From the Executive Editor

Hello ASEA–

I had a momentous life change that occurred during the December Zoom call with the Legislative Relations Committee (LRC). Though I usually keep my Zoom camera off during such calls as I make coffee and put my work away for the day, I was in the holiday spirit and wanted to interact a bit more with the group. 

It was a good day to interact, as Martella A. Turner-Joseph, EA, MSPA of Joseph & Turner Consulting Actuaries, LLC agreed to write an article on an important note regarding the change in leadership of the LRC, which you can find here.

And to top off Martella’s announcement, we have this salute to her from Andrew Remo, Director of Legislative Affairs for the American Retirement Association, which you can find here.

If getting two articles for the ASEA Monthly were not enough, the momentous change during the LRC call occurred as I saw the lovely backgrounds of the committee members while I finally opened my eyes to the sad state of my delayed apartment renovation. 

So with Omicron raging in NYC, being oh-so-cold out, temporarily working from home full-time, and the holidays, I spent the last month tossing out 15 years of take-out menus, instruction manuals and other accumulated nonsense from my apartment. Painting has already started and I feel much better. My two tips about tossing items: follow the “Does it bring you joy?” mantra, and make “deep cuts.”

Coincidentally enough, I am just getting to a big box of actuarial stuff in an underused closet containing work notes, exam textbooks, notes from EA meetings, client files from an audit I worked on 12 years ago, etc.  I did find my EA notes that I was looking for when someone asked a pre-PPA question on the ASEA Google Group. Truth be told, I kept the actuarial textbooks and client files… just in case.

I also connected with Kathleen J. Tompkins, EA, MSPA, MAAA, of Shore Tompkins Actuarial Resources. In November, she had posted in the Google Group under “Women in Retirement Conference... calling all ASEA Women!” And sure enough, she was kind enough to provide us with some highlights of the recently concluded conference. No spoilers, but she was in Fort Lauderdale and I am jealous! You can find Kathleen’s report here.

We also have the transcript from the second podcast with Brent Henningson, FSA, EA, the CEO & Enrolled Actuary at Saber Pension & Actuarial Services. You can find the transcript here. While you might see that the word “loophole” was used in the Spotify podcast (which I see defined as “ambiguity or inadequacy in the law or a set of rules”), I think Brent did a great job clearing up misconceptions, and the podcast host/financial advisor was appreciative of what he learned. Great job, Brent! 

And great job, Martella!

I just had a physical reaction writing that I hope this is the year I see you all. Will be sad if not.

— Alan