Most sponsors think in terms of year-end, or in terms of “next year.” There’s a third option, and almost nobody puts it on the list. Most conversations I have about timing come down to two options. A sponsor is either working toward year-end or thinking about sometime next year. Both are reasonable. That is how corporate calendars work. There’s a third option that almost never comes up, and it’s one of the better pricing environments in the market: the first quarter. I’m not

Many pension sponsors lack a clear strategy to reduce plan risk, even in favorable markets. A feasibility study helps evaluate funded status, assess de-risking options, and create an integrated funding, investment, and settlement plan. Strong data quality is also essential for successful pension risk transfers, and remediation efforts—such as death audits and cleaning up deferred vested records—can lower liabilities and reduce costs.

Many pension sponsors lack a clear strategy to reduce plan risk, even in favorable markets. A feasibility study helps evaluate funded status, assess de-risking options, and create an integrated funding, investment, and settlement plan. Strong data quality is also essential for successful pension risk transfers, and remediation efforts—such as death audits and cleaning up deferred vested records—can lower liabilities and reduce costs.