Steve Vernon, FSA
President
Rest-of-Life Communications

He's an author, a blogger, a business owner and a teacher – and in all of those roles, Steve Vernon is an actuary. Individuals, companies and media outlets around the country seek Steve out because of his expertise in helping working people prepare for retirement.

It'd be an understatement to say that Steve has had a successful career. But, it turns out he didn't pick the actuarial profession because he was passionate about it. "My story is a little unusual for actuaries. I graduated from college in 1975, when the country was in a deep recession," Steve recalls. "The job in this profession was the only job I was offered. My plan was to work for a while, then go back to school in a few years to get my MBA. But, I liked the job so much that I never looked back."

As a double major in math and social science, Steve says that it was the opportunity to use his math skills in a practical way that made the profession most attractive. And, he spent part of his career at a large consulting firm on a more traditional career path. But, then Steve, an expert in risk, decided to take a big risk of his own, leaving the consulting firm and starting his own business.

"My background as an actuary is very useful in helping people manage their assets and risks, both financial and non-financial, in their later years," Steve says. "I decided that for my next phase of my life, I wanted to use my skills and life experience to help people with important life planning – to help them live long and prosper."

Speaking of long and prosperous, what advice does Steve have for students who are working to build their career? "When I started in the mid-1970s, the FSA credential was all you needed for guaranteed employment. Now, you need more – you actually have to be a nice person, a good communicator, an effective manager and salesperson. You need to look beyond the numbers," he says. "And, as you move forward, you need to be flexible and open to new opportunities."

Steve received his undergraduate degree in math and social science from the University of California, Irvine. He is Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and, in addition to running his company, is a member of the Executive Faculty and Research Fellow with the California Institute for Finance at California Lutheran University and a consultant to Mercer's US Retirement, Risk and Finance business.