Description: This paper examines tandem levels of salary and interest rates and finds that the absolute level of each assumption as well as the differential are significant cost determinants for defined benefit pension plans. In forming best-estimate salary and interest rate assumptions, the actuary must reconcile the difference, if any, between the currently observed rates and the valuation assumptions. Common practice is to choose expected long-term rather than observed rates for valuation purposes. The error in this procedure is analyzed and found to be tolerable for strictly temporary discrepancies between observed rates and valuation assumptions. For situations where these discrepancies are expected to persist for some time, a need is shown for nonuniform, calendar-year assumptions or their equivalent in order to develop best-estimate assumptions. Followed by several discussion papers submitted

Description: This general discussion looks at the results derived from the 15th International Congress of Actuaries and the legislations adopted in Canada and proposed in the U.S. giving favorable tax treatment to pension contributions by the self-employed. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1958, Vol. 10, No. 26.

Description: This paper presents the fundamentals of creating and using projections. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1950, Vol. 2, No. 4.

Description: This is a discussion of the title paper by Raymond F. Houseman, which provides some practical aspects of various funding methods. The paper is critiqued, and some alternative methods are discussed.

Description: This is a summary of 1972 discussions about: 1. the past and future dynamics of North American retirement systems, 2. alternatives for pension legislation, and 3. actuarial principles and practices for pension plans. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1972, Vol. 24, Pt. 2D, No. 68.

Description: From the 1960 Transactions Vol. 12 No. 32, this ‘Digest of Informal Discussion’ discusses the advantages and disadvantages of granting cash withdrawal rights to large pension policyholders, and discusses different provisions.

Description: The following topics were discussed at concurrent sessions: 1. Independence of the actuary, 2. Problems posed by United States pension legislation, 3. Registered equity products, including variable life insurance, variable annuities, and mutual funds, 4. Limits to growth, and 5. Maintenance of high standards in a profession. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1974 Vol. 26, Pt. 2D, No. 76.

Description: The following topics were discussed at concurrent sessions: 1. Pension benefit security bill, 2. Variable insurance products, 3. Trends in hospital and medical care utilization, 4. Insurance distribution and marketing systems, 5. Deferred and incentive compensation, 6. Annual Statement accounting, 7. Social Security and employee benefits in western Europe, 8. Individual medical expense insurance, 9. Reserves and related problems for variable annuities and cost-of-living benefits, 10. Topics for consulting actuaries, 11. Profit and other objectives in group operations, and 12. Life insurance operations overseas- problems and opportunities. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries, 1969 Vol. 21 Pt. 1 No. 61.

Description: This is a discussion of the paper Fundamentals of Pension Funding by Charles L. Trowbridge. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1952, Vol. 4, No. 10.

Description: This discussion looks at developments which may be expected from the introduction of proposed Canadian legislation which would permit life insurance companies to operate special investment accounts for pension plans. The panel also reviews problems encountered in implementing legislation of this type in the U.S. and other recent developments expected to affect the relative competitive position of insured and trusteed plans. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1961, Vol. 13, Pt. 2.