Inheriting Clients: Ethical Pitfalls and Best Practices

American Society of Enrolled Actuaries [ASEA]

Taking over a retirement plan client often reveals more than just data—it can expose questionable practices, incomplete documentation, and potential conflicts with prior actuaries. This session focuses specifically on the ethical and professional responsibilities actuaries face during client transitions. Using realistic scenarios, the presenters will explore how to uphold the Code of Professional Conduct, communicate professionally, and navigate conflicting expectations when stepping into a plan’s existing actuarial framework. This is not about ethics in the abstract—it's about the real-world decisions actuaries must make when inheriting work, they didn’t create but must now stand behind.

About the Speakers

Mike Eaton EA, MSEA, CPC™, Partner, October Three Consulting
Mike Eaton is a Partner at October Three Consulting. He has extensive experience in the small Defined Benefit (DB) and Cash Balance (CB) plan arena, where he is both a reviewing actuary and a leader specialized in remote team building and process development. Mike is an Enrolled Actuary (EA), a member of the American Society of Enrolled Actuaries (ASEA) and a Certified Pension Consultant (CPC™). Mike lives in the mountains of Colorado with his wife, three kids and dog. They spend as much time outside as possible, skiing, biking, fishing and goofing around. /P>

Valerie Lopez, FSA, EA, MSEA, MAAA, DB Support – Vice President and Chief Actuary, ASC
Valerie Lopez, FSA, EA, MSEA, MAAA is Chief Actuary at ASC with over 30 years of pension industry experience. Valerie has worked in the large consulting firm and TPA environments giving her a solid understanding of a broad range of pension issues. Valerie is a member of the ASEA Leadership Council and serves on the Membership Committee. Valerie is a frequent presenter at conferences and has written several articles for the ASEA Newsletter. She has served on the SOA/CAS Diversity Committee, is serving on the EA2-L Exam Writer’s Committee, and is a mentor for the Organization of Latino Actuaries as well as in Women in Retirement Committee’s Thrive program. Valerie holds a BS in Mathematics with a concentration in Actuarial Science from the University of Texas.  Valerie lives in Austin, Texas with her semi-famous cat, Miss Purry.

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