ASEA Advanced Actuarial Symposium

Navigate the Future of Pension Regulations with Expert Insights!

Aug 7 - 8, 2025
Kansas City, MO

About the Event:

The ASEA Advanced Actuarial Symposium is designed for senior pension actuaries and professionals who are concerned about the impact of recent regulations. Join top actuarial minds at the ASEA Advanced Actuarial Symposium, where pension actuaries gather to explore the latest technical, regulatory, and strategic developments shaping the retirement landscape. This annual event delivers high-level discussions and deep dives into key actuarial topics, providing attendees with insights to navigate complex challenges and stay ahead of industry trends.

What to Expect:
This year’s symposium will feature expert-led sessions on critical topics such as:

  • Regulatory & Compliance Updates – Gain insights into SECURE 2.0, PBGC regulations, and evolving deduction strategies under IRC Section 404.
  • Advanced Plan Design & Valuation – Explore innovative pension plan structures, funding target calculations, and retroactive amendments.
  • AI & Actuarial Ethics – Discuss the integration of artificial intelligence in pension consulting and its impact on actuarial standards and ethical considerations.
  • Compensation & Plan Funding – Delve into K-1 vs. W-2 income reporting and the implications for defined benefit and cash balance plans.
  • Emerging Challenges & Strategies – Learn about managing RMDs, navigating plan restatements, and optimizing compliance with evolving pension rules.

Whether you're a seasoned actuary or looking to deepen your expertise, the ASEA Advanced Actuarial Symposium offers unparalleled professional development and networking opportunities. Don’t miss this chance to connect with peers, industry leaders, and technical experts in the pension actuarial field.

Join us August 7-8, 2025 at the Hotel Kansas City in Kansas City, MO!

 

Registration Rates

Early Bird Discounted Price

(Valid Until 6/13/25)

Regular Event Price

(Valid Until 8/1/25)

On-Site Event Price

(Valid After 8/1/25)

Member

Early Bird Discounted Price

(Valid Until 6/13/25)

$875

Regular Event Price

(Valid Until 8/1/25)

$975

On-Site Event Price

(Valid After 8/1/25)

$1,075

Non-Member

Early Bird Discounted Price

(Valid Until 6/13/25)

$1,025

Regular Event Price

(Valid Until 8/1/25)

$1,125

On-Site Event Price

(Valid After 8/1/25)

$1,230

Conference Agenda

Thursday's Agenda

7:00 AM - 8:00 AM CDT

Continental Breakfast

8:00 AM - 9:45 AM CDT
General Session 1

Inside the Beltway: Legislative and Regulatory Shifts Impacting Retirement Policy – Non-core

Speakers
  • Kirk Vaughn, JD, ERISA Attorney, Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting US
  • Allison Wielobob, General Counsel, Executive Director, ASEA
9:45 AM - 10:00 AM CDT

Break

10:00 AM - 11:15 AM CDT
General Session 2

Retroactive Amendments & Plan Restatements: Navigating Compliance & Strategy

Speakers
  • Jim Holland, Chief Research Actuary, Cheiron Inc.
  • Kelsey Mayo, Chief Regulatory Affairs, American Retirement Association
11:15 AM - 11:30 AM CDT

Break

11:30 AM - 12:20 PM CDT
General Session 3

Traversing the Sea of Compensation: From K-1 to W-2

Speakers
  • Kevin Donovan, FSEA, Senior Advisor, Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC
  • Corey Zeller, MSEA, CPC™ , QPA™, QKA® Enrolled Actuary, Preferred Pension Planning Corporation
12:20 PM - 1:30 PM CDT

Lunch

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM CDT
General Session 4

Innovative Plan Design in Pension Plans: Strategies and Pitfalls

Speakers
  • Lawrence Deutsch, FSEA, President, Larry Deutsch Enterprises
  • Jim Holland, Chief Research Actuary, Cheiron Inc.
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM CDT

Break

3:00 PM - 4:15 PM CDT
General Session 5

Mastering Funding Target and Target Normal Cost Calculations under Sections 430 and 404

Speakers
  • Matt Rustige, MSEA, Principal Actuary, Benefit Plans Plus, LLC.
  • Angie Vadnais, MSEA, Enrolled Actuary, Pension Benefits Unlimited Inc.
4:15 PM - 4:30 PM CDT

Break

4:30 PM - 5:20 PM CDT
General Session 6

Navigating DB/CB Required Minimum Distributions

Speakers
  • Mary Ann Rocco, FSEA, Owner, Mary Ann Rocco, Consulting Actuary
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM CDT
Reception

Networking Reception

Conference Location

Hotel Kansas City

Nestled next to the Power and Light District, Hotel Kansas City is more than just a place to stay—this Gothic Revival-style boutique institution near Union Station offers a chance to time-travel back in history to the Roaring Twenties, when the bustling social club first opened its doors in 1922. Today, the club enjoys life as Hotel Kansas City, with preserved touches like stained glass and hand-hewn walnut as reminders of a proud past—while modern restaurants, bars and rooms ground guests fully in the present.

Hotel Kansas City
1228 Baltimore Avenue
Kansas City, MO, 64105

Room Rate: $209/night
Cut-off Date: July 16, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Event Policies

ASEA, the American Society of Enrolled Actuaries, is a part of the American Retirement Association (ARA), the umbrella organization for five affiliate organizations: ASPPA, ASEA, NAPA, NTSA and PSCA. The following event policies apply to this event.

Thank you to our Sponsors

Thank You to Our Supporters

Continuing Education:

The 2025 ASEA Actuarial Symposium is pleased to offer up to 13 hours of Continuing Education (CE) Credits (including 1.5 Ethics CE) accredited towards ASPPA/ASEA CE. CE credits are calculated based on 50 minutes of programming equating to 1 credit.   

Details on the conference sessions' 3rd party CE eligibility will be shared as approval is received from the relevant governing organizations. See below Conference Session CE Eligibility for up-to-date conference sessions' 3rd party CE information. Please continue to check this page for the latest information.  

For more detailed information such as how to submit 3rd party CE requests, CE reporting, and more, please reference the FAQ.  

Conference Session CE Eligibility

Below you will find the status of the conference sessions’ 3rd party CE eligibility. For detailed information regarding session summaries, speaker information, and more please navigate to the agenda.  

ERPA: This program is eligible for 10 hours of CE credit (including 1 Ethics CE). 

JBEA: This program is eligible for 10 hours of CE credit. For JBEA determination, see the table below. All live programs are considered JBEA Formal. 

Session 

JBEA 

GS1 Washington Update 

non-core 

GS2 Retroactive Amendments & Plan Restatements: Navigating Compliance & Strategy 

core 

GS3 Traversing the Sea of Compensation: From K-1 to W-2 

core 

GS4 Innovative Plan Design in Pension Plans: Strategies and Pitfalls 

core 

GS5 Mastering Funding Target and Target Normal Cost Calculations under Sections 430 and 404 

core 

GS6 Navigating DB/CB Required Minimum Distributions 

core 

GS7 SECURE 2.0 for Actuaries: Navigating New Rules and Their Impact on Plan Design 

core 

GS8 Ethics & AI: Navigating ASOP Responsibilities and the Future of AI in Pension Consulting 

core and ethics 

GS9 Navigating IRC Section 404: Advanced Deduction Strategies for Defined Benefit Plans 

core 

GS 10 Ask the Experts 

core 

 

FAQ 

 

What 3rd party CE will be reported? 

The following 3rd party CE will be reported on behalf of attendees: ERPA.  

The following 3rd party CE will NOT be reported on behalf of attendees: JBEA. However, attendees will be provided with a certificate of completion and/or activity codes to self-report as indicated via the successful completion of the 3rd party CE verification form.  

 

How can I see what 3rd party CE has already been requested and/or approved for this conference? 

Please reference the Conference Session CE Eligibility outlining all conference sessions' CE eligibility and status. Note, this is a dynamic table and is often updated 

 

After 1 hour of programing, how is CE determined?  

After the first 50 minutes, CE hours may be accrued in 5-minute increments where 5 minutes is equal to one tenth (0.1) CE credits. For example, 75 minutes = 1.5 credit hours and 100 minutes = 2 credit hours. However, some 3rd party providers require their CE to be calculated in whole numbers rounding down.  

 Please note, the total amount of CE credits offered for each conference is determined by total event programming—attendees cannot attend concurrent sessions. However, attendees can attend additional educational opportunities when offered to earn CE. Please refer to the agenda page for more details on all session information.   

 

When will I see my CE credits in my transcript after the conference? 

Typically, the following CE (ASPPA, PSCA, NTSA, and NAPA) will be uploaded to attendees' transcripts 4-6 weeks post conference. For 3rd party CE that is reported on behalf of attendees, CE will also typically be uploaded 4- 6 weeks post conference.  

To be credited for CE, be sure to use the email address and member ID associated with your membership. This will ensure a timelier CE upload post event.  

 

How do I check my transcripts to review CE? 

Go to your account and login, then follow these steps: 

  1. Navigate to the Education tab and select CE Tracking on the left side. 
  1. Under the My Account tab, click on CE Reports. 
  1. Select the appropriate date range. 
  1. Click Run to generate the report for the current CE cycle. 

 

Who can I contact if I have additional questions? 

Our customer care team is happy to assist you with all your questions about the event. Feel free to connect by emailing customercare@asppa.org