Description: This fifth call for essays aimed to gather perspectives, opinions and data on how to advance the state of effective retirement planning tools, products, and strategies to assist individuals, financial advisors, employers and other stakeholders. The goal was to meet two objectives: (1) identify retirement risks, and (2) how to better plan for and maintain a secure retirement.

Description: This article is the second in a series that offers a concise summary of an extensive body of SOA Research Institute work focused on improving retirement planning and management. The article summarizes findings from consumer research and other reports at different life stages to help the reader understand what households actually do with regard to retirement planning. It points out the challenges of groups such as the financially fragile and those who do not have employer sponsored retirement plans. A repeated finding from this work is that individual actions fit patterns that are different from what the planning methodologies and professional advisors believe they are or should be, creating gaps and significant opportunities to help improve retirement planning and management, particularly since individuals have so much responsibility for their own financial security.

Description: Excel tool to accompany the essay by Max Rudolph called, “Take Ownership of Your Retirement Process: Oversight Tool to Understand Risks”. The tool and the essay are part of the Products, Tools and Strategies that Address Retirement Risks Essay Collection.

Description: This report provides an overview of selected key results from the 2019 Risks and Process of Retirement Survey.

Description: Though some defined contribution plans have added retirement income options in the form of annuities, there is a challenge to retirees in deciding whether to select such options and if so the amount to purchase. This article discusses a variety of considerations that retirees should be aware of when making a decision to annuitize.

Description: This video features Sherry Chan a C – level executive and SOA board member. This video provides an overview of retirement plans, focusing on Defined Contribution (DC) and Defined Benefit (DB) plans. DC plans operate like personal savings accounts, with contributions from employee, employer, or both, while DB plans promise a fixed monthly benefit upon retirement. The script also discusses various retirement plan sponsors, including employers, government entities, and self-sponsors, highlighting their roles and responsibilities. Additionally, it discusses strategies for plan sponsors, such as choosing between lump sum payments and annuities, considering workforce demographics, managing administrative complexities, and staying compliant with regulations. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of understanding plan differences and making strategic decisions to ensure retirement for employees. Contributors: Sherry Chan, FSA, EA< MAAA; Faith Wilson, FSA, CERA; Susan Boyle, FSA, EA, MAAA, FCA; Robert Shriver FSA, EA, MAAA, FCAS; Jon Forster ASA, MAAA.

Description: The prospects of longer retirement durations driven by the continued improvement in mortality, changes in social insurance “normal” retirement ages, and/or socio-economic factors, have made several decisions about retirement more important.

Description: Presentation provided at the 55th Actuarial Research Conference Session on Retirement Risks: Pre and Post-COVID-19 - Findings from the 2019 Retirement Risk Survey

Description: This article helps illustrate that a guaranteed income stream in retirement has much more value than merely longevity protection. Used properly, a payout annuity is also a hedge against one's retirement nest egg evaporating, leaving the retiree living check to check on a fixed income only. The article will be of interest to those involved in product development and design, sales and marketing, and payout annuities or guaranteed withdrawal benefits in general.

Description: Fact sheet about the report series highlighting SOA research on post-retirement risks.