Description: The abstract for the paper Tax Considerations in a Mandatory Universal Pension System.

Description: This material summarizes work done to date to develop a model for a quantitative evaluation framework for retirement benefit systems.

Description: This paper responds to the comments on the Total Career Benchmark Model, consistent with Retirement 20/20 principles, focuses on reconstructing and maintaining a consistent and reasonable sharing of risks and rewards amongst the four stakeholders: Individuals, Society, Employers and the Markets. Modern technology provides the necessary tools. A series of benchmarks are used for tax limits, target pensions, accrual to date etc. The self adjusting, consistent benchmarks under the TCB Model, means that all stakeholders speak the same language. Individuals and Employers can easily compare what they have to what they need – and more importantly can see how to accrue what is needed. An individual’s ability to tax shelter income over a career is not dependent on the design of any employer pension plan. All funds allocated to an individual remain the individual’s and are not used to subsidize another person – except for the inherent risk sharing of an annuity – by hidden transfers of value.

Description: This paper responds to comments on a proposed compulsory savings program combined with transparent investment vehicles designed to promote competition based on expense levels, fund performance and customer service. At retirement 50% of the account is annuitized in Participating Variable Annuity (PVA) backed by TIPS. All investment experience, expenses, and pooled longevity experience is passed to annuitants through periodic benefit adjustments. Annuities are priced uniformly based on age at commencement.

Description: The article outlines the pros and cons of providing lump sums in defined benefit plans both for the participant and the employer. Retirement assets need to be used effectively and actuaries can make a difference assisting employers, the public and policymakers to focus more on post employment risks.

Description: Recently, we have seen renewed interest in the international (or “offshore”) pension plan. An international plan typically provides benefits for internationally mobile workers of a multinational employer, but can also be used for certain other workers. The plan is usually located in a respected international finance centre.

Description: This paper looks at the actuarial implications of a gradual retirement scheme from the employer's point of view in terms of the normal cost and also from the employee's side, the total income he would receive under various gradual retirement scenarios.

Description: In this paper, the authors assess the value of a GSA-type annuity within a retiree's portfolio.