An actuary is the person whose job is to measure risk with numbers, then tell an insurance company — or a pension fund — how much money to take in so there will still be enough to pay people later. They study how often accidents, illness, and death happen in a group, and they turn that into a price. It is a professional title, like lawyer or accountant: you use it on a CV, in the news, and at work, not when you talk about a friend’s weekend. Though actually, many people mix it up with accountant, because both live in spreadsheets. An accountant keeps the books and tells you what already happened with the money. An actuary is looking forward: what might happen, over years, and what that should cost. The work feels quiet and careful, not dramatic, but a lot of the price you pay for insurance sits on that person’s desk.