1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Career Planning

Actuaries

By Dawn Rosenberg McKay, About.com

Definition: Actuaries use statistical data, including mortality, disability, and retirement rates, to forecast risk and liability for payment of future benefits. They are often employed by insurance companies, where they determine required premium rates and necessary cash reserves to guarantee future payments.
Examples: The insurance company's actuaries determined they would have to raise premiums in order to keep up with the rising cost of prescription drugs.

Explore Career Planning

More from About.com

  1. Home
  2. Careers
  3. Career Planning
  4. Exploring Occupations
  5. Occupations
  6. Actuaries

©2008 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.