Description: Interest rate changes and volatile equity returns have contributed to significant funding and expense volatility for defined benefit plans in recent years. This paper will describe the design of an option contract with payouts that are tied to the combined impact of interest rates and investment returns on the funding level of a defined benefit pension plan. Current derivatives used by plan sponsors can limit exposure to one of these risks; however, a derivative that combines these risks may provide more targeted protection to a plan sponsor at lower cost. This paper discusses several considerations in designing such a derivative. It will also briefly discuss pricing of the option. Finally, the difference in potential outcomes between plan funding with and without option ownership will be demonstrated. As an outcome of the design work, a new way to visualize pension risk that may be useful in sponsor accounting disclosures will be shown.

Description: The article provides several examples of projects led by actuaries who are applying advanced data analytics and big data to solve industry-specific business problems.

Description: With a reference to Malthus, this paper notes that the main constraint on human population in the foreseeable future is cultivable land for food agriculture. The author proposes a solution involving the use of land that is currently desert, using desalination and solar power a plan which he demonstrates can be sustainable and profitable.

Description: While Model Efficiency and Model Governance may seem like completely separate topics, there is an intersection of them that should be of growing interest to modeling actuaries. This column from the Modeling Section Chair explores this area, asking how we will govern the increasing use of innovative modeling efficiency techniques.

Description: The article describes the key components of actuarial model, leading practices in designing them, and characteristics of well-built models.

Description: How to deal with worst practices in spreadsheets and still have verifiable results.

Description: Discussion of how to apply FinTech and IT processes and technologies to building an in house actuarial models.

Description: This article is a response to comments on the Successful Employee Retirement Income Outcomes in the United States (SERIOUS), a comprehensive model for the delivery of employment-based retirement income.

Description: This paper responds to the comments on the Total Career Benchmark Model, consistent with Retirement 20/20 principles, focuses on reconstructing and maintaining a consistent and reasonable sharing of risks and rewards amongst the four stakeholders: Individuals, Society, Employers and the Markets. Modern technology provides the necessary tools. A series of benchmarks are used for tax limits, target pensions, accrual to date etc. The self adjusting, consistent benchmarks under the TCB Model, means that all stakeholders speak the same language. Individuals and Employers can easily compare what they have to what they need – and more importantly can see how to accrue what is needed. An individual’s ability to tax shelter income over a career is not dependent on the design of any employer pension plan. All funds allocated to an individual remain the individual’s and are not used to subsidize another person – except for the inherent risk sharing of an annuity – by hidden transfers of value.