Description: The article outlines the pros and cons of providing lump sums in defined benefit plans both for the participant and the employer. Retirement assets need to be used effectively and actuaries can make a difference assisting employers, the public and policymakers to focus more on post employment risks.

Description: The authors present the myriad of issues affecting an individuals retirement decision and highlight studies from Mercer and AARP. They find that Americans are increasingly creating their own personalized phased retirement programs in this evolving area of human resources management.

Description: This article notes that actuaries can play a crucial role in assisting the couple, the attorney's and the human resources professional in alleviating headaches spawned by QDROs and provides simple steps to follow to minimize complexity, thereby saving legal and consulting fees for the divorcing couple and easing their stress.