Description: In the U.S. in the late 1980’s, the Internal Revenue Service was taking steps to try to institute explicit boundaries for the actuarial assumptions being used in 'funding' valuations to determine the appropriate contribution levels for small pension plans. This article was written in the context of that environment, to defend the rights of actuaries to their professional judgement. The courts eventually supported this perspective.

Description: Review of 2018 changes to retirement-related actuarial standards of practice in the US and Canada.

Description: Exploration of sources of volatility in retiree health valuations, noting how volatility arises and might be mitigated, with discussion of valuation parameters more problematic for retiree health benefits than for pensions. Three significant influences on retiree health valuation volatility are covered-- changes in benefit level, fluctuations in cost level, and alterations in eligibility for, or duration of, benefit – and attention focused on the last two. Specific conclusions result in recommendations, which are supported by practical examples contrasting volatile measurement results with those likely from the recommended practices. Theoretical discussion includes health claim variation, health trend usage, financial economics, option pricing, discount rates, and deterministic vs. stochastic modeling.

Description: This panel discussion session reported on the status and content of the Actuarial Standards Board standard dealing with the selection of assumptions. The discussion covers what the effects would be on practitioners.

Description: A review of the book 'Indexation of Pensions and Other Benefits' by Robert J. Myers, which deals with the indexing of Social Security and government employee pension plans in the U.S., Canada, and other countries, as well as private pension plans, for which the author advocates the voluntary adoption of automatic indexing.

Description: 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Reinsurance Conference. This one day industry meeting hosting delegates from North America and beyond will be held in Toronto on April 13, 2016 under the theme "ReDefining Leadership".

Description: A presentation of various views on establishing principles and practices for pension plan construction and valuation, in light of the passage of the Pension Reform Act. Presented at the Spring 1975 Meeting in Los Angeles.

Description: A summary of the October 31 meeting of the Board of Governors, where topics included education and examination requirements, SOA organization, pension terminology, publications, didivend philosophy, subcommittee operations, financial statement certifications, the Executive Director position, and consolidation of North American actuarial organizations.