Now that the first round of GASB 75 OPEB valuations are complete (and some are already onto their 2nd or 3rd rounds), it’s time to take a quick look at some common actuarial pitfalls. These are gotchas that employers and auditors may not be expecting, or notice, when reviewing a GASB 75 report. Unsupported actuarial […]Read More… from Top 4 GASB 75 OPEB Reporting Pitfalls
For most California public agencies funding Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) through CERBT, there is a small difference between the 6/30/2017 assets originally reported and the final audited assets (Fiduciary Net Position, or FNP). Our clients have been asking what to do about it. Even the State of California has the same issue. We’ve discussed it […]Read More… from CERBT Audited vs. Reported Assets
New Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) statements 74 and 75 are intended to make accounting for OPEB (Other Postemployment Benefits, usually retiree medical) more transparent by moving the entire unfunded liability to the face of the financial statements. This post discusses some of the OPEB funding policy opportunities that employers should consider as they prepare […]Read More… from OPEB Funding Policy Opportunities
Public sector employers, get ready! The Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) has officially approved new accounting statements for Other Post-Employment Benefit plans (OPEB; retiree medical). Here’s what the recent GASB announcement confirms: Final provisions will closely mirror GASB 67/68 pension accounting. The official statements won’t be released until late June, but last summer’s OPEB exposure […]Read More… from First pensions, now OPEB – New GASB 74 & 75 will transform OPEB reporting
Last week the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) released its long-awaited exposure draft of proposed Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB) accounting changes. Although there may be modifications before the rules are finalized, public employers should be aware of the potential consequences. Here’s our list of the top 5 items from the exposure draft: 1. Most of […]Read More… from Top 5 Take-Aways from the GASB OPEB Accounting Exposure Draft
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
Under GASB 43 and 45, public sector employers are required to account for retiree medical benefits under special rules for Other Post-Employment Benefits (OPEB). Many have chosen to pre-fund these liabilities in a trust similar to a retirement plan trust. At the recent Minnesota School Board Association convention, Van Iwaarden Associates teamed up with an […]Read More… from OPEB Investments – The Danger of Playing It Safe
Over the past several years, GASB 45 has required public employers to recognize the cost of Other Postemployment Benefits (OPEB: e.g., retiree health insurance, life insurance) while employees are accruing the benefits, not after they retire. For many public entities, the true cost of their healthcare promises has been an eye opener. However, public employers […]Read More… from “Measure It Before You Promise It” for GASB 45 OPEB
GASB 45 requires a complete actuarial valuation of public retiree health plans to be completed every 2 to 3 years (depending on number of plan members), and sponsors usually don’t look forward to the administrative hassles of their next study. However, there are several situations where a new valuation could be advantageous and, likely, mandatory. […]Read More… from Top Reasons to Change Your GASB 45 Valuation Schedule
Federal, state and local regulations often include mandated health benefits for officers disabled in the line of duty. These benefits are a way to reward officers for protecting and serving the public at great risk of bodily harm. The value of these benefits must be accounted for under GASB accounting rules, and there are a […]Read More… from Public Safety Benefits Can Significantly Affect OPEB Liabilities
