By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. We've entered a new period for the ARPA/SFA process. As we mentioned previously, effective March 11, the non-Priority plans were permitted to either Lock-in an application's details and/or place the plan's name...

By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. Early last week, shortly after Fed Chairman Powell delivered his testimony to Congress, US Treasury yields moved skyward. There seemed to finally be a realization that US inflation, while down from its...

By: Ronald J. Ryan, CFA, CEO, Ryan ALM, Inc. The recent run-on-banks has several villains or reasons why this happened. Yes, there is a flight to big banks and quality. But the word that I do not hear is DISINTERMEDIATION....

By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. The volatility witnessed in the capital markets during the last week or so has been incredible. As it relates to US fixed income, the interest rate moves have been nearly unprecedented. As...

By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. Despite the fact that most investors are either focused on the demise of Silicon Valley Bank (SIVB) or on filling out their NCAA tournament bracket, life goes on in the multiemployer world....

By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. The US interest rate environment might be creating challenges for the investing community, but it is providing wonderful opportunities for pension plan sponsors who want to SECURE the promised benefits with little...

By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. The PBGC has just announced the following: On Friday, March 10, 2023, the priority group application period (Groups 1-6) as specified in the SFA regulation will end, and on Saturday, March 11,...

By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. We are pleased to provide our weekly update on the implementation of the ARPA legislation. The week ending March 3rd had plenty of activity, as there were 6 applications filed, including a...

By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. The Millennial, Gen X, and Gen Z cohorts are facing a huge challenge, as it pertains to funding education, a home, and now a "retirement" account. They must make some very difficult...

By: Russ Kamp, Managing Director, Ryan ALM, Inc. We all know that 2022 was a terrible year for total return-seeking (TRS) bond managers. In fact, it was the worst year by far since the creation of the Lehman Aggregate Index...