Description: This paper deals with the selection of appropriate interest and inflation assumptions, which is one of the most important considerations in the valuation of a defined benefit pension plan. The paper begins by describing a simplified model in which the only important consideration is the selection of an appropriate differential between interest and inflation assumptions. The discussion then considers some situations that might lead the actuary to attempt to select a realistic level of interest and inflation assumptions, in addition to an appropriate differential. The author's conclusion is that in some situations the absolute level of the interest and inflation assumptions can be all but meaningless, and the differential between the two assumptions is the important factor. In other situations the use of this technique will produce serious inaccuracies in the valuation results. As always, the actuary must analyze each situation in order to determine which of the available techniques will produce the best results with the least effort, given the degree of accuracy required. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1976, Vol. 28.

Description: 1993 SOA Annual Meeting, New York. This session is about the ASB proposed standard for pension economic assumptions. Topics included: 1. Methods of choosing discount rates. 2. Subsidiary assumptions that tie into discount rates. 3. Thoughts about the status report, comments received during the comment period, and insights into what the ASB is thinking about. 4. A financial viewpoint applied to economic assumptions.

Description: This panel discussion, which occurred at the April 1982 Society of Actuaries meeting in Orlando, presented a discussion on developments related to employer's accounting for pensions and other post-employment benefits.

Description: Panelists at this session of the SOA 1998 Maui II Spring Meeting discuss details of the turnover assumption for the valuation of pension plans. A recently released SOA Turnover Study is discussed.

Description: This session discussion is about application of actuarial analysis and models to evaluate investment features. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 15, No. 1.

Description: A review of the book 'Indexation of Pensions and Other Benefits' by Robert J. Myers, which deals with the indexing of Social Security and government employee pension plans in the U.S., Canada, and other countries, as well as private pension plans, for which the author advocates the voluntary adoption of automatic indexing.

Description: The Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87. Employers’ Accounting for Pensions, became effective in 1987. This is an accounting/actuarial standard with significant income statement and balance sheet implications. This article discuses the results of a survey of selected affected companies regarding the impact of this standard.

Description: The Evolution Of Averaging Mechanics Used In The Actuarial Asset Valuation Method Of The New York City Retirement Systems. From The Pension Forum, August 2001, Volume 13, Issue No. 1.

Description: The author discusses the relationship between turnover rates and compensation levels. From The Pension Forum, January 2003, Volume 15, Issue No. 1.

Description: This article analyzes and confirms the circumstances where a change in the mortality assumption does and does not have a significant impact on pension valuations.