Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics Exam

SPRING 2021

Important Exam Information:

The current intent of the Society of Actuaries is that the LTAM Exam Spring 2021 will follow the same
format as the previous LTAM Exams. This would include 20 multiple-choice questions worth 40
points and written-answer questions worth 56 points as described in the previous paragraph. This
Exam will be taken as a “pencil and paper” exam for the written-answer portion as in the past,
regardless of the location (SOA established test center or Prometric test center). Please check back
on the Updates page for the final decision.

Exam Registration Candidates may register online or with an application.

Introductory Study Note The Introductory Study Note has a complete listing of all study
notes as well as errata and other important information.

Past Exams Past MLC Exams from 2000 – April, 2018 are available on the SOA
website. The LTAM Exam from October 2018 through October
2020 are available on the SOA website.

Updates Candidates should be sure to check the Updates page on the exam
home page periodically for additional corrections or notices.

Recognized by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.

 Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
SPRING 2021

1. Topic: Long-term insurance coverages (2-8%)

Learning Objectives

The Candidate will understand the key features of long-term insurance coverages.

Learning Outcomes

The Candidate will be able to:

a) Describe the long-term coverages in insurance (life, health, and general), annuities,
and retirement benefits (e.g. pensions, retiree health care, etc.)

b) Describe the similarities and differences between the long-term coverages identified
in Learning Outcome 1a.

c) Describe the appropriate models to be used to calculate expected present values,

premiums or contributions, and reserves for each long-term coverage.

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 Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
SPRING 2021
2. Topic: Survival models and their estimation (15-25%)

Learning Objectives

The Candidate will understand key concepts concerning parametric and non-parametric
(tabular) and multi-state models including single life, or multiple life, and multiple
decrements.

Learning Outcomes

The Candidate will be able to:

a) Explain and interpret survival models and transitioning between states.

b) Calculate and interpret standard functions including survival and mortality

probabilities, force of mortality, and complete and curtate expectation of life.

c) Calculate nonparametric estimates of survival models using the Kaplan-Meier and

Nelson-Aalen formulas for seriatim data and adaptations for grouped data.

d) Calculate, using both seriatim and grouped data, maximum likelihood estimates of
transition probabilities assuming constant transition intensity during fixed age
intervals.

e) Calculate the variances of and construct confidence intervals for the estimators in
parts c) and d).

f) Calculate transition intensities exactly, or estimate transition intensities using large

sample approximations.

g) Describe and apply simple longevity models.

h) For models dealing with multiple lives and/or multiple states, explain the random
variables associated with the model and calculate and interpret marginal and
conditional probabilities.

i) Construct and interpret select and ultimate survival models.

j) Describe the behavior of Markov chain models, identify possible transitions between
states, and calculate and interpret the probability of being in a particular state and
transitioning between states.

k) Apply to calculations involving these models appropriate approximation methods for

fractional ages based on uniform distribution of deaths or constant force.

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 Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
SPRING 2021

3. Topic: Present Value Random Variables (10-20%)

Learning Objectives

The Candidate will be able to perform calculations on the present value random variables
associated with benefits and expenses for any of the models in Learning Objective 2.

Learning Outcomes

The Candidate will be able to:

a) Calculate and interpret probabilities, means, variances, and percentiles.

b) Calculate and interpret the effect of changes in underlying assumptions such as

mortality and interest.

c) Apply appropriate approximation methods such as uniform distribution of deaths,

constant force, Woolhouse, and Euler.

4. Topic: Premium Calculation (15-30%)

Learning Objectives

The Candidate will be able to use and explain premium-calculation methodologies.

Learning Outcomes

The Candidate will be able to:

a) Calculate and interpret probabilities, means, variances, and percentiles of random

variables associated with a premium, including loss-at-issue random variables.

b) Calculate premiums based on the equivalence principle, the portfolio percentile

premium principle, and profit testing.

c) Using the models in Learning Objective 2, calculate and interpret the effect of
changes in benefits or underlying assumptions such as decrements, morbidity,
expenses, and interest.

d) Apply appropriate approximation methods such as uniform distribution of deaths,

constant force, Woolhouse, and Euler.

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 Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
SPRING 2021

5. Topic: Reserves (20-30%)

Learning Objectives

The Candidate will understand reserves for insurances and annuities for models
in Learning Objectives 2 and 4.

Learning Outcomes

The Candidate will be able to:

a) Calculate and interpret the following reserve types:

• Net premium

• Modified

• Gross premium

• Expense

b) Calculate and interpret probabilities, means, variances, and percentiles of

random variables associated with these reserves, including future-loss
random variables.

c) Calculate and interpret common profit measures such as expected profit,

actual profit, gain, gain by source and period, internal rate of return, profit
margin, and break-even year.

d) Apply appropriate approximation methods such as uniform distribution of

deaths, constant force, Woolhouse, and Euler.

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 Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
SPRING 2021
6. Topic: Pension Plans and Retirement Benefits (10-15%)

Learning Objectives

The Candidate will understand how the models from previous Learning Objectives apply to
pension plans and retirement benefits.

Learning Outcomes

The Candidate will be able to:

a) Describe and compare defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans
including final salary and career average earning plans.

b) Describe retiree health care plans.

c) Identify and interpret the common states and decrements for pension plans, and the
parametric and tabular models, including Markov chain models, associated with these
decrements.

d) Given particular participant data, plan provisions, and valuation assumptions, apply
the models mentioned in learning outcome 6c to defined benefit pension plans and
calculate and interpret replacement ratios, accrued benefits, gain or loss, and their
expected values with adjustments such as the early retirement reduction factor.

e) Given particular participant data, plan provisions, and valuation assumptions,

calculate and interpret the actuarial accrued liability and the normal cost for a
defined benefit plan under the projected unit credit (PUC) cost method and the
traditional unit credit (TUC) cost method.

f) Identify and interpret the assumptions and methods for retiree health care plans.
Given particular participant data, plan provisions, and valuation assumptions,
calculate and interpret the expected present value of future benefits, accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation (APBO), and the normal cost or service cost for
retiree health care plans.

g) Calculate and interpret the effect of changes in underlying valuation assumptions

such as mortality, discrete salary increase changes, other decrements and interest on
the quantities mentioned in learning outcomes 6d, 6e, and 6f.

h) Apply appropriate approximation methods such as uniform distribution of deaths,

constant force, Woolhouse, and Euler.

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 Long-Term Actuarial Mathematics
SPRING 2021

Resources

• Actuarial Mathematics for Life Contingent Risks, Third Edition Dickson, C.M.D., Hardy, M.R.,
Waters, H.R. (2020), Cambridge University Press ISBN: 978-1-108-47808-3. Exercises are
considered part of the required readings.
o Chapters 1 – 11, Chapter 13 and Chapter 19 excluding 1.12, 2.7, 3.13, 4.8, 5.14,
6.8, 7.2.5, 7.5, 7.6, 7.9, 7.10, 8.11, 10.8, 11.13, 13.8, 13.10 and 19.5
o The student should also exclude information on De Moivre’s Law on Page 42.
• One study note:
o LTAM-22-19 Chapters 10, 11, and 14 from Loss Models, From Data to Decisions, 5th
edition, 2018 by Klugman, Panjer, and Willmot. Chapters 10 and 11 are provided for
background reading. Chapter 14 is required reading, except for Sections 14.4 and 14.6.

• Notation and Terminology used on Exam LTAM

• Exam LTAM Tables
Excel Workbook for Exam LTAM Tables (These spreadsheets were used to develop the tables
used for the LTAM exam and is provided for educational purposes only. The workbook
will not be available at the LTAM exam.)

Note: the text and study notes will not be available with the examination booklet. A copy of the
Tables will be available.