Description: In this inaugural, rotating-author column from CERAs Chartered Enterprise Risk Analysts, Minaz Lalani provides insights into the different actions that key stakeholders governments, employers, markets/financial institutions and individuals can take to manage the systemic risks that affect retirement systems in the current environment.

Description: Description of focus group research conducted in 2013 by the Committee on Post-Retirement Needs and Risks. The purpose of this study was to gain understanding of how people make decisions about when to retire and about managing financial risks in retirement. Eight focus groups of financially resource constrained retirees who had retired voluntarily were interviewed. The report offers many quotes from retirees and a chance to “give a face” to much of what we say about retirement.

Description: This article is a research paper on characteristics of multi-employer pension plans.

Description: Highlights and discussion of "Stretching the Corridor: The Effects of Extended Rate Stabilization on Defined Benefit Plan Funding Requirements." The report, produced by the SOA Data-drive In-House Research function, analyzed the effects of extending the pension funding stabilization provisions that were implemented with MAP-21 in 2012.

Description: Spending down (decumulating) assets during retirement involves complex decisions about which specific assets to liquidate in what amounts, in what order, and at what times. No established methodology exists for making these decisions in individual cases. This paper describes a manual process that individuals can follow, a process that could be automated for wider use.

Description: The Society of Actuaries’ Committee on Life Insurance Research, the Committee on Knowledge Extension Research, and the Product Development Section announce the release of a new report that provides an overview and analysis of the mortality models, theories and trends contained in the papers presented at the past four international Living to 100 symposia. Authored by Jennifer Haid, Michael Chan and Christopher Raham of Ernst & Young, this paper offers an overview of the technical materials related to data sources, validation techniques, and methodologies used by practitioners to develop mortality estimates for present and future periods. A summary of discussions regarding business, policy and social implications of increased longevity is also included.

Description: This article presents excerpts from a recently released paper by the Committee on Post Retirement Needs and Risks.

Description: This article addresses the matter of adequacy in funding from first principles, without regard to the layers of regulation now existing.