Description: This article summarizes the work of the SFAS No. 106 implementation task force which was formed to consider the needs of practicing actuaries, inform the appropriate standing committees of these needs, and prompt these committees toward quick resolution of any outstanding issues.

Description: Other Post Employment Benefits OPEB deals with the promise of providing coverage for post employment non-pension benefits such as health care and life insurance. This article focuses on the recent implementation of GASB No. 43 and 45 which requires public entities to value and recognize the liability of post employment non-pension benefits.

Description: This article reviews the proposed new accounting standards for pensions for governmental plans. From the Pension Section News, October 2011, Issue No. 75.

Description: This article from The Actuary discusses limited-scope reviews of issues, that are becoming increasingly frequent due to tightening budgets and lower resource availability. It primarily focuses on a flawed quick solution by the FASB/IASB to cash balance pension plan accounting.

Description: The International Accounting Standards Committee’s IASC mandate to produce internationally recognized standards for employee benefits gave the International Forum of Actuarial Organizations IFAA an early opportunity to show its importance in representing actuarial interests internationally.

Description: This article explores reasons for plan sponsors to consider lump-sum payouts. The author suggests for plan sponsors looking to reduce risk, the factors outlined in the article suggest that sponsors may benefit from considering risk-transfer opportunities much sooner than they may have anticipated.

Description: Discussion of competing theories for valuing public pension liabilities. Emphasis on revised Actuarial Standards of Practice that focus on the purpose of the measurement.

Description: This article discusses how pension accounting has an impact on the personal savings rate.

Description: The article discusses the Texas Pension Review Board's Guidelines for Actuarial Soundness applicable to Texas state public retirement systems (including the system's amortization period), and how these guidelines are consistent with and complementary to both the current GASB 27 ARC disclosure, and the imminent GASB 67 & 68 disclosures. The GASB requirements will change from a de facto funding standard to strictly disclosure requirements, with a focus on plans whose funding trajectory is the poorest.

Description: Fiduciaries play a vital role in the financial health of a pension plan. How they carry out their duties is a question of increasing interest to beneficiaries, regulators, shareholders and taxpayers. Having a clear, logical and well-documented risk management process in place can make a big difference.