Description: The 2021 Society of Actuaries Generations Survey offers results by race and ethnicity. This article is an interview with Alan Newsome and shares the results of the survey as well as broader issues to understand the differences in retirement security by race and ethnicity. It documents that there are major differences, and that the COVID-19 pandemic affected different groups very differently. It also raises issues related to societal conditions.

Description: There is no silver bullet to improving retirement income outcomes for retirees. However, a combination of changes can be of significant value in addressing this overlooked issue. Although QLACs on the surface have potential value, they are not nearly as efficient as they could be. So far, employer plans have provided limited options for retirement income solutions. IRAs may not cost effectively serve the best interest of retirees. Employer plans should be encouraged to become retirement income providers and alternative approaches should be considered. The current prohibition on allowing plans to modify benefit payouts based on mortality experience should be reconsidered to allow for innovative plan income designs. Improvements to the deaccumulation stage of the retiree nest egg are challenging yet necessary.

Description: An interview with actuary Lee Gold reveals preliminary results of a recent SOA research project which surveyed employees on what retirement plan features they prefer.

Description: All things considered, caution needs to be applied to the use of so-called “standard” mortality tables. Sharpening up these blunt estimates by using individual assumptions reveals material differences in the structure of longevity, both between plans and within plans.

Description: The Society of Actuaries’ Aging and Retirement Strategic Research Program and LIMRA’s Secure Retirement Institute are pleased to release a report summarizing a series of interviews with retirement plan recordkeepers and subject matter experts regarding industry practices in financial crimes and fraud prevention.

Description: This research summarizes surveys of individuals 85+ years old, and children of individuals 85+ years old looking at post-retirement experiences.

Description: This research report investigates the mechanics and practicalities of introducing retirement investment income tontines (RITs) in today’s market place.

Description: This report series is being informed, in part, by online conversations of the listserv the SOA maintains for its Committee on Post-Retirement Needs and Risks, and the Aging and Retirement Strategic Research Program. The listserv is comprised of professionals involved in retirement security issues from a wide variety of disciplines and perspectives. This report summarizes thoughts and questions raised during the conversation focused on how COVID-19 impacts families and their role in retirement and economic security across generations.

Description: Retirement plan trustees are tasked with retirement plan administration. Trustees are responsible for hiring service providers and monitoring the quality of their work. This article discusses actuarial audits as a due diligence tool for public plan trustees.

Description: An interview of the winning co authors of the SOA essay contest on how differences in wealth and retirement outcomes are experienced by people of different races and ethnicities and to promote a better understanding of the underlying issues surrounding the differences.