Justin Owens, CFA, FSA, EA
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
LDI for cash balance retirement plans
$20 billion club: 2024 update
Return requirements for DB plan portfolios: Understanding liability-relative return needs
Strategic asset allocation reviews for DB plan sponsors
Learn why the strategic asset allocation review process is an essential step in good DB plan governance.