Description: The Actuary Vol. 22, No. 1. This article discusses the impact of a change in procedure in the financing of the US Military Retirement System. The change requires amortizing the past service liability. The impact will depend upon whether the amortization is achieved by increasing current taxes and decreasing the current deficit, or by merely increasing the national debt and leaving the current deficit unchanged. The author asserts that the new financing method will not weaken the financial condition of the military retirement system, and that it has the potential to strengthen its financial condition if the funding of the past service liability is handled appropriately.

Description: This is a review of the book, 'Guide to the Technical Side,' by Barnet N. Berin. The book was produced for the non-technician in the form of an easy-to-understand review of the technical aspects of pensions. Although this book has relatively little value for someone well-versed in the actuarial mathematics of pensions, Mr. Berin’s book could be useful for the non-pension actuary or the consultant who wants to familiarize himself with this subject. It should certainly prove a helpful volume for administrators of pension plans and for employers.

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: ERISA funding requirements for defined benefit pension plans require an asset valuation method which takes reasonable recognition of fair market value. In this article, the author proposes three asset valuation methods in which market values could be averaged to eliminate the detrimental effects of periodic fluctuations in the bond and stock markets.

Description: Presents concerns regarding assumptions for inflation.