Description: This article focuses on retirement planning and knowledge and how the SOA Research Institute has added to our understanding of what consumers know and how they plan. It is the first of a series that offer insight into where consumers are today, identifies gaps in understanding, planning and managing retirement issues, helps us understand how consumers act at various life stages, highlights consumer information collected by the SOA Research Institute and provides some recommendations for working with different stakeholders to improve retirement planning. This article identifies the components of the research and how they fit together and provides a summary of major findings with regard to gaps in knowledge and planning. The research includes focus groups and in-depth interview, consumer surveys, a conjoint study, a study of future issues by Futurists, and more.

Description: Redefining retirement: shifting demographics, evolving job profiles, unpredictable economic markets and rising health care costs.

Description: Employers and investors have suffered recently from taking too much investment risk inside their defined benefit DB plans, producing calls for more transparent accounting. Some employers have tried to eliminate this pension risk by moving to defined contribution DC plans. From Pension Section News, January 2005, Issue No. 57. However, this is not the only, or even the best, option available. From Pension Section News, January 2005, Issue No. 57.

Description: The article presents a retiree's perspective and personal experiences & considerations in managing risks & challenges in retirement distribution.

Description: Column that provides an overview of Committee on Post-Retirement Needs and Risks call for essays on Financial Wellness.

Description: Recently completed research projects from the Society of Actuaries.

Description: Column describes results of retirement needs survey and summarizes upcoming or new educational opportunities and highlights actuaries in the news.

Description: Appendix of tables related to phased retirement.

Description: This paper offers a preliminary exploration of the implications of alternative mandatory annuity designs in a privatized Social Security environment. From Retirement Needs Framework, M-RS00-1.