Actuarial Fiscal Note

Date Requested:January 12, 2024
Time Requested:02:27 PM
Agency: Consolidated Public Retirement Board
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
1312 Introduced SB263
CBD Subject: Retirement

Retirement Systems Impacted by Legislation:

JRS 2140

FUND(S):

Special Fund

Sources of Revenue:

Creates New Expense

Legislation creates:

JRS



Actuarial Note Summary

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


    SB 263 allows JRS Tier 2 Judges to retire and receive an actuarially reduced retirement benefit upon attaining age sixty-five and serving as a sitting judge for a period of not less than twelve full years.
    
    Currently, a JRS Tier 2 Judge can retire with an unreduced benefit at age sixty-five with sixteen years of credited service, which includes at least fourteen years of Contributory Service, or retire at any age with 24 years of credited service which includes at least fourteen years of Contributory Service.
    
    This bill would allow a JRS Tier 2 judge to retire at age sixty-five with twelve years of service as a judge, however, their retirement benefit would be actuarially reduced based on the number of years until the judge would have received sixteen years of credited service. Since the retirement benefit is actuarially reduced, there is no impact to the unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) or the annual contribution requirement for JRS.
    



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 $0.00 $0.00 0.00 %
Normal Cost of System N/A $0.00 0.00 %
Past Service Liabilities $0.00 $0.00 0.00 %
Fiscal Year Past Service
Amortization Period Ends
N/A N/A


Explanation of above Actuarial estimates:


    This bill would allow a JRS Tier 2 judge to retire at age sixty-five with twelve years of service as a judge, however, their retirement benefit would be actuarially reduced based on the number of years until the judge would have received sixteen years of credited service. Since the retirement benefit is actuarially reduced, there is no impact to the unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) or the annual contribution requirement for JRS.

Analysis of Impact on Public Pension Policy:


    This bill would allow a JRS Tier 2 judge to retire at age sixty-five with twelve years of service as a judge, however, their retirement benefit would be actuarially reduced based on the number of years until the judge would have received sixteen years of credited service. Since the retirement benefit is actuarially reduced, there is no impact to the unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) or the annual contribution requirement for JRS.



Fiscal Note Summary


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


    SB 263 allows JRS Tier 2 Judges to retire and receive an actuarially reduced retirement benefit upon attaining age sixty-five and serving as a sitting judge for a period of not less than twelve full years.
    
    Currently, a JRS Tier 2 Judge can retire with an unreduced benefit at age sixty-five with sixteen years of credited service, which includes at least fourteen years of Contributory Service, or retire at any age with 24 years of credited service which includes at least fourteen years of Contributory Service.
    
    This bill would allow a JRS Tier 2 judge to retire at age sixty-five with twelve years of service as a judge, however, their retirement benefit would be actuarially reduced based on the number of years until the judge would have received sixteen years of credited service. Since the retirement benefit is actuarially reduced, there is no impact to the unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) or the annual contribution requirement for JRS.
    



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2024
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2025
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 0 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


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


    This bill would allow a JRS Tier 2 judge to retire at age sixty-five with twelve years of service as a judge, however, their retirement benefit would be actuarially reduced based on the number of years until the judge would have received sixteen years of credited service. Since the retirement benefit is actuarially reduced, there is no impact to the unfunded actuarial accrued liability (UAAL) or the annual contribution requirement for JRS.



Memorandum


    This Actuarial/Fiscal Note is being submitted by the Consolidated Public Retirement Board. It has been reviewed by the CPRB Actuary. Both the Board and the CPRB Actuary are available upon request for questions.
    
    For the appropriate actuarial disclosures, see the July 1, 2023, funding valuation report for JRS, expected to be published on March 31, 2024.
    
    In particular, future actuarial measurements may differ significantly from the current measurements shown in this actuarial/fiscal note due to plan experience differing from that anticipated by the economic and demographic assumptions, changes expected as part of the natural operation of the methodology used for these measurements, and changes in plan provisions, applicable law, and regulations.
    
    Kenneth Woodson Jr., the CPRB Board Actuary, is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He meets the Qualification Standards of the American Academy of Actuaries to render the actuarial opinions contained in this Actuarial/Fiscal Note.
    



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Kenneth M. Woodson Jr.
    Email Address: kenneth.m.woodson@wv.gov