The Society of Actuaries’ FSA 2025 initiative (fsa2025.soa.org) offers a forward-thinking revamp of the fellowship pathway—one that resonates deeply with me, both as a practicing actuary and as a professor. In my activity, I see daily how actuarial education must stay aligned with the demands of an increasingly complex, data-rich, and globally interconnected industry. I believe that the FSA 2025 initiative is a bold step in that direction.
Changes to the Curriculum
The SOA has restructured the FSA tracks to better reflect the realities of modern actuarial practice:
- A streamlined track structure: The new four-track model—Corporate Finance & ERM, General Insurance, Life & Annuities, and Retirement Benefits—offers greater clarity for candidates and aligns more naturally with typical actuarial career paths.
- Real-world application at the core: Through expanded use of case studies and performance-based assessments, the curriculum pushes candidates to apply technical knowledge with judgment and communicate findings effectively—just as we do in practice.
- A focus on emerging topics: Climate risk, AI, and broader ESG concerns are now making their way into the formal curriculum. These are no longer optional areas of interest; they’re central to the profession’s long-term relevance and credibility.
The updated framework emphasizes not just passing assessments, but thinking critically, solving complex problems, and communicating with impact. In practice, I see the benefits of an FSA curriculum that more closely reflects the challenges we face with clients and stakeholders. Risk doesn’t come in neat textbook problems—and actuaries must be ready to navigate uncertainty with rigor and agility.
I encourage candidates, employers, and fellow educators to explore the initiative and consider how we can support this evolution—because a stronger FSA curriculum strengthens the profession as a whole.
Let’s raise the bar, together!