Tag: Actuarial Standards Board

A chance to enter a new era of financial transparency and awareness for public pension plans

Mary Pat Campbell

Link: https://reason.org/commentary/a-chance-to-enter-a-new-era-of-financial-transparency-and-awareness-for-public-pension-plans/

Graphic:

Excerpt:

On Feb. 11, the Actuarial Standards Board issued a revised Actuarial Standard of Practice No. 4, effective February 15, 2023. The rollout has been low-key. The announcement says:

“Notable changes made to the existing 2013 version include expanding the scope to clarify the application of the standard when the actuary selects an output smoothing method and when an assumption or method is not selected by the actuary.”

But this description obscures a significant new required disclosure, one which follows years of controversy and acrimony within and among actuaries and the public pension plan community at large.  The requirement was the overwhelming focus during the drafting and comment period.     

The new required disclosure reflects economic reality better than any currently required number.

Author(s): Larry Pollack

Publication Date: 25 Mar 2022

Publication Site: Reason

ASB Approves Third Exposure Draft of ASOP No. 4

Mary Pat Campbell

Link: http://www.actuarialstandardsboard.org/email/2021/ActuarialStandardsBoard-aug-9-2021.html

Excerpt:

The Actuarial Standards Board of the American Academy of Actuaries recently approved a third exposure draft of a proposed revision of Actuarial Standard of Practice (ASOP) No. 4, Measuring Pension Obligations and Determining Pension Plan Costs or Contributions. The standard provides guidance to actuaries when performing actuarial services with respect to measuring obligations under a defined benefit pension plan and determining periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions for such plans. The standard addresses broader measurement issues, including cost allocation procedures and contribution allocation procedures. The standard also provides guidance for coordinating and integrating all of the elements of an actuarial valuation of a pension plan.

The comment deadline for the third exposure draft is Oct. 15, 2021. Information on how to submit comments can be found in the exposure draft.

Link to draft: http://www.actuarialstandardsboard.org/asops/measuring-pension-obligations-and-determining-pension-plan-costs-or-contributions-third-exposure-draft/

Publication Date: 9 August 2021

Publication Site: Actuarial Standards Board

Morning with Meep – ASOP 56 – Modeling

Mary Pat Campbell

Description:

I take a look at the Actuarial Standard of Practice 56: Modeling — in effect as of October 2020.

Links: Keep Up With the Standards: On ASOP 56, Modeling

https://www.soa.org/sections/modeling/modeling-newsletter/2021/april/mp-2021-04-campbell/

ASOP 56: Modeling

http://www.actuarialstandardsboard.org/asops/modeling-3/

Author(s): Mary Pat Campbell

Publication Date: 3 May 2021

Publication Site: Meep’s Math Matters at Youtube

Actuarial Standards Board 2020 Annual Report

Mary Pat Campbell

Link: http://www.actuarialstandardsboard.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/asb2020Annual.pdf

Excerpt:

The Pension Committee, chaired by David Kausch, continued work on ASOP No. 27,
Selection of Economic Assumptions for Measuring Pension Obligations, and ASOP No. 35,
Selection of Demographic and Other Noneconomic Assumptions for Measuring Pension
Obligations. The ASB adopted both revisions in June.


The Pension Committee also continued its work on ASOP No. 4, Measuring Pension
Obligations and Determining Pension Plan Costs or Contributions.

Date Accessed: 27 March 2021

Publication Site: Actuarial Standards Board