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◆ About the Firm

John S. Agatston Actuarial Services

Actuarial consulting, Third-Party Administration, and Cash Balance Plan design — operating today as Practical Actuary, based near Pittsburgh since 1983.

Our Philosophy →

◆ Actuarial Consulting

◆ TPA Services

◆ Cash Balance Specialists

◆ DB & DC Administration

Our Philosophy: Beyond Compliance core

True professionalism is defined by more than passing exams. Three principles, discovered over decades of practice, guide how we work.

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01PRINCIPLE

Consulting vs. Compliance

Compliance is necessary, but it isn't the same as consulting. "Staying out of trouble" is the bare minimum — our goal is to optimize plan design and funding to serve the client's best interests.

"Consulting goes beyond checking boxes."

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02PRINCIPLE

Integrity Over Conformity

We prioritize what's best for the client over "fitting in" with industry trends — offering creative solutions without pushing legal boundaries or interpreting regulations in ways Congress never intended.

"Creative, never careless."

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03PRINCIPLE

Relationship-Driven Results

Success is built on knowing our clients' businesses. Understanding how a company is progressing lets us regularly adjust funding strategy so the plan delivers maximum benefit.

"Know the business, optimize the plan."

Our History

Built on a founder's refusal to accept "standard" thinking.

The Beginning

A Legacy of Precision

The foundation of the firm traces to the late 1970s, when founder John Agatston discovered that even the world's largest insurance companies and cities made massive mathematical errors in their pension work — from a $250 million shortfall in New York City's pension systems to assumptions that would later help reshape modern pension accounting.

That legacy of technical rigor and intellectual honesty still drives the firm today.

1972

John Agatston graduates from Carnegie Mellon University.

1977

Completes the CPA exams while at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. in New York City, and becomes an Associate of the Society of Actuaries — sitting the actuarial exam the day after his final CPA exam.

1978

Leads the actuarial audit of New York City's five retirement systems, uncovering a $250 million error in the Firemen's pension fund that required $30 million in additional annual contributions.

1979

Becomes a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries.

1980

Becomes an Enrolled Actuary under ERISA and is appointed Chief Actuary for Johnson & Higgins in Pittsburgh.

1981

Testifies before the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) on pension expense, and authors "The Effect of Plan Design and Actuarial Methods and Assumptions on Pension Costs and Liabilities" at the FASB Chairman's request — concepts later incorporated into SFAS 87.

1982

Serves on the three-actuary committee establishing acceptable assumption ranges under Pennsylvania's Act 205 for municipal pension plans.

1983

Founds John S. Agatston Actuarial Services.

1987

Develops a two-dimensional worksheet for SFAS 87 reporting, later widely adopted across the industry, and co-authors a paper on the emerging Social Security funding crisis.

1993

Earns the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

2006

Writes "The Dawn of a New Era – Opportunities and Responsibilities for Pension Professionals" for the ASPPA Journal.

45+ years in, John remains a rare professional who has mastered actuarial science, accounting, and investment analysis. He continues to develop and code the firm's valuation software alongside Chief Actuary Greg Elnyczky, and leads the firm's strategic consulting and technical innovation.

Leadership Team

The people behind the firm's plan design, administration, and client relationships.

President

John S. Agatston

EA · MSPA · FSA · CPA · CFA

Founder of the firm, with 45+ years mastering actuarial science, accounting, and investment analysis. Continues to develop and code the firm's valuation software and leads strategic consulting and technical innovation.

Chief Actuary

Greg Elnyczky

EA · MSPA · COPA · CPC · QPA · QKA

Joined the firm in 1994; Fellow of ASPPA
Serves on the Government Affairs Document Sub-committee
Works alongside the nation's leading pension attorneys to shape industry software and policy
Primary architect of the firm's defined benefit valuation system since 1996

grege@practicalactuary.com · 412-967-6240 Ext. 4

Operations & IT Manager

Arik Miller

U.S. Navy Veteran

Graduate of the Navy's Leadership & Management Training program
Background in ISO 9000 auditing and systems design
Oversees internal operations and client initiatives, Form 5500 production, and PBGC terminations
Leads software development and quality control; Site Coordinator for Privacy/Security inquiries

arikm@practicalactuary.com · 412-967-6240 Ext. 1

Office Manager

Avivah Miller

Manages data and document production
Prepares plan documents and heads annual data collection
Produces actuarial valuations and PBGC filings
Manages accounts receivable and client relationship initiatives

avivahm@practicalactuary.com · 412-967-6240 Ext. 2

Our Offices

Primary Mailing

East Coast Office

John S. Agatston Actuarial Services
PO Box 38765
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Phone: 412-967-6240

West Coast

JSAAS West Coast

1463 E. 10th St
Yuma, AZ 85365

Practical.Actuary

Actuarial and pension consulting for business owners and their trusted advisors. Clear, practical, and built around real-world needs.

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