Who is Responsible for the Benefits Issue?
A question that arises again and again centers on who "owns" the benefits issue at a particular organization. There is increasing evidence that board members and C-level executives are becoming more involved, if not so already. One gentleman told me that his board has met four times this year about pension issues alone.
This comports with the notion that pension, health care and other types of deferred compensation benefit programs can significantly impact a corporate or government employer's financial health, lower debt ratings, diminish (or enhance) employee productivity and influence the ability to attract and retain skilled workers, already in short supply.
So it is with great pleasure that I will be part of a panel that addresses the ownership issue, enterprise risk management and "pension tensions" (though the issues extend to other benefit programs as well).
Entitled "Strategies for Managing Diverse Constituencies: Shareholders, Employees, Beneficiaries and Management" and part of an exciting risk management conference, sponsored by Pensions & Investments, the panel plans to address a host of important governance and financial issues.
Ms. Fern Jones, CFA is the conference moderator. Managing Partner of FJ Corp/THS Ltd, Jones will lead the following panelists in what is sure to be a lively discussion. Speakers include:
Mr. James H. Norman
Managing Director
Deutsche Asset Management
Dr. Susan M. Mangiero, CFA, AVA, FRM and Accredited Investment Fiduciary Analyst
Managing Member
BVA, LLC and Pension Governance, LLC
Mr. Jim M. Voytko
President & COO
R.V. Kuhns & Associates, Inc.
