Description: The purpose of the SOA project Modeling Long Term Healthcare Cost Trends for Valuation is to provide a benchmark projection of medical cost increases and provide a user-firendly model for making alternative projections. This paper presents sample output from the model, technical documentation of the model, FAQs, and a review of the literature and references.

Description: Research project that assesses the accuracy of commonly used IBNR estimation methods for medical insurance over a wide range of scenarios. The methods are summarized, practical considerations in making the comparisons and the development of the data simulations for the comparisons are discussed.

Description: The project goals are: • Illustrate an analytical framework using stochastic forecasts and efficient frontiers for hypothetical retirees, for determining retirement income generators (RIGs) that could be offered in a DC retirement plan. • Determine the RIGS or combination of RIGs that could be considered optimal according to specified criteria. • Encourage plan participants, plan sponsors, and advisors to adopt a portfolio approach to developing retirement income strategies.

Description: Compilation of the answers gathered through the survey, Will Retirement Assets Last a Lifetime?

Description: With the decline in traditional defined benefit plans, cutbacks in Social Security already legislated, and further ones possibly needed to maintain solvency, retirees increasingly must rely on their own ability to manage their retirement income. Relatively few retirees purchase annuities, leaving them with investment and distribution decisions concerning their accumulated savings. Increasing life expectancy and improved health at older ages raise the issue of whether people should consider postponing retirement as a way of assuring adequate resources during retirement. During retirement, they face complex issues concerning how to manage various risks. Increasingly, people planning for retirement have access to financial planning software, much of it available over the internet for free. This study, sponsored by the Society of Actuaries and the Actuarial Foundation, assesses the extent to which the retirement planning programs analyzed help users understand post-retirement risks.

Description: This is the inventory part of the report from the research project that reviewed and inventoried the range of quality and efficiency measures currently available for healthcare. The goal was to outline key areas of quality and efficiency measurement and identify future opportunities for actuaries. The inventory lists the resources and provides brief descriptions of their services with links.

Description: This report describes the results of a survey on reflecting risk in pricing. The survey expands on one conducted in 2003 and was expanded to include life, health, P&C, and non-North American insurance companies.

Description: Summary/Project at a Glance of Spending Decisions in Long Term Retirees Study

Description: This report provides key findings from the 2005 Risks and Process of Retirement Survey related to what people mean by retirement and how they retire. It also examines the significance of potential labor shortages and the possibility of people working longer.

Description: The current 50% reversion tax on the recovery of excess assets from a terminated defined benefit pension plan results in an asymmetric risk borne by pension plan sponsors. They are responsible for funding shortfalls but any surplus remaining at the termination of the plan is subject to punitive taxes. Pension reform will increase minimum funding levels to reduce the number of underfunded plans, which will increase the likelihood of surpluses that would be subject to punitive taxes. The Society of Actuaries’ Pension Section Research Team commissioned this study to quantify the impact of reversion taxes on pension plan funding.