What’s the Impact of 2018 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

The IRS Notice 2017-64 just announced the 2018 retirement plan benefit limits, and there are many changes since 2017. 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. […]Read More… from What’s the Impact of 2018 IRS Retirement Plan Limits?

Pension Lump Sums Likely More Expensive in 2017

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

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?

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?

Pension Lump Sums Much More Expensive in 2015

Over the past few years, many defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors considered 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 2014 417(e) rates, which will be the 2015 reference rates for many […]Read More… from Pension Lump Sums Much More Expensive in 2015

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?

Public Pension Plan Funding Policy – The Time is Here

“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

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