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 What Does the New Congress Have in Store on the Employee Benefits Agenda?
James A. Klein, President, American Benefits Council
The conference takes place as President Bush prepares to deliver the 2007 State of the Union address and just weeks after the new Congress is sworn into office—with possible significant changes in the political composition of the Senate and House of Representatives. Health and retirement policy issues are certain to play a prominent role on Congress’ domestic policy agenda. James Klein examines both the immediate items under consideration and offers a long-term vision of what the employee benefits system might look like several years into the future.
 Boomers and Retirement: A Look Ahead
Cynthia Hayes, Managing Director, Merrill Lynch Retirement Group
As the first wave of baby boomers starts to enter the retirement phase, plan sponsors are making changes in their employee benefit programs as a result of cost pressures, new legislation and workforce demands. Cynthia Hayes provides a look ahead for defined contribution, defined benefit, non-qualified and equity award plans in this environment. Ms. Hayes reviews the implications of plan design changes for executives, rank and file employees and plan sponsors, given demographic changes, recent trends and legislation.
 The Pension Protection Act of 2006: New Rules of the Road for Plan Sponsors
Dennis Simmons, Principal, Vanguard
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 is the most sweeping overhaul of the United States’ employer-sponsored retirement system in decades. Learn what new obligations the Act imposes on plan sponsors as well as the opportunities it provides as Dennis Simmons, principal in Vanguard’s ERISA Legal and Fiduciary Services Group, highlights key provisions of this far-reaching legislation.
 Linking the Money to the Emotion
Donn Hess, Managing Director, Participant Services,
JPMorgan Retirement Plan Services
Plan sponsors continue to hunt for the “silver bullet” that will convince employees to save more for retirement. Employers have produced enrollment kits, conducted meetings, sent targeted mailings and built Web sites—but national statistics show most Americans won’t have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. What would happen if employers looked at plan participants through a different lens and thought of them as consumers first? Donn Hess discusses trends that drive Americans’ choices, the impact of behavioral finance on investing decisions and how you can use those factors to help your participants prepare for the future.
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General Session Panel Discussion
Negotiating the Twists and Turns of the New Retirement Plan Highway
Moderator: Mark E. Friedman, Conference Chairman
Panelists: Deborah A. Novotny, Vice President, Director of Compliance Services, T. Rowe Price Retirement Plan Services, Inc.; Thomas F. O’Connor, Vice President & Actuary, MassMutual Financial Group; Michael J. Olah, Field Vice President, ERISA Services, Charles Schwab
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 gives employers a clear straightaway in some areas of plan management while signaling caution ahead in others and a sharp turn in yet others. Find out when it’s safe to accelerate and when you need to apply the brakes, as chairman Mark Friedman and a panel of retirement plan specialists discuss the practical applications of the new law. Learn how this legislation changes the landscape for defined contribution plans, defined benefit plans and your fiduciary responsibility.
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Roadside Assistance
The Plan Sponsor’s Toolkit for Repairing a Stalled Retirement Plan
The Mid-Sized Pension Management Conference is your number one resource for plan management information and education. Take advantage of this one-of-a-kind opportunity:
Learn from Qualified Plan Experts
Speakers from plan providers, the DOL, top law firms, the IRS and the plan sponsor community provide the benefit of their professional experience.
Choose from More Than 45 Sessions
Personalize your agenda to focus on the issues that matter most to you and your
employees.
Take Away Ideas You Can Use Now
The program offers practical information and valuable insights that you can use
immediately to manage your plans more effectively.
Network with Hundreds of Your Plan Sponsor Colleagues
Luncheons, breaks and receptions are perfect occasions for one-on-one conversations with your peers to compare problems and discuss solutions.
Gain Access to a Library of Resources
After the conference, you will have access to online workshop presentations from this and other Mid-Sized Pension Management Conferences. This impressive plan management resource extends the value of your conference experience.
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