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From the Executive Editor

Hello ASEA— 

Greetings from Queens, New York! 

I have been very lucky not losing any friends or family, working from home, and staying healthy. The cancelled July meeting in Toronto for the EA-2L exam committee was a gut punch, but of course it could be worse. Alas, we will still meet, but remotely.

As there were quite a bit of changes from the SECURE and CARES Acts, I am grateful for the ASEA Google Group in helping me conquer CVRDs. My benefit applications look good, after a few days of head spinning.

Our first article is a reprint of Jim Holland’s article that was published in the aftermath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Jim is the Chief Research Actuary at Cheiron, and could likely be the chief research actuary of the world.

Two of Jim’s stated goals of the article are for actuaries to understand the background for the current law and agency relief, as well as an understanding of the process involved. That worked for me, as I grew up as an actuary assuming changes in the law fell from the sky. To see Jim’s other goals in writing the article and what you can get out of it, you will have to read the article, which you can find here.

Next up is the hardest working actuarial society president out there, our president Lauren Okum. Lauren, owner of Premier Actuarial Solutions, summarizes some of the key issues of recent law changes pertaining to defined benefit and cash balance plans. 

Lauren recently shared a chart of Form 5500 due dates on the ASEA Google Group, Coincidentally, I saw today that a plan that paid out assets last year had not filed the final Form 5500. Thankfully, they have an automatic extension! You can find Lauren’s article here.

Up next, like a crossover episode of Law and Order and Law and Order – Special Victims Unit, we have our first crossover article. David Kupstas, Chief Actuary of the ACG Retirement Plan Design and Administration Division, wrote an article for ASPPA’s Spring 2020 Plan Consultant magazine, “Decisions, Decisions: Lump Sum or Annuity?” You can find a longer, more in-depth version of the original article here.

And for you SVU fans, Elliot Stabler returns for the season premiere next season, followed by a new show starring the Stabler character. Good times will soon be back!

Finally, ASPPA LC and ARA Board Nominations are now being accepted and you can learn more about submitting a nomination here.

Be well ASEA, see you all soon, I hope.