Research Insights, a Society of Actuaries Podcast

In this episode of the Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the Society of Actuaries Research Institute, speaks with Rebecca Owen, FSA, MAAA, one of the authors of the SOA Research Institute report Beyond the Headlines: The 2025 Disaster Reshaping Risk.
Their conversation explores the 2025 Alaska floods, an event selected by the Catastrophe and Climate Research Program for its important implications for climate and catastrophe risk. The discussion highlights how this disaster affected remote Alaska Native villages, exposed infrastructure vulnerabilities, and raised important actuarial considerations around historical loss data, catastrophe modeling, pricing, reserving, capital frameworks and long-term climate risk projections.
Listeners will gain insight into why actuaries play a critical role in translating complex climate dynamics into actionable guidance for organizations, policymakers and communities preparing for emerging risks.
To learn more, read the report:  https://www.soa.org/resources/research-reports/2026/2025-disaster-reshaping-risk/

In recognition of Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month, this episode of the Research Insights Podcast revisits "Dementia Neurology Deserts and Long-Term Care Insurance Claims Experience in the United States."
The discussion explores how limited access to neurology specialists—often referred to as dementia neurology deserts—may correlate with long-term care insurance claims experience. Geography can influence the timing of diagnosis, access to treatment, and the progression of care needs, with meaningful implications for both health outcomes and financial security.
As dementia affects individuals, families, and care systems alike, this episode offers important perspective on how gaps in specialty care intersect with long-term care planning.
Listen now to revisit this timely and impactful conversation.

In this episode of The Longevity Brief with Siegel and Clark, host Rose Northon of the Society of Actuaries Research Institute is joined by Steve Siegel and Kara Clark for a timely roundup of recent and upcoming research across the Aging & Retirement and Mortality & Longevity Strategic Research Programs.
The discussion highlights newly published essay collections, including Impact of Family Structure on Aspects of Retirement and The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Retirement Professionals and Retirees, along with updates on upcoming projects, open calls, volunteer opportunities and recent research activity. Listeners will also hear what is "on the launchpad" and what is generating buzz across SOA Research Institute longevity-related work.
Tune in for a quick, useful briefing on the research shaping conversations around aging, retirement, mortality and longevity.

In recognition of Older Americans Month, this episode of the Research Insights Podcast revisits "Public Perception of Longevity and its Drivers."
 
As Americans live longer, perceptions of longevity play an important role in shaping retirement planning, financial preparedness, and long-term security. This episode explores how individuals think about life expectancy, what influences those beliefs, and why those perceptions matter for individuals, families, employers, and public programs.
 
Understanding longevity is more than tracking a demographic trend—it informs how we prepare for retirement, health needs, and financial resilience across decades.
Listen now to revisit this timely conversation during Older Americans Month and beyond.

In this episode of the Society of Actuaries Research Insights Podcast, Dale Hall, Managing Director of Research at the SOA Research Institute, speaks with the winning team of the 2026 Student Research Case Study Challenge from the University of New South Wales in Kensington, Australia: Vihaan Jain, Sarina Truong, Carol Zhang, Liya Ruan and Alan Steny. They are joined by Lisa Schilling, Director of Practice Research, who shares perspective on the development and coordination of the annual challenge.
The conversation highlights how the winning team formed, what they learned from the experience, how they balanced the challenge with coursework and how they navigated the rigor of the competition. Listeners will also hear advice for future participants and gain insight into the volunteer-led effort behind the Student Research Case Study Challenge.
Learn more about the SOA Research Institute's Student Research Case Study Challenge by visiting SOA.org, navigating to the Research Institute section and selecting Research Opportunities. There, listeners can explore finalist papers, participating teams, submissions and challenge materials.