Description: In Pension Dumping: The Reasons, the Wreckage, the Stakes for Wall Street the reviewer finds that Fran Hawthorne provides guidance through the myriad of ERISA rules, PBGC regulations, bankruptcy laws, and investor expectations that have failed to prevent, and have perhaps even have contributed to, many high profile plan terminations. From the Pension Section News, September 2008, Issue No. 68.

Description: During the past few years, the Society of Actuaries Committee on Post-Retirement Needs and Risks has come to realize that employees are called on to make many decisions about their benefits, and increasingly, as more benefits are provided by their employers, the retirement security of the employee depends largely on the decisions they make. During the last two years, the Committee has moved into a new area – with two projects on the topic of Retirement Financial Advice. The first is a research paper focused on employer approaches to retirement financial advice, and the second is a guide for employers. Greg Ward, CFP®, Think Tank Director at Financial Finesse, served on the Project Oversight Group for the employer guide and the research paper. Greg works with employers and employees to promote financial wellness. This article offers some perspectives on the SOA reports.

Description: This article provides an overview of the laws and regulations governing pension funding and suggests analysis which will enable the plan sponsor to capitalize on contribution options and coordinate long and short term funding strategies.