The Consulting Actuary

What Would Gandhi Do?
by A. Haeworth Robertson

Mohandas Gandhi (1869-1948) was an outstanding reformer and leader of the movement for Indian independence from England. His technique of nonviolent civil disobedience was derived, in part, from Hindu writings, including one of my favorites:

It’s the action, not the fruit of the action, that’s important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your time, that there’ll be any fruit. But that doesn’t mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result.

There is strong evidence that America is facing a bleak long-term economic future, many aspects of which actuaries know something about: unsustainable obligations under Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, as well as other welfare programs; some public retirement and healthcare systems; some private employer retirement and healthcare systems; etc.

Actuaries, with their unique training, experience, and perspective are equipped to see truths that others cannot readily see. We should remind ourselves that persons not trained in the concepts of building models, making projections, discounting for interest and mortality, planning many years ahead, etc., may have a hard time comprehending the significance and consequences of multi-trillion-dollar future deficits.

Actuaries can—if they will—help people make responsible financial decisions about future events. Actuaries can—if they will—help people lead a better life in the future.

On the other hand, actuaries can remain silent and life will go on as if they did not exist. It will go on just as if all the time and effort expended in becoming an actuary had never taken place. We can remain silent, and thus live and die without anyone noticing or caring.

I urge you to become well informed about some of these large economic issues, even though they might fall outside of your everyday job responsibilities. Then do what you can to enhance public understanding of the nature and urgency of these challenges that threaten America’s future.

You cannot be certain that your efforts will make a difference. However, you can be certain that if you make no effort, you will make no difference.

If life has a purpose, it is probably to make a difference.

A. Haeworth Robertson was the Chief Actuary of the Social Security Administration from 1975-78 and received the 2007 Wynn Kent Public Communication Award. Upon request, Mr. Robertson will send a copy (online or as a printed booklet) of his recent 20-page commentary “Uncommon Perspectives on Social Security and Medicare.”