Description: This is a discussion of the title paper by Raymond F. Houseman, which provides some practical aspects of various funding methods. The paper is critiqued, and some alternative methods are discussed.

Description: This paper examines tandem levels of salary and interest rates and finds that the absolute level of each assumption as well as the differential are significant cost determinants for defined benefit pension plans. In forming best-estimate salary and interest rate assumptions, the actuary must reconcile the difference, if any, between the currently observed rates and the valuation assumptions. Common practice is to choose expected long-term rather than observed rates for valuation purposes. The error in this procedure is analyzed and found to be tolerable for strictly temporary discrepancies between observed rates and valuation assumptions. For situations where these discrepancies are expected to persist for some time, a need is shown for nonuniform, calendar-year assumptions or their equivalent in order to develop best-estimate assumptions. Followed by several discussion papers submitted

Description: This is a discussion about employee benefit plans: -Group Life - What has been the effect of the new law taxing employer contributions in excess of $50K? What special underwriting problems have occurred, what underwriting techniques used, what has the mortality experience been? -Group Health - What are special considerations where premium rates are guaranteed for greater than one year? Are any additional reserves established? What are the current developments in Group dental? Have any experience studies been made? What is the potential market for group dental? -Group Annuities - What volume of business has been written on separate accounts or segregated funds? What problems have arisen in administering this type of plan? -Miscellaneous- What has been the experience on high limit accidental death and dismemberment benefits? In pension plans has there been an increase in joint and survivorship options? Has there been an increase in disability benefits under retirement plans? To what extent is the new money concept being adopted in fields other than group annuities? What is the current outlook with regard to reducing or eliminating the difference in taxes imposed on insured employee benefit plans vs self-insured plans? From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1964, Vol. 16 Pt. 2

Description: The following topics were discussed at concurrent sessions: 1. Pension benefit security bill, 2. Variable insurance products, 3. Trends in hospital and medical care utilization, 4. Insurance distribution and marketing systems, 5. Deferred and incentive compensation, 6. Annual Statement accounting, 7. Social Security and employee benefits in western Europe, 8. Individual medical expense insurance, 9. Reserves and related problems for variable annuities and cost-of-living benefits, 10. Topics for consulting actuaries, 11. Profit and other objectives in group operations, and 12. Life insurance operations overseas- problems and opportunities. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries, 1969 Vol. 21 Pt. 1 No. 61.

Description: This is a summary of 1972 discussions about: 1. the past and future dynamics of North American retirement systems, 2. alternatives for pension legislation, and 3. actuarial principles and practices for pension plans. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1972, Vol. 24, Pt. 2D, No. 68.

Description: This discussion looks at developments which may be expected from the introduction of proposed Canadian legislation which would permit life insurance companies to operate special investment accounts for pension plans. The panel also reviews problems encountered in implementing legislation of this type in the U.S. and other recent developments expected to affect the relative competitive position of insured and trusteed plans. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1961, Vol. 13, Pt. 2.

Description: This presentation was made at the 1975 Spring Cincinnati Joint Meeting of the Conference of Actuaries in Public Practice and Society of Actuaries and it highlights the following issues: What are the retirement needs of a population?, what are suitable methods of providing social insurance, private pensions,and savings?, what are the political, economic, and sociological implications of various solutions?, and what perspective on this problem does Canadian experience provide.

Description: This discussion is about retirement plans and interest assumptions in valuation of pension plans. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1962 Vol. 14 pt 2

Description: This is a discussion of the paper Fundamentals of Pension Funding by Charles L. Trowbridge. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1952, Vol. 4, No. 10.

Description: The Social Security amendments of 1977 are considered to be the most significant Social Security legislation since the 1972 amendments and possibly those of 1950. This 1978 presentation is a discussion the 1977 Social Security amendments including: 1. A description of the major amendments, 2. The financial condition of Social Security after the amendments, and 3. Possible future Social Security legislation.