As baby boomers move into (or try to move into) retirement, many are calling this an emerging and "silent" systemic risk; such a risk if left unaddressed, will creep into our society with damaging consequences. Recent trends have employers and the government transferring the provision of retirement to individuals who will be ill-equipped to have adequate savings for retirement. The inadequacy of savings is exacerbated by the fact that individuals will require more savings as a esult of increased life expectancy, not to mention the potential for increased post-retirement medical costs.

Baby Boomers have a total of 14 trillion dollars invested. Few analysts can truly say what will happen when they reach true retirement age and start to withdraw their money at unprecedented rates. From the years between 2015 to 2025 large amounts of capital are expected to leave the stock market as these Baby Boomers must begin living off of their savings.

The impact of these events is the motivation for this Call for Papers

To expand thinking on the impact on financial security systems of baby boomers moving into an asset decumulation mode, the Society of Actuaries' Committee on Finance Research and Investment Section are issuing this Call for Papers, inviting researchers, practitioners and other professionals to explore this topic from a variety of perspectives. The organizers are seeking to compile papers that represent the latest in thinking about this topic. It is the goal of this effort that taken together, the selected papers will provide a multi-disciplinary, textured analysis of the topic.

Authors may submit either original research or expository papers. The papers have no required minimum or maximum length.

The target audiences for this call for papers include financial and retirement professionals.

The following is a list of potential issues that authors may wish to consider. Please note these issues are only intended to serve as examples and are not meant to restrict potential ideas in any way.

Issues

1. What will the financial landscape look like in this potential "New Normal" world?
2. What are the potential ramifications of future investing strategies?
3. Do the financial security systems in place require major restructuring to address emerging needs?
4. How will the stock market be affected?
5. If unchanged, will these factors lead to a major recession/depression?
6. What solutions can be put in place today to mitigate the effects of tomorrow?

As mentioned above, this is just a sample of issues that fall under the scope of this Call for Papers. Authors are also free to combine several issues when developing their abstracts.

Please submit an abstract or outline of your proposed paper by June 15, 2011 to:

Barbara Scott 

Society of Actuaries

f: 847.273.8592

e-mail: bscott@soa.org

At a minimum, the abstract submission should include a brief description of the subject of the paper, a list of key items to be covered and a brief biographical paragraph summarizing the author's experience, prior publications and presentations and contact information.

Submitted abstracts will be evaluated by a review group for their potential for presentation at an SOA-sponsored event targeted in 2012. The exact dates and details will be decided at a later time.

Abstract submissions will be accepted, accepted subject to revision or declined. The review group is scheduled to complete its evaluation of the abstracts/outlines in July.

All papers must be based on accepted abstracts and submitted in a complete format no later than December 15th.

The procedure for submission of papers includes the following specific guidelines:

• Submissions with special publication requests should include them in the original submission.
• Submissions should be made electronically to Barbara Scott at bscott@soa.org

The review group, after receiving all submissions, will determine if a meeting event for presenting the papers is appropriate. Should this occur:

• It is anticipated that travel and lodging expenses for authors selected to present at the event will be reimbursed, up to certain limits.
• A final determination as to the number of papers invited to present will be made after all abstracts have been submitted and reviewed.

It is anticipated that all accepted papers will be published. The papers will appear in an on–line monograph and, where appropriate, in Society of Actuaries publications. Upon author request, accepted papers may also be submitted to peer–reviewed journals.

The Society of Actuaries prefers to publish all papers and to copyright all published papers without a previous copyright. However, it will work with authors as necessary for special publication situations.

The Society of Actuaries reserves the right to reject or not publish any papers not meeting the criteria and standards set by the review group.

Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three papers as judged by the review group.

• First Prize - $5,000
• Second Prize - $3,000
• Third Prize - $2,000

The SOA reserves the right to not award any prize money if submitted papers do not meet quality standards.

Please direct any questions regarding this Call for Papers to:

    Steven Siegel, Research Actuary
    Society of Actuaries
    ph: 847.706.3578
    f: 847.273.8578
    e–mail: ssiegel@soa.org