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Norman Levinrad

I’m not sure why anyone would be interested, but Alan asked me to write a brief update on my change from Summit to EGPS. After more than 25 years of building and running Summit, my partner Jeff Curl and I decided to sell Summit to EGPS last year. No, I haven’t retired! I’m working as Chief Actuary... READ MORE
Investing in real estate within a qualified retirement plan is a nontraditional investment that requires careful consideration. Real estate includes but is not limited to Limited Partnerships, land, buildings, etc. Some issues are listed below; however they do not take into account issues such as... READ MORE
I recently caught up with Judy Miller, ACOPA’s former Executive Director. Here are Judy’s reflections on her plans for retirement, ACOPA, the state of the industry and more. Judy, your retirement has been announced. What are your retirement plans? Are there “bucket list” things you’re planning... READ MORE
Hi everyone. I hope those of you in the hurricane-affected areas are coping with the massive disruptions to your lives. Things like 9/15 deadlines become trivial when you’ve been evacuated from your home, your home is under water, or you have no power for an extended time. As I’m sitting here on 9/... READ MORE
Hi there, readers. I trust you are all enjoying summer and its long days, the gin and tonics, the BBQ’s, the camping, the 100 mosquito bites in one night… Okay, that was me last week camping at the foot of the Steens Mountains in eastern Oregon. No kidding, about 100 bites on me the first night... READ MORE
Hi Devoted Readers. This is Grand Executive Editor For Life Norm reporting to his reliable followers on this magnificent occasion… Okay, I have apparently been reading way too much North Korea news! Seriously though, it’s really hard not to be anxious about the state of the world and the state of... READ MORE
Hi everyone. As you are reading this, your busy season will have just ended. I hope it went smoothly and was not too stressful for all of you. A couple of days ago I was, as usual, stressing about whether I would have content for this month’s edition, and then like manna from heaven, content fell... READ MORE
Yoo hoo! I hope your busy season is going smoothly. Don’t forget to eat healthy, exercise and get your sleep – all of that adds up to managing the stress successfully. Free advice from Doctor Norm – but as I warn everyone when I give them medical advice, my entire medical training comes from... READ MORE
NORM: Sal, thanks for doing this interview with the ACOPA e-news. You’re probably the most well known person in the industry because of The ERISA Outline Book, which is everyone’s main reference. Did you just wake up one day and decide, “I’m going to write a 100,000 page book on pensions that... READ MORE
Hi there, y’all. I hope February is doing well by you. We’ve finally come out of the unusual harsh weather we’ve had here in Oregon, and the crocuses are already blooming. Knowing that Spring is around the corner is almost enough for me to overcome the gloom of busy season and the misery of... READ MORE
Happy New Year to all of you. I hope 2017 is a healthy year for all of you and your families. The e-news took a short winter break, mainly because I was moving my Mom into assisted living and clearing out her apartment and did not have time to put together a December edition. Happily she thinks... READ MORE
Wow, what a week we’ve just had as a country. I’m not going to make any political comments, but I think we can all agree we’re going to be on a roller coaster for a while. And I don’t like roller coasters — they are way too scary for me. Put me on a sport bike on a race track and I ride like a... READ MORE
Hi folks. Are you bored with no work to do? If so, here’s another ACOPA enews for you to read! Bored? Yes, I know, here we are again with the Oct. 17 Form 5500 deadline a few days away, and dealing with the inevitable last-minute clients and filings. Somehow it seems to always be the same clients... READ MORE
Many of us first heard of Jim Holland in the 1980s, when he was working at the IRS during the small plan audit program, so I thought Jim would be a good victim for an enews interview.Norm: Jim, thanks for doing this interview. Had you worked in private practice before you started at the IRS, or was... READ MORE
Hi there! I hope you all had a great summer. Being buried in 9/15 deadlines makes it all too easy to forget the time off and trips we took just a few weeks ago. Personally I had a lovely summer. My wife and I took a trip to the UK that included a 7-day self-guided walk in the Cotswolds in England... READ MORE
This month’s Q&A features Ms. Bela Palli, the manager of the Standard Termination Compliance Division at the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).Norm: What’s your position at PBGC and how long have you been there? Do you have any private sector experience? If so, what was it?Bela: I... READ MORE
There is a perception that actuaries are a boring, nerdy bunch. But I know some of you have pretty cool hobbies, and there’s nothing people with hobbies enjoy more than talking about their hobbies (as anyone who I have corralled to talk about motorcycles knows full well). So are all actuaries nerds... READ MORE
Hi there, fellow ACOPA members. Did you know we are so famous that an entire continental soccer championship is named after us? Like me, I am sure you are all totally engrossed in watching COPA Sudamerica Centenario. It’s the 100th anniversary of this tournament and is being held here in the U.S.... READ MORE
I am sure many of you regularly use the 5500 Preparer’s Manual in your practice. Recently I interviewed its author, Janice Wegesin. Here’s the interview. Norm: Janice, thanks for doing this interview. You’re well known in the profession for your expertise in Form 5500 and many of us have had your... READ MORE
Hi there ACOPeeps, I hope you are all enjoying springtime – the sunshine, the flowers, the birds, the pollen, the severe allergies, and the catch-up work on all the stuff you put aside the last few months.  Two weeks ago I was in my truck for six hours (each way) with my friend Thomas. Thomas is a... READ MORE

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