Economic and market factors that shape interest rates, including inflation, risk premiums, and the yield curve.
These are the key learning objectives for Determinants of Interest Rates on SOA Exam FM. Paraphrased from the public SOA syllabus — we recommend also checking the current syllabus on soa.org before your exam sitting.
Identify components of nominal interest rates including real rate, inflation, and risk premiums
Describe the shape and movements of the yield curve under different economic conditions
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Because Determinants of Interest Rates is 0–10% of your exam, losing it during review costs you. FSRS brings it back at the optimal moment.
SOA Exam FM has 8 topic areas. Determinants of Interest Rates is weighted at approximately 0–10% of the exam — here is where it sits relative to the other topics.
| Topic area | Weight |
|---|---|
| Time Value of Money | 10–15% |
| Annuities | 15–20% |
| Loans | 10–15% |
| Bonds | 10–15% |
| General Cash Flows and Portfolios | 15–20% |
| Immunization | 10–15% |
| Interest Rate Swaps | 0–5% |
| → Determinants of Interest Rates | 0–10% |
Interest rates, discount rates, present and future value, and the relationships between different interest measurement conventions.
Level and varying annuities paid annually or more frequently, annuities due and immediate, and deferred annuities.
Loan repayment, amortization schedules, sinking funds, and varying loan payments.
Bond pricing, yield to maturity, premium and discount, and book value schedules.
Valuing arbitrary cash flow streams, net present value, internal rate of return, dollar-weighted and time-weighted returns.
Portfolio immunization strategies, Redington immunization, full immunization, and asset-liability matching.
Basic mechanics of interest rate swaps, including fixed and floating legs and swap rate determination.
Upload your ACTEX Exam FM digital edition, scanned ASM pages, TIA handouts, or your own notes. exclam.ai generates a fully guided study plan with adaptive flashcards and quizzes for this topic.