Description: Actuaries have been thinking about how to improve North American retirement systems in big and small ways for a number of years. This web page contains Bob Berin’s thoughts on this topic from the September 1990 Pension Section News, followed by Cindy Levering’s update on the Retirement 20/20 initiative.

Description: In this article, the authors describe the flaws in our current determination of the Consumer Price Index CPI and other economic indicators, and propose a series of refinements for improving the CPI calculations. The article emphasizes the importance of accuracy, given the significant influence on business and investment policies, psychological effect on the marketplace, as well as on consumer confidence, and the direct impact on Social Security increases and other benefit plans.

Description: Book review of a book on pensions written by Ralph Nader and Kate Blackwell. Review is relatively balanced, yet clearly points out the shortfalls of the analysis put together by Mr. Nader and Ms. Blackwell.

Description: Article from The Actuary, December 1971 – volume 5 - Issue 10 that discusses the work of the Bank Administration Institute BAI, in particular, measuring the investment performance of pension funds for the purpose of inter-fund comparison.

Description: Presents concerns regarding assumptions for inflation.

Description: The Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87. Employers’ Accounting for Pensions, became effective in 1987. This is an accounting/actuarial standard with significant income statement and balance sheet implications. This article discuses the results of a survey of selected affected companies regarding the impact of this standard.

Description: If the United States is to have a successful Social Security and Medicare system long term, one that blends needs with financial capacity, it is necessary to protect the actuarial process from being overwhelmed by the political process. While some assistance is provided already under existing law, additional protection would enhance public confidence in the estimates made by government actuaries.

Description: Book Review Pension Fund Excellence—Creating Value for Stakeholders by K.P. Ambachtsteere & D.D. Ezra Reviewed by Barnet N. Berin from Pension Section News, November 1998, Issue No. 38.

Description: This article discusses female and male mortality rates, the lower mortality rate of females and the ramifications of the increasing female population in terms of equitable treatment and their roles in the workforce.

Description: In the United States, things were never the same after a universal credit card, good for everything private and public, was adopted. It was agreed to use the Social Security number. Once put into effect, there were strange developments. This is satire.