Description: This article is about structuring participating group annuities to guarantee permanent security to participants of defined benefit plans. From The Actuary Vol. 26, No. 8

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

Description: This article discusses the non-qualified market opportunities presented by the new limitations imposed on qualified pension plans.

Description: Article, written by the Economist and Director of the Research Department of the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union, discusses the nature and quality of the CPI and the use of it to adjust pension benefits.

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: 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: This article discusses how a new tax law in 1997 helps promote defined benefit [DB] plans as compared to defined contribution plans and offers additional ideas to encourage DB plans.