Description: The Society of Actuaries (SOA) Research Institute dedicates a portion of its research to exploring issues unique to various dimensions of population diversity that involve an aspect of actuarial practice. In this session, attendees will hear presentations of two recent reports from the SOA Research Institute focused on aging and retirement issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The reports include an exploration of how retirement savings are unequally distributed by race and ethnicity and the current state of research studies on LGBTQ+ issues related to aging and retirement.

Description: Discover an update on recent developments affecting U.S. retirement plans, such as regulatory guidance, new legislative proposals, recent court cases and recent trends. Experienced pension actuaries will share their perspectives on these issues and the impact on plan sponsors.

Description: Several modern retirement arrangements, including lifetime pension pools, allow retirees to convert a single premium into income for life that varies with investment and mortality experience. It is anticipated that there will be an increase in the number of lifetime pension pools in the future. There are, nonetheless, some challenges that might slow down the potential increase in the number of lifetime pension pools. This session will present the results of recent research reports jointly sponsored by the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries, addressing two challenges: 1. the lack of efficient and reliable ways to communicate risk to members2. the optimality of lifetime pension pool design elements. Attendees will further their understanding of these topics and how they may be applied in the future.

Description: The Society of Actuaries Retirement Section Research Committee sponsored a research project on the impact of megatrends and paradigm shifts on retirement, retirement plan design and funding. Various aspects - sociocultural, economic, technological, health and long-term care, environmental - were examined to provide a context of the future of retirement plans and consider some possible areas for change. Join us for interactive table discussions as together we explore major areas of change, consider what they mean to various stakeholders, and propose various alternatives for employer-sponsored plans, individuals with or without plans and society in general. Tables will take turns sharing their thoughts with all session attendees and help give the SOA direction for future efforts. This is a great opportunity for your voice to be heard and let us know what YOU think will be the future of retirement!

Description: The NAIC is attempting to transition to a new economic scenario generator. The process has been ongoing for several years and many interesting challenges have emerged along the way. Get an overview of where this transition is at and what comparatives have been established between the existing and proposed economic scenario generators through scenario releases and field testing. A significant amount of discussion and investigation has been done concerning acceptance testing for interest rates, equities and corporate bond returns.

Description: Learn about the innovations of life and health products around the world. Expect to focus on: 1. Product development and pricing innovation in APAC region. 2. The Insurtech ecosystem creating new products by applying new technology and distribution channels in Latin America and Europe. 3. Products designed to supplement public sector offerings to close health protection gaps for underserved communities in the Middle East Africa and Asia Pacific region.

Description: Join the IAJ (the Institute of Actuaries of Japan) as they deep dive the Japan mortality and morbidity trend impacted by COVID-19. During COVID-19, Japan experienced increasing COVID-19 patients and deteriorated morbidity trend mainly due to deemed hospitalization. This was introduced to regard the treatment under the doctors' supervision outside of the hospital as hospitalization, given shortage of hospital beds, and add accident death benefit payment triggered by COVID-19. Expect coverage on the mortality/morbidity analysis comparison in Japan, US and globally, as well as comprehensively discuss how Japanese insurers identified solutions to respond to the changing market. Also, you'll discuss consumers' needs and how more uncertainty drives them to prepare individual lifetime retirement income.

Description: Global events have resulted in significant changes in the workforce. As companies continue to adjust to the 'new normal', what does this mean? How will employee benefits be impacted by these trends? Explore where we are today, as well as potential impacts to retirement strategies. By the end, you'll be able to describe recent workforce trends and impacts to retirement strategies as the workforce settles down.

Description: Over the last few years, a significant amount of US annuity and pension business has been reinsured with offshore companies, both affiliated and non-affiliated. Hear experts discuss different reserve and capital regimes between the US and offshore jurisdictions, as well as US regulator concerns and responses. The attendees will learn the reasons companies use offshore reinsurance, and improve their understanding of the discussion of proposals to increase US regulator and consumer comfort with companies outside of US jurisdiction.

Description: The Society of Actuaries Retirement Section Research Committee has sponsored a retirement project on the impact of megatrends and paradigm shifts on retirement plan design and funding. Various aspects were examined in the context of the future of retirement plans, including: Sociocultural Economic Technological Health and Long-term Care Environmental Presenters will address how the future is changing and challenge accepted thinking about retirement issues, as well as highlight new areas for consideration. At the end, you will have a better understanding of megatrends and how actuaries and others may address the changes in retirement plans.