Description: The article presents a number of approaches to communicating and discussing risk with employer and retirement board members.

Description: The purpose of this paper is to explore pension plan dynamics— – the behavior of a defined- benefit pension plan over time in an uncertain environment. We proceed by simulating the behavior of a model plan in a stochastically varying economic environment. While both the model and its environment are simplified, the model displays interesting behavior suggesting policy considerations that should be included in the design and funding of these plans.

Description: Full version of The Pension Forum, January 2003, Volume 14, Issue No. 2.

Description: Full version of The Pension Forum, April 2005, Volume 16, Issue No. 2.

Description: The purpose of this paper is to explore a methodology for choosing among techniques for managing contribution volatility in defined- benefit pension plans. A frequently used – and as often criticized – method for managing contribution volatility is to base actuarial cost on smoothed assets. Our goal in this paper is to develop a methodology for measuring and evaluating the quantitative impact of competing asset smoothing policies. We proceed by investigating a series of basic pension metrics, evaluating the characteristics of each using a simulated pension plan. We then use normalized and weighted combinations of these metrics to determine an optimal smoothing policy.

Description: The purpose of this paper is to explore pension plan metrics— – measuring the behavior of a defined- benefit pension plan in an uncertain environment. Our goal is to measure and evaluate the quantitative impact of competing policy choices. We proceed by investigating some basic pension metrics, evaluating the characteristics of each using a simulated pension plan. We find that some typical metrics— – such as the mean and standard deviation— – are useful only in certain circumstances and that other less traditional measurements are sometimes better suited to evaluating policy choices.

Description: This paper takes the position that it is possible to compute annual pension costs without computing liabilities first, or at all, even implicitly. Moreover, such an approach can be shown to have powerful advantages in stochastic financial environments. From Current Pension Actuarial Practice in Light of Financial Economics Symposium, M-RS04-1.

Description: Panel members discuss their roles in actual pension negotiations. Topics covered include neutrality versus advocacy, maintaining a long-term relationship and the role of the third actuary in a dispute. Attendees learn how actuaries deal with common conflicts and how to conduct themselves in a professional manner in a difficult advocacy environment. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Volume 28, No. 2, Session 46pd.

Description: The life annuity mortality risk is the variation in actual financial experience of a group of annuitants from that expected, attributable to the mortality experience of the group. This paper investigated the mortality risk present in a single life annuity and determine the effect of age, sex, assumed interest rate, mortality table, and form of annuity on this risk. Then, it investigated the mortality risk in various portfolios of annuities. Followed by several discussion papers submitted

Description: Paper presents a conceptual approach that could improve the security of retiree benefits while reducing the variability of employer contributions and improving the long-term prospects of the plan as a whole.