MARNIE LEVENGOOD/For the Courier-Post Wendy Warren of Blackwood studies for an actuary exam at her home.

By TERESA ANICOLA
Courier-Post Staff

If the odds are stacked against you, it's people like Wendy Warren who can tell you just how much of a chance you have to survive.

An actuary, Warren works with numbers and can calculate the probability of risks regarding life and health insurance to determine the cost of premiums.

Although Warren has just started in this field, experienced actuaries can evaluate risks associated with controversial medical issues, such as genetic testing or the effect of diseases.

Some actuaries are involved in drafting health-care legislation and Social Security reform. Others evaluate risks associated with natural catastrophes such as earthquakes, hurricanes and tornadoes.

"I like math. You have to be able to fiddle around with numbers in this profession and I like a challenge," said Warren, 28, of Gloucester Township.

A recent graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia, the mother of two works for Towers Perrin, a benefits management consulting firm in Center City.

An associate of the firm, she is currently working on retirement valuations, helping companies calculate numbers to ensure their pensions are properly funded for future payments to retirees.

But this position is merely the first stop on her road to becoming a full actuary.

She plans to take a series of eight exams given by the Society of Actuaries to acquire professional designation in this field.

According to Bill Breedlove, spokesman for the society, the exams are related to the life, health, finance and retirement systems. A separate series of exams is given by the Casualty Actuary Society for the property and casualty field.

Breedlove noted the actuary field has never been ranked lower than fourth place by the Jobs Rated Almanac since it began publishing in 1988.

"It's a solid career with a lot room for advancement," said Breedlove.

Warren plans to take her first exam this fall. The society suggests that students study 100 hours in preparation for each exam hour. The first four exams are each four hours long.

In preparation, she has worked study time into her daily routine.

"You need the exams in order to be successful and to truly be an actuary," said Warren.

"It's very hard, very grueling but also very lucrative and rewarding in the end."