Description: Traditional pension cost methods are based on the actuarial present value of future benefits [which is a mean value]. As a consequence, these cost methods are deficient because they cannot provide plan sponsors with certain valuable information such as the probability that the accumulation of a particular sequence of contributions will ultimately provide sufficient funds to pay benefits, or the size of fund needed to ensure that retirees' lifetime benefits are paid with a specified probability. In response to these deficiencies, a new family of cost methods, called a-percentile cost methods, is developed. These cost methods are based on the probability of adequately covering all participants' benefits. Expressions for the normal cost, the accrued liability and the gain are provided. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1993, Vol. 45.

Description: Report on a panel presentation in which options to maintain the solvency of Social Security are discussed.

Description: Summarizes the articles in the newsletter.

Description: This paper discusses the usage of dynamic i.e. open group pension plan valuation in the current and possible future regulatory environment. From The Pension Forum, August 2001, Volume 13, Issue No. 1.

Description: Continued look at unlocking of traditional contract valuation assumptions, this time examining the frequency of true up for actual experience.

Description: Improving access to health care throughout life by requiring a minimum mandatory paid-up period MMPP. Issue No. 35.

Description: Continues the look from previous articles at unlocking of traditional contract valuation assumptions, this time examining the effects of lapses.

Description: This article looks at an extensive integrated collection of financial mathematical modeling packages available in R, a language and environment for statistical computing.

Description: This session addressed the following regarding benefit plan design to control claim costs: What has been tried? What works? and What else can be tried?

Description: This article discusses the impact on the policyholders and the insurance companies of the phase-out of the deductibility of policy loan interest resulting from the new tax law.