Description: This article discusses some of the ideas of pension finance, how to present such information, and how it was presented to the New York City Retirement Systems (NYCRS) in a way that made it available to other interested parties, including the public.

Description: This is a 2003 supplement to the RP-2000 Mortality Table Report. Since the publication of the report, actuaries have become increasingly interested in using mortality rates that reflect adjustments for collar or benefit amount. This supplement addresses that interest by providing additional applicable tables.

Description: This is an Excel spreadsheet, provided by the Society of Actuaries Pension Section, containing PBGC Annuity Valuation Rates.

Description: The traditional defined-benefit (DB) plan is a type of plan structured to provide the greatest degree of retirement income security, designed to pay out a guaranteed retirement income for the life of the retiree (and, when applicable, a beneficiary). However, over the last several decades, the number of private-sector employees covered under these traditional plans has decreased dramatically and been replaced by defined contribution (DC) plans. In contrast, public-sector retirement plans, which are exempt from ERISA, have seen a much smaller decline in DB plans. There are many differences in the private and public sector that likely contributed to this phenomenon, but ERISA and the many amendments to it has been a major factor.

Description: In this paper, the author presents the statutory and regulatory rationale for the Internal Revenue Service, ‘IRS,” position on integration. The author discusses the integration requirements under IRC Section 401a which must be met for a private pension plan to receive favorable tax treatment, including the prohibited discrimination requirement. From the 1982 Transactions Vol. 34.

Description: This report, by the Committee on Nonforfeiture and Valuation Mortality Problems, resulted from a request by the NAIC to develop non sex distinct mortality rates in light of a recent court decision prohibiting sex distinct mortality in determining benefits derived from defined contribution pension plans. Also included is the ‘February 7, 1984, Report of the Society of Actuaries Committee on Nonforfeiture and Valuation Mortality Problems - Individual Life Insurance and Annuities Blended Selection Factors for Blended 1980 CSO Tables,’ which describes the subsequent determination of select factors, and discussion of two letters the Committee received. From the 1985 Transactions Vol. 37.

Description: This article summarizes 2005 cost-of-living adjustments related to employee benefit plans, including: 1. IRS limits applicable to retirement plans, transportation fringe benefits, adoption assistance programs, medical savings accounts, health savings accounts, high-deductible health plans and long-term care plans, 2. PBGC guaranteed benefits, 3. federal income tax factors, 4. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income, 5. Medicare, and 6. covered compensation. From Pension Section News, January 2005, Issue No. 57.

Description: This article discusses adjusting IRC 415 limits for prior distributions. The proposed IRC 415 regulations issued last May contained guidance regarding how to adjust the benefit limits for prior distributions. This is commendable on the part of the IRS. How to adjust the IRC 415 limits for prior distributions has long been a source of confusion even for experienced pension actuaries. The best methodology is not immediately clear, and some methods have become common practice even if they can lead to inconsistent or unreasonable results. From Pension Section News, January 2006, No. 60.

Description: Panelists discuss the PBGC audit program, the experiences of companies that have undergone the audit, and alternatives proposed by the PBGC. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 24, No. 2.

Description: The Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87. Employers’ Accounting for Pensions, became effective in 1987. This is an accounting/actuarial standard with significant income statement and balance sheet implications. This article discuses the results of a survey of selected affected companies regarding the impact of this standard.