It is necessary for the Trustees to engage certain professional skills in order to efficiently manage the Trust. The Board of Trustees determines what professional skills are needed, who is to be retained and on what basis. The professionals currently retained by the Trust are as follows: Actuary: Cheiron  The Actuary determines present and future obligations of the Trust to the covered employees and for expenses and whether the projected income of the Trust will be sufficient to cover these obligations. By law, this determination must be made annually and is called the "Actuarial Valuation." In making these projections, the Actuary has the authority to make certain assumptions, such as what the earnings on Trust assets will be in the future, when covered employees will retire, how long employees will live, etc. The Actuary also advises the Chairman and his staff on a day to day basis concerning such matters as maintenance of employee records and the cost to the Trust of bringing in groups seeking participation. Auditor: Grant Thornton, LLP. The Auditor, at least annually, examines the books and records of the Trust and issues a financial statement which a certified public accountant associated with the Auditor certifies as accurately portraying the financial condition of the Trust as of the date of the report in accordance with the law and acceptable accounting standards. More>>