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

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

Evaluating PBGC Premium Options in Advance of Big Increases

Each year, defined benefit (DB) pension plan sponsors must pay pension insurance premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). In light of large PBGC premium rate increases in 2013 and future years, plan sponsors should carefully evaluate their options before proceeding with their next premium payment. Background There are two components to annual PBGC […]Read More… from Evaluating PBGC Premium Options in Advance of Big Increases

Steering Clear of Pension Benefit Restrictions

Negative asset performance and declining valuation interest rates during 2011 will cause some pension plans to face benefit restriction issues for the first time in 2012.   Potential repercussions include limits on accelerated distributions (lump sums), restrictions on plan amendments increasing the value of benefits, mandatory benefit accrual freezes and restrictions on unpredictable contingent event […]Read More… from Steering Clear of Pension Benefit Restrictions