290 likes | 318 Views
Grenada Public Service Pension Arrangements. July 2011. Agenda. Current Benefits Data and Assumptions Existing Liabilities Post 1983 Officers Other issues arising. Current Benefits. Officer Categories Officers in established posts Appointed before 4 April 1983
E N D
Agenda • Current Benefits • Data and Assumptions • Existing Liabilities • Post 1983 Officers • Other issues arising
Current Benefits Officer Categories • Officers in established posts • Appointed before 4 April 1983 • Appointed on or after 4 April 1983 • Officers in un-established posts
Pre-April 1983 Officers • Benefits set out in Pensions Acts • Valuable retirement pension • Target 2/3rds final salary • Available from as early as age 50 (or 26 years and 8 months’ service) • Retirement lump sum benefits • Regular pension increases • Non-contributory • NIS in addition • Total pension >100% salary?
Post-April 1983 Officers • No Pensions Act pension benefits • NIS pension only • Significantly lower benefits than Pre-April 1983 officers
Un-established post Officers • Pension payable at Government discretion • Irrespective of date of appointment • Minimum 15 years’ service • Lower pension benefit • Pension = 1% x service x salary • No retirement lump sum • Non-contributory • NIS pension in addition
Issues of Note • “Expensive” benefits for pre-April 1983 officers • Inconsistencies between: • Pre- and post-April 1983 officers • Un-established post officers and post-April 1983 officers get nothing
Our Terms of Reference • Quantify existing liabilities • Look at pension scheme options for public officers including Post-April 1983 officers • Advise on financial aspects of possible new pension designs
Officers’ Data Ie lots of data records!
Data Issues • Results reliant on and findings limited by data accuracy • Data items missing • Only provided with basic salary • “Completed” data set using estimates • Results qualified • Treat with caution • Indicative only
Demographic Assumptions • Mortality rates • Withdrawal • Early retirement • Ill-health • Proportion married • Earnings scales • New hires • Admin expenses
Demographic Assumptions • Little statistical data available • Review experience data provided (patchy) • Withdrawal rates low • Early retirement rates low • Use to set assumptions where possible - discussed with HR where possible • Otherwise use standard actuarial tables
Payments Projection PV = $637 m at 30 Nov 2007 discounting
Present Value of Liabilities Present value of liabilities = $637 million • If $637 million invested income and capital will exactly pay for pension benefits as they fall due • All assumptions exactly borne out in practice • $196 million of liability is for future pension increases
Sensitivity of Results • Early Retirements • +$97 million if all eligible officers retire now • Cash strain from lump sums • Discount rate • -13%/+16% for +1%pa/-1%pa change • Earnings/pension inflation • 16%/-13% for +1%pa/-1%pa change • Mortality rate • +8% for 25% rate reduction
Un-Established officers Past Service • Looked at accrued benefits • Short service (higher turnover?) • Present value is $31 million as at 30 Nov 2007 Future Service • 1 year cost $3 million • Equivalent to 10.2% of salaries
Summary • Total liabilities ~$668 million • Future accruals mainly for un-established post officers
Post-April 1983 Officers • Pensions Act Benefits • Modified Pensions Act Benefits • Higher retirement age (65) • Harmonised with NIS • No guaranteed pension increases • Different benefits • Defined contribution, cash balance, career average • Un-established post benefits
Pensions Act benefits Note: excludes retired Post 1983 officers
Post 1983 Pensions Act Benefits • Present value of past service liabilities is $377 million • Future accrual cost of 25.6% of salaries (~$27.7 million next year) Could costs be managed by modifying benefits?
Modified Benefits • Helps meet cost considerations • But, can it be administered? • Harmonisation with NIS presents other issues: • Early retirement benefits • Retirement lump sum availability
Advantages • Easier to administer • Consistent with un-established officers • Fit to cost constraints by changing pension increases, contributions, early retirement etc • Reasonable target pension when added to NIS, eg if 35 years’ service • 35% pay from Government • NIS pension in addition
Other Issues • Funding options • Unfunded or PAYG • Partial/full pre-funding • Retirement age • Leaving service benefits • Officer contributions • Death benefits • Minimum pension
Conclusions • Objectives needed for complete advice • Costs are indicative only due to data limitations • Existing liabilities • Accrued ~$668 million at 30 Nov 2007 • Future accrual cost ~10.2% of salaries for un-established officers (mainly) • Exposure to salary inflation, mortality and retirement experience
Conclusions Cont’d • Options for Post-1983 Officers • Pensions Act benefits expensive • Administration challenges • Offset costs by modifying benefits • Harmonise • Higher retirement age • Lower pension increases • Change benefits completely, eg as for un-established posts