Governments and companies around the country are struggling with the funding of pensions. These entities need to ensure they meet their future obligations to an aging workforce. To ensure future obligations (pension payouts) are met, governments and companies need to currently contribute assets to the pension fund and ensure the assets earn an appropriate return. Not only do you need the assets to invest now, but you need to ensure they earn an acceptable return. The decision of how to invest pension funds is of incredible importance to society. If pension funds are misappropriated, this can have devastating effects on the lives of the beneficiaries, their families, and the economy as a whole. Read the following case and answer the related questions.

TheseCraig Brokaw, newly appointed controller of STL, is considering ways to reduce his companys expenditures on annual pension costs. One way to do this is to switch STLs pension fund assets from First Security to NET Life. STL is a very well-respected computer manufacturer that recently has experienced a sharp decline in its financial performance for the first time in its 25-year history. Despite financial problems, STL still is committed to providing its employees with good pension and postretirement health benefits.

Under its present plan with First Security, STL is obligated to pay $43 million to meet the expected value of future pension benefits that are payable to employees as an annuity upon their retirement from the company. On the other hand, NET Life requires STL to pay only $35 million for identical future pension benefits. First Security is one of the oldest and most reputable insurance companies in North America. NET Life has a much weaker reputation in the insurance industry. In pondering the significant difference in annual pension costs, Brokaw asks himself, Is this too good to be true?

a. Why might NET Lifes pension cost requirement be $8 million less than First Securitys requirement for the same future value?

b. What ethical issues should Craig Brokaw consider before switching STLs pension fund assets?

c. Who are the stakeholders that could be affected by Brokaws decision?