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Cover Stories

Who Is 'Too Big to Fail'?

by Editorial Staff

Who Is 'Too Big to Fail'?

Tue, Sep 06, 2011

Concerned that your insurance company might be designated a SIFI (Systemically Important Financial Institution)? Then read Deloitte's primer on SIFIs. Here's a synopsis and a link.

Actuaries Without Borders... Why Not?

by Kerry Pechter

Actuaries Without Borders... Why Not?

Tue, Aug 30, 2011

Experts from Aegon Global Pensions, De Nederlandsche Bank and other Dutch pension and financial consulting firms are helping the Amsterdam-based P&D Network plant the seeds for "micropension" programs in the developing world. The final part of a two-part series.

Micro-Pensions in Central America

by Kerry Pechter

Micro-Pensions in Central America

Tue, Aug 23, 2011

You've heard of micro-credit: those mini-loans to female entrepreneurs in emerging markets. Now a micro-pension movement is underway, and one of the first pilot projects starts next month in Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Part I of a two-part article.

A Reference Work Built for You

by Kerry Pechter

A Reference Work Built for You

Fri, Aug 12, 2011

The Society of Actuaries' recent book (available here in pdf form) puts the reader at the center of a web of hundreds of articles, research studies, other resources relevant to the risks and opportunities of Boomer retirement.

News

Health insurance ate your raise

Health insurance ate your raise

Wed, Sep 07, 2011

Between 2000 and 2009, the share of compensation gains provided in the form of more expensive benefits ranged from 35.2% to 60.8% for U.S. workers, depending on their level of income, according to Towers Watson.

TIAA-CREF Institute elicits “best practices” for DC plans

Tue, Sep 06, 2011

The research arm of the non-profit retirement plan for educators has just published the results of a forum it hosted last December on best practices and potential improvements in the design of defined contribution plans.

Actuaries suggest automatic adjustments for Social Security

Wed, Sep 07, 2011

"Automatic adjustments to benefits, taxes, or the normal retirement age could solve Social Security’s long-range financing problem permanently and automatically—and restore public confidence in the system," says the American Academy of Actuaries.

Pensions feel the risks of “de-risking”

Wed, Sep 07, 2011

In July, the combined funding deficits of the 100 largest U.S. DB plans rose by $68 billion, to $254 billion, said Reuters, citing the Milliman Pension Fund Index.

Leakage from retirement plans plagues South Africa

Wed, Sep 07, 2011

To promote retirement savings and drive down the cost of retail annuities, South Africa's National Treasury is considering the creation of a public, low-cost "Retail Bond-backed Retirement Annuity."