actuarial

[ ak-choo-air-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. Insurance. relating to or being the science of computing premium rates, risks, dividends, etc., according to probabilities based on statistics:

   Over this period, the fund earned a return of 14.37%, exceeding the actuarial assumed return of 7.70%.

Other Words From

• ac·tu·ar·i·al·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of actuarial¹

First recorded in 1850–55; actuar(y) ( def ) + -ial ( def )

Example Sentences

Algorithmic predictions, like actuarial tables, are useful in the aggregate: They can tell us, for instance, approximately how many people will die in our community over a given time period.

From Salon

If piers were people, you’d have to wonder what insurance actuarial tables would divine about their longevity prospects.

From Los Angeles Times

The net loss was also impacted by accounting for its underfunded retirements caused by actuarial revaluation and discount rate changes.

From Reuters

That might be a sound strategy in the big picture, an actuarial blueprint for success.

From Seattle Times

We can't sit back and let the actuarial tables and the issue of abortion carry the day for us.

From Salon