Description: Since the early 1990's, interest rates in the U.S. economy have been declining, thus increasing the liabilities of defined benefit pension plans. Furthermore, after the bull market of the 1990's with its unprecedented returns, the market came to a crashing halt in 2000. Since then, the majority of defined benefit plans have experienced three years of negative returns with some losing more than 40 percent of their value. Analysts have been referring to this combination of declining interest rates and negative investment returns as a 'perfect storm' leading to a pension crisis. This paper discusses how plan sponsors can effectively manage their defined benefit plans during this crisis.

Description: This session from the 2003 SOA Spring Meeting discusses current economic conditions and their implications on the funding, plan design and administration of pension plans. It also discusses the role of the FSA and EA in a small consulting firm and the future of consulting actuaries. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 2, Session 56pd.

Description: In this presentation, session number 10PD at the 1999 Annual Meeting of the Society of Actuaries held October 17-20 in San Francisco, the panelists discuss their experiences with asset valuation methods. Topics include characteristics of an effective asset valuation method, the extent to which recent economic activity should influence the smoothing period selected, whether one method smoothes valuation assets more than another, whether different methods for funding and expense make sense, and whether the current asset valuation method is accomplishing its intended purpose. Discussion from participants is included. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 25, No. 3.

Description: The panel presents the technical details of calculating the deficit reduction contribution as changed by the Retirement Protection Act of 1994. Also covered are the new solvency maintenance requirements and changes to the full-funding limitation. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 21, No. 4a.

Description: This article presents an overview of enterprise risk management, ERM, and uses an example to explain the basic concept.

Description: This session explores current practices and techniques that plan sponsors use to address the risks associated with the exercise of fiduciary responsibility. Attendees gain a better understanding of some of the issues that plan sponsors face and discuss the tools that can be used to monitor and manage exposure to risks and uncertainty. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 29, No. 2: Spring Meeting, Vancouver, B.C., June 23–25, 2003, Session 108PD.

Description: Full version of The Independent Consultant Newsletter, February 2006, Issue No. 10.

Description: This presentation from Session 69 of the SOA May 2004 Anaheim Spring Meeting discusses the application of financial economics on smaller pension plans, in particular, those of private and nonprofit organizations. Panelists address agency cost, closely held corporation issues, impact of bundled service arrangements and investment constraints From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 30, No. 1.

Description: Full version of The Independent Consultant Newsletter, October 2006, Issue No. 12.