Skip to main content

You are here

2024 ASEA Actuarial Symposium

The ASEA Advanced Actuarial Symposium is designed for senior pension actuaries and professionals who are concerned about the impact of recent regulations. The sessions are geared specifically toward issues affecting actuaries in the pension field. The final “Ask the Experts” session provides an opportunity for you to ask questions relevant to your specific area of expertise.

Join us August 16-17, 2024 at the Hotel Kansas City in Kansas City, MO! 

 

Quick Links:


REGISTRATION

 

Early Bird Pricing

(Expires 6/21/24)

Regular Pricing

(Expires 8/9/24)

Onsite Pricing

(After 8/10/23)

Member

$855

$955

$1,055

Non-Member

$1,005

$1,105

$1,205

Confirmation

You will receive an email from ASEA with confirmation of your registration. If you did not receive a confirmation within 10 business days after registering, please contact the Accounting Department.

By registering for this event, you agree to abide by our Event Policies.


CONFERENCE LOCATION

 

New Conference Location!

Hotel Kansas City
1228 Baltimore Avenue
Kansas City, MO, 64105

Room Rate: $199/night 
Cut-off Date: July 17, 2024

 


AGENDA

FRIDAY, AUGUST 11, 2023
 
7:00a.m. - 8:00 a.m. 
Breakfast
 
8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
Welcome and General Session 1: Regulatory Update, SECURE 2.0
 
Panelists will review the latest developments from the IRS, DOL, and PBGC as well as the impact of legislation.  The focus will be on the developments that potentially impact your work and advice to clients.
 
Allison Wielobob, General Counsel, American Retirement Association / Executive Director, ASEA
James E. Holland, Jr., FSEA, FCA, MAAA, ASA, EA, Chief Research Actuary, Cheiron, Inc.
 
9:45-10:00 a.m.
Break
 
10:00 a.m, - 11:15 a.m.
General Session 2: Distribution and Plan Termination Strategies
 
The extraordinary increase in interest rates in the last year or so has had a significant impact on DB and CB plans.  Funding & funded status comes to mind immediately but the impact on distributions and plan terminations may be more significant.  
 
Distribution strategies and planning may need to be re-examined.  Plans which were on a glide path to eventual termination may now be in a position to terminate.  Annuity purchases, either to reduce plan liabilities or as part of a plan termination, may now be an attractive option.
 
Lorraine Dorsa, MSEA, Aegis Pension Services, Inc
Derek Feldhahn, MSEA, Owner, Sunwest Actuarial Services
 
11:15 a.m.  - 11:30 a.m.
Break
 
11:30 a.m. - 12 :10 p.m.
General Session 3: 415 Guild Issues
 
Are you designing a new DB plan to take advantage of COLA increases? Did you just discover that your new client has a Guild benefit? In this session, we’ll use case studies to explore 415 Issues dealing with clients who are also in Guild retirement plans.
 
Kurt Piper, Owner & Chief Actuary at Piper Pension & Profit Sharing
Lynn Young, EA, FSEA. Partner/Consulting Actuary, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
 
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Lunch
 
1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
General Session 4: Impact of SECURE 2.0 Changes on Designing DB Plans
 
This session will explore defined benefit plan and DB/DC design after SECURE 2.0. Most SECURE 2.0 changes affected 401(k) plans, but since most DB plans are coupled with 401(k) plans these changes can impact how the combined DB/DC plan operates.  Does the new ability to convert employer contributions to ROTH impact design?  Should plan eligibility be more liberal due to the new top-heavy exclusion for otherwise excludable employees?  Does the new automatic enrollment requirement impact design?
 
Lawrence Deutsch, FSEA, President, Larry Deutsch Enterprises
 
2:45 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Break
 
3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
General Session 5: Advanced Plan Design
 
This session will explore the design of plans for professionals and other small business owners.  Combined plan design will be discussed, including the use of multiple DC plans, restructuring, and crisscrossing (using the spread between normal and most valuable accrual rates to keep HCEs out of each other’s rate groups). Learn how to proactively create plan designs to reduce the probability of testing failures using these advanced 
techniques.
 
Kevin Donovan, CPA, FSEA, President, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
Lauren R. Okum, ASA, MSEA, Actuary, Premier Actuarial Solutions
 
4:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Break
 
4:30 p.m. - 5:20 p.m.
General Session 6: EPCRS in Action (Focus on Issues, Case Studies)
 
Like death and taxes, plan errors are (almost) a certainty. The question now becomes, how do we fix these errors? In this session, we will dive into real life issues and case studies using the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS).
 
Allison Wielobob, General Counsel, American Retirement Association/Executive Director, ASEA
Lynn Young, EA, FSEA. Partner/Consulting Actuary, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
 
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Networking Reception
 
 
SATURDAY, AUGUST 12, 2023
 
7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.
Breakfast
 
8:00 a.m. - 9:45 a.m.
General Session 7: DB Documents - Cycle 3 Restatements and Beyond
 
  1. Explain the advantages of the new SECURE 2.0 amendment timing
  2. Identify opportunities and potential pitfalls in the cycle 3 restatement process
  3. Understand potential risks related to amendment timing
 
Kelsey Mayo, Partner, Poyner Spruill LLP
Kevin Donovan, CPA, FSEA, President, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
 
9:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Break
 
10:00 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
General Session 8: Advanced Look at Top-Heavy
 
While the top-heavy regulations have not changed in many years, how do we apply these rules to current plan designs? We all know a plan is top-heavy when more than 60% of benefits are attributed to key employees, and that a minimum benefit is required for a top-heavy plan. What triggers a 3% minimum versus a 5% minimum allocation? What balances are included in that 60%? How is the plan defined?
 
David Kupstas, FSA, EA, MSEA, Chief Actuary, ACG Wealth Management
 
10:50 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Break
 
11:00 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
General Session 9: Controlled Groups After SECURE 2.0 and Impacts on Plans
 
  1. Identify clients that may be impacted by controlled group changes enacted in SECURE 2.0
  2. Understand potential impacts on the plan design and administration
  3. Propose solutions to common scenarios impacted by the changes
 
Kelsey Mayo, Director of Regulatory Affairs, American Retirement Association, Partner, Poyner Spruill LLP
James E. Holland, Jr., FSEA, FCA, MAAA, ASA, EA, Chief Research Actuary, Cheiron, Inc.
 
11:50-1:00 p.m.
Lunch
 
1:00-2:15 p.m.
General Session 10: Ask the Experts
 
Join us one last time, with this panel of industry powerhouses that will dive into relevant topics to provide you with insights, perspective, and perhaps even a solution or two!  We want to make sure you have all the answers you need to help your clients.
 
Lawrence Deutsch, FSEA, President, Larry Deutsch Enterprises
Kevin Donovan, CPA, , FSEA, , President, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
James E. Holland, Jr., FSEA, FCA, MAAA, ASA, EA, Chief Research Actuary, Cheiron, Inc.
Kelsey Mayo, Director of Regulatory Affairs, American Retirement Association, Partner, Poyner Spruill LLP

 


FAQs

Will the event sessions be recorded?

No, sessions for the 2023 ASEA Actuarial Symposium will not be recorded. 

 

Confirmation

You will receive an email from ASEA with confirmation of your registration. If you did not receive a confirmation within 10 business days after registering, please contact the Accounting Department.

 

Cancellation

All conference registration fees are fully refundable until July 21, 2024. After this date the conference fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee, will be refunded for cancellations. Requests for refunds should be submitted to [email protected]. No refunds will be granted for requests received after this date. Please note that refunds will not be given for no-shows.

 

Substitution

Substitution of registrations is permitted prior to the conference. Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for updating any contact information. Requests for substitutions should be submitted to [email protected] by July 21, 2024. No substitutions will be accepted after this date.

 

Program Content

The views and opinions expressed by speakers or others who have provided materials to and for this conference are not necessarily those of ASEA or ARA or its affiliate organizations. ASEA, ARA, and its affiliate organizations assume no responsibility for, nor endorse, any of the comments, recommendations or materials that are provided.

 

Questions? We’re here to help!

Our customer care team is standing by to answer all your questions from the technology, CE credits, to the structure of the agenda! Connect with Customer Care


CONTINUING EDUCATON

Need CE credits? We’ve got you covered!

 

Continuing Education Calculator

50 minutes = 1 credit hour

75 minutes = 1.5 credit hours

100 minutes = 2 credit hours

 

ASEA Members

The 2024 ASEA Actuarial Symposium offers up to 13 hours of CE credits, including 1 hour of Ethics CE. 

 

Enrolled Actuaries (JBEA)

More information coming soon. 

 

Accountants (NASBA):

More information coming soon. 

 

Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents (ERPA Credit)

More information coming soon.

 

More details on other types of CE credit offered will be posted to this site once the agenda is finalized.
To request approval for a other specific type of CE credit, please fill out this form. Request must be submitted by June 28, 2024.

 

 


EVENT POLICIES

Registration Refund Policy

All conference registration fees are fully refundable until July 21, 2024. After this date the conference fee, minus a $100 cancellation fee, will be refunded for cancellations. Requests for refunds should be submitted to [email protected]. No refunds will be granted for requests received after this date. Please note that refunds will not be given for no-shows.

 

Substitution Policy

Substitution of registrations is permitted prior to the conference. Only one substitution is permitted per original registrant. The individual submitting the substitution request is responsible for updating any contact information. Requests for substitutions should be submitted to [email protected] by July 21, 2024. No substitutions will be accepted after this date.

 

Badges

Attendees who register in advance may pick up their badge and onsite materials at the Registration Desk during conference hours. If you do not check in at the Registration Desk to pick up your badge, you will be deemed a no-show and continuing education credit will not be issued. Attendees are not permitted to pick up other attendees’ badges/materials.

 

Covid Waiver & Safety Protocols


By participating in this conference and any associated events, you acknowledge and understand the highly contagious nature of Coronavirus/COVID-19, and that current medical knowledge of the virus, including its transmissibility and risk remains uncertain, particularly in light of evolving variants of the virus. There is not a cure for the virus, and those with certain medical conditions may be at high risk for contracting the virus and/or experiencing significant and life-threatening complications.

You understand and acknowledge that neither the American Retirement Association (ARA) nor the event venues are able to provide a guarantee against transmission of the virus, infection and/or illness and that they are not responsible for any potential exposure to COVID-19 and injuries related thereto or other infectious disease which you may experience in connection with the conference.  As such, you assume all risks related to COVID-19, even if arising from the negligence or fault of ARA and you release and hold harmless the ARA, its officers, employees, agents, representatives, affiliates, legal successors, and all persons acting pursuant to its authority from any and all liability for damages for exposure to and/or infection with COVID-19 in connection with or on account of your participation in the conference.

If you test positive for COVID-19 within 14 days of the event or have COVID-19 related symptoms, including if the conditions emerge while you are at the event, you will not attend the conference. If you believe you have been exposed to COVID-19, you should follow the current CDC guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/your-health/quarantine-isolation.html. In addition, ARA may immediately remove or prohibit you from in-person activities at the conference if you exhibit symptoms associated with COVID-19, or if you fail to comply with any safety procedures stipulated by ARA or the event venue.  Please refer to our event policies for additional information about safety protocols and the covid waiver.

 

Event Performance

If the event is canceled, ASEA will refund your registration fee. ASEA is not responsible for individual airfare, hotel or any other travel expenses that may be incurred.

 

Consent to Use of Photographic Images

Your registration and attendance at, or participation in, the event and other affiliated activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to grant ASPPA permission to use photos taken of you at the event for news, promotion and similar purposes.

 

Unauthorized Solicitations

Solicitation of business by anyone other than ASEA exhibitors and sponsors is strictly prohibited. Please report any violations to the registration desk.

 

Program Content

The views and opinions expressed by speakers or others who have provided materials to and for this conference are not necessarily those of ASEA or ARA or its affiliate organizations. ASEA, ARA, and its affiliate organizations assume no responsibility for, nor endorse, any of the comments, recommendations or materials that are provided.

 

Event Code of Conduct

The American Retirement Association, the umbrella organization for the individual membership organizations: ASPPA, ASEA, NAPA, NTSA and PSCA (collectively the “ARA”), is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants at ARA events. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, service providers and ARA staff members, and all others are expected to abide by this Events Code of Conduct. This policy applies to all ARA events (in-person and virtual), including all meetings and conferences, as well as events sponsored by organizations other than ARA but held in conjunction with ARA events. Read the full Event Code of Conduct.

 

Antitrust Policy

The American Retirement Association, the umbrella organization for five affiliate organizations, ASPPA, ASEA, NAPA, NTSA and PSCA (collectively the “ARA”), assigns the highest priority to full compliance with both the letter and the spirit of antitrust laws and it is vital that any ARA meetings be conducted in a manner consistent with this policy. Read the full Antitrust Policy.

 

Questions? We’re here to help!

Our customer care team is standing by to answer all your questions from the technology, CE credits, to the structure of the agenda! Connect with customer care.

 


SPONSORS