Lump sum windows and other pension risk transfer strategies continue to be popular among many defined benefit (DB) pension plan sponsors. Paying lump sums to terminated vested participants can reduce long-term plan costs and risks by permanently eliminating these liabilities. However, the cost of the lump sum payments is heavily influenced by the underlying interest […]Read More… from Pension Lump Sums Less Expensive in 2019
How quickly things change! A month ago we were anticipating very expensive 2017 lump sum costs for defined benefit (DB) pension plans due to continually low interest rates. However, rates have been on a strong rebound since the election and now 2017 lump sums are looking much more affordable. The IRS recently released the November […]Read More… from 2017 Pension Lump Sums Are Looking More Affordable
Many defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors are aware that interest rates dropped significantly in the first half of 2016 but staged a remarkable rise since the November election. Combined with relatively strong equity returns, 2016 year-end pension disclosures may not be as bad as expected 6 to 8 weeks ago. Discount Rate Analysis Using the […]Read More… from 2016 Pension Accounting Preview: a Positive Outlook
Lump sum windows and other pension risk transfer strategies continue to be popular among many defined benefit (DB) pension plan sponsors. Paying lump sums to terminated vested participants can reduce long-term plan costs and risks by permanently eliminating these liabilities. However, the cost of the lump sum payments is heavily influenced by the underlying interest […]Read More… from Pension Lump Sums Likely More Expensive in 2017
The combination of lower discount rates and new mortality tables will dramatically increase pension plan liabilities and decrease DB plans’ funded status for December 31, 2014 financial reporting. Using the November 2014 Citigroup Pension Liability Index (CPLI) and Citigroup Pension Discount Curve (CPDC) as proxies, pension accounting discount rates are down by almost 90 basis […]Read More… from DB Plan Sponsors Should Prepare Now for Higher Year-End Liabilities
“Every state and local government that offers defined-benefit pensions [should] formally adopt a funding policy…,” according to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practice recommendations. Guidelines for Funding Defined Benefit Pensions (2013) (CORBA) SOA and GASB Provide Guidance Blue Ribbon Panel. Last month, a blue ribbon panel formed by the Society of Actuaries went […]Read More… from Public Pension Plan Funding Policy – The Time is Here
As mentioned in our July lump sum interest rate post, many defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors are considering lump sum payouts to their terminated vested participants as a way of “right-sizing” their plan. The ultimate goal is to reduce plan costs and risk. The IRS recently released the November 2013 417(e) rates, which will be […]Read More… from Preview of 2014 Lump Sum Interest Rates
After several years of painfully-low pension discount rates, we’ve seen a modest rebound in 2013. Using the Citigroup Pension Liability Index (CPLI) and Citigroup Pension Discount Curve (CPDC) as proxies, pension accounting discount rates are up by about 80 basis points so far this year. This is great news for pension plan sponsors, especially if […]Read More… from Pension Discount Rates – September 2013 Preview
Many defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors are considering lump sum payouts to their terminated vested participants as a way of reducing plan costs and risk. This post shares a brief update of the interest rates used to calculate deferred vested lump sums and the impact it could have on potential lump sum payout strategies. Background […]Read More… from Lump Sum Interest Rate Update – June 2013
Pension discount rates continued to drop during 2012 and plan sponsors should prepare for yet another potential upward spike in balance sheet liabilities for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012. Using the Citigroup Pension Liability Index (CPLI) and Citigroup Pension Discount Curve (CPDC) as proxies, pension accounting discount rates may decrease by roughly 35 […]Read More… from Expect Lower Discount Rates (and Higher Liabilities) for 2012 Pension Disclosures
