Actuaries are solicited in the assessment of some or all of the operational risks faced by social security institutions due to their knowledge of various elements of the management of a system. The internal actuarial department also conducts its own risk assessment which will feed into the overall risk assessment of the organization.

Social security institutions are faced with a range of operational risks related to the management, administration, communication and coordination of benefits and services. Although these activities are not directly related to the financing and design of benefits they may be the source of an important element of risk. These risks are likely to have both direct quantitative and indirect qualitative implications which may be difficult to assess. A number of the risks relate to governance aspects and this guideline should be read in conjunction with the ISSA Guidelines on Good Governance.