Experienced practitioners lead a review of the government responses to questions posed in the 2014 IRS Gray Book and PBGC Blue Book highlighting the practical implications of the answers. Speakers also address any updated information developed since the initial release of these books at the 2014 Enrolled Actuaries Meeting.

Speakers

Presenters discuss the reasons behind the recent increases in specialty drugs, and what’s in store in the future. Speakers also discuss high cost generics and the rise in the use of compound drugs while exploring ways to manage these increases in drug spending.

Speakers

In 2014, health plans are dealing with new risk mitigation programs as part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These three programs, often referred to as the 3 Rs: Risk Adjustment, Reinsurance, and Risk Corridors require health plans to estimate new liabilities or receivables for the new populations covered by ACA. Discover how health plans are approaching the modeling of these programs and estimating the amounts for the liabilities or receivables.

Speakers

Steven G. Vernon, a Consulting Research Scholar in the Financial Security Division of the Stanford Center on Longevity, addresses broad issues associated with an aging population, highlighting work on different topics from the Stanford Center on Longevity. He’s active with research, writing, and speaking on the most challenging issues facing retirees today, including finance, health, and lifestyle.

Steve currently writes a regular blog column for CBS MoneyWatch, titled Money for Life. His latest book is Money for Life: Turn Your IRA and 401(k) Into a Lifetime Retirement Paycheck.

Speakers

ACA, TRF, . . . What are all these TLAs (three-letter acronyms)? What do pension actuaries want to know about healthcare reform and healthcare exchanges as they relate to client questions and concerns? Better understand the issues your clients are addressing with respect to healthcare reform and how you can help.

Speakers

In 2015, companies need to perform new solvency tests related to ORSA (Own Risk and Solvency Assessment). This analysis requires scenario testing of capital that combines elements of traditional forecasting methods with risk based scenario development. With ORSA, Risk-Based Capital (RBC) meets Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) as risk appetite and risk quantification bring together the principles of performance management, strategic decision making and risk (and capital) management.

The panelists cover the basics of these tests and discuss the implications for insurers.

Speakers

A diverse panel of pension professionals discusses the latest developments affecting retirement plans on the legislative, regulatory and legal fronts. Topics that may be covered include: 2014 legislation; IRS, DOL, Treasury and PBGC guidance; and recent court cases.

Speakers

Panelists at this session cover design and administrative issues applicable to cash balance plans for small employers. Topics include pay and interest crediting rate selection, application of section 415 limits, accrued conversion benefits, calculating RMD amounts and miscellaneous nondiscrimination/coverage testing issues.

Speakers

Speakers offer insights on the current impact of healthcare reform relative to its stated objectives and opine as to the legislation's long-term prospects.

Speakers

The number of U.S. citizens deployed or hired overseas is increasing. Speakers discuss legal constraints and social security agreements as well as funding media and strategies suitable for this type of employee population. This session is recommended for practitioner servicing multinationals.

Speakers

Panelists discuss the Code of Professional Conduct and the latest regarding Actuarial Standards of Practice No. 4, 27, and 35 and the latest Discussion Draft regarding the Assessment and Disclosure of Risk Associated with Pension Obligations, Plan Costs, and Plan Contributions. There will be an emphasis on how the Code and the Standards impact public plan consultants. Speakers include a member of the Standards Board pension committee, a practicing consulting actuary, and a former member of the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline (ABCD).

Speakers

The sustainability of our nation's largest financial security systems is very much in question. Speakers at this session explore the attributes of sustainability in general, then explore it in the context of social security and Medicare. Is sustainability a status to be achieved, or is it a direction toward which a troubled system (or any system) should orient?

Speakers

PBGC representatives interact with practitioners including discussions of recent regulations, guidance, and court cases. Bring your best questions to stimulate the session.

Speakers

Defined Benefit (DB) plans have their flaws, as do Defined Contribution plans. However, can they be combined to provide a more secure retirement for participants at a lower cost for employers? Is it possible that a DB plan starting at age 85 is the key?

Speakers

Experienced multiemployer actuaries facilitate discussion around the technical and consulting issues facing multiemployer plans. While the speakers come prepared with topics to get started, come prepared with your own to get input from fellow practitioners on the topics impacting your funds.

Speakers

As the U.S. retirement provision has transitioned from defined benefit to defined contributions over the past twenty years, global trends have been similar. The speakers provide context on how the global perspectives around retirement plans have changed over time, the key differences that have to be considered when redesigning pension plans overseas, and the type of defined contribution pension plans that are prevalent in some of the key markets overseas.

Speakers

Valuation actuaries and economists often represent widely divergent views of how to value public pension and OPEB obligations. What are their core differences, and where can they perhaps find areas of agreement? In this session leading proponents of these two viewpoints consider the state of the debate.

Speakers

As the actuarial community works to extend its areas of impact, many actuaries find themselves in non-traditional roles. In this session, we hear from actuaries on the frontier of the actuarial practice, including actuaries in corporate, energy, and investment industries among others. Additionally, we discuss current initiatives underway to extend the reach of the actuarial practice. Attendees glean what work is done in these frontier roles, the challenges they face, and what skills from their actuarial tool box helped get them there.

Speakers

We are looking for the undefinable "something" that makes for star actuarial quality. Come join the return of the popular game that tests contestants' knowledge of ERISA and all the details we need to know. Do you have that dead-on knowledge that will win? Do you have the qx factor?

Speakers

Learn about strategies to follow and pitfalls to avoid when dealing with a wide variety of PBGC issues relating to defined benefit plans, particularly in merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions. While the discussion focuses on PBGC’s Early Warning Program and PBGC’s primary leverage under that program - the “nuclear option” of initiating an involuntary plan termination - the panelists also cover missed contributions and related liens, pre-bankruptcy workouts, PBGC reporting issues, and dealing with downsizing liability. Due diligence on pension plans is critical in M&As. Failure to fully understand what liabilities and responsibilities are being acquired can cause considerable expense and headaches. Come prepared with your questions to avoid such issues!

Speakers

The multiemployer plan rules are different than single employer plan rules. This session is a primer for single employer plan actuaries wanting to learn multiemployer plan basics.

Speakers

A version of ASOP 6 with a new and expanded title "Measuring Retiree Group Benefit Obligations and Determining Retiree Group Benefits Program Periodic Costs or Actuarially Determined Contributions" was released this past May.

The panelists cover the key concepts within ASOP 6, including the items that have been changed or added in the new version. They then drill down into details, and discuss a number of areas where the written commentary was particularly heated. The application of the standard to both FASB and GASB valuations is also addressed.

Speakers

This workshop format features a facilitated discussion of current topics in Medicare Advantage and Part D from the consultant and health plan perspectives, and is intended for those with considerable experience in this area.

Speakers

Presenters discuss some of the latest topics in public plan litigation, including providing updates on cases contesting cost-savings benefit revisions, cola cut-backs and member rights. The speakers also cover various IRS qualification topics including: IRS determination letters, IRS audit process, IRC 415 limits, and excess benefit plans.

Speakers

Given the complexity and expertise required in our work, many private sector employers and most public sector employers rely on consultants and a formal proposal process to select their trusted advisors. Come to this interactive session to hear search consultants and plan sponsors share what they learned and how they made their decisions in this process.

Speakers

Economic integration between NAFTA countries has come a long way. However, pensions have been lagging. Speakers discuss recent developments and strategies to progress pensions forward.

Speakers

Implications of mortality study results on defined benefit plan financing, participant lump sums, post-retirement healthcare plans and measures of defined contribution plan adequacy.

The RP-2014 mortality tables and MP-2014 mortality improvement scale together represent a comprehensive study of U.S. mortality levels and introduce new techniques for modeling future mortality improvement.

Speakers also discuss changes from the exposure drafts reflected in the final reports.

Speakers

Is the Board or management of the plan sponsor of your frozen pension plan certain the plan be terminated? It's never too early to think about a multi-year strategy, covering asset strategy, data clean up, streamlining plan provisions, preparing for settlement through lump sums and annuity purchases, participant communications and regulatory filings.

Speakers

Learn how the profession engages in the public policy debate on actuarial issues. Speakers discuss the identification of specific issues, how consensus opinions are developed and communicated. A Senate staff representative discusses the legislative process and how professionals can provide useful input.

Speakers

This workshop format features a facilitated discussion on the impact healthcare reform and its impact on specific employee sub-population of an employer. The speakers address the regulatory, financial, and actuarial implications associated with specific categories of employees such as collective bargaining groups, common law employees versus independent contractors, part-time employees, volunteers, stipend paid employees, etc. A pre-session survey submitted to the Healthcare Reform Community of the CCA as well as participants who sign up for the session inquires about real-time issues being addressed by consultant and employers. This survey assists the panelists in bringing timely and relevant issues of interest to session participants for discussion.

Speakers

Panelists discuss healthcare issues specific to small employers including self-funding, SHOP (Small Business Health Options Program within ACA), and pooling.

Speakers

The issue of conflict of interest remains diverse and tied to cultural norms. Speakers discuss different perspectives and what constitutes a conflict of interest.

Speakers

Several entities that had not previously offered specific guidance for public plan actuaries and their clients have recently stepped forward to offer such guidance. Presenters focus on important similarities and differences among these documents, as well as the authority under which they have been promulgated. Speakers also cover guidance published by the Society of Actuaries' Blue Ribbon Panel, the CCA Public Plan Community Steering Committee, the California Actuarial Advisory Panel, the Public Plan Subcommittee of the Pension Practice Council of the Academy, and the Government Finance Officers Association.

Speakers

How financially astute is the average American employee, and why should a company care? Individual wellness - both health and financial wellness - impacts productivity, performance, talent development, and ultimately corporate profits. During this session speakers review these inter-relationships in more depth and explore ways companies can assist their employees along the continuum of financial wellness, from paying down college debt to saving for a home or college to ultimately being able to retire comfortably.

Speakers

Do I self-correct, or do I have to do a filing with the IRS? Learn the ins and outs of the IRS correction programs, with an emphasis on practical solutions to common problems.

Speakers

What would you choose? IAS19R, ASC715, or both? Your client reports its financial information under both international and U.S. accounting standards. How do you help them? How would you explain the results? At this session you learn about technical differences between IAS19R and ASC715, how your clients may use your results and how your results can impact your client's financial statements and business.

Speakers

How have attitudes about retirement changed over the years? What are the observable patterns and possible generational differences regarding retirement and retirement income adequacy? What have been some of the key influencing factors, including the value of company-provided benefits, and the reaction of DC plan participants to volatile investment markets? Panelists reflect on recent and historical research to see what we have learned, and where we may be headed. The panel also discusses the influence of investment plan design, automation, and access to financial advisory services.

Speakers

In a twist on the old game show, this session covers a wide range of answers and questions regarding the Affordable Care Act and its impact on individuals and employers.

Speakers

Insurers underwrite and/or administer the health insurance plans and policies affected by the ACA. How do they view the changes wrought by healthcare reform? Also, the advent of public and private exchanges impacts how eventually all employee benefits, including group life and disability, are sold and administered. We hear from speakers representing three of the largest insurers in the United States.

Speakers

Funding pensions around the world takes time. Speakers address design and funding vehicles for both non-U.S. plans and international plans covering both U.S. and non-U.S. employees.

Speakers

It's 2014 and implementation is a “Go!” Come join our public sector session, yet again, focusing on the “new” GASB Statement Nos. 67/68. Think that horse is dead? We believe he's still twitching! Our knowledgeable speakers discuss some long-debated issues as the clarity of actual practice is exposed, addressing pressing questions such as “Who pays for all the actuarial and auditing work?”, “How does one handle an exiting or new employer?”, and “What are general expectations of the auditing community?” Join us as these questions and more are discussed by a distinguished practicing auditor from the AICPA’s State & Local Government Expert Panel and a practicing actuary in this riveting session.

Speakers

A robust approach to financial wellness first involves an understanding of current and future workforce analytics. Our speakers address the realities of today’s multi-generational workforce and discuss how those demographics are driving the need to evolve beyond "retirement planning" to "financial wellness," and present case studies on how understanding the needs of their current and future employees should inform the design and delivery of compensation and benefit programs.

Speakers

The panelists for this session provide a brief overview of existing Actuarial Standards of Practice that apply to consulting actuaries focusing on recent changes, the effective dates for those changes and the current disclosure requirements. There also is a discussion of updates to existing standards that are currently under consideration as well as potential new standards that may impact consulting actuaries.

The presenters at this session address the role of standards in actuarial practice; why the standards should matter to consulting actuaries; how standards fit into generally accepted actuarial principles and practices; the level of prescription in ASOPs; who does the actuary serve when engaged to provide actuarial services; and to what extent do the standards serve the public interest, including those of clients, regulators and legislators.

Speakers

Sponsors of cash balance, pension equity and other hybrid pension plans have until the 2016 plan year to comply with recently released IRS regulations that address issues such as fixed and minimum interest credits, market rates of return, whipsaw lump sum calculations and related Pension Protection Act requirements. The speakers at this session provide an overview of the regulations followed by an open mike opportunity to raise questions or share insights you may have.

Speakers

Annuity purchases are becoming more commonplace with plan termination and derisking transactions. Speakers address strategies for preparing for and implementing annuity purchase transactions from both the plan sponsor and annuity provider perspectives.

Speakers

Are employees ready for retirement? What kind of tools and tools programs are employers putting in place to help employees prepare for retirement in a 401(K) world? How do you optimize timing of social security benefits?

Speakers

Speakers discuss what it takes to make people change their behavior to improve their own health. Is it better to reward behavior (the “carrot” approach) or punish the bad behaviors (the “stick” approach)? Panelists explore concepts of employee engagement, meaningful programs that reposition risk and disease in terms of well-being and life satisfaction, and a behavioral framework for changing employee behavior related to wellness and total health management programs as well as what’s trending with consultants and large employers.

Speakers

Captive insurance companies are bona fide insurers that primarily insure the risks of their parent companies. Captives are increasingly used to help companies gain more control and management of their insurance costs. We hear from representatives of two captives, who discuss, respectively, the uses of captives for U.S. employee benefits and liability insurance for hospital systems.

Speakers

The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act has broad implications on U.S. employees. Speakers address implications around the world on U.S. and non-U.S. plans.

Speakers

Public plans are considering investment and other risk related strategies to manage both contribution volatility and the solvency value of their obligations. Two leading advocates of such strategies present emerging practices for ongoing plans and employers as well as for employers who are terminating participation in the plan.

Speakers

Senior client executives share their thoughts and opinions on business issues, consultants and other topics and answer attendee questions.

Speakers

Join your public pension plan colleagues in an open discussion of current issues facing public pension plans today. No topic is off-limits – media coverage, public perception, GASB, ASOPs, role of the actuary, long-term viability, state constitutional guarantees, municipal bankruptcy, funded ratios, financial economics, etc.

Speakers

Financial Wellness, Retirement Readiness and Income Projections are all hot buzz words in the retirement industry. In this session presenters look at what surveys are telling us about the financial wellness of employees, why employers are focusing on this topic, and how employers deliver this topic as a benefit offering to their employees. The speakers also share client experiences and the various services that employers use when tailoring a program to meet employee needs, such as: personal financial counselling, financial advice in the 401(k) plan, debt reduction and budgeting, retirement income projections, and employee assistance programs.

Speakers

Panelists discuss the key concepts and developing law for plan fiduciaries in administering employee benefit plans, including topics such as composition and operation of benefit plan committees, delegation of fiduciary authority, claims processing, disclosures to participants, and monitoring of service providers. They also address best practices, as well as pitfalls, in creating governance structures around retirement plans.

Speakers

Presenters in this session focus on variable annuity plans and market-based cash balance plans as options that consultants should consider in their de-risking discussions with plan sponsors. They address the basics of how these designs work and how they fit into the common de-risking discussions of today. As part of this session attendees have the opportunity to hear the perspective from a plan sponsor who maintains a variable annuity plan.

Speakers

As more and more sponsors move DC Plans to the forefront of their retirement programs, speakers at this session explore trends in design, testing issues, challenges to implementing and the advent of adding the newer features (e.g. Roth).

Speakers

The speakers at this session focus on the alternatives to the Employer Shared Responsibility Provision of the Affordable Care Act being considered by employers (or should be considered). Panelist address the “bookends” of the alternatives - “maintain current plans” and the complete “Pay” alternative - but then cover the alternative strategies that fall between these as discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each. The panel provides alternative scenarios being viewed in practice as well as considered in strategic discussions with employers and they address the merits and issues surrounding each scenario. Panelists then address both the regulatory and financial implications of these strategic approaches to the “Play or Pay” penalties.

Speakers

Have you ever wondered how Medicare and Medicaid health plans work? Panelists provide the basics of these programs. It is intended for those with little or no experience in this area.

Speakers

As U.S. companies are looking to globalize, many are growing globally inorganically through acquisition of global businesses with operations in a number of countries. Speakers address some of the unique HR capital challenges that employers face with non-U.S. acquisitions, with a focus on pensions.

Speakers

Case Studies? Fuhgeddaboudit! This is your chance to submit actual anonymous examples of Ethics in Action. If you would like to submit an anonymous example of an actuary behaving ethically, please go to https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EthicsInAction.

Using these examples as a framework, a team of highly trained ad-lib artists discuss the ethical implications and present alternative scenarios. Just where is the Ethical Line – and Whose Line is it Anyway?

Speakers