Skip to main content
The Actuary: The magazine of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries - return to the homepage Logo of The Actuary website
  • Search
  • Visit The Actuary Magazine on Facebook
  • Visit The Actuary Magazine on LinkedIn
  • Visit @TheActuaryMag on Twitter
Visit the website of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries Logo of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries

Main navigation

  • News
  • Features
    • General Features
    • Interviews
    • Students
    • Opinion
  • Topics
  • Knowledge
    • Business Skills
    • Careers
    • Events
    • Predictions by The Actuary
    • Whitepapers
    • Moody's - Climate Risk Insurers series
    • Webinars
    • Podcasts
  • Jobs
  • IFoA
    • CEO Comment
    • IFoA News
    • People & Social News
    • President Comment
  • Archive
Quick links:
  • Home
  • The Actuary Issues
  • April 2013
04

Editorial: A glimmer of hope

Open-access content Wednesday 3rd April 2013 — updated 5.13pm, Wednesday 29th April 2020

Deepak Jobanputra believes the ongoing financial volatility we are seeing holds its own opportunities

2

Recent years have proved a rollercoaster ride for global markets. The initial phase encompassed shock, headlines and punditry, and society took an active interest in following the views of what was to come next. More recently, however, we have become desensitised to new developments. It seems we almost expect 'shock' events to be the norm and just shrug our shoulders. Is this a good or bad thing?

—

At the time of writing, the news of a tax on savings in Cyprus has the potential to send jitters across the globe, yet equity markets in some regions have been soaring. Clearly, a vast range of factors is at play and there is good reason for this to be the case. Consumers will, however, wish to seek out more stable outcomes and overall certainty for their financial planning. The current volatility makes this difficult, although it is balanced to some degree by government and regulatory attempts to ensure stability. These changes will hopefully bring about greater confidence among consumers, allowing insurers to provide valuable financial solutions to drive social good across the world.

An interesting insight from our interview with John Kay was that actuaries should challenge their complex financial models and provide more narrative solutions, using their skills to express subjective opinions. This, I'm sure, will drive positive debate as it raises a number of complex questions.

Coming back to consumer solutions, we have a range of features this month looking at the developing underwritten annuity market, where growth has been strong. Although the market is still in its infancy, there is tremendous opportunity for insurers to innovate and provide customers with effective solutions, reaching into areas such as long-term care, which is a key issue facing ageing populations.

I do believe we are yet to see the full effects of the demographic shift. This is definitely an area where actuaries have a leading role to play in shaping future outcomes.


Deepak Jobanputra

[email protected]

This article appeared in our April 2013 issue of The Actuary.
Click here to view this issue
Filed in
04

You might also like...

Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linked in
  • Mail
  • Print

Latest Jobs

Environmental, Social and Governance- GI Actuary

England, London
£70000 - £170000 per annum
Reference
145888

Calling All Australian Actuaries

England, London
£50000 - £120000 per annum
Reference
145887

Calling all GI Actuaries looking to move into contracting

England, London
£700 - £1000 per day
Reference
145886
See all jobs »
 
 

Today's top reads

 
 

Sign up to our newsletter

News, jobs and updates

Sign up

Subscribe to The Actuary

Receive the print edition straight to your door

Subscribe
Spread-iPad-slantB-june.png

Topics

  • Data Science
  • Investment
  • Risk & ERM
  • Pensions
  • Environment
  • Soft skills
  • General Insurance
  • Regulation Standards
  • Health care
  • Technology
  • Reinsurance
  • Global
  • Life insurance
​
FOLLOW US
The Actuary on LinkedIn
@TheActuaryMag on Twitter
Facebook: The Actuary Magazine
CONTACT US
The Actuary
Tel: (+44) 020 7880 6200
​

IFoA

About IFoA
Become an actuary
IFoA Events
About membership

Information

Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Cookie Policy
Think Green

Get in touch

Contact us
Advertise with us
Subscribe to The Actuary Magazine
Contribute

The Actuary Jobs

Actuarial job search
Pensions jobs
General insurance jobs
Solvency II jobs

© 2023 The Actuary. The Actuary is published on behalf of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries by Redactive Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any part is not allowed without written permission.

Redactive Media Group Ltd, 71-75 Shelton Street, London WC2H 9JQ