Michael Clark - River and Mercantile US

Creative ideas for managing pension plan risk

Article September 14, 2021 Creative ideas for managing pension plan risk Written by Tom Cassara Michael Clark Share The past couple of years have been very interesting times for US pension plan sponsors. Obviously, the global pandemic and its effect on the economy has been the most impactful. We’ve also had new pension legislation as…

Basic Derivatives for Pension Plan

Video August 2, 2021 Basic Derivatives for Pension Plan Share Want to understand how derivatives can enhance your pension plan investment strategy? Check out this video that addresses the basic concepts that make derivatives a powerful tool for managing pension plan risk. See our other video here: Introduction to Derivatives Share Derivatives Management Derivatives strategies…

Derivatives for pension plans: a quick intro

Video August 2, 2021 Derivatives for pension plans: a quick intro Share What are derivatives and how can pension plans use them effectively to customize their risk and return profiles in an efficient and transparent manner? Check out this first video in our series on derivatives for pension plans. Share Derivatives management Tailored risk management…

Annuity Purchases: DOL 95-1

Video July 22, 2021 Annuity Purchases: DOL 95-1 Share In our next installment of our annuity purchase video series, we explore the requirements of the Department of Labor’s Interpretive Bulletin 95-1 and the standard which plan fiduciaries will be judged when selecting an insurer for the pension liabilities. See our other videos here: Fiduciary Responsibilities…

Annuity purchases: Fiduciary arrangements

With the second installment of our annuity purchase video series we discuss the different types of roles played by service providers, as well as the fiduciary arrangements they make with the plans they serve.

Managing pension risk in 2021

What pension risks are most prevalent in 2021 and what are some ideas plan sponsors should be thinking about to optimize their risk management this year?

Annuity purchases: Fiduciary responsibility

With the first installment of our annuity purchase video series we discuss the fiduciary responsibility of a pension plan sponsor.

It’s time to consider a deliberate pension plan funding policy

Companies are obligated to contribute at least the minimum required contribution as required by law, and for some companies that is all that they can afford to contribute. However, depending on the ultimate goals and objectives of a pension plan sponsor, there are reasons to create a contribution policy to guide budgeting and decision making to better manage funded status risk within a plan.