<p>As we step into 2025, the landscape of retirement planning is shifting rapidly &mdash; and with it, the role of pension actuaries has become more vital than ever. From aging populations and evolving pension regulations to increased scrutiny on retirement plan sustainability, organizations across sectors are urgently seeking actuarial professionals who can combine technical expertise with strategic foresight.</p>
<p>Pension actuaries today do much more than crunch numbers. They help secure the financial futures of millions by ensuring that pension plans are properly funded, compliant with changing laws, and resilient enough to withstand economic uncertainty. With the right mix of qualifications and vision, actuarial professionals in the pension space are not just in demand &mdash; they&rsquo;re indispensable.</p>
<p>In this blog, we spotlight the top firms actively hiring pension actuaries in 2025. Whether you&rsquo;re a recent graduate, a mid-career ASA, or an experienced consultant, this guide will help you understand where the opportunities are, what skills are in demand, and which employers are leading the charge in shaping the future of retirement planning.</p>
<h2><strong>The Role of Pension Actuaries in Today&rsquo;s Financial World</strong></h2>
<p>Pension actuaries are at the center of financial security for retirees. Their work includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>Designing, valuing, and managing retirement benefit plans</li>
<li>Analyzing demographic data and future liabilities</li>
<li>Advising on funding strategies</li>
<li>Ensuring regulatory compliance and reporting accuracy</li>
</ul>
<p>Beyond the numbers, they act as trusted advisors to employers, trustees, and regulators. With increasing life expectancy and economic uncertainty, pension actuaries help organizations prepare for long-term obligations.</p>
<p>According to the <a href="https://www.soa.org/" target="_blank" class="link underline">Society of Actuaries</a>, demand for pension actuaries is expected to grow steadily due to demographic shifts and rising retirement complexity.</p>
<h3><strong>Key Skills and Certifications for Pension Actuaries</strong></h3>
<p>To succeed in pension actuarial roles, professionals typically possess:</p>
<ul>
<li>Degrees in actuarial science, mathematics, statistics, or economics</li>
<li>Strong proficiency in Excel, R, Python, or ProVal</li>
<li>Problem-solving, attention to detail, and communication skills</li>
<li>Certifications from bodies like the <a href="https://www.soa.org/" target="_blank" class="link underline">Society of Actuaries (SOA)</a> or <a href="https://www.actuaries.org.uk/" target="_blank" class="link underline">Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFoA)</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Certifications such as ASA, FSA, or equivalent help actuaries gain credibility and career growth opportunities.</p>
<h2><strong>How Technology Is Shaping the Role of Pension Actuaries</strong></h2>
<p>In 2025, pension actuaries are increasingly expected to combine traditional valuation techniques with modern analytics. Tools like Python, R, and cloud-based modeling platforms have become essential for data analysis and reporting.</p>
<p>Additionally, machine learning is being used to improve demographic forecasting and automate compliance checks. Pension actuaries who upskill in data science and predictive modeling are now more likely to land leadership roles or handle high-value advisory work.</p>
<p>According to a 2023 SOA Technology Trends Report, over 60% of actuarial teams are integrating advanced analytics into their retirement forecasting models.</p>
<h2><strong>Top Industries Hiring Pension Actuaries in 2025</strong></h2>
<p>Pension actuaries are in demand across diverse sectors:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Consulting firms</strong>: Offering valuation, compliance, and de-risking solutions</li>
<li><strong>Insurance companies</strong>: Supporting retirement product design and group pensions</li>
<li><strong>Public sector</strong>: Managing pensions for state and municipal employees</li>
<li><strong>Corporate employers</strong>: Handling internal retirement plan obligations</li>
</ul>
<p>A report by the <a href="https://www.nirsonline.org/" target="_blank" class="link underline">National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS)</a> highlights that over 50% of U.S. workers lack access to retirement plans &mdash; making pension consulting more critical than ever.</p>
<h2><strong>Leading Companies Hiring Pension Actuaries in 2025</strong></h2>
<h2><strong>1. Mercer</strong></h2>
<p>Mercer, a business of Marsh McLennan, is a global leader in retirement and health consulting. Their pension actuarial teams support corporate and public clients across North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.</p>
<h3><strong>What They Offer:</strong></h3>
<p>Mercer offers pension actuaries a chance to work on:</p>
<ul>
<li>Complex actuarial valuations for large DB plans</li>
<li>Funding strategy optimization</li>
<li>Mergers &amp; acquisitions involving retirement liabilities</li>
<li>ESG-focused retirement benefit planning</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Why Mercer?</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Global exposure across sectors</li>
<li>A strong actuarial analyst development program</li>
<li>Innovative use of predictive modeling in retirement</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>2. Willis Towers Watson (WTW)</strong></h2>
<p>WTW is one of the world&rsquo;s top consulting firms with a strong legacy in actuarial science. Their Retirement business segment serves hundreds of employers globally with pension, savings, and employee benefit solutions.</p>
<h3><strong>Projects Pension Actuaries Work On:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Long-term pension funding strategies</li>
<li>Risk transfer solutions like pension buy-outs and buy-ins</li>
<li>Stochastic modeling and ALM (Asset-Liability Modeling)</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>What Makes WTW Stand Out:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Access to advanced pension modeling tools (like WTW&rsquo;s economic scenario generator)</li>
<li>Strong internal mobility and international career options</li>
<li>Opportunities to contribute to white papers and research</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>3. Milliman</strong></h2>
<p>Milliman is a global independent actuarial and consulting firm known for its strength in public and private pension plan consulting.</p>
<h3><strong>Key Responsibilities:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Pension plan valuations for public employee retirement systems</li>
<li>Contribution strategy development</li>
<li>Pension accounting (ASC 715, GASB 67/68)</li>
<li>Experience studies and assumption setting</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>What Makes Milliman Unique:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Employee-owned, with a strong entrepreneurial culture</li>
<li>Regional teams with deep local market expertise</li>
<li>Focus on data transparency and long-term sustainability</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>4. Aon</strong></h2>
<p>Aon&rsquo;s Retirement Solutions division works with corporate and institutional clients to optimize retirement benefit structures, manage pension risk, and ensure financial sustainability.</p>
<h3><strong>Role Scope:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Multi-country pension plan strategy</li>
<li>De Risking through lump-sum windows and annuity purchases</li>
<li>Plan redesigns following corporate mergers</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Why Join Aon?</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Collaborative, multidisciplinary teams (actuaries + finance + investment)</li>
<li>Career tracks in both consulting and in-house analytics</li>
<li>Access to proprietary platforms like Aon PFaroe&trade;</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>5. Buck (now part of Gallagher)</strong></h2>
<p><strong>Buck</strong>, acquired by Gallagher, specializes in pension, health, and benefit consulting. Their pension actuaries play a major role in delivering customized retirement solutions to corporate and public sector clients.</p>
<h3><strong>Projects Include:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Compliance testing and benefit calculations</li>
<li>Funding strategy under U.S. ERISA and international frameworks</li>
<li>Union negotiations and collective bargaining support</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Why Buck?</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Focused team sizes allow for direct client impact</li>
<li>Known for legacy expertise in U.S. retirement systems</li>
<li>Strong career growth for early-stage actuaries</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>6. Segal</strong></h2>
<p>Segal serves multi-employer (union), public sector, and nonprofit clients with pension and benefits consulting. They are well-known for helping large pension boards navigate funding challenges and regulatory compliance.</p>
<h3><strong>Pension Actuaries Here Handle:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Valuations and asset/liability projections</li>
<li>Support for labor negotiations</li>
<li>Legislative impact analysis</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Why Segal?</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Deep roots in union and public pension systems</li>
<li>Opportunity to influence policy and collective bargaining outcomes</li>
<li>Work that directly impacts the financial security of working-class retirees</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>7. Government Agencies &amp; Pension Boards</strong></h2>
<p>Public agencies are increasingly hiring in-house actuaries to improve pension solvency and manage risk internally.</p>
<h3><strong>Notable Employers in 2025:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA)</li>
<li>Government Actuary&rsquo;s Department (U.K.)</li>
<li>Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA)</li>
<li>State Boards and Municipal Funds (CalPERS, TRS, NYSLRS)</li>
</ul>
<p>These roles often involve:</p>
<ul>
<li>Long-term economic modeling</li>
<li>Experience studies for public workforce demographics</li>
<li>Budgetary projections for legislative sessions</li>
</ul>
<p>A 2024 report by the <a href="https://www.nirsonline.org/" target="_blank" class="link underline">National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS)</a> highlighted a growing pension shortfall, further fueling government hiring.</p>
<h2><strong>8. Boutique Actuarial Firms</strong></h2>
<p>Boutique firms are agile and specialized&mdash;offering high-impact roles with closer client relationships.</p>
<h3><strong>Noteworthy Examples:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Foster &amp; Foster</strong> (U.S.) &ndash; Public and municipal pension consulting</li>
<li><strong>Cheiron</strong> &ndash; Pension risk analysis for unions and public employers</li>
<li><strong>Gabriel, Roeder, Smith &amp; Company (GRS)</strong> &ndash; Deep focus on retirement system valuations</li>
</ul>
<h3><strong>Benefits:</strong></h3>
<ul>
<li>Broader responsibilities across projects</li>
<li>Faster career growth</li>
<li>High-touch client engagement</li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Skills These Firms Are Looking for in 2025</strong></h2>
<p>To land a job at one of these firms, here&rsquo;s what hiring managers are prioritizing this year:</p>
<table>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Skillset</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Description</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Technical Proficiency</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Comfort with Excel, ProVal, R, or Python</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Exam Progress</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>At least 2&ndash;3 preliminary exams (P, FM, IFM) passed</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Communication</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Ability to explain valuations and assumptions to non-actuarial stakeholders</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Regulatory Knowledge</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Familiarity with ERISA, DB/DC rules, or local pension laws</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Consulting Mindset</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>Aptitude for solving client-specific retirement challenges</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>According to a 2025 <a href="https://www.soa.org/" target="_blank" class="link underline">SOA hiring trends survey</a>, 70% of retirement-focused hiring managers prefer actuaries with experience in pension risk transfer, asset-liability modeling, or regulatory reporting.</p>
<h2><strong>Overview of the 2025 Pension Actuary Job Market</strong></h2>
<p>The job outlook for pension actuaries remains strong in 2025. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to project steady growth in actuarial roles, and pension-specific expertise is being prioritized due to increased regulatory pressures and underfunded plans.</p>
<p>Emerging sectors such as ESG-integrated pensions, insurtech platforms for retirement, and longevity-based de-risking are creating new career pathways. Actuaries who specialize in these areas will be highly sought after for innovation-driven roles.</p>
<h2><strong>Final Thoughts</strong></h2>
<p>In 2025, the role of a pension actuary is more important than ever. From multinational consultancies to public pension boards, organizations are actively hiring actuarial professionals who can manage retirement risk, ensure plan sustainability, and contribute to people&rsquo;s financial well-being after retirement.</p>
<p>Whether you&rsquo;re just starting your actuarial career or looking for your next role, the opportunities are vast &mdash; if you know where to look.</p>
<p>Don&rsquo;t just search for a job &mdash; look for a mission. As a pension actuary, you&rsquo;re helping shape the retirement outcomes of entire generations. It&rsquo;s a role that combines intellect, impact, and long-term purpose.</p>
<p>Ready to find your next role? Explore open pension actuary jobs now on <a href="https://www.actuarylist.com/sectors/pensions" class="link underline">ActuaryList</a>.</p>


Explore the top companies hiring pension actuaries in 2025. Learn about key employers, in-demand skills, job trends, and how to find your next actuarial role.

Top Firms Hiring Pension Actuaries in 2025