Annual Meeting Sessions
Tuesday, October 28
401 - All Bets are Off: Experience Studies and Assumption Setting in an Unbiased Way
Assumption setting shouldn’t be the luck of the draw, and past experience might not always be the best predictor of the future. In this session, we’ll look at ways to evaluate past experience and set actuarial assumptions in an unbiased fashion, without betting on a streak that is bound to end. This session is intended to satisfy the Bias credit requirement under the USQS.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
402 - High Stakes Pension Funding Strategies
With asset values and interest rates hitting all-time highs and market volatility on the rebound, funding relief may not be as beneficial as it was in the past. In this session, we’ll cover creative funding strategies including minimum/maximum contributions, interest rate and asset methods, and other strategies that can limit funding risks and common pitfalls like 4010 filings, and benefit restrictions and variable rate premiums.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
403 - Hitting or Holding on Pension Accounting
In the arena of pension accounting, strategic decisions can have lasting financial consequences. Speakers in this advanced session examine key accounting issues that arise in the context of surplus pension assets, plan terminations, and risk transfer strategies. Presenters provide a detailed look at the financial reporting implications of buy-in and buy-out annuity transactions, including differences in treatment under U.S. GAAP and IFRS. Speakers also address the impact of the IAS 19 asset ceiling on recognizing and utilizing surplus assets. The discussion considers how plan sponsors can evaluate whether to proceed with actions such as annuity purchases or terminations, or whether to maintain flexibility for future strategic decisions. Come to gain practical insights into aligning pension accounting decisions with broader business and regulatory objectives.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Non-Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
404 - Walking the Walk not just Talking the Talk of AI (AI Nuts and Bolts)
Many actuarial organizations have noted those actuaries that use AI will replace those actuaries who do not use AI. As our profession makes its most fundamental shift in tools since moving from paper to spreadsheets learn how your peers are using AI to improve the efficiency and accuracy of their work, as well as being able to provide deeper insights into the drivers into what is happening.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
405 - Medicare and Pre-65 Retiree Update
The session will explore key updates and trends in Medicare and Pre-65 retiree health plans. Consulting actuaries will learn cost containment strategies and the evolving Medicare Advantage market. Topics will also include prescription drug pricing and the financial sustainability of retiree health plans. Attendees will gain practical insights and best practices for actuarial analysis and plan design, helping them navigate the complexities of retiree health benefits and optimize their approach for both Medicare and Pre-65 populations.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
406 - Financial Wellness: Meeting Employees Where They Are
Financial wellness means more than just retirement readiness or having a savings plan. In this session, we’ll explore the less visible needs of employees and the strategies employers and point solutions are using to meet them. Panelists share insights on what employees are really struggling with and how targeted solutions can make a meaningful impact on financial well-being.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
407 - Pension Reform Strikes Back
Following the Great Recession, many public pension systems implemented significant pension reforms – closing defined benefit (DB) plans to new hires, creating reduced benefit tiers, or suspending COLAs. In recent years, a surprisingly counter trend has emerged: A number of these reforms are being partially or fully reversed. This session will examine real-world case studies of DB plan re-openings, tier restorations, and COLA reinstatements. We will explore the workforce, fiscal, and political dynamics driving these reversals, and the lessons they offer for designing sustainable, resilient pensions. Attendees will gain deep insight into how workforce effects fiscal policy and stakeholder engagement can make or break pension reform.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Non-Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
408 - Special Financial Assistance: Current Issues
Panelists provide an in-depth update on current developments in the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) program under the American Rescue Plan Act. Topics are expected to include the latest guidance on plan mergers, potential eligibility of previously terminated plans, and compliance issues uncovered through death audit processes.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
409 - Common Challenges in Social Security Systems Around the World
Social Security systems around the world have a common set of problems—ageing populations, increasing longevity, declining birth rates and failure to cover all workers. Weak economic and covered payroll growth often exacerbate these issues. Speakers review programs in the U.S., Canada and around the world and outline the array of potential responses to these demographic and economic challenges.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
501 - The House Always Wins: Winning at Pension Administration
Panelists provide a deep dive into complex pension administration topics. They’ll explore technical issues such as benefit accruals after NRD, IRC 415 limits, RMDs and more. The session includes a discussion on the IRS Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) and its role in correcting administrative errors, providing actuaries with practical strategies for maintaining plan integrity.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
502 - When Pension Funded Status Comes Up Snake Eyes
Speakers address some of the negative consequences that can materialize when pension funded status deteriorates. Speakers address topics related to funding and administration issues, investment considerations, PBGC monitoring, and worst-case situations that can result in distress or involuntary terminations.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
503 - OPEB Considerations for Pension Actuaries
In this session, we’ll go through what pension actuaries should be thinking about when performing OPEB valuations. We’ll start with some basics on setting the short-term assumptions, including calculating the implicit subsidy and accounting for Rx rebates and EGWPs. Then we’ll go through trend considerations, including for Medicare Advantage plans with low or even zero premiums as well as the Inflation Reduction Act. Lastly, we’ll go through what considerations need to be made for newer cash-based plan designs such as retiree reimbursement accounts (HRAs).
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Non-Core Credit: 1.00
EA Formal Credit: 1.00
504 - Impact of Unique Solutions and Digital Health Innovations on Health Costs and Outcomes
Unique point solutions and digital health innovations continue to evolve. Do they have a positive impact on health outcomes or reducing costs? Join us to hear from a variety of speakers, discussing results and cost impact/ROI.
Methods to come up with value techniques.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
505 - Leveraging Stoploss and Captives for Effective Risk Management in Self Insured Medical Plans
Rising healthcare costs, emerging technologies, specialized Rx, gene therapies, and inflation are driving increasing spend and volatility healthcare. As a response, employers are seeking ways to better manage risk through stoploss and captives. This session will provide foundational concepts for those new to the topic. We will explore the current landscape, key challenges and outline future trends that actuaries should consider when evaluating risk management strategies for self-insured medical plans.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
506 - The Anatomy of a Class Action Lawsuit
This session will explore the different strategies of ERISA class action litigation, explaining ins and outs of each of the different critical stages. Experienced ERISA litigators will draw from actual examples of litigation spanning DC plans, investments, pensions, and healthcare topics.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Non-Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
507 - CCA White Paper - The Great Beyond
Most public plans have spent the last 20 years strengthening assumptions, increasing contribution rates, and managing benefit levels. As funding progresses, it’s important to look beyond the basic tenants of the CCA White Paper to wholistically prepare for what’s to come. This session will dive into tail-end volatility management of layered amortization, proactive surplus management policies, and related output smoothing techniques.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Non-Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
508 - Evaluating Pension Resiliency, Stochastically and Deterministically
Panelists address methods for assessing a plan’s ability to withstand adverse conditions over time, highlighting both stochastic and deterministic modeling approaches, with a particular emphasis on homegrown tools and techniques developed to support effective trustee communication and decision-making. Presenters share practical examples of how these models can illustrate potential outcomes under various economic scenarios and funding strategies, helping trustees better understand risk and resilience.
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Non-Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
509 - Capital Market Update
Capital markets have been more turbulent than usual. This implies that return expectations are equally in flux. Overlaying everything is an array of emerging trends, each of which could prove troublesome going forward — exploding federal debt, maturing demographics and waning globalization. On the other side of the ledger we see the potentially beneficial impact of technological advances. Looking through the turmoil, what can we conclude about the bottom-line impacts on capital markets and the economy?
Credits:
CPD Credit: 2.00
EA Core Credit: 2.00
EA Non-Core Credit: 2.00
EA Formal Credit: 2.00
003 - Ethics
Ethics could never be more important! Dive into the thrilling world of retirement actuarial consulting where every decision counts. Through gripping case studies and dynamic discussions you’ll face real world ethical dilemmas that challenge your instincts and sharpen your professional judgement.
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Dive into the thrilling world of retirement actuarial consulting where every decision counts.
Ethics could never be more important! Dive into the thrilling world of retirement actuarial consulting where every decision counts. Through gripping case studies and dynamic discussions you’ll face real world ethical dilemmas that challenge your instincts and sharpen your professional judgement.