Updated: 
  December 10, 2008

 
 

 

 


2008 CCA Audiocast Schedule
Cosponsored by the
American Academy of Actuaries

Previous 2008 Audiocasts:

PPA Gut Check
January 22, 2008
12:30 – 1:45 PM EST

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Moderator:
Donald J. Segal - JPMorgan

Presenters:
Martin Pippins - Internal Revenue Service
Carolyn E. Zimmerman - Internal Revenue Service
Tonya Manning - Aon Consulting
Kenneth A. Steiner - Watson Wyatt Worldwide

Topics may include:

  • Guidance on funding;
  • Benefit restrictions (covered by the proposed regulations);
  • Yield curve, segment rates, and 417(e) (3) interest rates;
  • Mortality tables for the funding target calculations and lump sums;
  • Changing the lump sum basis and 204(h) notices; and
  • Cash balance plans guidance.

New and Improved - ASOPs for Pension Actuaries
February 13, 2008
12:30 – 1:45 PM EST

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Presenters:
Larry Sher - Buck Consultants
David Fleiss - Bolton Partners Inc.
John Moore - JPMorgan

The Actuarial Standards Board has recently issued the new ASOP 44 that addresses asset valuation methods, and also revised ASOP 4 (for measuring pension obligations and determining costs and contributions), ASOP 27 (pertaining to economic assumptions), and ASOP 35 (covering demographic assumptions). Each of these ASOPs go into effective March 15, 2008. Please join us as our panel presents a framework for how these ASOPs fit together, and discusses key elements of each.

Controlled Groups
March 12, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EDT

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Presenters:
S. Derrin Watson - SunGard Relius

Aggregation Aggravation: The controlled group and common control rules have befuddled practitioners for years. This program provides a concise summary of the employer aggregation rules, including the different attribution systems, and the consequences of aggregated systems.

Confidentiality & Data Security
May 14, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EDT

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Presenters:
Robert J. Rietz - Deloitte Consulting
Stephen N. Eisenstein - Ernst & Young, LLP

What is PII (3.14159265?) and what do we need to know about it? Is PII more than PHI? What states have passed PII legislation? What are the consequences of exposing someone's PII? What can I do to protect myself and my employer from litigation on this topic? During this audiocast, the speakers discuss professional responsibility related to confidentiality and the protection of sensitive employee information. Topics to be discussed include general background on federal and state data security legislation, HIPPA PHI requirements, potential consequences of HIPPA violations, and sample best practices to protect census data from falling into the wrong hands.

Newly Released Proposed PPA Regulations
on Quarterly Contribution Requirements

May 22, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EDT

Jointly sponsored by the Society of Actuaries. Co-sponsored by the American Academy of Actuaries and the American Society of Pension Professionals and Actuaries

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Moderator:
Donald J. Segal - JPMorgan

Presenters:
Carolyn E. Zimmerman, Internal Revenue Service
Brian C. Donohue, JPMorgan

The IRS released proposed regulations on single-employer plan minimum required contributions under the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA) on April 15th. The proposed regulations provide guidance on the determination of minimum required contributions and quarterly contributions under the funding rules that apply to single employer defined benefit plans. These regulations affect sponsors, administrators, participants, and beneficiaries of single employer defined benefit plans. An IRS representative and a practitioner discuss these proposed regulations.

Communications & Record Retention
June 11, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EDT

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Presenters:
J. Greg Gaston - J. G. Gaston & Associates Inc.
J.P. Neal - Watson Wyatt Worldwide
Nishan DeSilva - Watson Wyatt Worldwide

Record retention is getting increasing visibility from corporate leaders. As the information sprawl spreads across organizations, it becomes very important to manage and control business records. The growing number of laws and regulations that specifically reference the management of business records makes it imperative for every actuary to know and understand records retention issues.

During this audiocast, the speakers discuss the importance of a records management program and review professional responsibility as it relates to both client and internal work products. Topics to be discussed include identifying business records, handling of paper and electronic records with special emphasis on e-mail records, legal and business retention requirements and record disposition. The session will also highlight key records retention requirements in the actuarial field.

Financial Economics 101
July 9, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EDT

Credit:
CPD/EA Noncore 1.5

Presenters:
Stu Alden - Watson Wyatt Worldwide
Mark Ruloff - Watson Wyatt Investment Consulting

Pension minimum funding legislation and accounting requirements have been forcing liability calculations away from traditional actuarial methods towards more mark-to-market measures. Why has it been decided that these liability measures are more appropriate for minimum funding and accounting? Financial economics (or more specifically, pension finance) calls for pension market liabilities to be measured using bond rates. Using market liabilities, measured at bond rates, removes what would otherwise be a bias towards equity investment over bonds when making investment decisions.

Pension finance goes on to state what finance issues should be considered when making an asset allocation decision. From the shareholders point of view, the risk/reward trade off of investing in equities versus bonds has no first order effect. However, there are second order effects including stakeholder taxes, surplus ownership, and agency issues that should guide the investment decision.

The audiocast speakers provide an introduction to financial economics and what it has to say about the measurement of pension liabilities and broad asset allocation decisions.

Presidential Candidates Health Plan Review
September 10, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EDT

Credit:
CPD 1.5

Presenters:
Dale H. Yamamoto - Red Quill Consulting
Jennifer Tolbert - Kaiser Family Foundation
Jeff Lemieux - America's Health Insurance Plans

Health care has become an important campaign issue for the presidential candidates this year. Each of the candidates have diverse views on tackling the rising costs of health care and the uninsured. Presenters discuss these alternatives and their impact on employee benefits and the health insurance industry.

Actuarial Gains & Losses
November 12, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EST

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Presenters:
Patrick A. Ward - JPMorgan
Kathleen E. Manning - MWM Consulting Group

Panelists discuss effects of Actuarial Gains and Losses under the new PPA funding rules.

Qualification Standards
December 3, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EST

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Presenters:
Robin B. Simon - Buck Consultants, an ACS Company
John T. Stokesbury - Deloitte Consulting LLP

It's a year into the required "Qualification Standards." The speakers review the QS and answer your questions on:

  • CE,
  • Professionalism Topics,
  • EA Carve Out; and
  • Organized Activities.

Conflict of Interest
December 10, 2008
12:30 - 1:45 PM EST

Credit:
CPD/EA Core 1.5

Presenters:
William J. Falk - Towers Perrin
William B. Fornia - Aon Consulting

Conflicts of Interest can result in high profile problems, jeopardize our integrity, and can violate our standards of practice and pertinent laws.

Our speakers will explore various types of conflicts of Interest, provide many examples, and give information which will help you identify potential conflicts and avoid them.

 

     

 
Conference of Consulting Actuaries
3880 Salem Lake Drive, Suite H / Long Grove, IL 60047-5292
Phone: 847-719-6500     Fax: 847-719-6506
E-mail: conference@ccactuaries.org

© 2010 Conference of Consulting Actuaries.  All rights reserved.