Description: As results emerged showing the influence of COVID-19 on recent mortality, the Society of Actuaries Research Institute’s Mortality and Longevity Strategic Research Program Steering Committee (MLPSC) began to ponder what it means for the future. Was the coronavirus pandemic just a temporary shock to U.S. mortality with mortality quickly returning to prepandemic levels upon its conclusion or a lingering factor in future U.S. mortality from the potential occurrence of new coronavirus variants, post-COVID-19 conditions (“long COVID”), deferral of needed health care treatment, a fatigued health care system and other elements? Only time will provide the answers to these questions.

Description: This article addresses challenges that arise later on in retirement years related to support systems, physical needs, and living arrangements. It highlights the "Late-in-Life Decisions Guide" published by the Society of Actuaries in 2022.

Description: The article discusses the recent final and proposed regulations published by the IRS and Treasury on the required minimum distribution rules for qualified plans, which implement changes made by SECURE 1.0 and SECURE 2.0. The article is intended to identify the important rules in the final regulations, provide a framework for determining how the rules apply to beneficiaries of qualified plans and IRAs, describe the key differences between the earlier 2022 proposed regulations and the final regulations, and it summarizes the SECURE 2.0 provisions contained in the new proposed regulations.

Description: summary of Canadian topics from recent Retirement Section Council meeting. Update on defined contribution initiative and potential US legislation. Highlight recent SOA research on retirement income.

Description: This session delves into Actuarial Fairness and compares it to other fairness concepts within the context of retirement savings, exploring how these ideas influence behaviors among retirees. We explore how immediate financial pressures and complex financial decisions impact people's willingness and capability to save for retirement. The session will also review traditional retirement solutions and innovative alternatives, assessing how each aligns with fairness principles. Drawing parallels from public discourse on resource distribution in sectors like healthcare, we discuss broader implications of fairness in financial regulations and impacts on policy and decision-making in retirement planning. Learning Outcomes: Attendees will be able to: - Understand the application of fairness concepts, including Actuarial Fairness, to retirement income products. - Explore how perceptions of fairness influence retirement saving behaviors, examining personal finance challenges and the regulatory environment. - Assess innovative retirement solutions' roles in promoting fairness while upholding actuarial integrity. - Analyze the influence of legislation and public policy on the conceptualization, communication, and implementation of fairness in retirement products.

Description: Discussion on approaches within defined contribution retirement plans to provide retirement income as well as thoughts of how retirement plans might be structured in the future that employers will adopt that focus on retirement income delivery.

Description: There is no silver bullet to improving retirement income outcomes for retirees. However, a combination of changes can be of significant value in addressing this overlooked issue. Although QLACs on the surface have potential value, they are not nearly as efficient as they could be. So far, employer plans have provided limited options for retirement income solutions. IRAs may not cost effectively serve the best interest of retirees. Employer plans should be encouraged to become retirement income providers and alternative approaches should be considered. The current prohibition on allowing plans to modify benefit payouts based on mortality experience should be reconsidered to allow for innovative plan income designs. Improvements to the deaccumulation stage of the retiree nest egg are challenging yet necessary.

Description: Collective Defined Contribution Plans offer an option in plan design that lies somewhere between defined benefit and defined contribution plans. This is achieved by fixing the contributions to the plan, but allowing benefits to fluctuate based on experience. This article provides a basic summary of how they can be structured. There are limitations to their use in the US, but are gaining in popularity elsewhere around the globe.

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: Discuss interaction between defined benefit (DB) plans and defined contribution (DC) plans. Hear more about the impact of DB plans on DC plan design and vice versa. Learn about the differences in DB and DC plan governance and cross-over opportunities between these plan solutions.