The 2006 U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit: Is Your Plan State Of The Art?
On September 10, 2006, the North American investment community will convene, for what will undoubtedly be heralded as an annual "landmark" event, for the 2006 U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit. This groundbreaking event will assemble true Pensions & Investments industry luminaries, in order to analyse the current challenges and probable future trends in Pension & Investment strategies within the U. S. marketplace.
Chicago, IL (PRWEB) September 1, 2006
On September 10, 2006, the North American investment community will convene, for what will undoubtedly be heralded as an annual "landmark" event, for the 2006 U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit. This groundbreaking event will assemble true Pensions & Investments industry luminaries, in order to analyse the current challenges and probable future trends in Pension & Investment strategies within the U. S. marketplace. The summit will be taking place at The Homestead, which is located in Hot Springs, VA.
In the aftermath of President Bush signing major legislation on the grounds of the White House on August 17, 2006; which instituted some of the most sweeping reforms of America's pension laws in over 30 years, the 2006 U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit will present (20) true industry visionaries & leaders participating in what should be considered to be a "must-attend" symposium regarding the future of Pensions & Investment reform within the United States. The massive legislation reflects the evolution of workers' retirement benefits – the decline in traditional pensions that give retired employees a fixed payment each month, and the rise of defined-contribution savings plans that rely on workers to build retirement assets. The legislation establishes sound standards for pension funding. Yet, the primary responsibility still rests with employers to fund the pension promises as soon as they can. The bill seeks to strengthen traditional defined-benefit plans and requires companies to inform workers more about the health of their pension programs. It also encourages workers into putting more money away for their own retirement. It aims to boost the 30,000 defined-benefit plans run by employers that are now under funded by an estimated $450 billion. Those plans must reach 100% funding, up from the current 90% requirement in seven years. Seriously under-funded "at risk" companies must contribute at an increased rate and also face additional restrictions, such as a ban on increasing benefits [please see a list of major provisions of the Pension bill at the end of the document].
Just a sampling of some of the highlights during the upcoming U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit will undoubtedly include: A conversation with Dr. Alan Greenspan (former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve), who will offer candid, in-depth and thorough responses to audience questions on issues affecting their economic future and about the world economy. His analysis of economic trends for the long and short term has influenced and often shaped the course of policy, international relations and financial markets. In addition, the U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit is proud to also be holding a Black-Tie Dinner & keynote address featuring George H. W. Bush (41st President of the United States). Attendees will join in a memorable & interactive evening where former President Bush will take questions on everything from the economy, pension plan reform, his friendship with former President Bill Clinton, in addition to his reflections on the state of the Union since his leaving office. Furthermore, Zvi Bodie (Professor of Finance and Economics, Boston University School of Management) will chair a series of interactive, "hands-on" intimate discussion groups (limited to 20 participants each) rotating throughout the course of the Summit, focusing on Pension reform issues, offering plan sponsors the opportunity to deeply delve into their individual concerns and strategies.
Additional keynote participation will also be contributed by Brad Belt (former Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation), Gary Amelio (CEO, Federal Retirement Thrift), Tom Barrack (Chairman & CEO, Colony Capital LLC), Professor Jeremy Siegel (Professor of Finance & Economics, Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania), Fred Baker (Director & Treasurer, The Greenwich Roundtable), Larry Powell (Senior Portfolio Manager, Absolute Return Strategies; Texas Teachers Retirement System), William Estabrook (Executive Director, Ohio Police & Fire Pension Fund), Marc Monyek, (Senior Director, Global Funding and Corporate Cash Management; McDonald’s Corporation), Damon Silvers (General Counsel, AFL-CIO), David Harmston (Head of US Client Services, Albourne), John Pomeroy (CIO, Pennsylvania State University) and Kevin Lynch (Head of Strategic Relationships and Absolute Return Strategies, Verizon).
U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit website – www. uspensionsinvestmentsummit. com.
The United States investment market is a fluid, ever changing landscape, perhaps now more than ever, with the alternative markets providing new avenues in the pursuit of alpha. Determine what are the pre-eminent ways, without sacrificing fundamental risk parameters, to add value to your pension plan, and to determine if your plan is state of the art? The 2006 U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit aims to demystify the pros and cons of various alternative investment strategies, and draw conclusions as to how to merge these strategies with your traditional line up of investments.
Summit Focus: An aging baby-boomer population, more women in the workforce and a greater life expectancy have put tremendous pressure on the pension community at large - pressures which are being increasingly exacerbated by declining long-term interest rates, the fluctuating US dollar, smaller workforce contributions and an unsteady economy. It is becoming increasingly expensive for employers to cover their pension obligations; with some organizations already reducing promised benefits for future members.
The time of an investment executive is extremely valuable – oftentimes split between portfolio development, management of the investment process, board communications and a constant search to select the best mix of asset management partners to ensure ongoing returns. At the 2006 U. S. Pensions and Investments Summit, attendees will have the opportunity to attend a robust agenda of truly exceptional, landmark keynote presentation sessions, as well as meeting one-on-one with senior executives from some of the industry’s leading asset management organizations. The attendees will leave the Summit with fresh, innovative ideas about their overall asset allocations, and be able to incorporate change with assuredness to each of their individual plans.
Marcus evans’ exclusive Institutional Investment Summit Series format presents an absolutely distinguished array of Investment industry luminaries delivering compelling, poignant presentations on a variety of extremely targeted subject matter relevant to all attendees. A tremendous additional benefit of attending the 2006 U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit is the opportunity for all participants to engage in formal, private, one-on-one meetings, to directly explore individual issues and concerns in great detail, with the Industry’s leading Asset Managers; who have been carefully paired together in order to deliver optimal results and maximum effectiveness during the private meetings; enabling attendees to surmount weeks of analysis within a robust three day gathering. This unfettered access, in addition to the informal opportunity to continually network with all attendees for the entire duration of the Summit, will provide an absolutely unparalleled Summit experience. Additional highlights include case study presentations by plan sponsors on successful portfolio strategies, including alternatives, hedge funds, emerging markets, fixed income, private equity and many more. Candid sessions geared to bring pension and social security reform issues directly to the table. In depth analysis and long and short-term predictions delivered by industry visionaries. Hands-on analysis methodologies delivered by some of the industry’s most respected academic minds.
In short, the 2006 U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the key areas of concern involving U. S. Pensions & Investments and similarly, current best practices and strategies. With the Summit’s unique format being an amalgamation of keynote presentations, interactive sessions, think tanks, panel discussions, networking opportunities and one-on-one meetings with pension & investments asset managers, it allows attendees to explore individual needs and ways that pensions & investment solutions can be deployed to boost growth, stability and development of their respective organizations. Attendees at the 2006 U. S. Pensions & Investments Summit will include Chief Investment Officers, Managing Directors (Pensions), VPs & Directors of Pensions, VPs & Directors of Investments, Presidents, CEOs, Trustees, Fund Directors, CFOs and Treasurers.
Highlights / Major Provisions of the Pension Bill include:
· Requiring employers with defined-benefit plans to make sufficient contributions to meet a 100% funding target and erase funding shortfalls over seven years.
· Forces employers with "at-risk" plans to make accelerated contributions. Under one scenario, a plan is deemed at-risk if it falls below 70% funded status using assumptions that employees take the most expensive benefits and retire at the earliest possible date.
· Bars companies from forcing employees to invest any of their own retirement savings contributions in company stock.
· Permits qualified financial companies to offer face-to-face investment advice to help employees manage 401(k) and other retirement options.
· Restricts the use of deferred executive compensation arrangements for employers with severely underfunded pension plans.
Marcus evans’ Institutional Investment Series are exclusive, executive Financial Summits which provide a platform for participating attendees to gain up-to-the-minute information on key issues now foremost in the mind of every Financial & Investment Industry executive through case studies and leading-edge presentations delivered by high-profile keynote speakers and distinguished presenters. The series of summits will explore the full universe of Institutional Investment opportunities, by putting Asset Managers in touch with the full scope of potential investors across North America. Additional upcoming marcus evans Institutional Investment Summit Series events include: The 2007 U. S. Pensions Summit, Hedge Fund Summit, U. S. Foundations and Endowments, Separately Managed Accounts and Canadian Pensions and Investments.
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