Ryan ALM
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Corporate Pension Funding Up, Again!
Milliman released its monthly Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index (PFI), which analyzes the 100 largest U.S. corporate pension plans. Again, the news was positive. For August, strong investment performance overcame a decline in discount rates to power the PFI funded...
A Peer Group?
Got an email today that got my heart rate up a little. The gist of the article was related to a particular public pension fund that eclipsed its "benchmark" return for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2025. Good job!...
ARPA Update as of September 5, 2025
Football season is upon us, but if you are a NY Giants fan, as I am, you are already looking forward to hockey and basketball beginning in October! The Giants truly have an "offensive" line. Enough of that, let's get...
I'm Concerned! Are You?
I've been concerned about the U.S. retirement industry for many years, with a particular focus on traditional pensions. The demise of DB pensions is a major social and economic issue for a significant majority of American workers, who fear that...
Today is National 401(k) Day. Where is National DB Pension Plan Day?
By: Russ Kamp, CEO , Ryan ALM, Inc. I suspect that most of us have no idea that today, September 5, 2025, is National 401(k) Day. This day is recognized every year on the Friday following Labor Day. The day...
Ryan ALM discount rates: ASC 715 and ASC 842
As we enter the final third of 2025 (how is that possible?), actuaries, accounting firms, and pension plan sponsors may begin reviewing their current discount rate relationship(s). If you are one of those, you may want to speak with us...
ARPA Update as of August 29, 2025
We are pleased to share with you the last update for August 2025. Welcome to the final third of the calendar year. We wish for you and your children heading back to school a great year! Always an exciting time...
Earn the ROA...and Contributions Go Up?
Ron has produced an interesting piece of research that might just enlighten, if not confuse, some pension folks. I suspect that most folks would believe that a plan's funded status remains consistent if the desired return on asset (ROA) assumption...
Milliman: Public Pension Funding at 83%
Milliman's Public Pension Funding Index (PPFI) has been released for July 2025. As a reminder, the PPFI compiles and analyzes data from the nation’s 100 largest public DB plans. For the fourth consecutive month, investment gains have led to improved...
Not So Fast
In addition to publishing my thoughts through this blog, I frequently put sound bites out through LinkedIn.com. The following is an example of such a comment: Given Powell's statement about "balancing dual mandates", it seems premature to assume that the...