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.

Description: Over a short span of two weeks, the financial system has observed the collapse of two mid-sized U.S. commercial banks, California-based Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”) and New York-based Signature Bank, and a takeover of troubled Credit Suisse by a rival in Europe. Other banks that serve a similar demographic as SVB, such as First Republic Bank and PacWest Bancorp, have also experienced an elevated level of customer deposit withdrawals while their stock prices plummeted. The U.S. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) quickly stepped in and guaranteed all deposits from the failed banks to prevent a broader crisis in the banking system. The current turmoil in the financial system is a stark reminder of the importance of effective risk management and regulation.

Description: A survey of available derivatives and a description of how they can be used in pension portfolios is presented. How derivatives can help investment performance, whether derivatives are appropriate for their pension assets, and the special risks associated with derivatives are also examined. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 21, No. 3a.

Description: As we meet with pension plan sponsors and consultants across Canada we find that the subject of liability-driven investing LDI comes up repeatedly even when we do not initiate the discussion. We also find that LDI seems to mean something different to each person we meet. Is LDI just a new name for asset/liability management ALM? Or is LDI just about hedging interest rate risks with fancy securities? In this article we describe a framework for understanding what LDI is, how it relates to ALM, and how it can be used to solve real-life problems for Canadian pension funds.

Description: This report covers the various aspects in the developments and present status of variable annuities. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1959, Vol. 11, No. 31.

Description: This paper examines the risks involved with equity investing for pension funds. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1959, Vol. 11, No. 31.

Description: This paper models minimum pension guarantee using a simulation approach. Lachance and Mitchell [2002] have shown that it could be important if and when individual accounts are introduced in the United States. This paper's model uses real data from Mexico where individual accounts are already a reality and the minimum pension guarantee is already enshrined by law. The authors calculate the probability of the government needing to honor the guarantee and estimate the cost of such a promise using a real options approach. Higher investment in the stock market turns out to be the key. The higher the proportion of investment allowed by law in stocks, the lower the probability of government support.

Description: The investment risk taken by a pension fund comprises strategic risk and active risk. This paper discusses the relative merits of these two types of risk to the pension fund, possible rationales for the levels of strategic and active risk typically adopted mechanisms for capturing manager skill without taking on equity risk, and issues in setting liability-based benchmarks for investment managers

Description: This presentation discusses techniques and considerations in beginning an investment strategy to develop a cash flow pattern appropriate for the liabilities being funded. The role of the actuary, the liabilities to be addressed, suitable investments, dedication vs annuities, techniques for asset selection, and the valuation of assets and liabilities are covered. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 10, No. 3.

Description: This paper examines the characteristics of an ideal product and the type of institution that would be well positioned to offer the ideal product which would allow a housing asset to be a viable retirement asset.