Maryland GFOA: Pension Affinity Group - Wednesday, September 24, 2025

Maryland GFOA: Pension Affinity Group

The September meeting of our pension affinity group is planned for Wednesday, September 24, 2025 and is to be held via Zoom.

Death Audits: A Foundational Element of Responsible Plan Management 
Accurate death audit practices are fundamental to preserving the integrity of retirement systems and ensuring sound plan administration. This session will examine the mechanics of death audits, the importance of conducting them regularly and thoroughly, and the distinctions between algorithm-based approaches and more comprehensive validation methodologies. We will also briefly examine how missing participant outreach supports the maintenance of complete and accurate participant records. 

Speakers:

• Vincent Pelligrino, Vice-President - ABL Technologies LLC 
• Mike Schoonveld, General Manager, Pensions & Strategic Accounts - The Berwyn Group 

**MDGFOA Affinity Group Meetings are open to current members only.**

Speaker Information:

Vincent Pellegrino | Vice President – ABL Tech

Vincent is a distinguished professional in the longevity risk and life settlement market with an extensive track record in business development and strategic relations. Over his career, he has played a pivotal role in formulating market strategies and boosting operational and sales efficiencies across various prestigious financial institutions, including AIG, Credit Suisse, and Prudential Financial where he held executive leadership positions. His expertise encompasses managing asset portfolios linked to longevity products, negotiating substantial life insurance policy acquisitions, and implementing measures to ensure fund solvency and compliance. With over 25 years of experience, Vincent has held several key positions where he significantly contributed to the optimization of financial operations and the reduction of fraud. His profound understanding of market dynamics and his strategic foresight have positioned him as a respected figure in the financial sector. Vincent’s career is marked by a commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of the complexities associated with longevity markets. His contributions to the field have not only advanced the interests of the organizations he has been affiliated with but also helped shape best practices in the industry.

Mike Schoonveld | General Manager, Pensions & Strategic Accounts - The Berwyn Group

Mike Schoonveld is the General Manager of Pensions & Strategic Accounts at The Berwyn Group, where he leads the company’s efforts to support pension plans and third-party administrators with industry-leading death audit and participant locate solutions. With extensive experience working alongside public and private pension funds, Mike is committed to helping organizations protect plan assets, prevent overpayments, and ensure participants and beneficiaries receive the benefits they are owed.

Previously, Mike served as Berwyn’s National Director of Sales, where he played a key role in expanding the company’s presence in the pension and benefits market, strengthening long-term client relationships, and driving measurable results. Before joining Berwyn, he held sales and leadership positions at CoStar Group, Thomson Reuters, and Micron Technology, building expertise in client engagement and growth strategy. Mike brings a deep understanding of the challenges facing pension administrators today and focuses on delivering solutions that improve accuracy, meet regulatory expectations, and maximize plan efficiency.

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