Actuarial Fiscal Note


Retirement Systems Impacted by Legislation:

PERS and TRS

FUND(S):

PERS 2510 and TRS 2601

Sources of Revenue:

General Fund,Other Fund Local Govts

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Actuarial Note Summary

Impact this measure will have on the liabilities and contributions associated with the retirement system(s).


    This bill provides a 13th check one time $600 payment effective July 1, 2011 to current retirees with 20 or more years of service and who are currently receiving no more than $7,200 annual annuity. Beneficiaries of deceased members who would have met the requirement get the equivalent adjusted one time payment based on the survivor benefit being paid.
    
    PERS: 770 retirees and beneficiaries will receive $454,000.
    TRS: 1,388 retirees and beneficiaries will receive $818,000.
    
    Total benefits - 2,158 retirees and beneficiaries will receive $1,272,000.



Fiscal Detail of Actuarial Impact

Impact on current benefit costs, prior service benefit costs and ongoing contribution requirements following full implementation.


Impact On Following Full Implementation
Increase in Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability Initial Impact on Annual Contribution Requirement of System(s) Contribution Increase as a Percentage of Annual Payroll
Total Annual Costs $1,272,000.00 $262,000.00 0.00 %
Normal Cost of System N/A $0.00 0.00 %
Past Service Liabilities $1,272,000.00 $262,000.00 0.00 %
Fiscal Year Past Service
Amortization Period Ends
N/A FY2017 N/A


Explanation of above Actuarial estimates:


    Since the benefit is a one time 13th check payment, there is no impact on the Normal Cost. The Actuarial Accrued Liability increase is equal to the total of the expected 13th check payments for PERS and TRS. Since the amount is being paid in a single payment, Funding of the entire payment is actuarially recommended at $1,272,000. Under the Actuarially Required Contribution, the payment may be funded over 6 years in the amount of $262,000 for FY2012 through FY2017. The payment breaks down to $94,000 for PERS and $168,000 for TRS.

Analysis of Impact on Public Pension Policy:


    The benefit improvement for retirees meets the restrictions under 2005 Pension Reform for both PERS and TRS.
    
    The benefit payment date in the bill of July 23, 2011 conflicts with the processing of regular pension payments. Modification to July 27, 2011 is recommended to eliminate the conflict.



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


    This bill provides a 13th check one time $600 payment effective July 1, 2011 to current retirees with 20 or more years of service and who are currently receiving no more than $7,200 annual annuity. Beneficiaries of deceased members who would have met the requirement get the equivalent adjusted one time payment based on the survivor benefit being paid.
    
    PERS: 770 retirees and beneficiaries will receive $454,000.
    TRS: 1,388 retirees and beneficiaries will receive $818,000.
    
    Total benefits - 2,158 retirees and beneficiaries will receive $1,272,000.



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2011
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2012
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 262,000 262,000
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 262,000 262,000
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above Fiscal Note estimates (include possible long-range effect):


    Since the benefit is a one time 13th check payment, there is no impact on the Normal Cost. The Actuarial Accrued Liability increase is equal to the total of the expected 13th check payments for PERS and TRS. Since the amount is being paid in a single payment, Funding of the entire payment is actuarially recommended at $1,272,000. Under the Actuarially Required Contribution, the payment may be funded over 6 years in the amount of $262,000 for FY2012 through FY2017. The payment breaks down to $94,000 for PERS and $168,000 for TRS.



Memorandum


    The benefit improvement for retirees meets the restrictions under 2005 Pension Reform for both PERS and TRS.
    
    The benefit payment date in the bill of July 23, 2011 conflicts with the processing of regular pension payments. Modification to July 27, 2011 is recommended to eliminate the conflict.



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Harry W. Mandel, Board Actuary, MAAA, MSPA, EA
    Email Address: harry.w.mandel@wv.gov