In meeting the needs of its members, the SOA conducts meetings and seminars, publishes papers and studies, makes or sponsors investigations, promotes educational activities for students and members, utilizes technology to enhance communications, sponsors academics and supports universities with actuarial science programs, organizes special interest sections, and undertakes such other activities as appropriate. However, in accomplishing many of these tasks, the SOA relies on the generous support of its members in volunteer roles. Although the majority of SOA members reside in Canada or in the U.S., a significant number of members live or practice in other geographical areas. The SOA is committed to encouraging the development of actuarial science worldwide and to addressing the international needs of SOA members. Advancing Actuarial Knowledge and Enhancing the Ability of Actuaries Knowledge of actuarial science is the foundation of the actuarial profession.
Actuaries often deal with problems relating to uncertain future events.
With insurance based on scientific actuarial principles, financial aspects of uncertainties such as premature death, disability, the need for medical care, etc., can be exchanged for the certainty of a premium payment. Pension and social security programs require actuarial analysis based on contingencies such as period of employment, covered earnings, and mortality. Investments and other financial transactions involving risk or uncertainty can also be modeled using actuarial techniques. In a dynamic and rapidly changing world, actuarial knowledge must be continuously expanded to meet increasingly complex problems and to enhance the value added by actuarial analysis. Provide value to a large enough constituency to sustain meaningful work for current and future members of the profession.