climate and Sustainability Scenarios Committee, introduces the committee’s findings and recommendations