Week ending July 27th, 2018

This week we return to defined benefit (DB) plans and examine the current state of affairs—touching on how plan sponsors are managing the plans in light of tax reform and return assumptions, among other outside forces. Many DB plan sponsors are facing difficult decisions about what to do with their plans—keep them, freeze them (or hibernate them, as one of our articles discusses), close them or transfer the risk to an insurer. And, many multiemployer plans are facing dire situations, as a new Congressional committee heard testimony this week. Learn more about how PLANSPONSOR is keeping tabs on trends and tips for DB plan sponsors.

Editor's Choice

Administration

What Is a Strategic DB Plan Termination?

Experts with cash balance plan design and administration provider Kravitz define the concept of strategic plan termination—what the pros and cons are, and what an employer’s responsibilities entail under IRS and PBGC regulations.Read more >

Administration

Tax Reform, Other Factors Leading DB Plans to Increase Funding

Nearly two-thirds (62%) of respondents to a survey say they are “very likely” to transfer some or all of their pension obligations to an insurance company once their DB plan becomes well-funded.Read more >

Investing

‘Hibernation’ the Next Step for DB Plan Investing

As more marketable obligations—such as those for in-pay retirees—are transferred to insurers, residual DB plans will have unusual and idiosyncratic features that make them more difficult to manage, which will drive pension investing to a “hibernation” focus for many, Mercer says.Read more >

Compliance

PBGC Updates Address for Pension Insurance Premium Payments

As noted on the updated PBGC website, effective immediately, the federal pension insurance program has a new set of addresses for plan sponsors sending premium payments and correspondence.Read more >

Compliance

Stakeholders Beg Congress to Act on Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans

Passionate testimony from a Teamster to the Joint Select Committee on the Solvency of Multiemployer Pension Plans appeared to outshine that from three financial experts.Read more >

MOST POPULAR STORIES