The objective of this analysis was to identify the production practices used by farmers to change seasonal production. Production practices included milk production per cow, proportion of cows milking, number of first lactation animals entering the herd, number of cows leaving the herd, number of days to first breeding, and calves born. Farms that participated in a seasonal pricing plan during 1993, 1994, and 1995 decreased production practice seasonality in response to price premiums, which caused a decrease in production seasonality compared to nonparticipating farms. Participating farms showed a preference for adjusting entering first lactation animals and number of calves born, but did make adjustments in other practices as well.

We summarize procedures for assessing the benefits and costs of using labor inputs in public projects. Examples are provided to illustrate how information on labor inputs can be analyzed and presented such that, should the analyst choose, labor services generate elements of both benefit and cost in times of high unemployment; however, this is not generally correct in times of full employment. Our analysis is consistent with the overall goal of identifying those projects which are estimated to improve efficiency—those with social benefits in excess of social costs.

Round and rectangular buildings with grain silos at a Copper Age site in Israel suggested social stratification to the excavators. Using micromorphology, the author demonstrates that while the rectangular building was occupied by people, the round ones had contained animals, perhaps as providers of milk, and dung for fuel. While this removes the direct indication of social variance, it strengthens the argument that animals, as well as grain, formed the basis for the creation of surplus.

We consider a Markov additive process (MAP) with phase-type jumps, starting at 0. Given a positive level u, we determine the joint distribution of the undershoot and overshoot of the first jump over the level u, the maximal level before this jump, the time of attaining this maximum, and the time between the maximum and the jump. The analysis is based on first passage times and time reversion of MAPs. A marginal of the derived distribution is the Gerber-Shiu function, which is of interest to insurance risk. Several examples serve to compare the present result with the literature.

The 1993 Jubilee Lecture considered two fundamental questions addressed in the report of the Pension Law Review Committee: when an employee joins an occupational pension scheme, what should the law consider to be the fundamental pension promise; and how should that promise be protected? The factors affecting the employee's expectations are examined in the light of the pension promise, and the conclusion drawn that certain expectations relating to accrued rights should be protected by law, although the employer should be able to control its financial commitments as to future service. The status of surplus, in both an ongoing scheme and in the event of a wind-up, is also considered, and recommendations made as to the use of a surplus if not already dealt with by the scheme rules. The two principal forms of protection for the pension promise which were recommended by the Pension Law Review Committee are discussed; firstly, the introduction of a minimum solvency standard, backed up by tighter rules for the prompt payment of contributions and by enhanced monitoring and reporting requirements for scheme auditors and actuaries; and secondly, the setting up of a statutory compensation fund to cover a deficit in the event of fraud or theft, to be financed by a post-event levy on schemes.

This paper looks at the existing controls on minimum funding standards and the solvency of defined benefit pension schemes in the United Kingdom. It considers the definition and disclosure of solvency margins and then goes on to look at the operation of a ‘Pensioners’ Protection Fund which would underwrite the solvency of schemes in a winding-up. With submissions due to the Goode Committee before the end of 1992, this paper will provide a well-timed opportunity to discuss some of the issues to be addressed by that Committee.

Recent developments which affect the financing of occupational pension schemes in the U.K. arc reviewed. These point to the need for realistic bases, and an approach to finding a ‘best estimate’ is described. It is suggested that typical bases contain significant margins and the long-term dangers of using bases which contain margins are illustrated using a model fund. A review of funding methods suggests that the projected unit and entry age methods should be used for normal purposes in conjunction with a discounted income approach to the valuation of assets. Suggestions are made as to the degree of prudence appropriate for funding purposes.

The paper firstly examines the way in which U.K. mutuals operate and the forces which are leading mutuals to consider demutualisation. Demutualisation is normally accomplished by a Scheme of Transfer under Section 49 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982. The role of the directors and actuaries is discussed, including the impact of the Institute's latest Guidance Note (GN15).

The protection of policyholders' reasonable expectations, the value of membership rights and the basis of dealing with any orphan surplus are the central problems. The paper examines them in the context of both the open fund and closed fund situation and shows how they may be resolved.

A simple model is used to project the financial position of both an open and closed fund in a demutualised company. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each indicate that different courses of action may be appropriate for mutuals in differing financial positions.

The paper firstly examines the way in which U.K. mutuals operate and the forces which are leading mutuals to consider demutualisation. Demutualisation is normally accomplished by a Scheme of Transfer under Section 49 of the Insurance Companies Act 1982. The role of the directors and actuaries is discussed, including the impact of the Institute's latest Guidance Note (GN15).

The protection of policyholders' reasonable expectations, the value of membership rights and the basis of dealing with any orphan surplus are the central problems. The paper examines them in the context of both the open fund and closed fund situation and shows how they may be resolved.

A simple model is used to project the financial position of both an open and closed fund in a demutualised company. The relative advantages and disadvantages of each indicate that different courses of action may be appropriate for mutuals in differing financial positions.

EXD6: The purpose of this draft Guidance is to enable the actuary, in the interests of his client, to determine the appropriate method and assumptions for calculating pension costs, while recognising and interpreting, in the actuarial context, the requirements of SSAP 24.

EXD7: The purpose of the proposed Guidance results from a report from the Occupational Pensions Board: ‘Protecting Pensions: Safeguarding Benefits in a Changing Environment’. This recommended that bulk transfers of members without consent from one pension scheme to another should be permitted only if the actuary believes that certain conditions have been fulfilled to protect the interests of members and that in this context Professional Guidance should be given.

EXD8: This draft Guidance results from a request from the DSS to provide Professional Guidance in connection with the implementation of those provisions of the Social Security Act 1990 regarding the determination and application of the ‘valuation surplus’ to provide Limited Price Indexation for pensions in payment.