Description: This session discusses the distinction between asset mix and market timing as well as the actuary's role in these mentioned matters. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 10, No. 4B.

Description: A pension plan uses Actuarial Equivalence to determine a 'fair' adjustment to pension benefits for form and timing of payment. The definition of Actuarial Equivalence is set in the Plan Document which may not have been reviewed for decades. With a wave of recent pension litigation in the U.S., plan sponsors, attorneys and actuaries now pay more attention to how pension plans define Actuarial Equivalence. How does a change in mortality table or interest rate affect the ultimate benefit? What are the requirements under ERISA and pertinent regulations? Are there court cases that have examined this question before? What are the issues behind the recent lawsuits and what can a plan sponsor do now to reduce their legal exposure? What alternative strategies are available for changing or not changing the definition in the plan document?

Description: Fairly thorough discussion about group universal life, from history through legal and actuarial issues and market outlook. From the 1988 Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 14, No. 1.

Description: Discusses the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and the limits taking effect in 1989 relative to Social Security integration, final- and career-average and offset plans, and defined-contribution plans. From the 1988 Record of Society of Actuaries, Vol. 14, No. 4B.

Description: This session discussion is about regulatory developments, benefit design, funding, vesting, accrual issues, employer perspectives, and public policy implications. From Record of the Society of Actuaries 1987 Vol. 13, No. 1.

Description: This discussion is about the various items that are needed to perform necessary projections. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 15, No. 1.

Description: This discussion is about the issues and problems under the new IRS rules effective in 1989 for pension plans integrated with Social Security. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 15, No. 1.

Description: This presentation is a panel discussion from the 1991 Meeting of the Society of Actuaries, held June 3-5 in Colorado Springs. The panelists discuss the status of rules and regulations on nondiscrimination for pension plans, including the relevant subsections of the Internal Revenue Code, ‘IRC,’ sections 401 and 410, and proposed regulations. In general, to be nondiscriminatory, a plan may not unduly favor highly compensated employees. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of Society of Actuaries, Volume 17, No. 3A.

Description: Learn industry best practices including challenges faced by retirees, such as needing exposure to growth, most exposed to sequencing risk, and the need for smooth returns to avoid poor investor behavior caused by risk aversion. Other topics will include how to set investment objectives which consider the members’ real-world needs and how to build portfolios and implement risk management strategies to meet those objectives. The speaker will provide real-life examples/case studies.

Description: Private defined benefit pension plans must, by law, pre-fund the retirement benefits. This requires the periodic valuation of liabilities and calculation of contributions. Because valuation assumptions are seldom borne out by reality, a surplus [or deficit] ensues and varies over time. When the surplus becomes sizable, there often arises a desire to distribute part of it so as to bring it down to a more reasonable level. This paper provides a brief overview of cooperative game theory and, in particular, sharing rules. Then, using certain sharing rules, it determines how to split the surplus or deficit among the plan participants and sponsor. In general, the participant's share in the surplus depends on the total of his contributions. Other considerations, such as the actual investment income received on his contributions or the years of service, may influence the distribution of the surplus. It may even appear desirable to take account of the accrued liability. From Actuarial Research Clearing House 1998, Vol. 1.