Independent Actuaries Blog Category: Defined Benefit Plans
A Second Bite at the Apple
Last December was a bit quieter than usual at IAI, and it wasn’t just due to the fact that almost all of us were working from home. We’re usually really busy with getting new retirement plan documents in place for … Continue reading
IRS Announces Retirement Plan Limits for 2021
The IRS has announced the new retirement plan limits for 2021. Most limits stayed flat, but a few increased from 2020 to 2021. Highlights include: The compensation limit used in determining benefits and contributions for both defined benefit and defined … Continue reading
Ripple Effect of Delaying DB Contributions
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The most prominent pension funding relief provision is an automatic extension for cash contributions due during 2020. All defined benefit plan contributions originally … Continue reading
A Cautionary Tale of Low Interest Rates with Lump Sum Distributions
Defined benefit plans can offer lump sum distributions to participants when they terminate employment. This option is common as a method for plan sponsors to lessen administrative costs and offer portable benefits. The lump sum is equal to the present … Continue reading
PPP Loans and Retirement Contributions
The hugely popular Payroll Protection Program (PPP) provides loans to small businesses that are ultimately forgivable if the funds are used to cover payroll costs and other specified expenses within the eight weeks following receipt of funds, so long as … Continue reading
DB Plans – Close vs. Freeze vs. Termination
In a recent blog we discussed concerns that defined benefit (DB) plan sponsors may have in the face of the COVID-19 outbreak. One of those concerns regards near-term contribution requirements that may be overly burdensome when coupled with severely reduced … Continue reading
CARES Act – Defined Benefit Plans
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act passed the House of Representatives today and is expected to be signed by the President shortly. The CARES Act includes pension relief provisions that have an immediate effect on defined benefit … Continue reading
Defined Benefit Plans Can Get Sick, Too
As has been well-publicized, the Coronavirus (along with other factors) has resulted in a steep financial market plunge this week. As of the day I’m writing this, the S&P 500 is down nearly 24% since the beginning of 2020, with … Continue reading
Congress Passes Retirement Legislation
Yesterday (December 19), Congress passed a spending bill containing sweeping retirement plan legislation, designed to allow and encourage Americans to save more. The portion of the legislation pertaining to retirement is called the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement … Continue reading
Changes in Pension Accounting Standards Taking Effect this Year
The soon-to-be-effective Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-07 makes changes to the way pension plans are accounted for, designed to improve the transparency of pension plan operational costs. Under the old rules, all components of pension-related expenses were aggregated together as … Continue reading
