Description: Presented at June 1996 Spring Meeting. This discusses the effect on pension plans of mergers and divestitures and looks at the importance of due diligence as part of the process. The discussion also presents the reality of actuaries on trial for negligence.

Description: A company considering the acquisition of, or merger with, another company or the divestiture of an operation may find that issues related to employee benefit programs have a profound effect on the viability ofthe transaction. This paper lists literature for the actuary to broaden his/her knowledge on the subject: both on mergers and acquisitions and on handling of employee benefits.