The SOA released a modeling tool, updated regularly, to assess the impact of COVID-19 on health care insurance estimates for 2021. This model, and an accompanying research report, help illustrate the level of the COVID-19 outbreak, the potential scenarios over the next half year and the direct costs from this pandemic. Based on this research model, the SOA determined that each month in which a high level of social distancing is enforced leads to an approximate four percent decline in projected annual insured health care costs. Access the model report and supporting materials. Read a new paper that discusses the factors that should be considered in the development of social discount rates. A cost-benefit analysis plays a vital role in important social decision-making. The application of discount rates plays a crucial role in the quantitative portion of this analysis, especially when dealing with issues involving costs and benefits over prolonged periods, including the social cost of carbon and carbon pricing. The SOA launched an initiative to explore issues unique to communities of color in America. This effort includes a new report on historical mortality from 1999-2018 by race as categorized by population data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced mortality and this report shows how some populations are disproportionately impacted. When visiting the report page, download and listen to the podcast. Visit our Actuarial Weather Extremes page to view our report series that identifies and examines weather extremes in North America. From Hurricane Laura to extreme heat or flooding, we cover key weather events from an actuarial perspective in this monthly report series. Review our essay collection on the impact of COVID-19 on aging and retirement for a variety of stakeholders. |