Experienced practitioners lead a review of government responses to the Gray Books. The panelists discuss the practical implications of the answers and any new information developed since the 2009 EA Meeting.

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We have more technology than ever before. We can reach more people than ever before, in shorter amounts of time. But that doesn’t mean we should do it! You can have all the tools in the world—it doesn’t mean you know what to do with them!

When Help a Reporter launched in March 2008, it quickly became one of the most successful word of mouth programs ever, attracting more than 75,000 current members without spending one penny on advertising. How?

The beauty of social and viral technology is that it allows us to reach many, many people in nanoseconds. The danger of it? The exact same thing.

Peter Shankman discusses social networking, viral marketing and all the “fun ways” to use them—and perhaps most important why sometimes not using any of them is your best bet. He'll show you how marketers, businesses, publicists, and everyday humans are:

• Using social media (or a facet thereof) to spearhead new marketing campaigns and initiatives;
• Realizing that just because it exists, doesn’t mean you have to use it;
• Getting smarter about social networking every day; and
• Learning that it’s not about making something “viral,” but about making something “good.”

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Employers are now looking at some retiree medical designs that likely were never envisioned when FAS 106 was put into place. Come learn about some of these designs and how to account for them.

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Speakers at this session explore cost effectiveness of incentive based prescription drug plan designs. Are they working? Do they reduce costs?

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New Administration, new Congress, new thoughts? Where is the country headed in relation to retirement plans?

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Japan's cultural and language barriers have made understanding its pension environment difficult for US multinationals. But those communication barriers will be lifted at this session. With an approaching deadline (March, 2012) by which to restructure tax qualified pension plans (TQPPs) and a gradual movement toward hybrid contribution plans underway, a look at Japan's benefits scene is interesting and timely.

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Are actuaries adequately planning for the "living to 100 generation?" How can we assist clients (and the general public) to manage and/or hedge longevity risk? The speakers explore and contrast risk management options, US mortality trends, and longevity hedging techniques being considered in the UK.

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The Government Accounting Standards Board (GASB) is in the process of rethinking the principals behind reporting and disclosure for public employee retirement plans. The speakers discuss the process GASB is going through, what they have produced so far and where this may be headed.

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WRERA relief update – a general discussion of where we are to date on regulations and how actuaries have been managing the application of the rules in the current environment.

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It's a world of hope and a world of new legislation, regulatory guidance, and financial turmoil. Come hear what's new in small plan valuations and administration.

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The SEC has issued a proposed road map for US public companies to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards. The presenters at this session attempt to help you understand where US GAAP is headed and what it means for accounting for employee benefits.

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A panel of diversified professionals discuss the latest developments affecting retirement plans on the legislative, regulatory and legal fronts. Among the topics that may be covered are: PPA, 2009 legislation, guidance from the IRS, DOL, Treasury and recent court decisions.

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In 2007, the leaders of the North American Actuarial Council (NAAC) signed a statement acknowledging "the paramount importance of acting in the public interest" and indicating that it "is important to identify, protect, and advance the public interest in the work of our profession—its organizations and its members."

What does this mean for an individual actuary? Who is the "public?” Is there one "public" or do different segments of the "public" have different interests? Is this a call for each actuary to serve the interests of the "public" or a call to the profession as a whole?

Actuaries in the UK are currently dealing with implementing a similar call to serve the public interest with regard to setting standards of practice on ethical issues. Panelists from the UK and the US, including a member of the Actuarial Standards Board, lead a discussion on how these calls may change how we provide actuarial services.

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The Society of Actuaries Pension Section launched the Retirement 20/20 project in late 2005 in reaction to the shortcomings of both traditional defined benefit (DB) plans and defined contribution (DC) plans, shortcomings which have been further accentuated during the recent financial crisis. Retirement 20/20 is a strategic multi-year project to look at the possibilities that could exist outside of the traditional DB/DC framework in both the U.S. and Canada. Since its inception, Retirement 20/20 has systematically brought together actuaries (pensions and annuities), economists, attorneys, employers, investment advisors and public policy experts to debate what we need for a robust retirement system in the 21st century without regard to the constraints of existing legislative requirements.

The speakers at this session bring you up to date on what has been learned in our three conferences, present the measurement framework tool and demonstrate its application to several actual design models, summarize the Retirement 20/20 capstone report presented at the Pension Research Council Conference at Wharton earlier this year, and give you a preview of our plans for 2010, including our unique and exciting “Call for Models Contest.”

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More then ever before we are all challenged to convince clients and employers that we bring value to the table. The speakers explore how each of us can do this, whether it be by incorporating ERM, broadening our skills, publishing, etc.

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In a hypothetical scenario, a large employer with an aging workforce embarked on a workforce planning exercise. Some retirement-related issues were encountered, including the affects of wear away. These and other issues/affects are examined.

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This is an open-forum discussion about actuarial OPEB issues, both private and public sector moderated by leading consultants. Come discuss your hot topics.

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This session starts with a review of the key findings from the American Academy of Actuaries' paper on CDH Emerging Data. With this as a basis, we will move on to discuss CDH analyses that emerged too late to be considered by the AAA CDH committee and other practical observations of how CDH is faring in light of the economy and the prospects for health care reform.

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What's new in designing retirement plans in the small plan market? Bring your ideas and be ready to share.

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With companies focused on belt tightening and the bottom line, consulting services may be viewed as expensive, or worse, expendable. How can we effectively market our services in a distressed environment? A professional services advisor and corporate procurement officer discuss best practices and broader new buyer perspectives. Learn how to better understand your client’s needs, how they drive value internally and how you can better align your work to help them maximize value.

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How are public OPEB sponsors dealing with these very large liabilities? Hear from both sides of the table. A finance director and a consultant discuss strategies, successes and failures.

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The new Administration has promised healthcare reform before the end of the President's first term. Dramatic progress has been made to date. The panel discusses short-term and longer-term implications of proposed initiatives on the US budget and its impact on individuals.

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Bring your burning ethics questions to this interactive workshop. Current and former ABCD members lead discussions of attendees' issues. (This is a workshop limited to 40 attendees.)

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How were 401(k) plan participants impacted by the financial crisis? Are 401(k) plans a failure? The panelists focus on DC plan risks, retirement income adequacy, and how plan sponsors are working to manage those risks and improve the outcomes.

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How many years has it been since you sat for an actuarial exam? Do you still think you have your edge? Join us for the latest actuarial game show where contestants are asked to test their knowledge, with help from recent Enrolled Actuary exam passers. The emphasis is on material a pension consulting actuary should know. Don't be in jeopardy of not knowing what you should.

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Investments - LDI 101, LDI -- what happened in 2008/2009? What alternative investments are suggested for the future?

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There are still a number of issues under PPA where final guidance has not been issued. The panel identifies and discusses the top outstanding issues.

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Come join an open forum to exchange ideas, information and experiences on current topics of interest to actuaries who work with public employee retirement systems. Topics for discussion may include actuarial assumptions, plan design trends and more.

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Eligible Automatic Contribution Arrangement (EACA), Qualified Automatic Contribution Arrangement (QACA), Minimum Required Distribution (MRD). How has the financial crisis affected defined contribution plans? The speakers discuss short-term concerns and opportunities and expected long-term trends, including steps employers can take now to allow participants to recover from the economic downturn.

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First, the CFO tells all departments, "cut everything by 10%"… then you enter into talks about pension funding!! When he awakens from the coma, he says, "I need a business advisor, not an actuary!!" What DOES he want and why??

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Representatives from two analytic firms present new technology that's available today to help plans, employers and employees manage healthcare.

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Experts say $X billion is wasted each year due to incomplete, inaccurate, and/or redundant healthcare records. At the same time, real questions of privacy and flexibility have arisen. Come listen to all sides of the argument and form your own opinions.

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A fascinating in-depth presentation on benefits and compensation for expatriates. Speakers at this session cover the legal and business issues involved in providing benefits to US citizens working overseas, particularly the interplay of US federal law (ERISA, HIPAA, COBRA), US state insurance laws, foreign/local legislation and inter-county tax treaties. Additional discussions include the provision of overall compensation packages to expatriates globally, and the various cost savings opportunities that are currently available to the employer.

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Risk management in executive compensation arrangements. No execs were harmed in the making of this session. Hear what is new and what exactly is happening after the events of the past year.

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The economic downturn has raised everyone’s awareness of pension plan funding levels, including the PBGC. Hear from the speakers about how to deal with a broad range of PBGC issues including reportable event traps, annual employer financial and actuarial information reporting and PBGC’s enhanced ability to pursue “downsizing liability.”

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Two employers and an MD will discuss the spectrum of approaches they have used to improve outcomes and control cost of health care. Employers will review the broad range of options considered, their rationale for program selection, emerging results where available, and lessons learned. In addition to traditional care management and health promotion/disease prevention programs, panelists will review innovative programs, which range from care support for complex conditions focusing specifically on the most expensive 1% of participants to effective use of on-site clinics.

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Our panel discusses behavioral finance in DC plans and some of the latest research on the influence of ethnicity on retirement plan behavior.

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The speakers provide an up-to-date overview of the status of healthcare reform (HCR) and other new and potential legislative/regulatory that is happening in the healthcare arena.

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Continuing discussions of topics that were not covered in the previous session on public employee retirement systems. Topics may include assumption setting, reporting and disclosure, valuation and funding of DROP and OPEB.

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How has the global financial crisis impacted retirement plans around the world? Do some countries have better mechanisms in place to avoid or manage large losses? The speakers at this session delve into and explore these issues.

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As actuaries, we pride ourselves on communicating complex information to our clients. But are we providing the information they really need? Join us for a working session focused on moving from actuarial results to true awareness advice.

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What do we need to know about the new ASOPs? What have we forgotten about the old ASOPs? What is the process to identify new ASOPs or ASOPs for updating? Representatives of the ASB discuss recent and proposed ASOPs affecting consulting actuaries, especially ASOP 41. Other topics include how ASOPs implement the Council of US Presidents’ (CUSP) statement regarding actuaries and the public interest.

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Discussion of issues impacting consulting to the multi-employer world. WARNING -- discussion may include health & welfare funding issues.

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How to go beyond just delivering "the number(s)" whether they be next year's host country (H.C.) budget, program risk management (PRM)/RAB & expenses, pension liabilities/exp., etc. Incorporates the EA/consulting actuary conflict and ERM issues.

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The devil is in the details -- what's involved in making sure that a plan's administration is compliant with all of the various notices and limitations.

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The role of actuaries in enterprise risk management is evolving around the world. The SOA has created the CERA designation and a global actuarial credential is being pursued. The speakers discuss what is being taught to ERM actuaries and what credentials are important and why.

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Historically, the primary value of employer sponsored retiree health plans for Medicare eligibles resided in the prescription drug benefit. However, the retiree health care environment changed considerably with the launch of Medicare Part D in 2006. Many employers elected to remain the primary payer of prescription drug benefits for their Medicare eligible retirees and to apply for federal subsidies under the Retiree Drug Subsidy (RDS) program. Now in the fourth RDS year and in challenging economic times, many employers are revisiting their decision to elect RDS and examining ever evolving options to sponsorship and delivery of health benefits for Medicare eligibles, particularly benefits where the employer subsidy is capped. The speakers during this session review employer alternatives to RDS from the consulting and Prescription Benefit Management points of view. In doing so, we may identify what actions employers are taking and the drivers behind that decision.

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A panel of two physicians, with an actuary as moderator discuss how physicians view health information technology (HIT) initiatives, Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHP), Disease Management and Wellness.

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A panel of two physicians, with an actuary as moderator discuss how physicians view health information technology (HIT) initiatives, Consumer Driven Health Plans (CDHP), Disease Management and Wellness.

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What impact does/will this unprecedented economy and attempts to control it have on employers' health and welfare budgets? Specific potential topics include:

• Economic uncertainty and healthcare utilization/disability experience.
• COBRA subsidies - blessing or curse?
• Long-term impact of HIT.
• Long-term disability experience.

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Changes to Medicare are in continual debate in Congress and in policy circles, ranging from the role of private plans to overall provider payment policy. More broadly, elements of Medicare could influence the development of a public plan option under national healthcare reform. Major healthcare changes are on the horizon for 2010 and later, and Medicare is clearly a central part of these evolving changes. Tune into the speakers at this session to get a current reading on how future changes in Medicare might impact insurers, employers and other parties involved in the management of post-65 benefits in particular, as well as Medicare's potential role in national healthcare reform.

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The product development engine in the life insurance industry is running as strong as ever. The panelists describe some of the more creative products relevant to employers and the actuaries who consult to them.

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Based on what we know today, how would you change pensions (outside of stringing up FASB?) Design, funding, investments, the whole ball of wax. In this interactive session, speakers provide their thoughts, along with audience critique of designs.

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Have your clients asked how convergence to international accounting standards might impact them? If so, come to this session to learn about the important nuances and potential pitfalls of IFRS. Bring your questions too!

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This is an excellent opportunity for attendees to ask questions and discuss important developments with representatives of the IRS. Don't miss your chance to (possibly) get answers to some questions that have been troubling you.

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The credit crisis, recession, and other economic impacts put pressure on the further commoditizing actuarial services. The volatility of PPA funding rules pushes us to become short-term managers of risk at the expense of a longer-term view. Senior actuaries will lead an interactive session on how we can be more relevant and add value to our client relationships.

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Attend an ABCD hearing and listen in on the subsequent deliberations. Current and former ABCD members portray the subject actuary, the Investigator, and the ABCD chair(s) in a live hearing. Selected audience members serve as ABCD members.

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