The Code has six principles.
- Integrity – Members must act honestly and with integrity.
- Competence and care – Members must carry out work competently and with care.
- Impartiality – Members must ensure that their professional judgement is not compromised, and cannot reasonably be seen to be compromised, by bias, conflict of interest, or the undue influence of others.
- Compliance – Members must comply with all relevant legal, regulatory and professional requirements.
- Speaking up - Members should speak up if they believe, or have reasonable cause to believe, that a course of action is unethical or is unlawful.
- Communication – Members must communicate appropriately.
Who does the Actuaries' Code apply to?
The Actuaries’ Code applies to all members of the IFoA
When does the Actuaries' Code apply?
The Code applies at all times to all Members’ conduct in relation to an actuarial role.
The Code also applies to all Members’ other conduct if that conduct could reasonably be considered to reflect upon the profession.
How does the Actuaries' Code apply?
If you have any questions about your obligations under the Actuaries' Code you may wish to submit your query to the Professional Support Service.
Failure by a Member to comply with the ethical requirements set out in the Code may lead to disciplinary proceedings under the IFoA’s Disciplinary and Capacity for Membership Schemes.
Guidance
The IFoA has developed non-mandatory Guidance to support the principles and amplifications in the Actuaries' Code. It has advice for members to help them better understand the nature of their obligations under the Code and applying it in practice.
Access the guidance
- How to use the Guidance, Section 1: Introduction and Section 2: Application, Scope, and Status and Purpose
- Section 3: Principle 1 - Integrity
- Section 4: Principle 2 - Competence and Care
- Section 5: Principle 3 - Impartiality
- Section 6: Principle 4 - Compliance
- Section 7: Principle 5 - Speaking Up
- Section 8: Principle 6 - Communication
Download our guidance as a PDF
Download the guidance as a PDF
Training and education
The Professional Skills Training webinars and videos touch on various aspects of the Code and are available to watch through the VLE.
- Watch "Actuarial Interaction and Challenge"
- Watch "Speaking Up, Whistleblowing - What do we mean? Is there a Difference?"
Support
If you have any questions about the Code, you can contact the IFoA's Regulation Team.
Contact Details
If you have any enquiries about the Actuaries' Code please email
Filter or search events
Events calendar
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The Growth Mindset for Actuaries
13 October 2021 - 8 December 2021This practical course is aimed at actuaries at any stage of their career who want to develop their own growth mindset and apply it to their work setting and personal or professional lifelong learning. The content of the course builds on the lecture given by Dr Helen Wright on Growth Mindset as part of the President’s 2021 Lecture series, and will be delivered over a period of 2 months, from mid-October to early December.
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The importance of biodiversity for finance, business and policy is being increasingly recognised. While many studies highlight the overall economic impact that biodiversity loss could have, it is much more difficult to quantify and understand the particular impact that is may have on individual businesses or communities. The management and measurement of these risks is a field where actuaries are well placed to contribute. -
The climate crisis and the degradation of our planet will affect societies everywhere. How we address these threats will require solutions that transcend borders. As a global profession, the actuarial community is well-placed to consider and propose effective risk management solutions to help manage the climate crisis.
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GIRO 2021 Webinar Series
Online8 November 2021 - 19 November 2021
Join leading experts to discuss key issues, emerging ideas and new research across the general insurance sector. -
Proposals for changes to the regulatory framework on climate change and sustainability
11 November 2021This is a free webinar with an expert panel providing their views on the ongoing IFoA consultation for proposals regarding changes to the regulatory framework on climate change and sustainability.
The regulatory consultation sets out, for feedback some proposed approaches that the IFoA are considering in relation to charter commitments under the UK’s Green Finance Education Charter (GFEC) and the regulatory framework, including the Actuaries’ Code.
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Life 2021 Webinar Series
Online22 November 2021 - 26 November 2021
Join leading experts to discuss key issues, emerging ideas, and new research across the Life insurance sector. -
Pioneering Roles for Actuaries in Health and Care
29 November 2021
The role of actuaries within the health sector varies considerably from one country to another, due to differences in the local evolution of health systems and the funding models for health services. -
What next for Mental Health in Insurance?
1 December 2021Content will be aimed at all actuaries looking to understand the issues surrounding mental health in insurance and in particular those looking to ensure products and processes widen access for, and are most useful to, those experiencing periods of poor mental health.
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The Many Faces of Bias
2 December 2021
This webinar looks at the many types of biases, both conscious and unconscious and the impacts they can have in the workplace. Raising our own awareness and understanding of the issues can help us avoid the pitfalls of unconscious bias in particular. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘office banter’ but are we sure that’s how those on the receiving end perceive it and is it ok to go along with it?
The importance of biodiversity for finance, business and policy is being increasingly recognised. While many studies highlight the overall economic impact that biodiversity loss could have, it is much more difficult to quantify and understand the particular impact that is may have on individual businesses or communities. The management and measurement of these risks is a field where actuaries are well placed to contribute.
Join leading experts to discuss key issues, emerging ideas and new research across the general insurance sector.
Join leading experts to discuss key issues, emerging ideas, and new research across the Life insurance sector.
The role of actuaries within the health sector varies considerably from one country to another, due to differences in the local evolution of health systems and the funding models for health services. 
This webinar looks at the many types of biases, both conscious and unconscious and the impacts they can have in the workplace. Raising our own awareness and understanding of the issues can help us avoid the pitfalls of unconscious bias in particular. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘office banter’ but are we sure that’s how those on the receiving end perceive it and is it ok to go along with it?