Description: This article is a review of the book “Pension Mathematics with Numerical Illustrations,” by Howard E. Winklevoss. The stated objective of this book is to analyze pension costs in detail, including the manner in which such costs vary under different actuarial assumptions, funding methods, and benefit provisions. The reviewers conclude the book is “probably most useful as a basic reference to those interested in pension cost relationships, examined from a theoretical and mathematical viewpoint.”

Description: This article explores the findings of a survey which indicates that employers who offer both a pension and a savings plan have plans that are more generous, use more channels for employee communication, and are more attentive to plan management activities. From Pension Section News, February 2002, Issue No. 48.

Description: Metrics for measuring pension plan contributions against benchmarks for achieving specific financial funding goals.

Description: The Society of Actuaries Retirement Section is pleased to make available material that addresses the challenges in communicating pension risk to stakeholders.

Description: This is an article that highlights an alternative method for determining the impact of a change in interest rates on the factor which converts a life annuity to a 100% joint and survivor annuity. It also discusses the factors for early retirement and deferred retirement.

Description: The purpose of this paper is to describe an actuarially acceptable and mathematically definitive method for allocating gains by source. Followed by a discussion paper submitted

Description: From the 41st ARC: a presentation focusing on risk management of a pension plan whose benefit is the greater of a defined benefit DB and a defined contribution DC plan. Hedging strategies are derived and illustrated, recognizing that the DB guarantee is like an option.

Description: Appendix B presents several life samples comparing the benefits and funding before versus after the addition of the DROP feature. From Design and Actuarial Aspects of Deferred Retirement Option Programs, M-RS03-2.

Description: This article describes the Joint and Survivor Factor. In defined benefit plans, ERISA requires that the normal form of the pension must be on a qualified joint and survivor basis. If the plan defines the pension in terms of a lifetime pension to the participant only, the lifetime pension must be multiplied by the joint and survivor factor. This article shows what happens to the factor as the interest rate increases.

Description: The editorial provides an overview of articles in this issue that explore and illustrate solutions to current retirement challenges.