Technology: The hidden theme of the Enrolled Actuaries Conference  

Mantle recently sponsored and exhibited virtually at the CCA’s Enrolled Actuaries Conference. Mantle’s Actuarial Solutions Lead, Matthew Leathem explores how the hidden theme of technology is shaping the future of pensions and empowering actuarial professionals to meet today’s complex challenges head-on. 

If you were (virtually) at the 2025 Enrolled Actuaries Conference, you’ll know the agenda was packed. We dived into the usual complexities: regulatory changes, economic forecasts, and the demographic shifts reshaping our world. All essential stuff. But like many conferences, it wasn’t just what was explicitly on the agenda that caught our attention. There was an underlying theme beneath the main discussions. This was the ever-growing role of technology in everything we do in pensions. 

Even the fact we were all tuning in online says something. Looking deeper, however, many sessions touched on how tech is helping us tackle the big challenges. Take the discussions around “megatrends,” things like aging populations and tricky economic outlooks. How do plans even begin to navigate this? A big part of the answer lies in better risk analysis. Good technology platforms are now giving actuaries and plan sponsors the tools to really model different scenarios and stress-test their plans. This isn’t just number-crunching; it’s about getting clearer insights for better decisions. 

This power also feeds directly into smarter plan design. We heard about initiatives like corporate pension revitalisation, aiming for new and more robust retirement solutions. Technology is what allows us to design, model, and then actually administer these more innovative or tailored plans without everything grinding to a halt. 

Day-to-day efficiency with pension management software 

Then there’s the day-to-day. Everyone’s looking for greater efficiency and solid value for money. Modern pension management software is a game-changer here. It helps streamline so many actuarial and admin tasks, automating routine work and making sure data is exactly right. This isn’t just about saving a bit of cash. It frees up skilled people to focus on the stuff that really needs their brainpower. And a really important point is that this kind of tech makes top-notch tools and administration more accessible for everyone, including smaller plans and sponsors. It’s helping to level the playing field. We even see areas like AI starting to offer a helping hand in sifting through information to find useful patterns. 

Enhancing member engagement through digital tools 

And what about the participants? At the end of the day, it’s all for them. Technology is making a massive difference in how members see engage and understand their own benefits. Think clear online portals, tools that let them see projections, and just better, more straightforward digital communication. This member-first approach, supported by intuitive pension software, It all helps people individuals get to grips with their pension and appreciate why it’s valuable.  

Here at Mantle, this is what we’re all about. We build the kind of tech that helps pension plans get these things right: robust risk management, support for innovative plans, efficient administration, and clear member engagement. It was our second year at the Enrolled Actuaries Conference, and both times it’s given us plenty to think about. This year really hammered home how technology, even when it’s not the headline act, is quietly powering the way forward for pensions. 

The world of pensions is complex, but it’s good to know we’ve got increasingly smart technology in our corner. If you’d like to find out more about how Mantle’s pension software solutions can help streamline your operations, support innovative planning, and drive better outcomes, get in touch with us today. Email us at enquiries@mantleservices.com  

Matthew Leathem

Actuarial Solutions Lead

Blog

21 May 2025

We caught up with Mantle’s Danielle Wilson and Matthew Leathem on their key insights learnt from attending the recent CCA conference. 

The CCA conference provided a fascinating look at the seismic changes reshaping the global landscape – from demographic decline in the developed world to the explosion of population growth in emerging markets. These trends have profound implications, not just for geopolitics, but also for those managing retirement plans. 

The “Shape of Things to Come” session presented by The Terry Group, Global Aging Institute and LifeCourse Associates explored how birthrates have collapsed across much of the developed world, leading to aging populations, shrinking workforces, and mounting fiscal burdens. Meanwhile, Africa’s population is set to outpace Europe 6x by 2100. This shift could fuel the rise of isolationism, protectionism, and even conflict as established powers feel threatened by emerging ones.   

However, the session also explored potential solutions to stave off demographic and economic decline, from implementing pro-natal policies like Poland’s significant child benefits, to increasing immigration and extending working lives. These strategies could help countries navigate the economic and geopolitical challenges of the twenty-first century. 

But the demographic transformation also creates challenges closer to home for retirement plan administrators. The “Small Plan Administration and Corrections” session dived into the unique complexities facing small plan managers, from eligibility issues to miscalculated benefits. Experts from National Professional Planning Group, Poyner Spruill and Pinnacle Plan Design, LLC highlighted the IRS correction programs available, but also underscored the importance of staying on top of an ever-evolving regulatory landscape. 

In-house plan administration, more common in the US than the UK, brings a higher risk of errors. And with just 18 months to identify and rectify problems, the stakes are high. Throw in nuanced accounting standards and tricky overpayment structures, and it’s clear that small plan admins have their work cut out for them. 

The demographic and regulatory trends reshaping our world are not going away anytime soon. But by staying ahead of the curve, retirement plan professionals can navigate these choppy waters and ensure their plans remain compliant and their participants are properly served. 

Mantle’s Founder and Director, Mike Selby commented on the CCA: “The conference really highlighted both the challenges and opportunities in the US market. While there are unique elements to consider, we’re confident that our deep understanding of the pension space not only translates well but can bring a fresh perspective to the US market. The demographic challenges we’re seeing are global in nature, and our experience in navigating similar transitions in other markets positions us well to add value here. 

We were really impressed with the CCA Annual Meeting and are looking forward to attending again next year.” 

To find out more on each of the sessions discussed above including Mantle’s presentation, visit the CCA website here. 

Susan O'Neill

Marketing Manager

Blog

15 Nov 2024

Mantle launches in the US and sponsors the upcoming Conference of Consulting Actuaries (CCA) Annual Meeting

Following significant demand, Mantle is delighted to bring its revolutionary software to the US market this October.  

Mantle is delighted to showcase its market leading Administration and Actuarial pension management software at the upcoming CCA Annual Meeting taking place between the October 27th – 30th 2024 in the JW Marriott, Marco Island, Florida. 

The CCA Annual Meeting brings together over 500 actuarial leaders to connect, share emerging insights, innovative ideas and strengthen industry knowledge. With over 60 educational sessions and various networking opportunities planned, the conference is set to be an eventful four days of learning and engaging with key industry leaders.   

Speaking about Mantle’s launch and the CCA conference Mantle’s Mike Selby, Founder and Director commented:  

“We’re delighted to attend the CCA Annual meeting and excited to have the opportunity to share our vision with industry leaders in the actuarial market. 

As we launch into the American market, we’re not just expanding our business, we’re bringing innovative solutions to the pensions management market, expanding our partnerships and positioning Mantle as the new frontier in pensions software management.” 

If you’re attending the conference and would like to meet with our team, you can visit us in the sponsors display area. Alternatively, contact us at enquiries@mantleservices.com to arrange a meeting or your free personalised demo slot. 

We look forward to seeing you there! 

Susan O'Neill

Marketing Manager

News

25 Sep 2024