Exercising Actuarial Discretion in the Pricing of Transfer Values

Abstract

This paper considers professional aspects of how actuaries should determine retirement-fund transfer values subsequent to the introduction of statutory minimum benefits in South Africa. It reviews past practices and in particular the exercise of actuarial discretion. It concludes that, in the future, there will still be scope for actuarial discretion when transfer values are determined. In exercising this discretion, actuaries must take decisions that are justifiable in terms of the reasons given, report adequately on such decisions and the impact thereof, and clearly indicate that the information should be distributed to all the parties concerned.


Keywords: Professionalism; transfer values; statutory minimum benefits; actuarial discretion


South African Actuarial Journal Vol.4 2004: 63-96