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?

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?

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

Small Closed DB Plans Need to Monitor §401(a)(26) Status

In last week’s blog post covering nondiscrimination testing pitfalls for soft-frozen pension plans, we discussed how defined benefit (DB) plans that are closed to new participants can run afoul of the IRC §410(b) minimum coverage rules. Today’s post discusses how small DB plans closed to new entrants can also have difficulties passing the IRC §401(a)(26) […]Read More… from Small Closed DB Plans Need to Monitor §401(a)(26) Status

Beware Nondiscrimination Pitfalls for Frozen Pension Plans

Many defined benefit (DB) pension plans were closed to new entrants over the past several years. Oftentimes, these plan closures were done with a focus on short-term cost control without understanding some of the long-term compliance implications. Then, one day, the plan sponsor gets an unwelcome surprise from their actuary – their DB plan is […]Read More… from Beware Nondiscrimination Pitfalls for Frozen Pension Plans