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Actuary

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AVG. SALARY

$95,640

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

What They Do

Actuaries Career Video

About This Career

Analyzes statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and constructs probability tables to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. May ascertain insurance rates required and cash reserves necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.

This career is part of the Finance cluster Insurance pathway.

A person in this career:

  • Ascertains premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
  • Collaborates with programmers, underwriters, accounts, claims experts, and senior management to help companies develop plans for new lines of business or improvements to existing business.
  • Analyzes statistical information to estimate mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates.
  • Designs, reviews, and helps administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums.
  • Determines, or helps determine, company policy, and explains complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public.
  • Constructs probability tables for events such as fires, natural disasters, and unemployment, based on analysis of statistical data and other pertinent information.
  • Provides advice to clients on a contract basis, working as a consultant.
  • Negotiates terms and conditions of reinsurance with other companies.
  • Determines equitable basis for distributing surplus earnings under participating insurance and annuity contracts in mutual companies.
  • Provides expertise to help financial institutions manage risks and maximize returns associated with investment products or credit offerings.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

  • You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
  • Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
  • Work in this occupation involves sitting more than one-third of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

  • Seeing clearly up close
  • Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
  • Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

  • Regular working hours and limited travel

Specialty and Similar Careers

Careers that are more detailed or close to this career:

  • Corporate Actuary
  • Actuarial Analyst
  • Actuarial Associate
  • Actuarial Consultant
  • Consulting Actuary
  • Health Actuary
  • Pricing Actuary
  • Product Development Actuary
  • Reserving Actuary
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OCAP believes that financial literacy and understanding the financial aid process are critical aspects of college planning and student success. OCAP staff who work with students, parents, educators and community partners in the areas of personal finance education, state and federal financial aid, and student loan management do not provide financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice. This website and all information provided is for general educational purposes only, and is not intended to be construed as financial, investment, legal, and/or tax advice.