John Robert Rietz stands out as a distinguished figure in the actuarial profession, boasting a remarkable career spanning several decades. His extensive experience and unwavering commitment to public service make him a compelling candidate for Regular Director. Rietz’s career is marked by significant achievements across various sectors, showcasing his expertise in pension and retirement systems and his dedication to upholding the highest standards of actuarial practice.
A Distinguished Career Trajectory of John Robert Rietz
Rietz’s professional journey began after being recognized as a National Merit Scholar in 1967. He laid a strong academic foundation by earning a BSc in Mathematics with high honors from Michigan State University in 1970. His career took off at Lincoln National Life Insurance Company in 1970, where he spent five years honing his actuarial skills. This early experience paved the way for a long and impactful career in the field.
From 1975 to 1999, John Robert Rietz was a vital part of The Wyatt Company (now Willis Towers Watson) in Detroit, Michigan. This period marked significant professional growth and established him as a leading consultant in the actuarial domain. His expertise was further recognized when Governor John Engler appointed him as the Public Representative on the Board of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) in 1995, a role he held until 2001 and was re-appointed to in 1998. Managing a system with approximately 450,000 participants and over $40 billion in assets demonstrated Rietz’s capability to handle large-scale, complex financial responsibilities.
Leadership and Recognition in the Actuarial Community
John Robert Rietz’s influence extends beyond his corporate roles into leadership positions within key actuarial organizations. He served on the Board of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries from 1995 to 2003 and was honored with the John Hanson Prize in 1998 for his paper on employee benefits, “Early Retirement Subsidies; A Plan Design Whose Time Has Passed?”. This award underscores his thought leadership and contribution to the evolution of employee benefit strategies.
His career further diversified when he joined Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as General Director of Rewards from 1999 to 2001. Concurrently, he ascended to the Presidency of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries in 2000-2001, showcasing his leadership within the consulting actuarial community. His commitment to the broader actuarial profession was further solidified through his service on the Board of the American Academy of Actuaries from 2000 to 2004.
Continued Contributions and Public Service
Joining Deloitte Consulting LLP as Director in 2001, John Robert Rietz continued to excel, eventually retiring in 2010. During his tenure at Deloitte, he served as Vice President of Professionalism of the American Academy of Actuaries from 2002 to 2004 and as Chief Pension Actuary for Deloitte Consulting LLP from 2005 to 2008. Even after retirement from full-time corporate roles, Rietz remained deeply involved in the actuarial community.
From 2009 to 2014, he served on the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline, chairing it for the last two years, emphasizing his dedication to ethical standards within the profession. In 2010, he became a department editor/columnist for Contingencies, a leading actuarial magazine, further contributing to industry discourse. The Conference of Consulting Actuaries recognized his lifetime contributions with a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011. Continuing his public service, Governor Rick Snyder appointed him to the Investment Committee of the Detroit General Employees Retirement System in 2014, a position he continues to hold.
John Robert Rietz has been a frequent speaker at major actuarial conferences, sharing his insights and expertise with peers at the Conference of Consulting Actuaries, the American Academy of Actuaries, and Enrolled Actuaries meetings. His commitment to community extends to philanthropic efforts, as demonstrated by his recognition as a United Way De Tocqueville donor from 2004 to 2009.
Serving the Actuarial Profession and the Public
John Robert Rietz articulates a clear vision for his service on the Board, emphasizing the Academy’s crucial role in public policy. He believes in the importance of actuarial input in legislative and regulatory decisions, particularly concerning public pension plans and Social Security. His dedication to maintaining objectivity and professionalism within the actuarial field aligns perfectly with the Academy’s mission to serve both the public and the U.S. actuarial profession.
His previous service to the Academy, including roles as Vice President of Professionalism and Chair of the Actuarial Board for Counseling and Discipline, demonstrates his deep understanding of the organization and its objectives. John Robert Rietz is committed to upholding the reputation of the Academy and the actuarial profession through his service, ensuring high standards of competence and integrity among its members. His extensive experience and dedication position him as an ideal candidate to contribute significantly to the Academy’s Board of Directors.
