Description: An overview of the retirement schemes across various Asia markets, looking at each of the 5 pillars of the retirement model. As a result of ageing workforce and increasing life expectancy, retirement savings gap is becoming a major social issue for many countries. An effective retirement systems require all stakeholders including the government, employers, retirement services providers and individuals to understand the risks involved, their roles and responsibilities, and to commit to do their part in tackling the retirement savings gap issue. This presentation will point out where improvements can be made from each stakeholder's perspectives, with a focus on the Asia markets which contain a mix of some of the most populous countries in the world and countries with very small population, developed economies as well as emerging markets, young and old labor force, and finally different cultures, all of which affects how people view and prepare for retirement.

Description: Pension accounting standards continue to evolve across the globe with objectives, methods and assumptions varying, sometimes substantially, from one jurisdiction to the next. The presenters will compare the primary global pension accounting standards (US GAAP and IFRS), review recent developments and address whether or not the current standards adequately serve stakeholders such as plan participants, investors, management and regulators.

Description: Breakout Sessions 1A: The Fundamentals of Pricing for Underwriters

Description: This session discussion legal liability for unfavorable medical outcomes, effect of utilization review on the quality of care and patient/provider acceptance, protocol development and implementation for managed care, and insurance coverage necessary to protect your organization. From Record of the Society of Actuaries 1987 Vol. 13, No. 1.

Description: This presentation is an open forum, session 68OF, from the 2004 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held June 14-15 in San Antonio, TX. The panelists, investment professionals and an actuary, discuss strategies that life insurance companies use for their capital account [surplus] assets. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 2.

Description: This presentation is an open forum, session 11OF, from the 2004 Spring Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held May 19-21 in Anaheim, CA. The panelists note that defined benefit [DB] pension actuaries are finding themselves working in new and expanded roles in the new millennium, and discuss the answers to challenging questions raised by working in this environment, such as what additional training is recommended, and what the unique challenges and rewards are. The panelists look at the future with respect to the DB actuary, with respect to less traditional roles in that area as well as opportunities in the area of defined contribution plans. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 30, No. 1.

Description: This session summarizes recent trends in behavioral health parity, pros and cons of parity, the impact of mandated benefits on near-term medical costs and methods to effectively manage mental health utilization. From Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 30, No. 1, Session 81

Description: Successful actuarial entrepreneurs at this session of the 2004 SOA Annual Meeting present the issues they face and their secrets to success.

Description: The presenters at this session of the SOA 2004 Annual Meeting discuss the results of a recent Society of Actuaries survey on simplified issue products to explain the current state of the simplified issue market. A case study of what is expected to be a next generation underwriting product is reviewed.

Description: Proposals and ideas are discussed with regard to pension accounting standards. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 30, No. 3.