What’s the Impact of 2017 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

The IRS just announced the 2017 retirement plan benefit limits, and there are some notable changes from 2016. What does it all mean for employer-sponsored retirement plans? Here is a table summarizing the primary benefit limits, followed by our analysis of the practical effects for both defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB) plans. Qualified […]Read More… from What’s the Impact of 2017 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

False alarm! IRS withdraws controversial proposed cross-testing regulation provisions

A couple of months ago, the IRS proposed some changes to the §1.401(a)(4) nondiscrimination testing regulations.  On Thursday, they withdrew the part of those proposed regulations that was bad news for plan sponsors, as noted in our prior post. We are pleased the IRS has reconsidered the unintended consequences benefit formula restrictions and “facts and […]Read More… from False alarm! IRS withdraws controversial proposed cross-testing regulation provisions

Surprises in the proposed cross-testing regulations

On January 29th, the IRS proposed revisions to the nondiscrimination testing regulations of §1.401(a)(4).  The title of proposed regulations (and most of the attention generated by them) is focused on the relief for closed defined benefit (DB) plans.  This post summarizes the proposed changes that would affect more than just closed DB plans.  Most of them are […]Read More… from Surprises in the proposed cross-testing regulations

What’s the Impact of 2016 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

The IRS just announced the 2016 retirement plan benefit limits, and there are virtually no changes from 2015. What does it all mean for employer-sponsored retirement plans? Below is a table summarizing the primary benefit limits, followed by our analysis of the practical effects for both defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB) plans. Qualified […]Read More… from What’s the Impact of 2016 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

DB Plan Sponsors Should Prepare Now for Higher Year-End Liabilities

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

What’s the Impact of 2015 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

The IRS just announced the 2015 retirement plan benefit limits and we’re seeing some modest increases from 2014. What does it all mean for employer-sponsored retirement plans? This post analyzes the practical effects for both defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB) plans, followed by a table summarizing the limit changes. Changes affecting both DB […]Read More… from What’s the Impact of 2015 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

Higher Discount Rates Will Help 2013 Pension Disclosures and 2014 Expense

The final results are in and pension plan sponsors should be pleased with final year-end discount rates – at least compared to the FY2012 rates. Using the Citigroup Pension Liability Index (CPLI) and Citigroup Pension Discount Curve (CPDC) as proxies, pension accounting discount rates are up by about 90 basis points this year. This is […]Read More… from Higher Discount Rates Will Help 2013 Pension Disclosures and 2014 Expense

Preview of 2014 Lump Sum Interest Rates

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

What’s the Impact of 2014 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

The IRS just announced the 2014 retirement plan benefit limits and we’re seeing some modest increases from 2013. What does it all mean for employer-sponsored retirement plans? This post analyzes the practical effects for both defined contribution (DC) and defined benefit (DB) plans, followed by a table summarizing the limit changes. Changes affecting both DB […]Read More… from What’s the Impact of 2014 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

Pension Discount Rates – September 2013 Preview

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