Resources
The SOA Social Insurance section has pulled together the following resources for all section members.
Public Pensions
Actuarial Funding Policies and Practices for Public Pension Plan, August 2024
The second edition of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries white paper “Actuarial Funding Policies and Practices for Public Pension Plans”, originally published in October, 2014, is available HERE. The second edition reflects, among other things, “updates to Actuarial Standards of Practice and nearly a decade of experience applying the guidance from the original white paper as well as emerging practices. The intent of the changes in the second edition is to preserve and enhance the ongoing relevance and credibility of the white paper. The Steering Committee of the CCA PPC believes the second edition reflects a substantial consensus among current actuaries who provide valuation and consulting services to public pension plans.”
Actuarial Funding Policies and Practices for Public Pension Plans, October 2014
The CCA “White Paper” provides guidance on the development of actuarially based funding policies for public pension plans. It develops a principle based, empirically grounded Level Cost Allocation Model for use as a basis for funding policies for public pension plans throughout the US.
NASRA Public Fund Survey
The National Association of State Retirement Administrators (NASRA) conducts an annual survey of key characteristics and trends affecting most of the nation’s largest public retirement systems.
NASRA Issue Brief: Public Pension Plan Investment Return Assumptions
Review how the investment return assumptions are established and evaluated for the nation’s largest public retirement systems.
Actuarial Standards of Practice (ASOPs) for Pension Actuaries
The Actuarial Standards Board sets standards for appropriate actuarial practice in the United States through the development and promulgation of ASOPs.
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Pension and Benefit Administration Best Practices
The GFOA Best Practices identify specific policies and procedures that contribute to improved government management.
Survey of Capital Market Assumptions – 2024 Edition, published by Horizon Actuarial Services, LLC®
Horizon reaches out to several investment advisors on their “capital market assumptions’ – their expectations for future risk and returns for different asset classes.
Health
DHHS Annual Medicaid Actuarial Report
Review actuarial report on the financial outlook of Medicaid, as presented to Congress.
Medicare Program Rates and Statistics
Key data on the operations of the Medicare program.
National Health Expenditures
Historical and forecast data on the levels of healthcare spending in the U.S. economy.
MedPAC Reports to Congress
Read MedPAC's recommendations to Congress regarding private equity, alternative payment models, rural care access, and more.
MACStats
The Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission provides data on Medicaid and CHIP enrollment and spending.
Kaiser Family Foundation
This website contains reporting on current events in Medicare and Medicaid.
Congressional Budget Office Health Care
The CBO played an instrumental role in the estimation of the cost for the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The detailed analysis and next steps in this process are described.
Social Security
Proposals to Change the Social Security Program
See proposals to change the Social Security Program which have been estimated for Congress.
Proposals to Restore Trust Fund Solvency
See estimates for a broad range of proposals to modify the Social Security Program.
Social Security Administration Actuarial Publications
Find all publications from the SSA, includes Actuarial Notes and Studies.
COVID-19 Challenges Facing Public Pension Plans - A “Town Hall”
A panel of seven experienced public pension actuaries discuss COVID-19 related challenges facing public pension plans.
Social Security Bulletin
The Social Security Bulletin's "Perspectives" section welcomes rigorous, clearly written manuscripts on social and behavioral sciences.
Status of the Social Security and Medicare Programs
The Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare trust funds report on the current and projected financial status of the two programs.
Reports & Studies of Historical Social Security Trust Fund Reports
A collection of historical Trustees Reports, including summaries, is available for historical research and review.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Social Security Trust Fund
The Office of the Chief Actuary answers frequently asked questions regarding the Social Security Trust fund.
American Academy of Actuaries
The public policy, communications and professional organization for all actuaries in the United States. The Health and Pension pages within this site provide a wealth of information on healthcare law, Medicare and Social Security.
AAA Social Security Game
A wealth of material that examines Social Security's financial condition, and related issues, from an actuarial perspective.
Group Discussions
Join a Subgroup
Subscribe to an SOA Listserv to join discussions on Medicaid, Medicare, public health, and more.