Annual Meeting Public Plan Sessions

Public pension consultants face increasing digital governance complexity: client AI policies, communications accessibility requirements, cyber hygiene expectations, and related operational technology risks. This session highlights common pitfalls and gray areas offering a practical, consultant-focused discussion on reducing risk and actively managing these consulting dynamics.

DROPs have been used as a public plan retention tool almost since inception. However, they have seen a resurgence in interest, and a divergence of provisions, in recent years. Speakers contrast two case studies of recent implementations: one strictly required to be cost neutral and the other with no such considerations. Join the conversation to discuss actuarial and administrative considerations of two DROPs that may barely recognize each other.

As public pension plans face shifting economic climates, many of the states’ largest systems have moved beyond traditional designs to embrace sophisticated risk sharing mechanisms. But does shifting the “heat” actually keep the plan cool? Join us for a deep dive into the inner workings of major public plans as we hear directly from in-house actuaries who have navigated these waters. This session moves past the rhetorical to examine the real-world “lessons learned” from implementing and managing Variable COLAs and cash balance designs.

Learn how to navigate the many changes surrounding OPEB. Topics we will cover include Inflation Reduction Act, Getzen, GASB, ASB, funding practice note, low premium Medicare plans, short-term assumption. Technical issues will be covered in session 302.

Come join our session to hear the latest updates on the prickly pair of legislation and litigation affecting public plans, from both statewide and federal perspectives.

The CCA Public Plans Community meets to discuss current issues, outlooks, and news. Neither CCA nor community membership is required to attend.

Many statewide governmental plans are comprised of hundreds or in some cases thousands of individual employers. Cost sharing plans typically calculate a single contribution rate for all employers while agent multiple plans will calculate a different contribution rate for each employer based on that employer’s experience. Both approaches can create distinct challenges for both individual employers and the system as a whole. This session will compare and contrast the two approaches with regard to spotting assumptions, funding policies, and compliance with Actuarial Standards of Practice.

Come share your thoughts as public pension/OPEB actuaries discuss challenges, concerns, and/or perceived solutions to hot topics affecting public plans across the US. Be prepared to participate in polling as well as group discussion.