Actuaries analyze the costs of risk and uncertainty. They use statistics to estimate how likely it is that an event —such as an illness or accident—will occur, and help their clients set insurance rates and payouts so they can manage the cost if it does. Depending on the type of insurance or benefit they work with, actuaries may examine factors that affect an individual’s health, estimate the length of a person’s life, calculate the likelihood of car accidents, or ensure a retirement plan will have enough funds for all the employees it covers. Actuaries typically work alongside professionals from other fields, such as accounting, underwriting, and finance. For example, some actuaries work with accountants and financial analysts to set the price for security offerings or with market research analysts to forecast demand for new products. Actuaries also work in the public sector. In the federal government, actuaries may evaluate proposed changes to Social Security or Medicare or conduct economic and demographic studies to project future costs. At the state level, actuaries may examine and regulate the rates charged by insurance companies. Most actuaries work full time, and overtime is common. Actuaries need a bachelor’s degree, typically in mathematics, actuarial science, or another analytical field. Students must complete coursework in economics, applied statistics, and corporate finance, and must pass a series of exams to become certified professionals.
What they do:
Analyze statistical data, such as mortality, accident, sickness, disability, and retirement rates and construct 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.
On the job, you would:
Ascertain premium rates required and cash reserves and liabilities necessary to ensure payment of future benefits.
Design, review, and help administer insurance, annuity and pension plans, determining financial soundness and calculating premiums.
Determine, or help determine, company policy, and explain complex technical matters to company executives, government officials, shareholders, policyholders, or the public.
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Business
accounting and economics
management
Arts and Humanities
English language
Engineering and Technology
computers and electronics
Basic Skills
thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
using math to solve problems
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Math
choose the right type of math to solve a problem
add, subtract, multiply, or divide
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
use rules to solve problems
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
People interested in this work like activities that include data, detail, and regular routines.
They do well at jobs that need:
Analytical Thinking
Attention to Detail
Integrity
Achievement/Effort
Dependability
Persistence
You might use software like this on the job:
Data base user interface and query software
Microsoft SQL Server
Oracle Database
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Financial analysis software
Oak Mountain Software AnnuityValue
Pricing software
bachelor's degree or certificate after college usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.