Jared Mickall, FCIA(2008)
Director candidate
Primary practice area: Pensions
Secondary practice area: Health and living benefits
Employer: Mercer
Province: Manitoba
CIA Legacy Award: Award of Distinction (2023)
Position statement
I am honoured to stand for election to the CIA Board.
I am a passionate leader, based in Winnipeg, and am driven to apply my skills and knowledge to advise and guide plan sponsors, administrators, committees and boards on the delivery of pension and self-insured long-term disability programs to plan members.
I have volunteered for the CIA (and the Society of Actuaries) since obtaining my Fellowship in 2008 and want to continue serving the CIA as a Director.
The CIA is a strong brand, bolstered by an engaged and growing CIA membership. The CIA’s mission of developing and upholding rigorous standards, sharing our risk management expertise and advancing actuarial science for the financial well-being of Canadians is far from done. In recent years, we have witnessed significant economic instability, the introduction of cryptocurrency, the growing spread of misinformation, continued understanding of climate change and the rise of artificial intelligence. All of these factors have materially impacted the lives of Canadians and have made many Canadians question their financial security. These circumstances raise the bar for Canadian actuaries.
As a Director, I would focus on the following:
Education
I support an education system that is robust and prepares candidates to be the actuaries that the public will need moving ahead. The recent changes to the CIA’s education system are a significant step forward. I strongly support ongoing monitoring and updates of CIA education to ensure that we properly prepare candidates to be actuaries that meet the needs of the public, be it in traditional or emerging areas of practice. I also support our continuing education requirements and the ongoing development of rigorous standards.
Entry into the profession
As the CIA is the qualifying and governing body of the actuarial profession in Canada, it should uphold its high levels of competence and actuarial skills; however, the CIA should also be mindful of barriers that it presents to entry. We should support the entry into the profession of those who are well-suited and reflect the diversity of the population of Canada.
Public policy and research
Canadian actuaries have risk management expertise and are uniquely skilled to contribute to public policy. Our traditional practice areas of insurance, pensions and social security operate in an ever-changing environment, as noted. I support the CIA conducting timely and relevant research. I also support the CIA continuing to share its insights on public policy and strive to be proactive rather than reactive.
I welcome your vote as a CIA Director.
2022-Present – Actuarial Guidance Council
- 2024-Present – Vice-Chair
- 2022-24 – Member
2023-24 – Climate Change and Sustainability Steering Committee
2020-23 – Research Council
- 2020-23 Project Oversight Group – Mortality Improvement
- 2021-22 – Experience Research Committee
2018-22 – Education and Assessments Committee
- 2017-18 – Member
- 2018-22 – Curriculum and Exam Representatives Subcommittee
2018-19 – Education and Qualification Council Syllabus Task Force
2015-21 – Pension Plan Financial Reporting Committee
- 2019-21 – Chair
- 2019 – Vice-Chair
- 2015-19 – Member
2012-13 – Practice Education Course Organizing Committee – Retirement Benefits Track
2009-12 – Education and Examinations Committee, Pension Subcommittee
Board experience
I am currently a board member of the Osvita Foundation, a position I have held since November 2015. Osvita is a registered charity which supports the development of Ukrainian-language programs in Manitoba.
Work achievements
I am a member of Mercer Canada’s defined benefit (DB) funding specialist group, a national team of 10-12 senior actuaries, with primary responsibility for the development of intellectual capital on DB pensions and submissions to governments and regulators on DB pension policy.
Community recognition
I have been a guest speaker at Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute (Manitoba Region) events on pension topics such as pension commuted values, multi-jurisdictional pension plans, and provincial pension legislation.
What do you think of the effectiveness and importance of the CIA in its core functions?
I believe that all the CIA’s core functions listed are important as they form part of carrying out the CIA’s mission to achieve its vision.
The CIA has been effective in the areas of education, qualification, professional development, standard setting and professional conduct. It is my understanding that the CIA continues to be well respected in the international actuarial community.
The CIA brand is strong for those who are aware; however, the actuarial profession continues to be one of the lesser-known professions by the public, and the promotion of the profession could be more effective.
The CIA could be more effective on conducting timely and appropriate research. The Canadian pensioners mortality study is an example of research that is needed and is overdue.
On the matter of protecting the public interest, the CIA has been effective with upholding its high levels of competence and actuarial skills, performing ongoing reviews of and updates to our standards of practice, and issuing informed policy and insight statements.