IAOTP names Ronald Stair Top Consulting Actuary of the Year

The International Association of Top Professionals will honor Ronald Stair at its annual awards gala in December 2026 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. The recognition spotlights his work in retirement planning and actuarial consulting after more than four decades in the field.

Why it matters: - IAOTP’s annual award signals industry recognition for Ronald Stair’s work in retirement planning, actuarial consulting and regulatory strategy. - The honor also highlights the role of specialized consulting actuaries in helping employers design retirement plans that comply with federal rules.

What happened: - The International Association of Top Professionals selected Ronald Stair as Top Consulting Actuary of the Year 2026. - IAOTP will honor Stair at its annual awards gala in December 2026 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. - IAOTP also said Stair will be considered for inclusion in TIP (Top Industry Professionals) Magazine this year. - IAOTP shared more information about the gala at the award gala page.

The details: - Stair has more than four decades of experience in retirement planning and actuarial work. - Stair is Principal of Creative Plan Designs, a BPAS Company, and Senior Vice President and National Practice Leader at BPAS. - In those roles, Stair oversees retirement plan consulting, compliance strategy, innovative plan design solutions and national growth initiatives. - Stair has held senior leadership and advisory roles across consulting actuarial firms, third-party administration organizations and national professional councils. - His expertise includes defined benefit plans, cash balance plans, 401(k) traditional and Roth plans, profit sharing, 403(b) and 457 plans, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, QDRO valuation, plan compliance, and tax- and estate-integrated retirement strategies. - Stair earned a PhD in biophysics from New York University, an MS in mathematics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a master’s degree in taxation from William and Mary. - Stair is a Fellow of the Conference of Consulting Actuaries, a Fellow of the Royal Statistical Society, a member of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries, and an Official Member of the Forbes Finance Council. - IAOTP President Stephanie Cirami said the selection was an easy decision and called Stair inspirational, influential and a thought leader.

Between the lines: - The award reinforces how credentials, technical depth and cross-disciplinary training can shape recognition in a niche professional field. - Stair’s mix of math, biophysics and taxation suggests why retirement strategy increasingly rewards specialists who can translate complex regulations into practical plan design. - The recognition also gives BPAS additional visibility through one of the industry’s more exclusive professional honor groups.

What's next: - IAOTP will present the award at its gala later this year in New York City. - Stair said he hopes to keep helping individuals and organizations make informed retirement planning decisions. - His public profile and professional network may expand further through IAOTP and possible inclusion in TIP Magazine.

The bottom line: - IAOTP is putting a national spotlight on Ronald Stair as a veteran retirement and actuarial specialist with deep technical credentials and a long track record in the field.