ASPA or SOA for Pension Consulting

Dear AGroup:

Is it unlikely to find employment in an consulting actuary firm such as Mercer, KMPG, Milliman, Price WaterhouseCooper, Arthur Anderson, with a ASPA Enrolled Actuary designation? This is assuming a person wants to specialize in the pension/retirement area. Should I look at specializing in only the SOA designations?

What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of obtaining a designation from the ASPA over SOA?

After visiting the American Society of Pension Actuaries website, I notice a large number of participants pursuing this designation. However, I have heard that it is not well respected in the industry.