Description: The Federal Employees' Retirement System 'FERS', enacted into law on June 6, 1986, covers civilian employees of the U.S. Government who were hired after 1983. FERS supplements Social Security with a basic annuity plan and a thrift-savings plan. The Civil Service Retirement System 'CSRS' remains in effect for employees hired before 1984 who do not elect to transfer to FERS. Besides discussing the benefit changes, this paper covers the following related subjects of broader interest: 1. The federal legislative process, including the roles of interest groups, the Congress and the Administration, and the actuaries assisting them, 2. Investments in stocks and bonds by the new thrift plan, and why these use index funds, and 3. How FERS serves as a model for other large public retirement systems, using a defined contribution plan to help meet its retirement objectives and giving the private sector opportunities to provide benefit services. From Transactions of Society of Actuaries 1988, Vol. 40, Pt. 1.

Description: This 1982 discussion session is about the design of pension plan benefits under inflationary conditions. Specifically it covers: 1. Measuring the reduction of purchasing power and retirement income needs, 2. Cost implications of alternative means of financing pension adjustments after retirement, and 3. Public policy issues involved in the design of indexed benefits.

Description: This presentation is Part II of a two part series arranged by the Society of Actuaries Futurism Section. Part I discussed the demographic changes, business restructurings, changing social values, and changing government roles that are predicted to occur in the next 20 years. Part II discusses the effects these changes are expected have on retirement plans and retirement security. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 20, No. 3A.

Description: This paper, in light of inadequate and misdirected ERISA reforms, offers a new direction in defined benefit plan regulation in the area of plan termination insurance, minimum and maximum finding rules, and plan design restrictions. From The Future of Pension Plan Funding and Disclosure Monograph, M-RS05-1.

Description: This project explores various design and implementation details for the Spend Safely in Retirement Strategy (SSiRS).

Description: This presentation was made at the 1975 Spring Cincinnati Joint Meeting of the Conference of Actuaries in Public Practice and Society of Actuaries. It addresses the following issues: Participation requirements, minimum vesting standards, joint and survivor annuity benefits, maximum limitations, special problems under offset plans, & impact on defined benefit vs. defined contribution plans. 1975 Record, Vol.1, No.3

Description: This session discussion is about the effect of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and proposed regulations on Section 401L. From Record of the Society of Actuaries Vol. 15, No. 3A.

Description: This 1978 discussion session focuses on the design of pension plans from the perspective of small and large employers, for insured and non-insured plans, and for Canada and the United States.

Description: Report on the proceedings of the 2010 Long Term Care Think Tank Session, whose goals were to discuss the major issues and challenges facing the LTC insurance industry, and to formulate action items and initiatives to help the industry move ahead. Focus was on understanding the needs & affordability capabilities of different market segments, the limited variety of product designs, shrinking distribution force, regulation and public policy, implications of the CLASS Act, and ideas for educating consumers and marketing products.

Description: This paper was the results of an invitation by the SOA’s Pension Section Research Team to explore the current state of defined benefit plans in Canada and future visions of them.