Description: The article summarizes the work of three past Retirement Section Chairs, what they did and what they are currently doing for the 100th Anniversary Edition.

Description: This essay explores the role that the emerging defined contribution retirement system may be playing in the growth of wealth inequality in the United States. The current system leaves many Americans with little or no retirement savings. Those with higher accumulation levels appear to invest proportionally more in equities, which may have an exponential effect of balances over long time periods. The author hypothesizes that willingness to take investment risk involves the relationship between the amount an investor has accumulated and what she/he needs in order to cover basic costs of living. This is one reason that investors with greater accumulation levels may be able to earn higher rates of return. The essay concludes by suggesting that the U.S. defined contribution system should include all workers and provide additional fiduciary guidance. Examples reforms, both in the U.S. and other countries, are provided.

Description: From the 2010 Long Term Care Think Tank Session, a summary on the activities and findings of the Committee on Post-Retirement Needs and Risks, which focuses on understanding and mechanisms to assist in the distribution phase of retirement, by developing middle market consumer profiles, managing post-retirement risks, surveys and studies.

Description: Interview with Brett Dutton, the outgoing chair of the Retirement Section's Continuing Education Team. Brett discusses hot topics and recent developments in continuing education and ends with talking about the impact of his volunteer experience with the Society of Actuaries on his life.

Description: As China’s population officially ages, the government has now escalated reform of China's social security system to a national strategic level. The report of the 19th National Congress further mentioned construction of an old-age security system and social environment, painting a bright future for development of the pension industry. At the moment, development of China's pension industry is beginning a new journey. Learn about the current status and future development of pillar 2 pension, which is core to China's pension system; framework and operation management overview of Enterprise Annuity and Occupational Annuity; possible evolution paths in contribution payment methods’ investment operation models, and development of professional pension managers.

Description: Tom Terry, FSA, FCA, MAAA, EA, who founded Chicago Consulting Actuaries in 1991, is interviewed by Sam Phillips in this article. The discussion explores how and why Terry started his own business, the opportunities and risks involved, innovations his firm has come up with, and the future of pension consulting. The article includes advice for those interested in starting their own business.

Description: Chairperson's corner for January 2020 In the Public Interest.

Description: Learn industry best practices including challenges faced by retirees, such as needing exposure to growth, most exposed to sequencing risk, and the need for smooth returns to avoid poor investor behavior caused by risk aversion. Other topics will include how to set investment objectives which consider the members’ real-world needs and how to build portfolios and implement risk management strategies to meet those objectives. The speaker will provide real-life examples/case studies.

Description: Retirement Section Chair industry and professional observations introducing the content of the newsletter. The current article focuses on the benefits of volunteering within the actuarial profession and acknowledges the contributions made to the outgoing section council members and the outgoing staff fellow for retirement as well as introducing new retirement section council members