The ASEA Actuarial Symposium is designed for 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 12-13 via Zoom webinar! Get ready to engage with speakers through the chat and Q&A features during each presentation.
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Early Bird Discounted Price |
Regular Event Price |
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Member |
$325 |
$425 |
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Non-member |
$475 |
$575 |
Agenda
THURSDAY, AUGUST 12, 2021
12–12:50 p.m. ET
Welcome & General Session 1: Regulatory Update- ARPA Rules
This session will review changes impacting pension plans over the past year, including the American Rescue Plan Act and new corrections for pension plan under the Employee Plans Compliance Resolution System.
Kelsey H. Mayo, Partner, Poyner Spruill LLP
Allison Wielobob, General Counsel, American Retirement Association / Executive Director, ASEA
12:50–1 p.m. ET
Brain Break
1–1:50 p.m. ET
General Session 2: 1 Person Plans & Schedule C Income
This session will focus on designing owner-only (or owner and spouse) DB plans. What data is needed to perform your analysis? Is there historical compensation that can support the desired contribution/benefit? Does the taxpayer's entity matter, and should it change? Can your client sustain the first-year contribution in future years; and do they want to?
Attendees will:
- Understand differences between owner only plan and those that cover employees.
- Understand data is needed when designing owner only plans.
- Understand when to use cash balance vs traditional plans.
Kevin Donovan, FSEA, President, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
1:50–2 p.m. ET
Brain Break
2–2:50 p.m. ET
General Session 3: Closed Plans Revisited
The relief available to closed plans is at times dismissed as only applicable to large plans and at other times touted as the solution to all sorts of issues. Find out what it really provides, when it works and what to watch out for.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the relief and the specific problems it was designed to solve
- Learn the impact of the unintended consequences of the relief
- Consider how to handle the extra work possibly created by the 401(a)(26) relief.
Norman Levinrad, FSEA, CPC, President, Summit Benefit & Actuarial Services, Inc.
2:50–3 p.m. ET
Brain Break
3–3:50 p.m. ET
General Session 4: Selecting an Interest Crediting Rate in a Cash Balance Plan
When designing a cash balance plan the interest crediting rate can have an impact on various plan restrictions (e.g., 401(a)(26), 401(a)(4), 410(b), 415, minimum funding and deductible limits). Also, the interest crediting rate can have an operational impact due to the actual rate of return being higher or lower than the interest crediting rate. This session will follow three case studies, an owner only, two owners of different ages only, and one owner with three NHCEs in a DB/DC plan and examine the impact of different interest crediting rates on the plan design. Attendees will:
- Understand the pros and cons of different potential interest crediting rates.
- Know what issues to consider when designing a cash balance plan.
Lawrence Deutsch, FSEA, President, Larry Deutsch Enterprises
3:50–4 p.m. ET
Brain Break
4–4:50 p.m. ET
General Session 5: Takeover Plans - Can't Live With Them & Can't Live Without Them
Takeover plans can be difficult, challenging and sometimes downright frustrating. The right takeovers can help you grow your business; wrong or badly implemented takeovers can cost you time and money and siphon off resources that might be better directed to other areas of your business. Attendees will:
- Learn to evaluate potential takeovers for their impact on their business.
- Understand the technical and actuarial issues raised by takeovers.
- Develop a procedure to integrate takeovers into their practice.
Lorraine Dorsa, MSEA, Actuary, Aegis Pension Services, Inc.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 13, 2021
12–12:50 p.m. ET
General Session 6: Washington Update
Find out what you need to know about the rapid policy developments coming from Washington, D.C. Will transformative retirement policies – like retirement plan coverage for all and a new government retirement contribution matching program - be included in a new Democratic reconciliation bill? What are the most important provisions in SECURE 2.0 – the second bipartisan comprehensive retirement bill that Congress is considering in three years? What guidance can we expect out of the Agencies? i.e. final rules on Lifetime Income Illustrations; and new proposals on initiatives relating to ESG investments, definition of fiduciary, and SECURE 1.0 implementation on Pooled Employer Plans prohibited transaction exemptions and Group of Plans reporting requirements.
Brian H. Graff, Esq., APM, Chief Executive Officer, American Retirement Association
12:50–1 p.m. ET
Brain Break
1–1:50 p.m. ET
General Session 7: MASDs and Recent IRS Audits
After no activity since the final regulations, the IRS has recently started raising issues on plan termination and later audits. This session will review a few situations, the results and why the IRS is wrong in the views that they are taking. The session will cover how you can prepare and respond to questions in similar situations. Attendees will:
- Recognize why there may be an MASD issue for their clients.
- Understand what views the IRS has been taking on audit.
- Learn how to deal competently with their situations both before the problem arises and after the plan has been pulled for audit.
James E. Holland Jr, FSEA, Chief Research Actuary, Cheiron, Inc.
1:50–2 p.m. ET
Brain Break
2–2:50 p.m. ET
General Session 8: What is 401(h): Does is make sense for the small employer?
Clients or their advisors occasionally inquire about adding an IRC section 401(h) account to a defined benefit plan. Also, actuaries may be asked to consult on takeover clients with a plan that already has a 401(h) account in place. Recently, a firm that handled a large number of plans with 401(h) accounts ceased providing plan services, leaving clients to seek new providers. Our objective is to help the actuary understand how to address the 401(h) account issues in such plans and to facilitate a workable strategy when taking over the actuarial work for one of these plans. Learning Objectives:
- Audience – Actuaries that are involved in new business
- Behavior – Professionally and ethically handle takeover plans with 401(h) accounts.
- Conditions – New plan sponsors are objectively advised as to the pros and cons of 401(h) accounts. Takeover clients are provided with a workable plan design or re-design and a path forward for handling 401(h) accounts.
Daniel E. Jock, MSEA, EA, MAAA, President, Consulting Actuary, Cornerstone Retirement
James E. Turpin, MSEA, President, The Turpin Consulting Group, Inc.
2:50–3 p.m. ET
Brain Break
3–3:50 p.m. ET
General Session 9: Ethics
We can have procedures in place but if we don’t know and understand our Code of Conduct and Professional Responsibilities, one can easily find themselves on a course that could lead one astray. During this session we will look at case studies of ethical dilemmas and what we can do to right our course should we go astray. Attendees will:
- Gain a better understanding of our responsibilities under Circular 230 on ethical challenges.
- Review the Code of Conduct
- Discuss best practices for demonstrating professionalism, courtesy and respect.
Lynn M. Young, MSEA, Partner, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
3:50–4 p.m. ET
Brain Break
4–4:50 p.m. ET
General Session 10: Ask The Experts
Here's your chance to get answers to your technical and outstanding questions from a panel of pension plan experts. Be prepared with your questions you have encountered in your practice. Submit your questions here! Attendees will:
- Relate with peers on technical issues and examine outstanding questions and issues regarding pension plans.
- Collaborate with experts to receive feedback on pension plans.
Lawrence Deutsch, FSEA, President, Larry Deutsch Enterprises
Thomas J. Finnegan, FSEA, CPC, QPA, President – Actuarial Division, CBIZ Retirement Plan Services
James E. Holland Jr, FSEA, Chief Research Actuary, Cheiron, Inc.
Kelsey H. Mayo, Partner, Poyner Spruill LLP
FAQ
Will the event sessions be recorded?
Yes, the sessions will be recorded. All registrants will have access to the recordings for 30 days after the virtual live event has concluded, but CE will not be offered for listening to recorded sessions.
Committee
Raymond D. Berry, MSEA — Conferences Chair
Kevin Donovan, FSEA, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
Lorraine Dorsa, MSEA, Aegis Pension Services, Inc
Nolan S. Frank, MSEA, Frank Pension Consultants, Ltd
Justin Greindl, MSEA, Fidus Actuarial Solutions, LLC
Kenneth M. Vollmer, MSEA, Premier Plan Consultants
ASEA Management Council
Justin Bonestroo, MSEA, CPC, QPA, QKA, CPFA, CBIZ — ASEA President
Virginia C. Wentz, FSPA, CPC, The MandMarblestone Group, LLC — ASEA President-Elect
Clint Blankenship, MSEA, McCloud & Associates - ASEA Executive Vice President
Confirmation
You will receive an email from ASEA with confirmation of your registration. If you did not received a confirmation within 10 business days after registering, please contact the Accounting Department. Details of how to join the virtual event will be provided to all registered attendees shortly and recordings will become available post-event for those who are not able to join live.
Cancellation
Submit cancellation request by August 6, 2021. A refund of the conference fee, minus a $100 processing fee, will be issued for cancellations received by that date. No refunds will be granted for requests received after August 6, 2021. Please note 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.
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 ARA, ASEA or its affiliate organizations. ARA, ASEA and its affiliate organizations assume no responsibility for, nor endorses 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.
Speakers
Brian H. Graff, Esq., APM
Brian H. Graff, Esq., is the Chief Executive Officer of the American Retirement Association, the umbrella organization for the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries (ASPPA), the American Society of Enrolled Actuaries (ASEA), the National Association of Plan Advisors (NAPA), the National Tax-deferred Savings Association (NTSA), and the Plan Sponsor Council of America (PSCA). Graff oversees the American Retirement Association’s operations and, working with the Board of Directors, charts the strategic direction for the organization. He also serves as the Executive Director of ASPPA and NAPA. The American Retirement Association is a national organization of more than 20,000 retirement plan professionals who provide advisory and administrative services for qualified retirement plans covering tens of millions of American workers.
Kevin J. Donovan, FSEA
Kevin is the managing member and founder of Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC, a third-party administrator for employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans. A CPA and an Enrolled Actuary, Kevin specializes in designing cash balance and other defined benefit retirement plans to maximize the benefits for business owners and principals. He is co-author of the 2018 Defined Benefit Answer Book, published by Wolters Kluwer. In 2015, Kevin received ASPPA’s Educator’s Award in recognition of his contributions to retirement plan education. Kevin is a founding member of ACOPA, a current member of ACOPA’s Leadership Council and has served on the ASPPA Board of Directors as well as the Government Affairs Committee (GAC).
Lawrence Deutsch, FSEA
Larry is the founder and president of Larry Deutsch Enterprises, which has provided software to innovative TPA firms since 1985. Larry is also the founder and owner of Larry Deutsch's Penguin Consulting and Design, Ltd., which has provided pension and actuarial consulting services to pension consultants nationally since 1997. Larry has been active in the pension actuarial community since being enrolled in 1981, including authoring multiple articles, involvement with the Academy of Actuaries, the American Society of Pension Actuaries, the American Society of Pension Professionals & Actuaries, the College of Pension Actuaries and the advisory committee and exam committee to the Joint Board for the Enrollment of Actuaries.
Lorraine Dorsa, MSEA
Lorraine is the founding principal of Aegis Pension Services. She has leveraged her extensive experience providing defined benefit and cash balance plan design, administration and actuarial support services to TPAs, financial institutions, advisors and plan sponsors to build Aegis into a premier actuarial partner for retirement plan professionals.
Thomas J. Finnegan, FSEA, CPC, QPA
Tom is the President of the Actuarial Division of CBIZ Retirement Plan Services and serves as the the firm's director of compliance. He is a frequent speaker on retirement plan issues at both regional and national conferences. He has testified before state government hearings as well as federal administrative hearings. Tom is a former President of the American Retirement Association, ASPPA and ACOPA and has twice served as a Special Director on the Board of the American Academy of Actuaries.
James E. Holland, Jr., FSEA
Jim, chief research actuary for Cheiron, has over three decades of professional, managerial and public
service experience working on issues relating to retirement plans and welfare benefit plans. He was a long-time official at the IRS before joining Cheiron. At the IRS, Jim held a variety of positions, was the chief of the actuarial branch for many years, and ended his career as the assistant director for the employee plans rulings and agreement area, where all aspects of the regulatory and legal guidance pertaining to pension plans is produced. In his roles, he often worked with officials from the Treasury Department, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, the Department of Labor and other government agencies. At Cheiron, Jim is providing his expertise to consultants and clients on a variety of pension related issues. Jim has been a frequent speaker at professional meetings where he made complicated regulations understandable to the pension community.
Dan Jock
Daniel Jock is an Enrolled Actuary and Member of the American Academy of Actuaries and the ASPPA Society of Enrolled Actuaries. Although Dan spent his student-analyst days working large corporate DB plans, after being minted by the Joint Board in 2014, Dan started his actuarial tenure working on small owner-driven DB plans for a national TPA. Dan started his consulting practice, Cornerstone Retirement, in 2016 and has since been designing plans for small profitable employers. Being young and impressionable, Dan has studied all the arcane and inscrutable plan design alternatives including floor offset plans, carve-outs, split-funded (life insurance) plans, 401(h), ROBS, and the like.
Norman Levinrad, FSEA, CPC
Norman is the president of Summit Benefit & Actuarial Services, Inc., in Eugene, OR. He earned his BA in Applied Mathematics from UCLA in 1982 and became an enrolled actuary in 1985. He is a certified pension consultant and a Fellow of ASPPA and is a member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He is a frequent speaker at ASPPA conferences and seminars and has authored articles on various pension topics.
Kelsey H. Mayo
Kelsey Mayo is a partner with Poyner Spruill LLP, a law firm based in North Carolina. Her practice is focused in the areas of Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation. She routinely represents clients before the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Labor, and PBGC, and has extensive experience in virtually all aspects of benefit arrangements. Kelsey has a particular love for qualified and non-qualified pensions—so much so that she’s now passed 5 of the exams necessary for her ASA designation. As icing on the retirement-plan-geek cake, Kelsey recently took over the role of ARA's director of Regulatory Affairs and spends her free time co-editing the Journal of Pension Benefits.
James Turpin, MSEA
James is the President and principal shareholder of The Turpin Consulting Group, Inc., which has provided actuarial, administrative and consulting services for retirement plans since August 1981. His current professional focus is on plan design, plan compliance issues, litigation support and expert testimony. James received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Actuarial Science and a Master of Business Administration in Actuarial Science from the University of Texas at Austin.
Allison Wielobob
Allison Wielobob is the General Counsel at the American Retirement Association and also serves as the Executive Director of the American Society of Enrolled Actuaries. She has experience—both in government and in private practice—with a broad range of employee benefits issues under ERISA and IRS rules. She served as a legislation counsel for the Joint Committee on Taxation of the U.S. Congress and was on the staff of the Office of Regulations and Interpretations of the Employee Benefits Security Administration. After leaving the Labor Department, Allison worked at Eversheds Sutherland LLP. She is a Fellow of the American College of Employee Benefits Counsel.
Lynn Young, MSEA
Lynn Young is an Enrolled Actuary and has over 35 years of experience specializing in the design and administration of retirement plans for closely held businesses, with an emphasis on defined benefit and cash balance plans. She works closely with financial advisors, CPAs, Third Party Administrators and Plan Sponsors to ensure the design meets their objectives. Lynn is a past President of the American Society of Enrolled Actuaries (ASEA, formerly ACOPA).
Continuing Education
ASEA Members
The 2021 ASEA Actuarial Symposium offers up to 10 hours of CE credits, including 1 hour of Ethics CE. CE credit is only available for watching the LIVE sessions. CE credit will not be awarded for watching the session recordings after the event concludes. We are able to track your attendance through the Zoom attendee reports. CE will be automatically added to your ASEA member record. Please allow 2-3 weeks processing.
Enrolled Actuaries (JBEA)
The ASEA Actuarial Symposium offers 10 hours of JBEA CE. 8 hours of Core, 2 hours of Non-Core, and 1 hour of Ethics CE are available. JBEA Formal CE is only available for watching the LIVE sessions. JBEA CE credit will not be awarded for watching the session recordings after the event concludes. We are able to track your attendance through the Zoom attendee reports. CE will be automatically added to your ASEA member record. Please allow 2-3 weeks processing.
Accountants (NASBA):
ASPPA is not an approved provider through NASBA for online education. No CPE credit will be available.
Enrolled Retirement Plan Agents (ERPA Credit)
The conference is designed to provide up to 10 ERPA credits, including 1 ERPA Ethics credits. The final approval as to the number of ERPA credits rests solely with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We are able to track your attendance through the Zoom attendee reports. CE will be automatically added to your ASEA member record. Please allow 2-3 weeks processing.
Sponsors
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