Ryan ALM
Blog
Taking From Peter to Pay Paul
Do you, or would you, consider yourself a "high earner" with a salary of $145k/year? Try asking a family of four in NYC that question, when you consider the expenses from taxes (federal, state, city, sales, and property), the housing...
You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure!
Nearly 10 years ago, before joining Ryan ALM, I wrote an article about the idea that plan sponsors need to focus on their fund’s liabilities, as much as, if not more than, their plan’s assets. It shouldn’t be a shocking...
Buy on the Rumor...
After 44-years in the investment industry I've pretty much heard most of the sayings, including the phrase "buy on the rumor and sell on the news". I suspect that most of you have probably heard those words uttered, too. However,...
ARPA Update as of 9/19/25
Good morning and welcome to the first full day of Fall. Autumn has always been my favorite season. How about you? Regarding the implementation of ARPA's pension legislation by the PBGC, we are now about 3 1/2 months away from...
Houston, We Have A Problem!
That famous phrase from the movie Apollo 13, is actually modified from the original comment spoken by Jack Swigert, the command module pilot, who said, "Okay, Houston...we've had a problem here". In any case, I am not referencing our space...
Dear Plan Sponsor: Please ask Yourself the Following Questions
Do you believe that your pension plan exists to meet (secure) a promise (benefit) that was given to the plan’s participants? Are you factoring in that benefit promise when it comes to asset allocation? Do you presently have exposure to...
Glorified Savings Accounts!
This could happen to any company, so I'm not writing this post to pick on Sherwin-Williams (love their paint), but they just happen to be the latest firm to "temporarily" suspend the matching contribution into the employee 401(k) plan. S-W...
ARPA Update as of September 12, 2025
Welcome to FOMC week. I wouldn't ordinarily mention the Federal Reserve in the ARPA update, but we could see an interest rate cut, and perhaps one that is larger than currently anticipated. The implications from falling interest rates are potential...
Actuaries of DB Pension Plans Prefer Higher Interest Rates
I produced a post yesterday, titled "U.S. Rates Likely to Fall - Here's the Good and Bad". In that blog post I wrote, "I’d recommend that you not celebrate a potential decline in rates if you are a plan sponsor...
U.S. Rates Likely to Fall - Here's the Good and Bad
Unfortunately, there exists weakness in the U.S. labor force, as a notable deterioration in job creation, initial jobless claims, and job openings is taking place at this time. This weakness will likely lead the Federal Reserve to lower U.S. interest...