The Profession regularly engages with policymakers and regulators at both organisational and technical levels to ensure that actuaries' views and expertise are considered in the development of policy and to try to ensure that any changes will be workable in practice.

Regular liaison occurs with the Financial Reporting Council, Board for Actuarial Standards, Professional Oversight Board, Financial Services Authority, HM Revenue and Customs, the Pensions Regulator and the Pension Protection Fund (PPF).

In addition, actuary volunteers represent the Profession on working groups established by the PPF and HM Treasury, amongst others. The Profession also regularly responds to consultations both to support members' interests and to fulfil its broad public interest obligations.

During the past year, the Profession hosted two discussion meetings for senior civil servants and senior decision makers at key regulatory agencies to discuss developments and plans on longevity. Further meetings on longevity will take place, following the publication of additional research by the Continuous Mortality Investigation. The Profession will host a meeting, aimed at similar audiences, to discuss discount rates in 2009.

As part of its public interest work, and building on the success of a similar piece on annuities, the Profession published a briefing note on income drawdown, explaining how it works and what risks should be considered before a pensioner implements such an arrangement.

Fellow Zoe Craig - also an accomplished rider - discussed her views on the role and contributions of actuaries for the first in a series of short, promotional films featuring members.