Actuarial Work for Social Security
Actuarial Work for Social Security
ISSA GUIDELINES, KNOWLEDGE-SHARING AND INNOVATION
18–22 May 2026
The course is available in English
Introduction to the course
Effective actuarial work is crucial for the long-term adequacy and sustainability of social security schemes. Participants of this course will draw on international best-practice guidelines to assess how to embed high quality actuarial work within the effective operation of their social security institution. This is one of eight courses run in partnership with the International Social Security Association (ISSA) held simultaneously at the Turin Centre. Join a network of social security practitioners in this highly specialized course.
Who attends this course?
The course is designed for social security professionals of ISSA member organizations. Participants should be actuaries or hold positions directly related to actuarial work. The following requirements are therefore essential for participation in this course: the ability to access and use a computer with an internet connection; a working knowledge of written English
What will I learn?
This course uses the ILO/ISSA Guidelines on Actuarial Work in Social Security as a framework to for assessing challenges and identifying innovations.
- Valuation of social security schemes: definition, aims and responsibilities of the actuary
- Operational management: key phases and role played by the actuary
- Investment: main financial and investment issues; management of reserve funds and investment governance
- Reporting, communication and disclosure: their role in good governance
- Risk management and analysis: definition of a risk management framework and the role of actuaries
- Regulatory issues, standards and professional guidance: the importance of compliance with national requirements and impacts on social security institutions
- Policy and strategy issues: design, implementation and operation of social security schemes
- Actuarial expertise, staffing and training: principles, conditions and requirements of actuaries; actions to train actuaries.
What will I be able to do?
- Understand core approaches to improvement of actuarial work based on international best practice
- Identify roles and responsibilities of actuaries in the field of social security
- Utilise the ILO/ISSA Guidelines as a framework for improvement of actuarial work within national social security institutions
- Develop country-tailored innovations drawing on experience from other countries.
Why should I join?
This course is designed specifically for social security professionals from ISSA member organizations.
- ISSA-accredited experts with decades of international experience in social security administration
- Join and interact with a network of professionals from other ISSA member organizations, including those attending parallel courses
- Mix of training methods: lectures, plenary discussions, good practices, case studies, group work and individual exercises
- Successful participants receive an ITCILO Certificate of Achievement.
How?
The course consists of 60 total hours of learning, broken up into three phases.
- Pre-course (10 hours): Self-guided study through the online eCampus platform. Includes a pre-course assessment.
- Residential week (45 hours): 5-day interactive sessions at the ITCILO in Turin, including developing an individual presentation.
- Post-course assignment (5 hours): Individual assignment applying ISSA Guidelines to the participant’s organization.
Learn more about the course from your tutor
Learn more about the course from former participants
Prove your skills with a Diploma
This course is part of a Diploma programme. To achieve the Diploma, successful candidates must complete four courses within a five-year period and undertake a capstone assessment.
