Justin Owens, CFA, FSA, EA

Justin Owens

Senior Director, Co-Head of Strategic Asset Allocation

B.S., Actuarial Science, Brigham Young University
Fellow, Society of Actuaries
Fellow, Conference of Consulting Actuaries
CFA Charterholder, CFA Institute
Enrolled Actuary, JBEA


Justin Owens is a senior director, co-head of strategic asset allocation for Russell Investments based in Seattle. As a subject matter expert on defined benefit plans, Justin regularly publishes research on risk management and investment strategy topics for DB plan sponsors. Justin is also responsible for the completion and presentation of strategic reviews (asset/liability studies) and risk-budgeting exercises for clients and prospects.

Justin ensures strategic reviews are completed in compliance with current actuarial funding laws and accounting standards, performed using industry best practices. As part of the strategic review process, Justin educates clients on the impact of current pension industry regulations and trends, including best practices for funding and investment strategies.

Before joining Russell in 2012, Justin was a consulting actuary for a large actuarial firm. There he consulted with clients on a range of retirement issues. Specific areas of expertise included funding and accounting valuations on corporate and multiemployer defined benefit and retiree medical plans; asset/liability forecasting; actuarial assumption reviews; and benefits administration. Justin also held training and recruiting responsibilities.

Justin currently sits on the Investment Section Council for the Society of Actuaries and volunteers as an exam writer for the Investment Risk Management exam for fellowship-level actuarial candidates.

Justin's published works include the following:


LDI: Our approach to the design, construction and management of liability-hedging portfolios for U.S. DB plans

September 2024
Learn how LDI strategies may protect pension plans from market risks and enhance long-term financial stability.

LDI for cash balance retirement plans

April 2024
Explore the mechanics of CB plans and their liabilities, how they differ from traditional DB plans, and what opportunities exist to manage associated risk through investment strategy.

$20 billion club: 2024 update

March 2024
What a difference a year makes. Take a look at our annual report on publicly listed U.S. corporations with the largest pension liabilities and see what trends this group offers the wider corporate pension community.

Pension risk transfer options and considerations

November 2023
Are risk transfer solutions appropriate for your organization? Discover options to determine if it fits well within your long-term risk management goals.

Strategic asset allocation reviews for DB plan sponsors

November 2023

Learn why the strategic asset allocation review process is an essential step in good DB plan governance.


Return requirements for DB plan portfolios: Understanding liability-relative return needs

November 2023
A variety of objectives and circumstances will dictate return needs. Let us help explain and break down the return requirements for defined benefit plan portfolios.

Simplifying the LDI story by focusing on the three DB hedge ratio levers

November 2023
“Without hedging, interest rate movement can expose sponsors to significant funded status risk…” Learn more about the 3 DB hedge ratio levers.

A guide to pension plan hibernation

October 2023
Don’t ignore the hibernation stage. The hibernation stage can serve as a stepping stone to plan termination that reduces risk and cost. See our guide.

$20 billion club: 2023 update

March 2023
Our annual report on publicly-listed U.S. corporations with the largest pension liabilities reveals some surprising findings from 2022. Take a look at the trends this group offers the wider corporate pension community.

2022 Prudent pension funding report

November 2022
Our 2022 Prudent Pension Funding Report reveals that even in a volatile market environment, most (86%) corporate pension plans can achieve full funding without a significant draw on corporate free cash flow, based on 2021 disclosures and market and interest rate movement so far in 2022.

Risk transfer potholes: How to avoid them or brace for impact

October 2022
Considering a risk transfer? Here are some potential challenges and red flags to be aware of.

Defined benefit plan terminations: Funding and investment strategies

October 2022
Thinking of terminating your DB plan? How should the decision affect your funding and investment strategies? Read how to avoid pitfalls and make the best use of available resources.

$20 billion club: 2022 update

March 2022
How did the $20 billion club fare in 2021? Did your funded status improve by the same percentage as theirs? Take a look at the trends this group offers the wider corporate pension community.

Why non-profits should consider private credit

January 2022
Can private credit provide higher returns and less volatility? Check out what a recent case study reveals.