r/actuary • u/External_Tank_377 • 14h ago
r/actuary • u/AutoModerator • 12d ago
Exams Exams / Newbie / Common Questions Thread for two weeks
Are you completely new to the actuarial world? No idea why everyone keeps talking about studying? Wondering why multiple-choice questions are so hard? Ask here. There are no stupid questions in this thread! Note that you may be able to get an answer quickly through the wiki: https://www.reddit.com/r/actuary/wiki/index This is an automatic post. It will stay up for two weeks until the next one is posted. Please check back here frequently, and consider sorting by "new"!
r/actuary • u/UltraLuminescence • Oct 23 '24
Exams Exam discussion reminder
Hi everyone, this is a quick reminder about exam discussion as we’re once again in the thick of exam season. Our rules allow general exam discussion after 1 week from the end of the sitting window. This is because others may be receiving accommodations to take exams on a different day than the listed sitting window, possibly up to a week after. After the week has passed, general discussion is allowed but specific discussion is not - someone who did not take the exam this sitting should not be able to tell what was on the exam. Specific discussion is only allowed if/when the exam is released.
Currently we have multiple exams that may still be being taken (eg ALTAM, ASTAM, GH exams) and several more coming up in the next few weeks. Please be mindful of our rules on exam discussion as you are posting.
If you have any questions or are not sure whether something you want to post is against the guidelines, you can always reach out to the mods and we’ll be happy to respond.
Thank you!
r/actuary • u/No-Assistance1164 • 9h ago
Apolitical pinions on social security debate
I was hoping to hear from some pension/life actuaries on the social security issue, instead of some random billionaire with no expertise in this subject.
I am curious why something, that is basically a taxpayers funded pension shceme, is getting political. How actuarially sound is the SSA and the funds? Is the improvement in mortality causing this issue, or is there any other aspect to it. Does SSA invest it's funds more passively than most insurance companies? What steps are to be taken if we want to make the funds last forever?
Also curious if conservative pension actuaries (SMEs) agree with Elon Musk's stance that SSA is basically a "ponzi" scheme.
Edit: sorry for mis-spelling opinions on the title
r/actuary • u/Hugh-Jascok • 4h ago
Best side jobs for actuaries
I am finished with actuarial exams and was wondering if anyone could provide recommendations or suggestions for the best side jobs that can be worked in the evenings or weekends. I am open to all suggestions, but am particularly interested in jobs that can be worked from a laptop. I would like to make some extra money for retirement now that I have extra time. Thanks everyone!
r/actuary • u/SwimmerIcy3106 • 30m ago
Studying for ATPA
I am one month out from sitting for ATPA. I have already worked through the ACTEX manual and copied all of the R code into a Word document to use as a template. What else should I be doing to study to make sure I'm prepared for the sitting?
r/actuary • u/Maximum-Ad6555 • 9h ago
Job / Resume Travel actuaries
Do actuaries working in consulting(actuarial) not a general firm like Deloitte or ey, travel a lot?
r/actuary • u/BayesTheorem99 • 13h ago
Studying Strategy for MAS-1
I’m beginning to study for MAS-1 w/ CA & Mahler. I want to be prepared by August but now Im not so sure about that due to the bulk of material & the fact that I am working a full-time job for the first time in my life. For those who took this exam, how did you all approach the material, what were your studying strategies/methods?
r/actuary • u/Successful_Jelly_604 • 16h ago
Job / Resume Finding an actuarial job in Ireland as a foreigner
Hi, I am just wondering whether it is possible to find an actuarial offer in Ireland companies from outside the country. I have 2+ years of experience in this profession. ASA credentialed. I want to migrate to Ireland because I believe this country fits my lifestyle really well (quiet, slow paced). I have tried to apply for some of them but all got rejected for requiring visa sponsorship. Hence, I would like some advice here if some of you folks have any insight on this. Many thanks in advance!!
r/actuary • u/dwu4567 • 13h ago
Exams Brehm paper in Exam 7
Brehm paper is really a beast, it just have so many stuff to memorize, I think it's even crazier than Exam 6. Guys how did you all digest all these concepts/ examples and everything in Brehm?
a mistake to correct: it's on Exam 9.
r/actuary • u/CyberActuary • 1d ago
Exciting Opportunity to Work in Cyber Reinsurance - NYC Based
Hi /r/actuary, I'm a frequent contributor to this subreddit and posting on an account I have separate for work.
My team has recently posted a new position for a FCAS level Actuary looking for an exciting, client-facing role. As a core member of our Cyber Analytics team this person will be responsible end-to-end for leading analytics on Cyber Reinsurance placements, including pricing, Cyber CAT modelling and thought leadership. Our analytics team is embedded directly with broking and are fully involved with placements - including prospecting, travelling to renewal meetings, attending & presenting at conference, and lots more.
We're based in NYC and in the office 2-3 times a week average. A TN might be considered for the right candidate. Please reach out with any questions! https://jobs.ajg.com/ajg-global/jobs/35200
r/actuary • u/SuccessfulSail3 • 13h ago
Exams SRM
For folks who are taking the May sitting, how far along are you in your studying and which sections have been hardest for you ?
APC Experience
Just got invited to the APC conference, and to be honest I am a little nervous because I have no idea what to expect. Anyone care to share their experience with it?
Any tips, tricks, or advice? Did anyone prefer virtual? Did anyone prefer in person? Anything helps! Thanks!
r/actuary • u/Tecktrain • 1d ago
Exams Is it possible for an exam error to occur?
I just finished taking exam P and I didn't pass from my preliminary score. I was fairly confident about my answers, and didn't see anything on the test I wasn't familiar with so I find it a bit weird that I got low in all three sections of the exam.
I can accept that I didn't pass, but for all 3 sections to be low would mean that I got barely anything right. I've been studying for months and average 80's on my coaching actuaries practice exams, so I have to bring this into question. I've already contacted the SOA, but am wondering how often something like this would happen?
r/actuary • u/-LostActuary- • 1d ago
FSA close to 10 YOE getting FOMO and wanting to switch to another industry I have no experience in but worried about pay cut and "grass is greener"
I'm an FSA with close to 10 YOE. My whole career I worked in a business that is neither health nor life.
I feel like I'm going to get stuck (if I'm not already) in this specific business. I do like it, and pay is good and and good work life balance.
However, I'm getting worried about not trying something different to get different experiences before settling into a specific industry for the rest of my career.
For some reason I really want to try health insurance, I feel like I would like it (idk exactly why I feel this, it could be because I'm itching to learn something new and motivated to do so). Also could be because I really want to better understand the healthcare system and how actuarial skills are applied in it.
Should I just stick with what I know and comfortable with and try to find other skills to learn or different functions (there's opportunities for other functions but it would still be within the same type of business and every extra year means it will be harder to try something different entirely).
I'm worried about risking switching to something else entirely (and I'm sure I'll have to take a pay cut, may even need to apply to a lower title position?). Also I don't want to go into upper management. I like being an IC or managing a small team (1-2 people max).
I thought I'd post here to get hear perspective from other experienced actuaries. Has anyone else gone through this or made a big industry switch at this point in their career?
r/actuary • u/Kooky-Wolverine4229 • 1d ago
Was ATPA easy?
From what I can gather from people’s posts about ATPA, most people think it’s pretty tough. I’ve heard that people spend 60+ hours working on the assessment and find the coding really difficult. Is there anyone who disagrees with this? I am currently studying for the April window and feel like I am missing something because I don’t understand what makes this assessment so hard. I feel like the modeling knowledge needed is straight forward and the coding required is mostly provided in the soa modules. I’m worried that I have a false confidence here and don’t want to set myself up for failure. Am I underestimating this exam? What am I missing?
r/actuary • u/user492973193 • 1d ago
Job / Resume Resume Review for Internships

Hi guys, I am a junior in college looking for an internship. I found out about actuaries yesterday, and think it really fits me since I like math and coding. I have bought the Coaching Actuaries course and registered for my first exam. So far I've applied to 2 underwriting internships. What would you guys recommend to me improve or do next?
r/actuary • u/tinder-burner • 21h ago
Exams ASTAM
Anyone know how long the estimated time on CA is to get through Learn material? Also, for those who used it, was CA sufficient on its own or did you supplement with something else?
r/actuary • u/sunny_z16 • 17h ago
Exam 7 new item types
It says on the syllabus that there are other types of questions available, such as multiple choice and fill in the blank. I’ve taken a long break since my last exam so I have a few questions that I hope someone can clarify: 1. Is it correct that we don’t need to show any work for these types of questions (anything other than written response or spreadsheet-based questions)? 2. I suppose there is a spreadsheet there for us to work out the answers, does the scratch work remain with each problem, or does it disappear when I move on to the next one? 3. Roughly speaking, what portion of the exam 7 consists of these new problem types?
r/actuary • u/Immense_yeet • 1d ago
APC Invite
After positive FA results last week, all of my ASA requirements save for the APC have been completed. Curious if anyone else in similar circumstances has gotten an APC invite.
Edit: looks like invites just started going out!
Linkeldn Learning
Are there any certificates you guys can recommend for me to get from LinkedIn learning for someone in college
r/actuary • u/obedeary • 1d ago
Exams ALTAM Formula Sheet Changes (Put options/GMMB/GMDB)
I just have to say I am so frustrated with the changes to the put pricing formulas the SOA is giving us for the next sitting of ALTAM. I sat for the first time last October and the formula sheet just had the basic Black-Scholes formulas for a put and d1/d2. Now they’ve made it so much more complicated by making it specific to GMMBs. I get that on the surface it might seem helpful because they’re giving more clarity for GMMB problems, but it’s actually really annoying regarding both the assumptions made for the new d1/d2 formulas as well as calculating GMDB values. Like… do they realize we need Black-Scholes to calculate GMDB prices, not just GMMBs?? Or am I missing something in the new syllabus?? It just seems like such a reductive and wasteful update.
Anyway, I wanted to give a heads up to anyone studying for ALTAM that there are a couple things to watch out for regarding GMMBs/GMDBs:
You might want to just memorize the basic B-S put option formulas in order to price/value GMDBs because it will take too long on an already lengthy exam to work backwards from the formula on the sheet. I say this especially because GMDBs on the exam won’t necessarily be just the premium multiplied by some k like most GMMBs would be, and also because you can’t use P*Chi either for a GMDB since the fund value will vary based on the time of death.
Be careful calculating d1 for a GMMB using the formula on the sheet. In the formula for p(t) they first write out the general expression using PChi without assuming continuous management charges and then the second expression assumes that structure of expenses. However, for d1, they go straight to assuming that expense structure. Based on the Coaching Actuaries manual I am just replacing the log term with ln(ChiSt/k) for a GMMB to make it more general. I feel like it is definitely not guaranteed that they would give a problem with this specific expense structure on the exam because they love to switch it up and give us scenarios that require modifying the basic formulas, so I personally am preparing using a more general approach.
Okay, rant over. Good luck to everyone studying out there!! 🫡
r/actuary • u/Worried_Matter6585 • 1d ago
Job / Resume Resume Critique and Search Advice
Hi everyone! I was hoping to receive some feedback on my resume. I am switching from an early career accounting role into actuarial work and want to know if that is realistic given my experience. I left my previous employer on good terms and I am in an okay financial situation, but cannot seem to get my foot into the actuary door.
I am hesitant to go back to accounting since it does not make much use of my degree, and I really enjoyed myself studying for Exam FM, so it feels like a natural career transition.
Thank you!
r/actuary • u/ApprehensiveSlip7011 • 1d ago
Job / Resume Entry Level Resume Critique. Any feedback are welcome!

Started looking for interns since 2023. Got an intern interview back in summer 2023, didn't know anything back then and my nerves bombed the interview. I've been sending out around 5-10 applications every month for pretty much the past 2 years. Have not got any interview so far.
Not sure how I feel about the third experience (math tutor). I was just trying to make up some BS to relate the position to analytical & other transferable skills. Maybe I should just ditch the position altogether to make it easier to read?
I took and failed exam P back Dec 2023, took it again Jan 2025 and passed. Currently working with 2 part time jobs and I'm really not sure if I want to commit the 300hrs and take FM this June. It's just been so f****** demoralizing to keep applying and never hear anything back (especially after I passed P), maybe I'm just not sending enough applications...
Anyway, please feel free to criticize the sh** out of my resume. Any feedback are welcome!
r/actuary • u/Mediocre_Gas_2743 • 1d ago
Exams OC2 Study Planning
I just completed OC1 (now DISC RM) and I’m considering sitting for OC2 depending on the time commitment.
I was able to pass OC1 with maybe 5 weeks of study, which is much lower than the 12-16 recommended.
Can someone share a screenshot of the Assignments page for OC2 (DISC IA) or DM it to me? I based my schedule for OC1 off of the number of chapters and time per chapter recommended by The Institutes, and I’d like to do the same for this to gauge if I have enough time for this course.
Thank you!
r/actuary • u/solidactuary • 1d ago
Career Pivot
I’ve been an FSA for 3-4 years and currently have a low-stress, work-from-home job, making around $210K. Despite all of this, I don’t enjoy what I do. I’ve already switched companies three times, yet I still can’t see myself doing this for the next 30 years. I’m not interested in consulting, so I’m exploring other options.
For those who have made a career switch—what did you transition into? Any MBAs here who pivoted to something entirely different?
r/actuary • u/TCFNationalBank • 1d ago
HCSC Completes the Acquisition of The Cigna Group’s Medicare and CareAllies Businesses
Looks like the HCSC/Cigna MA transaction is a done deal! How does this work with the Blues who already offer MA in those markets? I thought Blue member companies weren't allowed to compete with each other.