This first installment in our whitepaper series introduces the foundational challenge facing mature pension plans: negative cash flow. When benefit payments regularly surpass incoming contributions, trustees encounter a structural issue that may affect a plan’s funded status. This paper explores the mechanics of sequence of returns risk – a phenomenon Read more
Special Financial Assistance Guidance Issued by the PBGC Background The PBGC administers a Multiemployer Insurance Program under Title IV of ERISA. In recent years, the sustainability of this insurance program became challenged as many multiemployer plans faced the prospect of insolvency. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (the “Act”) Read more
“Fresh Start” and Extended Amortization Funding Shortfalls The Act provides a “fresh start” on the amortization of a single-employer plan’s underfunding. For the plan year beginning in 2022 (or, if elected by the plan sponsor, a plan year beginning in 2019, 2020, or 2021), all of the plan’s shortfall amortization Read more
Financial Assistance for Severely Underfunded Multiemployer Plans The Act creates a special financial assistance program to ensure the solvency of severely underfunded multiemployer plans by providing a lump sum payment such that the plans can pay all benefits through 2051. This funding is not a loan and there is no Read more
This white paper discusses a couple of new adjustable pension plan designs available to plan sponsors and the rationale for why they should be considered. · For years employers contributing to Defined Benefit Pension Plans have been wary of the risks associated with these plans.· With the national move Read more
The DOL has announced in this notice an extension of deadlines for furnishing required notices or disclosures to plan participants, beneficiaries, and other persons so that plan fiduciaries and plan sponsors have additional time to meet their obligations under Title of I ERISA during the COVID-19 outbreak. This extension applies Read more
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) became law. During its assembly, we heard from insiders regarding the possible inclusion of extensive reforms and relief for the US multiemployer defined-benefit system, yet no such provisions appear in the final Act. We will continue Read more
On November 20th, two Republican Senators issued a Multiemployer Pension Recapitalization and Reform Plan via a white paper summarizing proposals for the US multiemployer defined-benefit pension system accompanied by a more thorough technical explanation. While we prepare a more thorough summary of the latter, which we will post here, highlights Read more
PBGC proposes additional methods for reporting “orphaned” participants on Form 5500 The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (“PBGC”) is proposing changes to how multiemployer defined-benefit pension funds report orphaned participants beginning with Schedules R (Form 5500) for 2020 plan years. Under current rules, such funds must report the number of participants Read more
JUST THE FACTS is prepared by First Actuarial Consulting, Inc. for general informational purposes only. It does not offer legal advice and does not claim to give all information regarding any given topic. As always, how these issues affect your plan specifically should be discussed with fund counsel before any Read more