Actuarial Fiscal Note

Date Requested:March 10, 2021
Time Requested:11:37 AM
Agency: Consolidated Public Retirement Board
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
3229 Introduced SB614
CBD Subject: Retirement

Retirement Systems Impacted by Legislation:

JRS 2140

FUND(S):

General Fund

Sources of Revenue:

Creates New Expense

Legislation creates:

JRS



Actuarial Note Summary

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


    SB 614 would allow Family Court Judges to participate in the Judges’ Retirement System (JRS). There are 45 active Family Court Judges currently participating in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and to value SB 614 we assume all 45 Family Court Judges would elect to transfer all their service as a Family Court Judge from PERS to JRS. Upon transferring from PERS to JRS, each Family Court Judge member would transfer their corresponding PERS accumulated contributions plus any shortfall accumulated contributions to the JRS Fund as if the member contributed based on JRS member contribution rates for all transferred service. Each active Family Court Judge would enter JRS as a Tier II member.
    
    SB 614 would increase the actuarial accrued liability for JRS by approximately $12.5 million. JRS is currently overfunded and if Family Court Judges were included in JRS then JRS would continue to be over funded for the foreseeable future. As a result, there is no amortization of unfunded liability due to SB 614. As written, SB 614 would increase the FY 2022 JRS annual required employer contribution by approximately $340,000.
    



Fiscal Detail of Actuarial Impact

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


Impact On Following Full Implementation
Increase in Unfunded Actuarial Accrued Liability Initial Impact on Annual Contribution Requirement of System(s) Contribution Increase as a Percentage of Annual Payroll
Total Annual Costs $0.00 $340,000.00 2.28 %
Normal Cost of System N/A $340,000.00 2.28 %
Past Service Liabilities $0.00 $0.00 0.00 %
Fiscal Year Past Service
Amortization Period Ends
N/A - N/A


Explanation of above Actuarial estimates:


    SB 614 would increase the actuarial accrued liability for JRS by approximately $12.5 million. JRS is currently overfunded and if Family Court Judges were included in JRS then JRS would continue to be over funded for the foreseeable future. As a result, there is no amortization of unfunded liability due to SB 614. As written, SB 614 would increase the FY 2022 JRS annual required employer contribution by approximately $340,000 or 2.28% of JRS payroll.
    
    For the appropriate actuarial disclosures, see the July 1, 2020 funding valuation report for JRS, expected to be published in April 2021.
    
    In particular, future actuarial measurements may differ significantly from the current measurements shown in this actuarial/fiscal note due to plan experience differing from that anticipated by the economic and demographic assumptions, changes expected as part of the natural operation of the methodology used for these measurements, and changes in plan provisions, applicable law and regulations.
    
    Kenneth Woodson Jr., the CPRB Board Actuary, is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He meets the Qualification Standards of the American Academy of Actuaries to render the actuarial opinions contained in this actuarial/fiscal note. Both the Board and the CPRB Board Actuary are available to answer any questions on the material contained in this actuarial/fiscal note.

Analysis of Impact on Public Pension Policy:


    As written, the cost of the bill would be sustainable by the current employee and employer contribution rates.



Fiscal Note Summary


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


    SB 614 would allow Family Court Judges to participate in the Judges’ Retirement System (JRS). There are 45 active Family Court Judges currently participating in the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) and to value SB 614 we assume all 45 Family Court Judges would elect to transfer all their service as a Family Court Judge from PERS to JRS. Upon transferring from PERS to JRS, each Family Court Judge member would transfer their corresponding PERS accumulated contributions plus any shortfall accumulated contributions to the JRS Fund as if the member contributed based on JRS member contribution rates for all transferred service. Each active Family Court Judge would enter JRS as a Tier II member.
    
    SB 614 would increase the actuarial accrued liability for JRS by approximately $12.5 million. JRS is currently overfunded and if Family Court Judges were included in JRS then JRS would continue to be over funded for the foreseeable future. As a result, there is no amortization of unfunded liability due to SB 614. As written, SB 614 would increase the FY 2022 JRS annual required employer contribution by approximately $340,000.
    



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2021
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2022
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 340,000 0
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 340,000 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


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


    SB 614 would increase the actuarial accrued liability for JRS by approximately $12.5 million. JRS is currently overfunded and if Family Court Judges were included in JRS then JRS would continue to be over funded for the foreseeable future. As a result, there is no amortization of unfunded liability due to SB 614. As written, SB 614 would increase the FY 2022 JRS annual required employer contribution by approximately $340,000.
    
    For the appropriate actuarial disclosures, see the July 1, 2020 funding valuation report for JRS, expected to be published in April 2021.
    
    In particular, future actuarial measurements may differ significantly from the current measurements shown in this actuarial/fiscal note due to plan experience differing from that anticipated by the economic and demographic assumptions, changes expected as part of the natural operation of the methodology used for these measurements, and changes in plan provisions, applicable law and regulations.
    
    Kenneth Woodson Jr., the CPRB Board Actuary, is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries. He meets the Qualification Standards of the American Academy of Actuaries to render the actuarial opinions contained in this actuarial/fiscal note. Both the Board and the CPRB Board Actuary are available to answer any questions on the material contained in this actuarial/fiscal note.
    



Memorandum


    This Actuarial/Fiscal Note is being submitted by the Consolidated Public Retirement Board. It has been reviewed by the CPRB Actuary.



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