Description: This articles features three study notes for used for the Retirement Benefits course 8 exam: Current Issues in Social Security by Steven McKay Mortality Tables for Pension Plans by D. Grubbs and M. Oliver and Valuation of Pension Benefits for Disabled participants by Edward Sypher

Description: This excerpt is taken from Section V., Assumptions and Methods Underlying Actuarial Estimates, in the 2004 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds. From Pension Section News, September 2004, Issue No. 56.

Description: OASDI Trust Fund: Principal Economic and Demographic Assumptions from Pension Section News, November 1998, Issue No. 38.

Description: Two letters to the editor of Pension Section News. Both letters are responses to David Langer's comments which were published in the January 2006 Pension Section News regarding Social Security and its financial projections. From Pension Section News, April 2006, No. 61.

Description: Longevity insurance benefits are deferred annuities that begin payment at advanced older ages, such as at age 82. With a longevity insurance benefit, the problem of asset decumulation with uncertain life expectancy is simplified. Instead of planning for an uncertain period, retirees can plan for the fixed period from the date of their retirement to the date at which they start receiving the longevity insurance benefit. Originally, Social Security was structured as a longevity insurance benefit program, with roughly 50 percent of those entering the workforce surviving to receive the benefits. Over time, however, as life expectancy has improved, Social Security benefits have slowly transformed into benefits that most people entering the work force ultimately receive. While adding longevity insurance as a new benefit when Social Security is already facing a financing deficit would be problematic, reintroduction of a longevity insurance benefit a s part of Social Security reform package that involved benefit cuts could be an important policy innovation.

Description: This excerpt from the 2001 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the federal Old Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds presents the assumptions and methods underlying the actuarial estimates.

Description: An excerpt from the 2002 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Disability Insurance Trust Funds section which presents the assumptions and methods underlying the actuarial estimates.

Description: Estimates under Alternative II Assumption for Aged and Disabled Excluding End-Stage Renal Disease Enrollees from Pension Section News, November 1998, Issue No. 38.

Description: Andrew Peterson gives an excellent synopsis and editorial comments on the high points of the National Academy of Social Insurance’s 23rd annual Conference, held this January at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

Description: Is the New CPI Different? Implications for Pension Plans by Todd Rutley from Pension Section News, June 1999, Issue No. 40.