Indiv 1 - Programs for Actuarial Analysis

1. What computer programs do you use to predict the future of a certain insurance plan?

There is a client server which the employee can access through a user terminal called Mocha. There are many subprograms here in which I can input or extract data. Access to those subprograms is restricted according to employee’s job function. In addition, the FTP program allows a computer to connect to the client server to download client data into the computer. Using Norton Commander, an orthodox file management program, I can edit certain variables (such as which mortality tables to use) in a data analysis program and then run the programs. The actuarial programs then manipulate and analyze the data files obtained from the client server in a way to serve the purpose. The programs produce useful output which can allow an actuary to draw conclusions about the health of the retirement benefit plan or estimate/predict some events will likely happen in a given plan.

2. Which one do you find most useful and which one least useful?

I would say the most useful programs are the actuarial data manipulation programs which are particular to the actuarial department and which we can edit variables and run through Norton Commander. I find that the least useful program is Norton Commander in that it involves extensive keyboard use.

3. What additional features do you wish that these programs have?

I wish that Norton Commander was more user-friendly so that we can use the mouse to drag and edit the data instead of only being able to use the keyboard.

4. Can these programs be customized by using a computer language? Which one?

I believe the programs can be customized by using an object oriented computer language such as C++.