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Useful links

A range of suggested information sources of actuarial interest.

Actuarial societies | Actuarial education | Bulletin boards and newsgroups | International | Journals and publishers | Glossaries and dictionaries | Research portals and libraries

By topic

Accountancy | Banking | Law | Maths | Mortality | Real estate | Regulation and compliance | Statistics and economic indicators | UK national and local government

International actuarial profession

Actuarial professional bodies and societies

(See also national and regional associations listed as: Full members and Associate members of the International Actuarial Association)

Actuarial education

Bulletin boards and newsgroups

Journals and publications

Glossaries and Dictionaries

Research portals and libraries

  • British Library Online Catalogue
    Search the 8.5 million books and other material in the British Library's catalogues
  • Chartered Insurance Institute (CII): Knowledge Services
    Library and information service for CII members, receives and external enquiries advising possible charge to non-members. Technical and market information on insurance, risk and related financial services and an international gateway to other published material on these subjects. Includes technical fact files, a digital journal archive, a library of scanned papers, a global Web directory, an online bookshop and other document delivery services.
  • EthOS: British Library eThesis Online Service
    Use Advanced Search for 'Actuarial', 'Insurance', 'Pensions' or 'Risk Management' to find UK university doctoral theses, sort by 'Newest' for latest research on actuarial subjects.
  • Global Data: Insurance
  • Subscription service portal to regularly updated reports covering market trends and analysis, rankings, forecasts, regulatory information and insight into hot topics in insurance, with supporting statistics
  • directoryinsurance.com
    Directory of insurance companies on the web
  • Incomes Data Services
    Includes good series of economic indicators
  • International actuarial links
    A wide-ranging page of links to resources for actuaries maintained by Emil Valdez, University of Connecticut
  • Jisc Library Hub Discover
    Search the union online catalogue of items held by many national, academic and specialist (subject) libraries in the UK and Ireland.
  • National Archives - UK National Digital Archive of Datasets
    Contains archived digital data from UK government departments and agencies. The system has been available since March 1998 and provides open access to the catalogues of all its holdings, and free access to open datasets following a simple registration process. Includes a useful page for mortality data 1901-1992
  • Open Access Theses and Dissertations
    Search 'Actuarial', 'Insurance', 'Pensions' or 'Risk Management' for open access doctoral theses of universities worldwide.
  • ResearchGate
    Register for free to search a database of research papers, some pre-journal versions or those then linked to final peer-reviewed publications.
  • Social Science Research Network
    Over 98, 000 research papers, many can be downloaded free of charge
  • Serials UNion CATalogue for the UK research community
    Invaluable for locating journals and finding out about journals in a specific subject area.

Accountancy

Banking

  • Bank of England
    The central bank of the United Kingdom
  • London Institute of Banking and Finance
    The Institute develops and delivers a range of qualifications. The site includes information on qualifications, seminars, training events, conferences and lectures, on-line library catalogue and links to other financial services sites.

Law

Mathematics

  • Czech Digital Mathematics Library
    Access to Applications of Mathematics, Archivum Mathematicum, Commentationes Mathematicae Universitatis Carolinae and Czechoslovak Mathematical Journal
  • Institute of Mathematics and its Applications
    Professional and learned society for qualified and practising mathematicians. Its mission is to promote mathematics in industry, business, the public sector, education and research
  • London Mathematical Society
    Major British learned society for mathematics
  • Numerical Algorithms Group
    Develops and provides software to solve complex mathematical problems
  • Oxford-Man Institute of Quantitative Finance
    Centre for academic research in quantitative finance, with special emphasis on alternative investments
  • Royal Statistical Society
    Forum for all who are interested in statistics
  • Smith Institute
    Aims to spread the use of mathematics and computer science, and in particular the intellectual discipline of the mathematical way of thinking, more widely in the formulation of industrial strategy and in the planning of industrial products and processes.

Mortality

  • Human Mortality Database
    'The HMD database was created to provide detailed mortality and population data to researchers, students, journalists, policy analysts, and others interested in the history of human longevity. The project began from earlier projects at University of California, Berkeley, USA, and at the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research in Rostock, Germany. The Center on the Economics and Development of Aging (CEDA) French Institute for Demographic Studies (INED) have also supported further development of the database in recent years' - HMD website.
  • Human Life Table Database
    Part of the Human Mortality Database project, maintained by the Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research (MPIDR), Germany.
  • IAA Mortality Working Group
    Follow links to 'Information base' and 'Country reports' for updates on mortality research provided by IAA Mortality Working Group members.
  • Mortality Data Directory
    The Mortality Research Steering Committee (MRSC) and IFoA have produced a Mortality Data Directory which lists free and commercial datasets available in the area of mortality. The data sets include UK, Republic of Ireland, European and International data sets. It is hoped that greater access to and awareness of these data sets will enable accurate modelling of information allowing actuaries to make informed decisions regarding longevity and mortality in relation to life assurance, pensions and long term care products.
  • National Archives - UK: Historic Mortality Dataset
    Archived digital data from UK government departments and agencie includes a useful page for mortality data 1901-1992
  • Society of Actuaries 'Living to 100' website
    Information about the 'Living to 100' research initiative on aging, increases in survival rates and the implications. Site includes news, monographs from past symposia, research, media and trade coverage, links to numerous resources and the latest information on the next 'Living to 100 Symposium'.

Real estate

  • Investment Property Forum
    An independent organisation aimed at improving the awareness, understanding and efficiency of property as an investment.

Regulation and compliance

  • Financial Reporting Council: Actuaries
    ‘Following the Morris Review of the Actuarial Profession, published in March 2005, HM Treasury asked the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) to take on responsibility for oversight of the actuarial profession in the UK by the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA) and the independent setting of technical actuarial standards. This latter task was the remit of the Board for Actuarial Standards until 2 July 2012 when responsibility was assumed by the FRC. The FRC seeks to promote high quality actuarial practice and the integrity, competence and transparency of the actuarial profession – to the benefit of all those who rely on actuarial advice.’
    See also IFoA's website: Upholding Standards
  • Financial Conduct Authority
    ‘The Financial Conduct Authority is the conduct regulator for 56,000 financial services firms and financial markets in the UK and the prudential regulator for over 24,000 of those firms.’
  • Former UK financial regulators: Legacy publications
    This including some rulebooks of predecessor UK organisations to the Financial Conduct Authority including the Financial Services Authority, Securities and Investments Board, Personal Investment Authority and others.
  • Morris Review of the Actuarial Profession (HM Treasury report now available through The National Archives)
  • Prudential Regulatory Authority (at Bank of England)
    ‘The Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) was created as a part of the Bank of England by the Financial Services Act (2012) and is responsible for the prudential regulation and supervision of around 1,700 banks, building societies, credit unions, insurers and major investment firms. The PRA’s objectives are set out in the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA).’
  • International Compliance Association
    The International Compliance Association is a non-profit making professional organisation dedicated to the furtherance of best compliance and anti money laundering practice in the financial services sector
  • The Pensions Regulator
    Regulator of work-based pension schemes in the UK
  • The Compliance Exchange
    E-Information Centre for Compliance Officers, investment professionals and students
  • Compliance Resource Network
    Links to financial services compliance-related sites and daily news on compliance issues.
  • UK regulators, government and other bodies
    This FCA page offers links to other UK bodies with whom the FCA works closely.
  • Wikipedia: List of financial regulatory authorities by country

Statistics and economic indicators

UK national and local government

  • British Official Publications Collaborative Reader Information Service
    A web-based database of British Official Publications 1688-1995
  • Central Government site
    Includes index to all departments and agencies
  • Corporation of London
  • Department for Work and Pensions
    Information about current social security legislation and benefits. The Department was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, parts of the former Department for Education and Employment, and the Employment Service
  • Government Actuary's Department
    Providing mainly public sector clients with independent, professional actuarial advice
  • Official documents
    Full text of selected Government reports - White Papers, Green Papers and House of Commons Papers - and links to Acts of Parliament, Statutory Instruments and a range of other official information
  • Scottish Parliament
    Brings together the complete runs of all parliamentary resources. Current editions of the Business Bulletin, Official Reports, Minutes, WHISP (What's Happening in the Scottish Parliament) and other items which bear on current business
  • UK Legislation
    Full text of Acts of Parliament from 1988, Statutory Instruments from 1987 and other legislative documents
  • UK Parliament
    Includes the full text of many publications produced by the Stationery Office for Parliament, normally available on the same day as the item is published in printed form
  • UKOP On-line
    Subscription catalogue of United Kingdom Official publications together with listings of other major British, European and International organisations. Contains 360,000 continually updated records of official reports and documentation from 1980 onwards
  • Welsh Assembly
  • Wired-gov - A personalised e-mail alert service in collaboration with the Government's News Distribution Service (GICS Cabinet Office).

Suggestions for new links for non-commercial information sources always welcome. Please e-mail the IFoA Library Service.

 

Contact Details

For any library enquiries please contact:

libraries@actuaries.org.uk

We try to respond to email queries within one working day. Researcher access to historical resources may require notice in advance of visit in order to retrieve items from storage.

Filter or search events

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E.g., 16/07/2020
End date
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Events calendar

  • Current Issues in Life Assurance (CILA) Webinar series

    Webinar Series
    15 July 2020 - 3 August 2020

    Spaces available

    CILA is one of the pre-eminent events in the annual 'Life' calendar. Due to COVID-19 we are running the programme as a series of webinars covering topics aimed at practicing life actuaries from life offices, consulting firms and other employers of actuaries and those who work in or advise on, the life assurance market in the UK and Europe.

  • CILA Webinar - 2020 Mortality Developments Across the Profession

    Webinar
    16 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Current Issues in Life Assurance – Mortality in 2020 is now dominated by one thing, although – in our future-focused world – the pandemic is just one of many mortality considerations.  In this session, three well-regarded mortality/longevity specialists provide an overview of implications and impacts of COVID-19, recent and imminent CMI developments and more 'future focused' work in the MRSC

  • Webinar - Panel discussion: How banks are responding to the Covid-19 pandemic

    Webinar
    16 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Because of Covid-19, forecasters predict a severe recession in 2020, followed by a V or U-shaped recovery. This impacts both individuals and companies. However, compared to previous recessions, the impact on banks of higher credit losses should be mitigated to some extent by government actions. 

  • PHC Conference webinar: Impactability Modelling for Population Health Management

    Webinar
    20 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar series

    This session will provide an overview of the Population Health Management Working Party's research including defining impactability and impactability modelling, discussing some examples of specific modelling approaches, considering the practical challenges across the NHS as well as wider public perception and ethical issues.

  • Finance and Investment Webinar: A Career in Finance and Investment

    Webinar
    21 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Many actuaries consider career opportunities in the Finance and Investment practice area after having started off in more traditional actuarial roles such as valuations, capital management or pricing. This session is aimed at helping actuaries to better understand roles in Finance and Investment and how they can fine tune their skills to pursue such careers.

  • Mortality and Longevity Webinar Series 2020

    Webinar Series
    22 July 2020 - 10 August 2020

    Spaces available

    Due to COVID-19, we are running this programme via a series of webinars commencing 22nd July.

    This webinar series will provide topical and practical updates and discussion on the latest thinking and innovations in mortality and longevity, and is designed to be very accessible to a broad range of experience.

     

  • Mortality and Longevity Webinar: 'Researching research' - how to make use of medical research papers

    Webinar
    22 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Insurers are making increasing use of medical research to help with assumption, models and underwriting. Experienced mortality/ longevity specialists discuss the issues in the interpretation of  medical research papers, using a range of case studies. The case studies will include COVID-19 points of current importance. Many of the concepts discussed (data bias, inference of causation) are also applicable to equivalent questions in 'big data' and advanced analytics.

  • Mortality and Longevity Webinar: What can we learn from mortality by cause of death?

    Webinar
    22 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Members of the Mortality Working Group of the IAA have analysed changes in mortality for about 30 causes of death  and will discuss how causes of death are classified, and the problems of long-term data, appropriate metrics, including "years of life lost" (YLL), causes of death - a "measure of cohortness", the changes in dominant causes of death at older ages, and how can these types of studies enhance mortality forecasting.

  • Mortality and Longevity Webinar: Towards Precision Insurance: dynamic hazards modelling in Big Data

    Webinar
    23 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Predictive risk assessment and risk stratification models based on postcode-level consumer classification are widely used for life insurance underwriting. However, these are socio-economic models not directly related to health information. Similar to precision medicine, precision life insurance should aim to tailor policy pricing/reserving to the individual health characteristics of each client.

  • Modelling Dangers – What to look out for in Terms of Poor Model Selection and Calibration

    Webinar
    27 July 2020

    Spaces available

    This discussion, the fourth in the Extreme Mortality Events webinar series, will look at what poor model selection and calibration could look like – using inappropriate historical data; using incorrect 2020 mortality data; and inappropriate stochastic model recalibration (or lack thereof). Presented by Chair of the Life Board of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, Colin Dutkiewicz. 

  • Finance and Investment Webinar: ESG forays into fixed income

    Webinar
    28 July 2020

    Spaces available

    This webinar has been re-scheduled from its original date of the 1st July. Although ESG has many buyers across the asset allocation community, from pension funds to sovereign wealth funds, it still hasn’t found its place within the core asset management strategy desks where the money is actually invested. The problem as well as the opportunity is Fixed Income. Plenty of strategies exist for incorporating ESG within Equities, from screening, integration to a combination. ESG has picked up relatively quickly within Equities with rating,indices created using ESG factors. This talk will discuss how we price a quantifiable ESG credit risk premium and make it alpha worthy in a strategy. 

  • PHC Conference webinar: Dementia and insurance: cognitive protection

    Webinar
    28 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar series

    With the rising prevalence of dementia, how can we manage this risk effectively and can insurance do more? Matt Singleton, Ageing Lead at Swiss Re, will cover these topics and demonstrate how insurance could help people address their concerns.

  • CILA Webinar - Are we in the Era of Actuarial Data Science Modelling?

    Webinar
    29 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Current Issues in Life Assurance – Join us for an exploration session on the use of data science in insurance companies today including how insurers are making sense of and using new data sources and technologies, exploration of practical applications of data science within actuarial work, benefits of data-driven decisions to solve business problems using the power of data and technology, and the role that actuaries can play to harness the benefits of data science.

     

  • CILA Webinar - The Capital Management Toolkit

    Webinar
    29 July 2020

    Spaces available

    Current Issues in Life Assurance

    This talk will look at a range of such techniques (e.g. mass lapse risk transfer, contract boundaries, risk margin relief, non-standard longevity risk transfer) that have been applied or considered by UK and EU insurers, and the pros and cons of each.

     

  • CILA Webinar - Global Capital Standards – What does the Adoption of ICS v2.0 Mean?

    Webinar
    3 August 2020

    Spaces available

    Current Issues in Life Assurance.

    The International Association of Insurance Supervisors announced on 14 November 2019 the adoption of v2.0 of the global Insurance Capital Standard (ICS) which will undergo confidential reporting for 5 years starting from 2020. This session will include specific experiences from Legal and General (L&G) as well as global industry perspectives from EY.

  • CILA Webinar - Developing and Executing a Climate Risk Strategy

    Webinar
    3 August 2020 - 4 August 2020

    Spaces available

    Current Issues in Life Assurance

    This session will cover the PRA supervisory statement on financial impacts related to climate change, industry insights into PRA climate risk business plans, examples climate risk strategy setting out key workstreams and activity steps for successful execution, an overview of a climate risk strategy execution timeline and the future.     

  • PHC Conference webinar: Engagement and innovation for the next generation consumer

    Webinar
    5 August 2020

    Spaces available

    Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar series. Using new and unique research and data from the UK, US, Sweden and China, this presentation investigates how consumers use the internet through their insurance journey and analyzes the role culture and generation plays in their online behaviour. We use this research to show the online landscape for insurance sales in the UK and suggest ways to shape new products and effectively engage with the consumer who is buying them.

  • PHC Conference webinar: Gene Modification

    Webinar
    6 August 2020

    Spaces available

    Chief Medical Officer (CMO) for Gen Re Life/Health Research and Development, Dr John O'Brien, will discuss the impacts of Gene Modification for life/health insurance. 

  • Mortality and Longevity Webinar: Beyond control - what could be our next big health threat?

    Webinar
    10 August 2020

    Spaces available

    As an industry, it has been important to be able to look to the future to identify the next quantifiable risk. In this session, I will explore some of the less tangible, but none-the-less concerning risks to future health, such as the health risks associated with exposure to pesticides, ingestion of plastic in the food chain, and the hazards of indoor air pollution through exposure to volatile organic compounds.

  • Mortality and Longevity Webinar: The IFoA diabetes working party - our journey so far

    Webinar
    10 August 2020

    Spaces available

    The working party will help the industry to update and enhance how potential risk from diabetes and excess mortality is considered, including the need to understand the underwriting implications as treatments improve, and potentially to develop new products that are tailored to those with diabetes.

  • PHC Conference webinar: Cancer morbidity risk modelling – regional variation over time

    Webinar
    12 August 2020

    Spaces available

    Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar series. Modelling the structure and trends of cancer morbidity risk is important for pricing and reserving in related health insurance fields such as critical illness insurance and care provision. We model the dynamics of cancer incidence over time in different regions in England, using 1981-2016 ONS data. The modelling allows estimation of cancer rates at various age, year, gender and region levels, following a Bayesian setting to account for statistical uncertainty. Our analysis indicates significant regional variation in cancer incidence rates. 

  • PHC Conference webinar: Learnings from our first climate-change related disclosures (TCFD)

    Webinar
    13 August 2020

    Spaces available

    Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar series. In this talk we will outline the steps Aviva took in pulling together our first large-scale disclosures on the exposure of our business to climate change published in March 2019; in line with the recommendations of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. After touching on why insurers have such an important role in climate change, we'll cover a brief “how-to” guide for those who have not yet embarked on thinking about these topics before giving a case study of how the learnings from a TCFD disclosure exercise can be applied to investment portfolios.

  • PHC Conference webinar: Can we manage Diabetes risk for healthier outcomes

    Webinar
    17 August 2020

    Spaces available

    Part of the Protection, Health and Care Conference 2020 webinar series. 

    The insurance industry currently underwrites customers with diabetes based on a range of factors, medical expertise and various medical studies. The work undertaken by the Diabetes Working Party would help the industry to approach this using current research findings to update and enhance how potential risk from diabetes is considered. This includes the need to understand the underwriting implications as treatments improve, and potentially to develop new products that are tailored to those with diabetes. This webinar will present our latest findings in the management of this important chronic condition which will include research in collaboration with the ARC.