Milliman employee benefits insight

20 April 2023 - By Jenica Ghorashi

Both the broader market (Russell 3000) and the S&P 500 finished higher despite pressures following the collapse of multiple regional banks.

20 April 2023 - By Zorast Wadia, Alan Perry, Richard J. Bottelli Jr.

Milliman's annual Corporate Pension Funding Study dives into details of the top 100 plans, whose funded ratio increased to 99.3% in 2022, up 300 basis points.

18 April 2023 - By Brandy L. Cross

We run through five provisions of SECURE 2.0 related to mandatory and voluntary changes to employee and employer contributions for DC plans.

17 April 2023 - By Keith Young

How to make sure your defined benefit (DB) pension plan complies with Internal Revenue Code 415 limits in the case of multiple distribution dates.

17 April 2023 - By Rebecca A. Sielman, Richard L. Gordon

Public pensions funded ratio grows to 74.5%, modest asset performance during March causes $54 billion increase in funded status.

11 April 2023 - By Neil Dissanayake

In the development of decumulation products, flexibility is essential in order to adapt to changing interest rates and market conditions.

04 April 2023 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

We cover released revisions to Form 5500 and new requirements for the summary annual report, which apply to plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2023.

04 April 2023 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Our latest bulletin covers the changes to the annual Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. premium filing for the 2023 plan year and the Form 5500 filing for 2022.

24 March 2023 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook, Jake Pringle

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, increased by 40 bps from 99.3% to 99.7% during February.

21 March 2023 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

After January market rebound and February decline, plans see a net $53 billion improvement in funded status since December 31, 2022.

20 March 2023 - By Steve Kowalski, Lynn Yu, Nina Lantz

We review three provisions of SECURE 2.0 that will impact single employer defined benefit plans.

09 March 2023 - By Zorast Wadia

Rising discount rates boost corporate pension funded ratio to 111.6% in February despite financial market declines.

08 March 2023 - By Rebecca A. Sielman, Richard L. Gordon

2022 market underperformance lead the aggregate funding ratio to fall, erasing the market gains of previous years, and widening the funding gap between plan assets and liabilities to a new high.

02 March 2023 - By Tim Connor, Rex Barker, Timothy J. Herman, Nina Lantz

Milliman’s latest Multiemployer Pension Funding Study shows aggregate funding level declined significantly in 2022, despite first wave of financial assistance.

01 March 2023 - By Michael Halford , Reza Vahid, Katy Mohr

A Milliman analysis of multiemployer health and welfare plans – or Taft-Hartley plans – finds that net assets increased for the fourth straight year on average.

27 February 2023 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, decreased by 90 bps from 100.2% to 99.3% during January.

23 February 2023 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

In this issue of Dear Actuary, we discuss changes implemented in the recent ASOP 4 rewrite regarding plan funding status, investment risk, and Actuarially Determined Contributions.

22 February 2023 - By Scott M. Cohen, Barbara Culley, Nicole Gaspar, Christin Kuretich

Companies have a key opportunity to differentiate themselves by developing thoughtful support for employees who provide informal care to their loved ones.

15 February 2023 - By Jake Pringle, Delbert Zamora

Learn about the unique pressures facing church pension plan sponsors as they support retired clergy and recruit lay employees.

14 February 2023 - By Garry Simmons

For this Pulse Survey, we looked at employee recognition programs to gain insights on what forms of recognition exist or are emerging among employers, how effective the programs are, and how employers are measuring the success of their programs.

14 February 2023 - By Ryan Hart

For this Pulse Survey, we looked at what trends are driving successful enrollment outcomes and improved benefits administration technology.

13 February 2023 - By Julie Isom

We itemize changes for plan sponsors as a result of SECURE 2.0, including plan compliance inconsistencies and omissions in prior laws and regulations.

10 February 2023 - By Dominick Pizzano

CAA 2023 has more than 90 provisions that address SECURE Act, so we kick off a series of articles looking at common themes

08 February 2023 - By Zorast Wadia

Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio falls to 109.3% as pension liability increases outpaced investment gains

06 February 2023 - By Victor Huang

With longevity solutions such as market-linked lifetime annuities becoming more available, we explore quantifying the impact of market risk in retirement.

26 January 2023 - By Julie Isom

This article will discuss plan compensation and the importance of following the definition in the plan document to avoid operational failures.

26 January 2023 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, decreased by 70 bps from 101.0% to 100.3% during December.

26 January 2023 - By Brandy L. Cross

Defined contribution retirement plans are a complex entanglement of many moving parts and players that can change at any moment.

26 January 2023 - By Julie Isom

Missed deferral opportunities (MDOs) can cause misery for the plan sponsor.

26 January 2023 - By Robert Covin

EPCRS provides IRS acceptable methods to correct operational issues within your retirement plan.

26 January 2023 - By Jenica Ghorashi

This market recap covers a modestly improved end to a volatile year, with markets rallying higher across the board.

19 January 2023 - By Brandy L. Cross

We dive into the world of missing Form 5500 filings.

19 January 2023 - By Brandy L. Cross

This article will explore possible corrections when a participant plan loan doesn’t go exactly as it should.

18 January 2023 - By Robert Covin

401(k) Plan sponsors who withhold for participant contributions and/or plan loan payments must deposit such withholdings in a timely manner.

18 January 2023 - By Lisa Melberg

The IRS recognizes that plans are bound to have distribution errors occasionally and has designated a section of the Employee Plan Compliance Resolution System (EPCRS) to discuss corrections in regard to erroneous plan payments.

17 January 2023 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

Public pensions funded ratio falls to 72.8% at the end of December, overall poor market performance causes $117 billion drop in funded status.

10 January 2023 - By Kara Tedesco

We highlight seven key provisions of The SECURE 2.0 Act regarding withdrawing funds from a qualified plan, and any subsequent optional or required payments.

09 January 2023 - By Zorast Wadia

Corporate pension funded status falls slightly in December but still reflects significant gains for the year.

05 January 2023

We present a roundup of the top 10 most-read articles on the Milliman Ireland website last year.

03 January 2023 - By Justin S. Ingraham

If plan sponsors implement one or a combination of the six methods, then their goal of reducing or eliminating nondiscrimination testing refunds can likely be achieved.

27 December 2022 - By Nina Lantz

We break down key provisions of the new retirement legislation, including automatic enrollment and higher limits on catch-up contributions.

22 December 2022 - By T. Ryan Ellsworth

Tools such as deterministic projection models can help plan sponsors make informed decisions about the risks inherent to DB plans.

21 December 2022 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Key administrative dates and deadlines for calendar-year defined benefit retirement plans subject to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

20 December 2022 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Listed are the key administrative dates and deadlines for 2023 for defined contribution retirement plans.

19 December 2022 - By Dick Kamp

19 December 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, increased by 20 bps from 100.8% to 101.0% during November.

16 December 2022 - By Stuart Kliternick

As interest rates continue to rise, we once again revise down our estimates for pension lump sum payments.

16 December 2022 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

Terminating a defined benefit pension plan involves a significant amount of time and effort of plan administrators, so we cover key areas to be prepare

16 December 2022 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Listed are the key administrative dates and deadlines for 2022 for multiemployer defined benefit plans.

14 December 2022 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

October and November markets spark rebound in funded status with $135 billion and $177 billion increases, respectively.

13 December 2022 - By Noah Llanda

Good governance by a plan sponsor involves not only knowing where a pension stands today, but also where it may be going.

08 December 2022 - By Esther Peterson, Maha Ansari

This issue of Multiemployer Review examines the future impact of COVID-19 on multiemployer pension plans through analysis of employee mortality data.

07 December 2022 - By Zorast Wadia

Funded status declines by $17 billion in November and liability losses partially offset by asset gain as the Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio dips to 111.2%.

05 December 2022 - By Hector Palacios, Laurie Freas

Understanding, implementing, and utilizing the right tools to ensure proper administration of non-traditional assets in retirement plans.

02 December 2022 - By Daniel Wade, Arthur Rains-McNally, Jessica Gardner

We explore, compare, and contrast various methods of amortizing liabilities and their impact on the contribution rates for public sector pension plans

30 November 2022 - By Neil Dissanayake

Despite the attention on how DB pensions have managed higher interest rates and other adversities, we should also be potentially just as concerned for DC schemes.

23 November 2022 - By Craig Reynolds

The insurance industry is uniquely positioned to fill the gap left by the decline of defined benefit plans, primarily using payout annuities.

22 November 2022 - By Dawilla Madsen, Dominick Pizzano

We recap the compliance issues single-employer DB and DC plans should address by the end of 2022.

17 November 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, increased by 70 bps from 100.1% to 100.8% during October.

14 November 2022 - By David E. Forbes, Charles J. Clark

We provide guidance on the SEC's new reporting requirements for future proxy statements regarding defined benefit pension plans.

11 November 2022 - By Charles J. Clark, Steve Kowalski, Lynn Yu

We analyze the proposed EARN and RISE & SHINE Acts' potential effects on the security of participants accrued benefits in single-employer defined benefit pension plans.

07 November 2022 - By Stuart Kliternick

We revise an article to reflect the sharp rise in interest rates since April: Lump sums from defined benefit (DB) plans will be much lower.

07 November 2022 - By Ryan Hart

For this Pulse survey, we look at how employers/plan sponsors are considering non-traditional benefits, as new, highly-personalized solutions emerge.

04 November 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Milliman Analysis: Funded status improves by $47 billion in October, leading to new high in the year’s funded ratio

26 October 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, increased by 320 bps from 96.9% to 100.1% during September

26 October 2022 - By Charles J. Clark

Our latest Client Action Bulletin reviews the 2023 cost-of-living adjustments for tax-qualified retirement plans and Social Security benefits.

21 October 2022 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

September markets decrease public pension funded ratio from 75.0% to 69.3%, and continued slump in September markets causes $341 billion drop in funded status.

18 October 2022 - By Jenica Ghorashi

This market recap covers another volatile quarter, with markets across the board continuing to lower amid rising inflation.

12 October 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Milliman analysis: Corporate pension funded status improves for second consecutive month, resulting in year’s highest funding ratio

06 October 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, John B. Wukitsch

We examine the strategy and results for three Milliman clients that chose to unfreeze their traditional retirement plans.

29 September 2022 - By Jeff Baker, Bruce R. Mitton, Ryan Rowland

With rising interest rates, plan sponsors should take action now to review cost and risk reduction strategies, and lock in gains.

28 September 2022 - By Lee Townsend

The results of a stochastic forecast can lead to a significant increase in understanding of the risk and volatility facing a plan compared to other models.

22 September 2022 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

August markets cause decline in public pension funded ratio; down to 75.0% as of August 31, 2022.

19 September 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, decreased by 110 bps from 98.0% to 96.9% during August.

15 September 2022 - By Charles J. Clark, Abby Kendig

This is an update to the Milliman 2023 IRS limits forecast based on new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

12 September 2022 - By Mary Leong

We examine various factors contributing to the pension risk transfer boom occurring in early 2022, including interest rates and the growing group annuity market.

08 September 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Milliman analysis: Corporate pension funded status improves after two consecutive months of declines.

30 August 2022 - By Yelena Pelletier

Starting an OPEB plan may seem like a daunting task, but funding the plan consistently should allow for significant progress in a relatively short time

30 August 2022 - By Charles J. Clark, Vanessa Vaag

After the passage of Secure 2.0 and other legislation, we think a higher cash-out limit could benefit both plan sponsors and participants in some cases.

23 August 2022 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

Public pensions funded ratio recovers much of June’s losses; up to 77.3% as of July 31, 2022

22 August 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, decreased by 30 bps from 98.3% to 98.0% during July

11 August 2022 - By Charles J. Clark, Abby Kendig

This is an update to the Milliman 2023 IRS limits forecast based on new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

09 August 2022 - By Ginny Boggs, Charles J. Clark

Plan sponsors need to review IRS Notice 2022-33 with scrutiny and check with their plan administrative committees and external business partners to assess how they need to proceed.

08 August 2022 - By Charles J. Clark, Karina Guerrero, Jason Brantley

We discuss potential surprises and obstacles plan sponsors and HR professionals may face as a results of SECURE 2.0 going into effect.

08 August 2022 - By Nina Lantz, Rex Barker, Tim Connor, Timothy J. Herman

Financial market performance led to a sharp decline in aggregate funded percentage despite initial impact of Special Financial Assistance under the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act.

04 August 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

The Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio decreases to 104.5% as pension liability increases outpace investment gains.

28 July 2022 - By Yelena Pelletier

Learn about approaches for managing contribution volatility, which can be a challenge for fully funded plans.

28 July 2022 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

The public pensions funded ratio fell to 74.0% as of June 30, 2022 alongside a slump in June market causing a $262 billion drop in funded status.

25 July 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, decreased by 30 bps from 98.6% to 98.3% during June

25 July 2022 - By Nina Lantz, Michael Caparoso, Aaron Shapiro

This issue of the Multiemployer Review shares key changes from the interim final rule and summarizes the final rule and other recent guidance for the special financial assistance program set up under the American Rescue Plan Act.

21 July 2022 - By Jenica Ghorashi

This market recap covers a pattern of volatility and includes commentary on market risks, including the war with Ukraine and concerns about inflation.

14 July 2022 - By Charles J. Clark, Abby Kendig

This is an update to the Milliman 2023 IRS limits forecast based on new data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

11 July 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

The Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio decreased to 106.3% as asset declines from poor investment performance exceeded liability gains from continued discount rate increases

08 July 2022

In this Multiemployer Alert, we review the details of the final rule on the special financial assistance program established under the American Rescue Plan Act in 2021.

29 June 2022 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

Public pensions funded ratio stays steady at 78.4% in May 2022

27 June 2022 - By Zorast Wadia

Rising interest rates and regulatory changes have helped raise funding levels of DB plans enough to make unfreezing them a sensible option for many sponsors.

23 June 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, increased by 90 bps from 97.7% to 98.6% during May

20 June 2022 - By Richard L. Gordon, Rebecca A. Sielman

Public plans shed a further $243 billion following $167 billion funded status drop in Q1 2022

16 June 2022 - By Charles J. Clark

With inflation at 40-year highs, the next revision of IRS limits for retirement plans will affect labor costs, talent recruitment and retention efforts in 2023.

07 June 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

The Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio increased for the sixth consecutive month and settled at 107.0% at the end of May.

07 June 2022 - By Ginny Boggs, Jessica McDevitt, Jinnie Olson

Now is the time for plan sponsors to reacquaint themselves with the SECURE Act's DC plan lifetime income disclosure requirements as the deadline quickly approaches.

26 May 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, decreased by 60 bps from 98.3% to 97.7% during April

20 May 2022 - By Rebecca A. Sielman, Richard L. Gordon

Rocky markets cause $167 billion drop in funded status in the first quarter of 2022, leading to the public pensions’ funded ratio falling to 82.7%.

18 May 2022 - By Charles J. Clark

With inflation at 40-year highs, the next revision of IRS limits for retirement plans will affect labor costs, talent recruitment and retention efforts in 2023.

17 May 2022 - By Charles J. Clark

Congress proposes building on the Secure Act of 2019, with a list of changes to U.S. tax-qualified retirement plans, including catch-up contributions.

16 May 2022 - By Charles J. Clark, Karina Guerrero

If the SECURE 2.0 bill becomes pension law plan sponsors and governance boards will need to assess the impact of this mandatory eligibility change for their retirement programs.

10 May 2022 - By Sarah Murray

When deciding whether or not to terminate a pension plan, the plan sponsor should consider the accounting effects of settling the plan’s obligations.

10 May 2022 - By Julie Cannaday, Nancy Kariel

Lump sum window: Engaging communications produce higher response rates

10 May 2022 - By Mary Leong, Jake Pringle

What are annuity placements and why do I keep hearing about pension risk transfers?

10 May 2022 - By Kerry Forrester, Rebecca A. Sielman

A step-by-step guide to charting your path to plan termination

10 May 2022 - By John Paul Augeri

Microsoft’s Vicky Nevin, head of international compensation and benefits, shares her benefits priorities and challenges for 2022, in this conversation with Milliman’s global EB leader John-Paul Augeri.

09 May 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Milliman 100 PFI: The funded ratio of the largest corporate defined-benefit pension plans increases to 106.7% despite a 4.66% loss in asset values

28 April 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Alan Perry, Charles J. Clark

The year-end 2021 funded ratio for the Milliman 100 companies settled at 96.3%, a large improvement from 2020’s funded ratio of 88.1%.

26 April 2022 - By Stuart Kliternick

While the Pension-Protection Act yield curve hasn’t shown signs of spiking, plans and participants still need to know of the negative impact of rising rates.

26 April 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, decreased by 60 bps from 98.9% to 98.3% during March.

26 April 2022 - By Yan Fridman, Zohair Motiwalla

We discuss key issues and questions to consider before a principle-based reserving framework for non-variable annuities is finalized.

22 April 2022 - By Jenica Ghorashi

Markets pulled back over another volatile quarter, down across the board

20 April 2022 - By Michael J. Peatrowsky, Lee Townsend

Cash balance plans blend the features of a traditional defined benefit retirement structure with the look and feel of a 401(k)/profit-sharing plan.

11 April 2022 - By John Donohue

While the Secure 2.0 bill’s auto-enrollment feature would help people save for retirement, it would lead to significant administrative issues for many plans including Taft-Hartley plans.

07 April 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Milliman 100 PFI: The funded ratio of the largest corporate defined-benefit pension plans rose to 105.2% as of March 31, up from 102.5% a month earlier

31 March 2022 - By Ryan Cook

We explore potential reasons for the surge in pension risk transfers, which rose 42% to around $38 billion in 2021.

25 March 2022

The interest rate is perhaps the single most important assumption made to ensure a pension plan has enough money to pay promised benefits

24 March 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, decreased by 100 bps from 99.9% to 98.9% during February.

23 March 2022 - By Abby Hirshkowitz, Katie Barham

Review of benefits, rights, and features prior to plan termination is a wise course of action, given the complexities that come with the process.

09 March 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Despite financial market declines, rising discount rates boosted corporate pension funded ratio to 102.4% in February, up from 100.9% a month earlier.

25 February 2022 - By Michael Mikhitarian, Timothy J. Herman

Annuity purchases offer one way of transferring the risks and responsibilities of a pension plan, but CFOs need to carefully consider the bidding process.

24 February 2022 - By Bruce R. Mitton

Defined benefit pension plans have fallen out of favor, but their lifetime obligations leave plan sponsors wondering if termination is the answer.

23 February 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Pension plan sponsors as of Jan. 31 saved 3.6 percentage points in annuity pricing using a competitive bidding when compared with the average industry buyout.

17 February 2022 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Listed are the key administrative dates and deadlines for 2022 for defined contribution retirement plans.

17 February 2022 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Listed are the key administrative dates and deadlines for 2022 for multiemployer defined benefit plans.

14 February 2022 - By Nina Lantz, Rex Barker, Tim Connor, William Wade

Aggregate funding levels for multiemployer pensions improved to 91% by year-end 2021, up from 88% a year earlier.

09 February 2022 - By David Stoddard, Michael Halford , Kathryn Elizabeth Mohr

The 2021 Milliman Multiemployer Health and Welfare Study analyzes various financial disclosures for plans nationwide.

08 February 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio rises to 101.4%

28 January 2022 - By Stephen A. White, David Benbow

To provide more efficiency in delivering retirement benefits, we need a fresh look at the options available for delivering them.

28 January 2022 - By Lynn Yu

Learn how one plan sponsor found relief during the COVID-19 pandemic from new laws such as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

24 January 2022 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Key administrative dates and deadlines for calendar-year single-employer defined benefit plans subject to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

21 January 2022 - By Jenica Ghorashi

We take a look at the S&P 500 Index, Russell 3000 Index, and others, along with the U.S. equity, non-U.S. equity, and U.S. fixed income.

21 January 2022 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost rose 60 basis points in December, to 99.9% of accounting liability .

21 January 2022 - By Robert Eaton, Bill G. Mehilos, David Bahlinger, Christin Kuretich, Ashlee Mouton Borcan, Darrell D. Spell, Michael E. Weilant

In October 2021, Milliman release its fourth Worksite Life Survey Premium Report. This report represents 20 carriers and $2.4 billion of inforce premium.

21 January 2022 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

Public pensions’ funded ratio rises to 85.5% in Q4, continuing its climb from lows in Q1 2020, with plans at their highest funding levels since 2016.

18 January 2022 - By Martin Wouda, Ellen Marie Primdahl

Regelmatig publiceert Milliman een overzicht van de op de Nederlandse pensioenmarkt actieve Algemeen Pensioenfondsen.

18 January 2022 - By Dominick Pizzano, Henrik Patel, Kenneth Barr

While key changes to deductions for compensation amounts won't take effect until 2027, publicly-held corporations need to plan for the changes now.

13 January 2022 - By Paul L. Correia

Insurers reported $19.1 billion in combined short-term disability and long-term disability in-force premium in 2020, an increase from $18.4 billion in 2019.

12 January 2022 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio ends 2021 at 99.6%, the closest it’s been to full funding since 2008.

10 January 2022 - By Jessica Gardner, Arthur Rains-McNally, Daniel Wade

We examine how various amortization methodologies react to the volatility inherent in investment markets.

06 January 2022 - By Mary Leong

Church retirement plans may be exempt from certain requirements under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), possibly affecting how they balance core principles.

06 January 2022 - By Jake Pringle

This issue of the Bulletin explores benefit security and determining whether a plan is on track to pay retirement liabilities in defined benefit plans.

06 January 2022 - By Delbert Zamora

Explore the principle of benefit adequacy as part of total retirement income planning with church defined benefit plans.

06 January 2022 - By Aaron Shapiro

Looking at employee retirement, church defined benefit plans need to balance the core principles of benefit adequacy, equity, and security.

05 January 2022

Our top 10 Insight articles list for 2021 shows how challenges like the pandemic and legislative changes have impacted our industries.

04 January 2022 - By Michael J. Peatrowsky, Joe Zienty

Annual contribution limits for retirement plans rise significantly in 2022, giving small business owners greater tax deferrals with DB and 401(k) pension plans.

21 December 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated competitive retiree buyout cost rose 50 basis points to 99.9% of accounting liability in November.

15 December 2021 - By Rajish K. Sagoenie

De hoogleraar pensioenmarkten snapt best dat bestuurders een afwachtende houding aannemen met betrekking tot de nieuwe pensioenregeling

14 December 2021 - By Jinnie Olson, Sam Elsherbeiny

Annuity contracts via insurance companies can offer retirement plans a way to mimic or even replace regular paychecks for retiring or laid off participants

07 December 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Corporate pension funded ratio declines to 97.6% in November due to investment losses for Milliman Pension Funding Index.

06 December 2021 - By Allan L. Bittner

Retirement plan sponsors may have the option to pay for some plan-related expenses out of assets held in trust, but how they determine which ones?

06 December 2021 - By Robert L. Schmidt, Ellen Harrington

With the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' adjustments, employer benefits with retiree health programs will need to accommodate new limits.

02 December 2021 - By Robert L. Schmidt, Sean Silva, Kathryn Elizabeth Mohr

The No Surprises Act requires plan sponsors to comply with some of the most burdensome tasks since the Affordable Care Act.

02 December 2021 - By Sean Silva, Robert L. Schmidt

We detail the latest guidance on health insurance incentives and surcharges to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations, among other topics.

29 November 2021 - By Peter Thies, Rebecca Ross, Nicholas Carnaval

When it comes to pensions, how has COVID-19 affected the mortality assumptions for defined benefit plans?

24 November 2021 - By Sam Elsherbeiny

Individuals face the challenging decision of whether to contribute to their retirement plan offered via employee benefits, or pay down personal debt. Why not do both?

19 November 2021

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation released their Fiscal Year 2021 Annual Report, covering financial health, operations, and activities of single employer and multiemployer insurance programs.

15 November 2021 - By Charles J. Clark

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) extends IRS pension plan interest rate relief to 2030 and automatically extends certain compliance date deadlines for federally declared disasters.

15 November 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

The index shows estimated retiree buyout cost as a percentage of accounting liability decreased in October to 102.5%, from 102.7%

11 November 2021 - By Dawilla Madsen, Dominick Pizzano

As Dec. 31 rapidly approaches, there is still time for plan sponsors to review and amend retirement plans.

10 November 2021 - By Dana Kernich

With end-of-year benefit enrollment periods rapidly approaching, here are a few takeaways that can help you reach your employees with critical information about benefit changes and timelines.

10 November 2021 - By Brent Jensen, Les Kartchner

How should employers evaluate opportunities as the number and variety of point solutions in the health and group benefits market continues to grow?

09 November 2021

Review 2022 cost-of-living adjustment figures for tax-qualified retirement plans and Social Security benefits.

08 November 2021 - By Jack M. Chmielewski, Daniel W. Colby

What impacts could a proposal in the Senate infrastructure bill have on the future of defined benefit plans?

05 November 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Strong investment returns drive Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio to 98.1%.

05 November 2021 - By Neil Dissanayake

Considering a more holistic retirement planning approach accounts for potential shocks to regular expenses, including energy.

25 October 2021 - By Rebecca A. Sielman, Richard L. Gordon

Surging market returns have lifted pension assets, resulting in an estimated aggregated funded ratio mid-year of 85.0%, up from 70.7% at the same point in 2020.

22 October 2021 - By Nina Lantz, Yutaro Seki , Aaron Shapiro

More on the finer points of ARP relief: We detail the recently issued guidance for defined benefit plans to consider going forward

22 October 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

With pension risk transfers on the rise, plan sponsors need to monitor the annuity buyout market when considering a plan termination or de-risking strategy.

20 October 2021 - By Jenica Ghorashi

Markets were mixed over the quarter as higher volatility returned, providing minimal results following strong performance in the first half of the year.

18 October 2021 - By David Kirk, Avashni Rossouw, Ishkar Singh

Effective executives and boards are challenging their thinking and decisions as they manage the ongoing impact of the pandemic.

14 October 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark, Bret Linton

Here to discuss pension risk mitigation versus risk transfer are Zorast Wadia, a principal with Milliman, and Bret Linton, the Employee Benefits Practice director at Milliman.

13 October 2021

IRS Notice 2021-57 was just released regarding the temporary relief provisions other than the special financial assistance program provided by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARP).

11 October 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Asset losses and increased liabilities leave the Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio flat compared to August.

04 October 2021 - By Dominick Pizzano, Henrik Patel, Kenneth Barr

We highlight key issues from the IRS’s latest revision of its audit guide for plans, including the agency’s strategy and how sponsors can prepare.

30 September 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Richard J. Bottelli Jr.

By embracing the flexibility and customization options that come with hybrid plans, employers can create retirement incentives that meet their specific financial and human resources goals.

23 September 2021

The 2020 fiscal year Projections Report forecasts the financial condition of the PBGC’s multiemployer insurance program over the next 10 years, and its 2020 Multiemployer Program Quinquennial Report (“5-Year Report”).

17 September 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Bret Linton

Given the greater flexibility and lower costs provided under ARPA’s provisions, plan sponsors should seize this moment to reevaluate and optimize their risk management strategies by considering the whole picture.

16 September 2021 - By Sean Silva, Kathryn Elizabeth Mohr

Learn more on the recently released FAQ and its potential effects on plan sponsors and participants.

15 September 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated retiree buyout cost as a percentage of accounting liability decreased by 10 bps from 102.3% to 102.2% in August.

09 September 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

The Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio rose to 97.1 percent, ending two-month skid in funded status losses.

30 August 2021 - By Ernst van Bruggen

Learn more on the proposed pension reform in the Netherlands, as we evaluate the accounting consequences for companies, reporting under the International Accounting Standards or under the U.S. Accounting Standards Codification.

25 August 2021 - By Ryan Cook, Mary Leong

Estimated retiree buyout cost decreases a tad in July, by 10 basis points, to 102.3% of accounting liability.

24 August 2021 - By Robert Bachler, Mike Hamachek, Zach Hatzenbeler

Review results from Milliman's 2021 survey covering the employer stop-loss market.

20 August 2021

The global pandemic has highlighted the importance of technology adoption for our workforce to connect and collaborate.

20 August 2021 - By Garry Simmons , Tammy McAllister, Ryan Hart

For this survey, we looked at how employers and plan sponsors are addressing plan funding as well as how they are adopting more focused provider network solutions to help participants make better and more informed healthcare decisions. Here’s how our survey played out.

20 August 2021 - By Charles J. Clark

These year-over-year increases for tax-qualified employee benefit retirement plans are expected to be greater than those that produced the 2021 IRS limits.

18 August 2021 - By Julie Cannaday, Nancy Kariel

We detail proven components of successful lump-sum window campaigns that result in a win-win for plan sponsors and participants.

17 August 2021 - By Nina Lantz, Rex Barker, Tim Connor, William Wade

The aggregate funded percentage for multiemployer plans is at its highest point since 2007, estimated to be 92% as of June 30, up from 88% at the end of 2020.

13 August 2021 - By Charles J. Clark, Casey B. Baldwin

Milliman consultants help plan sponsors understand the IRS’ guidance under notice 2021-48 and how it will impact defined benefit pension plans.

09 August 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

The Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio continues its recent slide, to 95.8 percent in July, down from 97.1 percent in June, as lower interest rates increase liabilities

03 August 2021 - By Mark Whatley, Juraidah Hussain

The number of accounts shows an even participation between the genders, but member balances for men are about 10% higher than those of women.

02 August 2021 - By Robert L. Schmidt, Eric Walters

We present our latest numbers on how much healthcare will cost retirees going forward.

02 August 2021 - By Vanessa Vaag, Charles J. Clark

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Notice 2021-48 has been released with compliance guidance under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) for single employer defined benefit (DB) pension plan sponsors and their U.S. tax-qualified retirement plan advisors.

23 July 2021 - By Nina Lantz, Yutaro Seki , Aaron Shapiro

Multiemployer Review: We cover the latest guidance issued in July.

23 July 2021 - By Jenica Ghorashi

Markets were up broadly over the quarter as the global economic recovery continued.

23 July 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Average estimated retiree buyout increased in June to 102.4%, up from 102.0%, while the competitive pricing trend decreased to 100.0%, down from 99.7%

21 July 2021 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

Funded status soars to 82.6%, up from 79%, buoyed by strong market returns, with deficit falling below $1 trillion for the first time for this Milliman index.

12 July 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Decline in discount rate pushes funded status downward in June to 97.2 percent, from 98.8 percent in May, giving up 12 percent of gains from eight-month streak of increases.

09 July 2021

Take note of the eligibility criteria for plans to apply to receive a one-time cash payment to pay all benefits through 2051.

06 July 2021 - By Stephanie R. Sorenson

For employers that would like to attract and retain this tech-savvy group, offering retirement benefits and educating employees on them can set companies apart.

06 July 2021 - By Bryan Sklar , Mary Hart

Hedge your bets: It is in the best interest of the plan and its participants to explore all of your options for completing a DB plan termination project.

02 July 2021 - By Stephanie R. Sorenson, Shelly Borden

These plans are not subject to ERISA, but it’s important to understand where IRS rules and regulations are still relevant, and where separate guidelines apply.

01 July 2021 - By Dominick Pizzano, Henrik Patel, Kenneth Barr

Best practices for NDCP sponsors: Review of current state of top-hat participation and reporting rules.

28 June 2021 - By David E. Forbes

Sorting it all out: This report summarizes the main features and differences for FASB, IFRS and statutory accounting.

25 June 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

De-risking continues to get less costly: Estimated retiree buyout cost slips 40 basis points in May to 102.0%, continuing four-year and 2020 downward trends.

24 June 2021 - By Esther Peterson

We analyze the problem of student debt and how student loan matches (SLiMs) by employers could mitigate the problem. Should this solution should be considered?

23 June 2021 - By Heidi tenBroek, Rebecca Schiffer

Using inclusive language consistently and pervasively sends a strong message that inclusivity is a value of your organization. Your employees will notice.

21 June 2021 - By Mark Whatley, Juraidah Hussain

The female-to-male ratio of long-term savings in Singapore improved to 90.7% in 2019, up from 85.4% in 2009, signaling a narrowing of the gender gap.

18 June 2021 - By Claire Armstrong-Hann, Mark C. Olleman, Arthur Rains-McNally

To answer this question, we discuss how trustees should first address the big picture and examine a plan’s balance between benefits, contributions, and risks.

18 June 2021 - By Heidi tenBroek, Sharon Stocker

Milliman case study: How we helped a company needing to cut its workforce convince 35% of participants to voluntarily accept early retirement.

17 June 2021 - By Garry Simmons , Tammy McAllister, Ryan Hart

We take the pulse of group health plans: Our survey shows how companies are positioning their offerings as life returns to a new normal.

04 June 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Heidi tenBroek

Once-in-a-lifetime financial crises push Fortune 100 companies to financial stability.

04 June 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Ever so close to full funding: The Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index increases to 98.8 percent in May, up from 98.4 percent in April, as gains eclipse rate decreases

03 June 2021 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1 ) is estimated to be 184 bps as of the end of May 2021, up 2 basis points from the previous month, driven by a decrease in long-term interest rates.

01 June 2021 - By Daniel Wade, Jessica Gardner, Arthur Rains-McNally

Public pension funding policies have implications, so we present plan sponsors with a framework to understand their choice of amortization method.

26 May 2021 - By Bruce R. Mitton

You probably aren’t lucky enough to benefit from the traditional company retirement plans of old, but buying an annuity might be the next best thing.

19 May 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Retiree buyout cost edges down 30 basis points in April to 102.4%.

18 May 2021 - By Zorast Wadia

Defined benefit pension funding gets a new life: Nine considerations for corporate plan sponsors after the passage of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

13 May 2021

A primer for plan sponsors on demographic and longevity risks and how they affect public pensions.

06 May 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

The Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index funded ratio increases to 98.3% as investment gain of 2.30% offsets discount rate decrease.

04 May 2021 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 182 bps as of the end of April 2021, up 6 basis points from the previous month, driven by a decrease in long-term interest rates.

27 April 2021 - By Victor Huang

Why retirees need a new way to balance risk and return in the wake of COVID-19.

26 April 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Milliman Pension Buyout Index: Estimated retiree buyout cost rises 60 basis points in March to 102.7%.

19 April 2021 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

Public pensions funded ratio rises to new high of 79.0% in the first quarter, up from 78.6% three months earlier, fueled by strong and steady market rebound since March 2020.

19 April 2021 - By Charles J. Clark, Vanessa Vaag, Grant Camp

This podcast episode explores how the American Rescue Plan Act may impact single and multiemployer pension plans, and what plan sponsors should consider when taking potential action as a result of ARPA.

16 April 2021 - By Ryan Cook, Rex Barker, Ryan Rowland , Stephanie Sent

We present four case studies to show how the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 can impact corporate pension plans.

15 April 2021 - By Dominick Pizzano, Henrik Patel, Kenneth Barr

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code places a $1 million-dollar limit on the amount of deductible compensation that a “publicly held corporation” can pay to their “covered employees."

15 April 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Milliman 100 PFI leaps to 98.4% in March, up from 95.1% a month earlier, thanks in part to rising interest rates for the third consecutive month.

12 April 2021 - By Garry Simmons , Tammy McAllister

Milliman pulse survey uncovers key benefit trends shaped by COVID-19.

07 April 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Alan Perry, Charles J. Clark

The largest DB plans improve funded ratio to 88.4% in 2020, up from 87.5% a year earlier.

02 April 2021 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1 ) is estimated to be 176 bps as of the end of March 2021, down 18 basis points from the previous month, driven by an increase in long-term interest rates.

01 April 2021 - By Daniel W. Colby

We present the basics of how actuaries determine different liability measurements for DB plans, and their intended purpose.

01 April 2021 - By Yelena Pelletier

Case study: How one town quantified and mitigated the risks of pension obligation bonds.

22 March 2021 - By Michael Halford , Robert L. Schmidt, Lacy Moore, Kathryn Elizabeth Mohr

How the federal COBRA subsidy could impact plan sponsors and participants.

17 March 2021 - By Jake Pringle, Mary Leong

The American Rescue Plan Act 2021 (ARPA ’21) provides relief for defined benefit (DB) pension plans by effecting changes to the Internal Revenue Code and allowing for optional retroactive application dates.

16 March 2021 - By Sean Silva, Michael Halford , Kathryn Elizabeth Mohr

Multiemployer alert: Details on the federal COBRA subsidy.

16 March 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Estimated retiree buyout costs decrease 30 basis points in February to 102.1%.

15 March 2021 - By Delbert Zamora

Case study: Milliman explores a host of options for a JV pension-plan design to achieve the best outcome.

11 March 2021 - By Nina Lantz, Yutaro Seki , Aaron Shapiro

Multiemployer review: A closer look at the American Rescue Plan Act.

10 March 2021 - By Vanessa Vaag, Bret Linton

Client Action Bulletin: How the Rescue Plan Act brings relief for defined benefit plans of single employers.

08 March 2021

Multiemployer alert: pension relief passes in the Senate.

08 March 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

Update: Milliman 100 PFI funded ratio raises to 92.9% in February as a result of rising interest rates.

04 March 2021 - By Nina Lantz, Yutaro Seki , Aaron Shapiro

Alert: What the Butch Lewis EPPRA means for multiemployer defined benefit plans.

02 March 2021 - By Sean Silva, John Botsford, Michael Halford

Multiemployer alert: More guidance on deadline suspensions for COBRA elections, claims, and appeals.

02 March 2021 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 194 bps as of the end of February 2021, down 27 basis points from the previous month, driven by an increase in long-term interest rates.

26 February 2021

Historically low interest rates make pension obligation bonds a possible low-cost solution to shoring up underfunded plans for communities.

25 February 2021 - By Yutaro Seki

Alert: COVID-19 relief bill introduced Feb. 24 could impact multiemployer pension plans.

25 February 2021

Health & group benefits: 10 topical Milliman articles from the second half of 2020.

25 February 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

Milliman Pension Buyout Index: Estimated retiree buyout cost in January rises 60 basis points to 102.4%.

23 February 2021 - By Joanne E. Fontana

Harnessing the value of dental plans: Why it’s worth revisiting this key employee benefit.

23 February 2021 - By Alexander Krauskopf , Katrin Hoellering, Alexandra Pflumm

Die hier vorliegende Analyse beschäftigt sich mit der Prognose von chronischen Krankheiten unter Verwendung von Verfahren des Machine Learning.

17 February 2021 - By Nina Lantz, Rex Barker, Tim Connor, William Wade

Milliman analysis shows aggregate funding levels for multiemployer plans at their highest point since 2007 following turbulent year.

12 February 2021 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 221 bps as of the end of January 2021, down 8 basis points from the previous month, driven by an increase in long-term interest rates.

10 February 2021 - By Kerry Forrester, Julie D. Smith

Actuarial Standard of Practice No. 56, Modeling, was released and went into effect October 1, 2020, and provides direction to actuaries in all practice areas when performing actuarial services that require modeling.

05 February 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

In January, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans improved by $39 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

28 January 2021 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During December 2020, average accounting discount rates and average annuity purchase rates both stayed level (competitive annuity purchase rates dropped by 3 bps).

27 January 2021 - By Charles J. Clark, Christopher R. Wood

The first step for the 117th Congress in enacting relief for defined benefit pension plans from the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic is included in “The Emergency Pension Plan Relief Act of 2021.”

25 January 2021

The challenges facing multiemployer defined benefit plans have received more immediate attention in recent weeks with proposed pension relief legislation being introduced in the House and Senate.

21 January 2021 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

The estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans grew from 72.6% at the end of September 2020 to 78.6% at the end of December 2020 as measured by the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index.

19 January 2021

Markets continued their advance over the quarter as accomodative monetary policy and multiple COVID-19 vaccine approvals bolstered the economic recovery.

19 January 2021

How are two separate dollar amounts for my pension actuarially equivalent?

12 January 2021 - By Grant Camp

This alert provides a brief outline of the primary provisions of the Chris Allen Multiemployer Pension Recapitalization and Reform Act of 2020.

08 January 2021 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

After experiencing steep declines in the first quarter of 2020, asset returns roared back for the remainder of 2020 and limited the funded status deterioration due to declining discount rates.

04 January 2021 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 229 bps as of the end of December 2020, down 10 basis points from the previous month, driven by an increase in long-term interest rates.

29 December 2020 - By Bret Linton, Vicki Mazzie, Vanessa Vaag

In addition to annual funding for the federal government and provisions on economic stimulus necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, enacted on December 27, includes temporary relief from the minimum vesting standards tax rules for employer-sponsored retirement plans- both defined contribution and defined benefit pension plans.

28 December 2020 - By Les Kartchner, Brent Jensen

What are some considerations for employers as new COVID-19 vaccines are made available?

21 December 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During November 2020, average accounting discount rates decreased by 20 bps, while annuity purchase rates decreased by 9 bps (average) and 11 bps (competitive).

18 December 2020

Regelmatig publiceert Milliman een overzicht van de op de Nederlandse pensioenmarkt actieve Algemeen Pensioenfondsen.

17 December 2020 - By Michael Halford , Sean Silva, David Stoddard

Plan sponsors need to consider how to cover the administration of the COVID-19 vaccines for their membership.

17 December 2020 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

Quarter 3 investment gains propelled the estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public pension funds from 70.7% at the end of June 2020 to 72.6% at the end of September 2020 as measured by the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index.

17 December 2020 - By David Stoddard, Michael Halford , Sean Silva

This year’s report includes data for 1, 283 plans covering approximately 4.8 million members as of 2018.

15 December 2020 - By Martin Wouda

All the details of the Netherlands' new pension contract are not yet known, but that doesn't mean pension funds can wait to arrange the transition to the new pension reality.

14 December 2020

There were a number of highlights of the report related to the agency’s multiemployer program.

07 December 2020 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

In November, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans increased by $12 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

03 December 2020 - By Jennifer Bolton

We transitioned to new benefit carriers for the first time in two decades, including a new medical plan administrator and prescription drug provider.

03 December 2020 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

The Milliman Public Pension Funding Study annually explores the funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans.

03 December 2020 - By Kristina Pizano

A church plan client reached out to Milliman for assistance with the termination of a pension plan.

02 December 2020 - By Robert Eaton

Learn how Limelight Health creates a positive user experience for employee benefits insurance quotes, ratings, and enrollment from Robert Eaton and Jason Andrew.

01 December 2020 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 239 bps as of the end of November 2020, down 2 basis points from the previous month, driven by a decrease in volatility.

23 November 2020

Should public plans consider annuity purchases?

23 November 2020

What is an actuarial audit and why do I need one?

23 November 2020 - By Danny L. Quant

Governments, private employers and employees worldwide will face shortfalls in the provisions for retirement savings as the economic impact of COVID-19 continues to deepen.

18 November 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

This Client Action Bulletin covers year-end compliance issues for single-employer retirement plans and nonqualified deferred compensation plans.

17 November 2020 - By Kristina Pizano, Haydee Scheel

Defined benefit plans should keep good participant address information on file as several notices are required to be mailed out regularly.

17 November 2020 - By John Paul Augeri, Mark Whatley

How will multinational companies find the right balance in their benefit programs to meet the needs of their employees and their business globally?

17 November 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During October 2020, average accounting discount rates increased by 12 bps, while annuity purchase rates increased by 6 bps (average) and 12 bps (competitive).

11 November 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

This Client Action Bulletin includes announcements by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for cost-of-living adjustments for 2021 Medicare Parts A and B, as well as for the Medicare Part D standard prescription drug benefits.

06 November 2020 - By Greg O. Callahan, Angela Reed

This paper explores performance guarantees best practices plan sponsors can leverage to hold their pharmacy benefit managers accountable for operational performance.

06 November 2020 - By Colin Devine, Ken Mungan

Americans entering retirement face a considerable level of risk from the triple threat of longevity, market volatility, and long-term care.

05 November 2020 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

As discount rates rose in October, the funded ratio increased to 85.1%, as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

05 November 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

This Client Action Bulletin includes announcements released by the IRS and Social Security Administration for retirement plan benefits, as well as adjusted figures for high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts.

03 November 2020 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 241 bps as of the end of October 2020, down 12 basis points from the previous month, driven by an increase in long-term interest rates.

03 November 2020 - By Dominick Pizzano, Henrik Patel, Kenneth Barr

This article summarizes additional IRS guidance on nonqualified deferred compensation plans and focuses on other areas of executive compensation that should be examined in light of current conditions.

03 November 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During September 2020, average accounting discount rates increased by 2 bps, while annuity purchase rates increased by 9 bps (on average) and 11 bps (competitive).

27 October 2020 - By Aeron Riordon

Employers considering risk transfer activity should be aware of the risk of potential significant increases to pension cost if their auditor requires them to follow a new accounting approach.

23 October 2020 - By Dominick Pizzano, Sarah Murray

This alert speculates on possible increases in Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax and why there may be interest in the “early inclusion” option under Internal Revenue Code §3121(v) for sponsors of and participants in non-account balance (i.e., defined benefit) non-qualified deferred compensation plans, also commonly referred to as supplemental executive retirement plans or “Top-Hats.”

22 October 2020 - By Corey Swarner

Milliman provides additional administrative services for the defined benefit pension plans a long-time client sponsors.

07 October 2020 - By Jeff Chalk

Over the past few weeks, there has been quite a bit of fanfare over changes in two of the most widely known benchmarks for the U.S. stock market.

06 October 2020 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

In September, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans decreased by $8 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

05 October 2020 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 253 bps as of the end of September 2020, up 4 basis points from the previous month, driven by a decrease in long-term interest rates.

29 September 2020 - By Corey Swarner

How do you determine the “value” of an annuity in which future payments are promised for an individual’s lifetime?

29 September 2020 - By Tim Bernazza , Rebecca Connell

Milliman worked closely with a pension administration client to transition its 30,000-participant defined benefit plan to a novel solution that continued to offer ongoing benefit accruals to participants while maintaining cost-efficiency and contribution stability.

25 September 2020 - By Ashlee Mouton Borcan, Jennifer O’Brien Howard, Sean Mendes, Parth Patel

As the insurance industry transitions to being more customer-centric, implementing claims integration will likely become a must-have feature.

22 September 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During August 2020, average accounting discount rates increased by 24 bps while annuity purchase rates increased by 20 bps.

21 September 2020

What are some of the risks related to ASOP 51 disclosures?

18 September 2020 - By Marcel Kruse , Dmitry Zamkovoy

De Benchmarkhervorming Transitie Monitor (BMR Transitie Monitor) is een maandelijkse publicatie van Milliman Pensioenen. Hierin staat het transitieschema van de benchmarkhervorming en eventuele wijzigingen in dit schema.

17 September 2020

On September 14, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation released its 2019 FY Projections Report.

16 September 2020 - By Bryan Wilson, Keith Young

It is especially important to review your terminated vested participation population every year and reach out to them to commence benefits if they are at or beyond normal retirement age.

14 September 2020 - By Marcel Kruse , Geert-Jan Kremer

Het nieuwe pensioenstelsel lost veel op, maar de gekozen rendementsverdeling tussen oude en jonge pensioendeelnemers kan voor de nodige teleurstelling zorgen.

14 September 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

The Employee Benefit Security Administration of the Department of Labor published a final rule on the use of electronic media as a default to provide information to pension plans’ “covered individuals.”

10 September 2020

How does the life cycle of a pension plan affect the appropriate investment allocation for assets?

09 September 2020 - By Zorast Wadia

In August, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans increased by $93 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

02 September 2020 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology) is estimated to be 249 bps as of the end of August 2020, down 25 basis points from the previous month, driven by an increase in long-term interest rates.

02 September 2020 - By Charles J. Clark, Ginny Boggs

The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration has published an interim final rule describing calculation methodology and model language to “obtain relief from liability” in the presentation of “Lifetime Income Illustrations” applicable to ERISA-covered defined contribution (individual account) plans, the intent of which is likely a regulatory safe harbor.

24 August 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During July 2020, average accounting discount rates decreased by 37 bps, while annuity purchase rates decreased by 22 bps.

24 August 2020 - By Dominic Clark

In the face of economic instability due to the COVID-19 pandemic, institutional investors would be wise to consider sovereign risk carefully, even where not explicitly mandated to do so by regulation.

24 August 2020 - By Michael Paczolt, Jill Rosenblum

Claim analytics using artificial intelligence represents a proven method to reduce claim severity and improve the efficiency of claim-handling resources.

21 August 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

The Internal Revenue Service published Notice 2020-61, providing technical guidance on the special rules relating to funding of single-employer defined benefit pension plans and related benefit restrictions under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.

20 August 2020

What is the purpose of an experience study and what benefits does it provide the plan?

17 August 2020 - By Rebecca Schiffer, Sharon Stocker

Recently enacted COVID-19 legislation and related federal guidance require some mandatory group health plan benefit changes and offer other voluntary changes you can elect to provide temporary relief to employees.

10 August 2020 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

In July, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans decreased by $68 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

10 August 2020 - By Nina Lantz, Rex Barker, Tim Connor, William Wade

An interim update to our annual study highlights 2020 volatility in funding levels.

04 August 2020 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block is estimated to be 274 bps as of the end of July 2020, up 5 basis points from the previous month, driven by a decrease in long-term interest rates.

04 August 2020 - By Robert Bachler, Nicholas Johnson, Brian Reed, Mike Hamachek

This paper summarizes the findings from Milliman’s 2020 stop-loss survey.

03 August 2020 - By Stoddard Davenport, Matt Caverly, Katie Matthews

The economic costs (both direct and indirect) of nonmedical opioid use are substantial to U.S. employers, not only due to lost productivity, but also due to increased healthcare expenditures, greater costs for workers’ compensation and disability claims, and difficulty meeting recruitment or production targets in regions that experience shortages of workers.

30 July 2020

What are some options for amortizing unfunded liability?

30 July 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During June 2020, average accounting discount rates decreased by 11 bps while annuity purchase rates decreased by 18 bps.

28 July 2020 - By Dominick Pizzano, Henrik Patel, Kenneth Barr

What are some executive compensation issues that should be examined during these turbulent times?

23 July 2020 - By Radhika Philip

How can organizations approach layoffs in ways that mitigate risks to employee engagement and performance?

23 July 2020 - By Una Bearden, Alicia Favila

What are some considerations, benefits, and possible pitfalls of retirement planning tools?

13 July 2020 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

In June, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit plans decreased by $6 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

10 July 2020 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

The estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans as measured by the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index rebounded from 66.0% at the end of March 2020 to 71.2% at the end of June 2020.

06 July 2020 - By T. Ryan Ellsworth

A client enlists Milliman’s help to perform a comprehensive review of their existing retirement program.

02 July 2020 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 269 bps as of the end of June 2020, up 10 basis points from the previous month, driven by a decrease in long-term interest rates.

01 July 2020 - By Casey B. Baldwin, John Rowland

This article provides an overview of the benefit suspension process, identifies considerations for trustees and plan professionals, and shares the lessons learned from previous applications.

01 July 2020

How can I have a plan that provides a sustainable level of benefits?

26 June 2020 - By Jennifer Bolton

For the first time in two decades, Milliman planned to transition to new benefit carriers, including a new medical plan administrator and prescription drug provider.

23 June 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During May 2020, average accounting discount rates decreased by 27 bps, while annuity purchase rates decreased by 10 bps.

18 June 2020 - By David Evans

Despite the uncertainty of the moment, the observations from the 2020 Northwest Benefits Survey help clarify some trends that will likely have relevance in the future.

11 June 2020 - By Esther Peterson

This article summarizes the components that feed into IRS minimum required contributions and addresses some questions that employers may have.

11 June 2020 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

The estimated funding status of the 100 largest U.S. public pensions as measured by the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index improved to 71.3%, up from 69.8% at the end of April 2020, and a significant recovery from 66.0% at the end of March 2020.

10 June 2020 - By Zorast Wadia

The COVID-19 pandemic has created economic uncertainty, and this article offers helpful guidelines for corporate pension plan sponsors based on past experience and the market data already in the books through the first quarter of 2020.

09 June 2020 - By Sean Silva, Eric Walters

On April 28, 2020, the Departments of Labor and Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service jointly issued guidance extending certain deadlines related to COBRA continuation coverage.

08 June 2020 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

In May, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans worsened by $17 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

03 June 2020 - By William Wade

What are the potential penalties if a multiemployer pension plan reaches the end of its funding improvement plan or rehabilitation plan period and falls short of the goals?

02 June 2020 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology) is estimated to be 259 bps as of the end of May 2020, down 12 basis points from the previous month, driven by an increase in long-term interest rates.

02 June 2020 - By Robert L. Schmidt, Eric Walters

Each year, Milliman produces estimates of retiree health costs that are updated each year.

02 June 2020 - By Dominick Pizzano, Henrik Patel, Kenneth Barr

This article examines how nonqualified deferred compensation plan (NDCP) sponsors can navigate the rules to ensure their NDCP comply with Code Section 409A with respect to changes in the form of payment elections.

26 May 2020 - By Claire Booth, Neil Cantle, Dana-Marie Dick, Ian Penfold, Natasha Singhal, Vidyut Vardhan

What metrics are most useful to insurance companies when considering the risks and impacts of climate change?

22 May 2020 - By Grant Camp, Aaron Shapiro

This alert focuses on the multiemployer provisions in Division D of the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act.

18 May 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During April 2020, average accounting discount rates decreased by 56 bps, while annuity purchase rates decreased by 51 bps.

15 May 2020 - By Ryan Rowland

This brief outlines several ideas for employers to consider in connection with their defined benefit pension plans as well as caveats to be aware of as you evaluate your organization’s staffing needs during the COVID-19 crisis.

15 May 2020 - By Jennifer Bolton, Julie Bentz

In the midst of the COVID-19 crisis, there are even more challenges to communicating about benefits.

15 May 2020 - By Zorast Wadia, Charles J. Clark

In April, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans worsened by $58 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

13 May 2020 - By John Donohue, Tom Carrabine

This article provides an overview of the distribution process and why now may be a good time for trustees to consider moving the defined contribution plans to a daily valued environment.

13 May 2020 - By Radhika Philip, Danny L. Quant

This article focuses on three critical key talent topics in due diligence: assessing contractual obligations, identifying key high-performing talent, and designing retention and termination packages.

13 May 2020 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

The estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans as measured by the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index now stands at 69.8%, a far cry from the heady 74.9% at the end of December 2019, but a significant improvement from 66.0% at the end of March.

12 May 2020 - By Lauren Busey

COVID-19 poses challenges for healthcare providers who are managing complex issues around benefits and compensation policies to best support their employees during these hazardous times.

11 May 2020 - By Joel E. Stewart, Yutaro Seki

This Multiemployer Alert provides a summary of past multiemployer pension funding relief and recent proposals.

11 May 2020 - By Charles J. Clark, Ginny Boggs

The CARES Act has sweeping implications for both defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans in the U.S., as Milliman’s Charles Clark and Ginny Boggs discuss on this episode of Critical Point.

07 May 2020

What else can I do to minimize the impact of the market downturn on my contributions?

01 May 2020 - By Daren Lockwood, Xiaohong Mo, Adam Schenck

The expected hedge cost for a hypothetical GLWB block (see Index Methodology1) is estimated to be 271 bps as of the end of April 2020, up 3 basis points from the previous month, driven by a decrease in long-term interest rates.

30 April 2020 - By Stephanie M. Peterson, Robert L. Schmidt, Ryan Hart

Health and group benefits news and developments in the United States.

30 April 2020 - By Ladd E. Preppernau

Retirement planning is a long-term undertaking, and the consequences of rules and actions may not be known until years, or even decades, after they are implemented.

30 April 2020 - By Ladd E. Preppernau, Grant Camp

A strong understanding of the historical regulatory perspective can serve to inform the discussion on future regulatory changes designed to improve the long-term health of multiemployer pension plans.

29 April 2020 - By Bret Linton, Vicki Mazzie, Vanessa Vaag

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act permits a “qualified individual” to certify to the employer that they qualify to elect a coronavirus-related distribution.

29 April 2020 - By Les Kartchner, Sam Bertoch

Contributions charged to employees and retirees are an important aspect of an employer’s health and welfare benefit strategy.

28 April 2020 - By Zorast Wadia, Alan Perry, Charles J. Clark

Despite a drop of 94 basis points in discount rates, the private single-employer defined benefit plans of the Milliman 100 companies continued to make funding progress in 2019 due to their stellar investment returns of 17.3%.

21 April 2020

How is the market downturn going to affect my pension contributions?

21 April 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During March 2020, average accounting discount rates increased by 80 bps, while annuity purchase rates increased by 71 bps.

16 April 2020 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

First quarter investment losses have lowered the estimated funding status of the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans as measured by the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index from 74.9% at the end of December 2019 to 66.0% at the end of March 2020.

15 April 2020 - By Peter Thies

How does a complex pension plan not only pass nondiscrimination testing but also pass this testing in the future?

14 April 2020

Equity markets and high yield fixed income securities were down significantly for the quarter as investors reacted to the sudden onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the resulting economic consequences.

12 April 2020 - By Kelly S. Coffing, Tim Connor, Nina Lantz

COVID-19’s impact goes beyond the market decline. Many industries are being hit hard by a sudden drop-off in industry activity, with concern that the recovery of normal operation could take several years, reducing the contributions coming into multiemployer pension plans.

07 April 2020 - By Charles J. Clark, Zorast Wadia

In March, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans rose by $93 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

07 April 2020 - By Delbert Zamora

This article focuses on the CARES Act provision allowing deferment to January 1, 2021, of required defined benefit contributions due in the 2020 calendar year.

06 April 2020 - By Sean Silva, Reza Vahid

This alert describes Title III (Supporting America’s Health Care System in the Fight Against the Coronavirus), Part II (Access to Healthcare for COVID-19 Patients), Subpart A (Coverage of Testing and Preventive Services), of the CARES Act, which expands upon Division F, Health Provisions, of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

02 April 2020 - By Scott D. Preppernau

The turmoil the COVID-19 pandemic has caused in financial markets raises profound and potentially long-lasting concerns for pension plan sponsors.

31 March 2020 - By William Strange

These FAQs help you thoughtfully consider the potential effects that market volatility resulting from COVID-19 can have on your plan.

30 March 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

During February 2020, average accounting discount rates decreased by 19 bps, while annuity purchase rates decreased by 25 bps.

30 March 2020 - By Jeff Baker

As employers are facing the harsh reality of implementing layoffs to maintain economic viability, there may be unintended consequences to various retirement programs, especially pension, post-retirement benefit, and other plans.

30 March 2020 - By Vicki Mazzie

While many non-essential businesses are closing temporarily due to government requirements, even leading to staff layoffs in some cases, essential employers in some regions are experiencing the need to increase staffing levels or putting plans in place to do so in the coming weeks or months.

23 March 2020 - By Sean Silva, John Botsford, Ilina Ingolia

This article contains specific information about what the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” covers.

23 March 2020 - By Ladd E. Preppernau, Carrie Vaughn

On the heels of the dot-com bust from 2000-2002 and the global financial crisis in 2008, can multiemployer plans survive a third “once-in-a-lifetime” event?

16 March 2020 - By Fred Vosvenieks

Firms need to be thinking and acting with dynamism to manage the here and now of the global coronavirus pandemic and plan effectively for multiple future scenario pathways.

11 March 2020 - By Jeffrey T. Marzinsky

The 1,190.95-point Dow decline on February 27, 2020, is the largest we’ve seen in the history of the Dow and amounts to a drop of over 4.4%.

10 March 2020 - By Charles J. Clark, Zorast Wadia

In February, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans fell by $71 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

06 March 2020 - By Ian Laverty

This article takes a deep dive into changes stemming from the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act of 2019 and provides additional insight into the new law, particularly as it relates to individual annuity contracts.

05 March 2020 - By Jeff Reardon

This article helps identify restricted employees and explains how their lump-sum benefit form option may be affected.

03 March 2020 - By Robert L. Schmidt

The financial risks associated with offering a health benefit plan can’t be entirely eradicated, but there are many proactive steps plan sponsors can take to optimize their approaches to health benefits.

03 March 2020 - By Michelle Richter

More can be done by representatives of the fiduciary advice, annuity, and technology industries working together both to overcome negative perceptions and to better integrate annuities into the holistic planning solutions that fee-based advisers use.

02 March 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Monthly benefits news and developments in the United States.

02 March 2020 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

The estimated funded status of the 100 largest U.S. public pension plans grew from 72.7% at the end of September 2019 to 74.9% at the end of December 2019 as measured by the Milliman 100 Public Pension Funding Index.

26 February 2020 - By Mary Leong, Ryan Cook

The Milliman Pension Buyout Index uses the FTSE Above Median AA Curve and annuity purchase composite interest rates from several insurance companies to estimate the cost, as a percentage of accounting liability, of transferring retiree pension obligations to an insurer.

26 February 2020 - By Vanessa Vaag, Mary Hart

This article confirms that certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan changes included in the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act may lead to technical and administrative concerns for DB plan sponsors, who should be prepared to address them after careful inspection of the new law.

24 February 2020 - By Nina Lantz, Rex Barker, Tim Connor, Stuart Kliternick, Joel E. Stewart, William Wade

Milliman’s December 2019 Multiemployer Pension Funding Study reports on the estimated funded status of all U.S. multiemployer defined benefit plans as of December 31, 2019.

20 February 2020 - By Tom Carrabine

With rising healthcare costs and people living longer, trustees of multiemployer plans may want to ask themselves: How can we better support our members in retirement when addressing healthcare costs?

10 February 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Monthly benefits news and developments in the United States.

10 February 2020 - By Charles J. Clark, Zorast Wadia

In January, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans fell by $73 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

06 February 2020 - By Charles J. Clark, Deborah Lachner

The new SECURE Act might have a few surprises for employers and their TPA business partners when it comes to managing retirement plans.

03 February 2020 - By Ian Laverty

Annuities in retirement plans such as the 401(k) may have become more attractive to consumers, plan sponsors, and annuity writers after passage of the SECURE Act.

17 January 2020

Markets were largely up for the quarter as investors reacted to easing trade tensions and reduced fears of a recession.

17 January 2020 - By Matt Cheung, Ian Laverty, Zi Xiang Low, Bill Matczak, Zohair Motiwalla

In the third quarter of 2019, Milliman conducted a survey to establish market practice in the application of VM21: Principle-Based Reserves for Variable Annuities.

10 January 2020 - By Christine Jello, Suzanne Norman, Patricia L. Renzi

Women face unique obstacles in securing the necessary roadmap for retirement.

08 January 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

The President on Dec. 20, 2019, signed the "Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020" into law (P.L. 116-94), funding government agencies for the remainder of the 2020 federal fiscal year (ending Sept. 30, 2020). The law includes significant provisions – some mandatory, some optional – affecting employer-sponsored retirement and health benefit plans.

08 January 2020 - By Charles J. Clark, Zorast Wadia

The year 2019 was characterized by strong investment returns alongside sharply decreasing discount rates that resulted in an overall $30 billion drop in funded status.

07 January 2020 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Monthly benefits news and developments in the United States.

06 January 2020 - By Joseph Boschert, Janet Jennings, Robert L. Schmidt

This paper examines the various connections between health and wealth as well as the repercussions of ignoring those connections.

06 January 2020 - By Joseph Boschert, Janet Jennings, Robert L. Schmidt

People are looking for ways to protect their long-term health and wealth, and they expect their financial advisers to create more comprehensive financial plans that will help them achieve this goal.

23 December 2019 - By Rebecca A. Sielman

13 December 2019 - By Mark C. Olleman, Matt Larrabee

This paper presents two alternative options for mortality projection based on historical mortality improvement data.

10 December 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Monthly benefits news and developments in the United States.

06 December 2019 - By David Stoddard

The Milliman Multiemployer Health and Welfare Study analyzes various financial disclosures for multiemployer health and welfare plans, also known as Taft-Hartley plans, nationwide.

05 December 2019 - By Charles J. Clark, Zorast Wadia

In November, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans increased by $15 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

03 December 2019 - By David Evans

Offering the right benefits has become even more important for employers trying to attract and retain top talent.

26 November 2019 - By Grant Camp, Ryan Rowland

This alert summarizes key aspects of the proposed Multiemployer Pension Recapitalization and Reform Plan.

25 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

This card lists the 2020 key limits for employer-sponsored retirement plans, Social Security and Medicare levels, and health savings account limits set by federal agencies.

22 November 2019 - By Noah Llanda

This alert focuses on the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) annual report as it pertains to the PBGC Multiemployer Program.

20 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

The IRS has issued a proposed rule that would amend the life expectancy and distribution period tables used to calculate required minimum distributions (RMDs) from qualified retirement plans, profit-sharing and stock bonus plans, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and annuities, and 403(b) and 457 plans and certain other tax-favored employer-provided retirement arrangements.

19 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Key administrative dates and deadlines for calendar-year defined contribution retirement plans subject to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

19 November 2019 - By Bryan Jones

By tweaking existing familiar concepts—the funding liabilities—we can leverage the understanding that employers already have about their pension plans to explain various risks, some of which are very pertinent to decision making.

19 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Monthly benefits news and developments in the United States.

18 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Key administrative dates and deadlines for calendar-year single-employer defined benefit plans subject to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

15 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

The Department of Health and Human Services' Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Medicare Parts A and B for 2020.

13 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

The Department of Labor (DOL) released a proposed rule that, if finalized, will provide an additional "safe harbor" for plan administrators to use electronic media to furnish retirement plan information to participants and beneficiaries.

11 November 2019 - By Charles J. Clark, Zorast Wadia

In October, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans increased by $11 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

08 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

The 2020 adjusted figures for high-deductible health plans and health savings accounts included in this Client Action Bulletin were released by the IRS earlier this year and are provided here for convenience.

06 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Key administrative dates and deadlines for defined benefit plans subject to ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code.

06 November 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

By year-end 2019, sponsors of calendar-year single-employer retirement plans must adopt necessary and discretionary plan amendments to ensure compliance with the statutory and regulatory requirements of ERISA and the tax code. This Client Action Bulletin looks at key areas - including administrative compliance issues - that defined benefit (DB) and/or defined contribution (DC) plan sponsors should address by Dec. 31, 2019.

04 November 2019 - By Dominick Pizzano

This article highlights points to consider when conducting a Section 409A “to be or not to be” determination process.

29 October 2019 - By Dan Freeman, Mike Gaal, Cory Gusland, Jennifer Janvrin

Health and group benefits news and developments in the United States.

18 October 2019 - By Benjamin J. Diederich, Will Fox, Brent Jensen

Employers should adjust health plan options for morbidity in order to reduce the selection bias.

17 October 2019 - By Rex Barker, Kevin Campe, Tim Connor, Stuart Kliternick, Nina Lantz, Ladd E. Preppernau, Joel E. Stewart

The Fall 2019 Multiemployer Pension Funding Study updates the estimated funded status of U.S. multiemployer plans as of June 30, 2019, showing the change in funding levels from December 31, 2018.

09 October 2019 - By Milliman Employee Benefits Research Group

Monthly benefits news and developments in the United States.

08 October 2019 - By Patrika Bansal, Heerak Basu

This briefing note analyses the evolution of the discount rate for measuring employee benefit obligations under AS15(R), AS19 and IAS19.

07 October 2019 - By Charles J. Clark, Zorast Wadia

In September, the funded status of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans rose by $38 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

04 October 2019 - By Arthur Rains-McNally, William Strange

This article presents perspectives on the challenges of the current interest rate environment.

24 September 2019

The Segal Blend method of determining withdrawal liabilities in multiemployer pension plans was ruled improper in a recent case with the New York Times but it has been upheld in others, leaving the issue open for future challenges.

06 September 2019 - By Charles J. Clark, Zorast Wadia

In August, the funded status deficit of the 100 largest corporate defined benefit pension plans increased by $87 billion as measured by the Milliman 100 Pension Funding Index.

01 August 2019

Organizations have been reviewing their parental leave programs in recent years (including paid family leave and paid bonding leave) to comply with changing state and local laws, compete for talent in a competitive job marketplace, and address employee feedback on changing social expectations.

01 January 2018

Rising prescription drug costs is old news, and costs are only expected to climb higher, particularly due to the increased presence of specialty drugs.

01 December 2017

Many of the benefits that are most offered are also on the list to be added in 2018 by organizations that don’t yet have them.

28 June 2010

The pension funding relief provisions of the Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010 are generally effective the first day of the first plan year ending after August 31, 2008.

05 January 2009

This Multiemployer Alert focuses on the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008 provisions that demand immediate or near-term decisions by multiemployer plan trustees.

- By Michael Taggart, Don Biron

This 2020 market overview highlights some of the changes affecting the health and group benefit administration market that employers need to understand to take advantage of improvements and avoid issues in managing their administration providers.