ACTUARIAL STANDARD OF PRACTICE NO. 4

Measuring Pension Obligations and Determining Pension Plan Costs or Contributions

STANDARD OF PRACTICE

TRANSMITTAL MEMORANDUM

December 2013

TO: Members of Actuarial Organizations Governed by the Standards of Practice of the Actuarial Standards Board and Other Persons Interested in Measuring Pension Obligations and Determining Pension Plan Costs or Contributions

FROM: Actuarial Standards Board (ASB)

SUBJ: Actuarial Standard of Practice (ASOP) No. 4

This document contains the final version of a revision of ASOP No. 4, Measuring Pension Obligations and Determining Pension Plan Costs or Contributions.

Background

The ASB provides coordinated guidance for measuring pension and retiree group benefit obligations through the series of ASOPs listed below.

1. ASOP No. 4, Measuring Pension Obligations and Determining Pension Plan Costs or Contributions;

2. ASOP No. 6, Measuring Retiree Group Benefit Obligations;

3. ASOP No. 27, Selection of Economic Assumptions for Measuring Pension Obligations;

4. ASOP No. 35, Selection of Demographic and Other Noneconomic Assumptions for Measuring Pension Obligations; and

5. ASOP No. 44, Selection and Use of Asset Valuation Methods for Pension Valuations.

First Exposure Draft

The first exposure draft of this ASOP was issued in January 2012 with a comment deadline of May 31, 2012. Seventeen comment letters were received and considered in developing modifications that were reflected in the second exposure draft.

Second Exposure Draft

The second exposure draft of this ASOP was issued in December 2012 with a comment deadline of May 31, 2013. The Pension Committee carefully considered the thirteen comment letters received. Key changes made to the final standard in response to comment letters received on the second exposure draft include the following:

1. Section 4.1(k) was revised to remove the requirement for the actuary to make a disclosure if the unfunded actuarial accrued liability is expected to increase at any time during the amortization period. This section was also revised to clarify that a description of an amortization base includes the outstanding amortization balance, the amortization payment included in the periodic cost or actuarially determined contribution, and the remaining amortization period.

2. Language in section 4.1(q) was clarified to state that related disclosures are not required for funded status measurements prescribed by federal law or regulation.

3. Section 4.4 regarding confidential information was added to remove potential confusion regarding the interrelationship of this standard and Precept 9 of the Code of Professional Conduct.

In addition, a number of other changes were made to the text. Please see the appendix for a detailed discussion of the comments received and the reviewers’ responses.

Key Changes from Current Standard

Key changes from the version of ASOP No. 4 adopted May 2011 include the following:

Disclosure of Funded Status

Sections 4.1(p) and 4.1(q) contain new disclosure requirements related to a plan’s funded status.

Disclosure of Rationale for Changes in Cost or Contribution Allocation Procedure

Section 4.1(t) contains new disclosure requirements for a change in the cost or contribution allocation procedure.

Assessment of Contribution Allocation Procedure or Funding Policy

Section 4.1(m) contains new disclosure requirements related to the implications of the contribution allocation procedure or plan sponsor’s funding policy on future expected plan contributions and funded status.

Prescribed Assumptions or Methods

The definition of prescribed assumption or method (section 2.16 in the current standard) has been revised to address prescribed assumptions or methods set by another party or set by law (sections 2.19 and 2.20).

Plan Provisions that are Difficult to Measure

Section 3.5.3 provides guidance to the actuary who needs to measure plan provisions that are difficult to appropriately measure using traditional valuation procedures.

ASOP No. 4 is intended to accommodate the concepts of financial economics as well as traditional actuarial practice.

The Pension Committee thanks everyone who took the time to contribute comments and suggestions on the exposure drafts.

The Pension Committee thanks former committee members Thomas B. Lowman, Tonya B. Manning, and Frank Todisco for their assistance with drafting this ASOP.

The ASB voted in December 2013 to adopt this standard.

 

Pension Committee of the ASB

Gordon C. Enderle, Chairperson

Mita D. Drazilov, Vice Chairperson

                      C. David Gustafson                                              Alan N. Parikh

                      Fiona E. Liston                                                    Mitchell I. Serota

                      A. Donald Morgan, IV                                           Judy K. Stromback

                      Chris Noble                                                         Virginia C. Wentz

 

Actuarial Standards Board

Robert G. Meilander, Chairperson

                      Beth E. Fitzgerald                                              Thomas D. Levy

                      Alan D. Ford                                                       Patricia E. Matson

                      Patrick J. Grannan                                              James J. Murphy

                      Stephen G. Kellison                                            James F. Verlautz

 

The ASB establishes and improves standards of actuarial practice. These ASOPs identify what the actuary should consider, document, and disclose when performing an actuarial assignment. The ASB’s goal is to set standards for appropriate practice for the U.S.

Section 1. Purpose, Scope, Cross References, and Effective Date

1.1 Purpose

This actuarial standard of practice (ASOP) provides guidance to actuaries when performing actuarial services with respect to measuring obligations under a pension plan and determining periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions for such plans. Throughout this standard, the terms “plan” or “pension plan” refer to a defined benefit pension plan. Other actuarial standards of practice address actuarial assumptions and asset valuation methods. This standard addresses broader measurement issues, including cost allocation procedures and contribution allocation procedures. This standard provides guidance for coordinating and integrating all of the elements of an actuarial valuation of a pension plan.

1.2 Scope

This standard applies to actuaries when performing actuarial services with respect to the following tasks in connection with a pension plan:

a. measurement of pension obligations. Examples include determinations of funded status, assessments of solvency upon plan termination, market measurements and measurements for use in pricing benefit provisions;

b. assignment of the value of plan obligations to time periods. Examples include actuarially determined contributions, periodic costs, and actuarially determined contribution or periodic cost estimates for potential plan changes;

c. development of a cost allocation procedure used to determine periodic costs for a plan;

d. development of a contribution allocation procedure used to determine actuarially determined contributions for a plan;

e. determination as to the types and levels of benefits supportable by specified cost or contribution levels; and

f. projection of pension obligations, periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions, and other related measurements. Examples include cash flow projections and projections of a plan’s funded status.

Throughout this standard, any reference to selecting actuarial assumptions, actuarial cost methods, asset valuation methods, and amortization methods also includes giving advice on selecting actuarial assumptions, actuarial cost methods, asset valuation methods, and amortization methods. In addition, any reference to developing or modifying a cost allocation procedure or contribution allocation procedure includes giving advice on developing or modifying a cost allocation procedure or contribution allocation procedure.

This standard does not apply to actuaries when performing services with respect to individual benefit calculations, individual benefit statement estimates, annuity pricing, nondiscrimination testing, and social insurance programs as described in section 1.2, Scope, of ASOP No. 32, Social Insurance (unless an ASOP on social insurance explicitly calls for application of this standard).

This standard does not require the actuary to evaluate the ability of the plan sponsor or other contributing entity to make contributions to the plan when due.

If the actuary departs from the guidance set forth in this standard in order to comply with applicable law (statutes, regulations, and other legally binding authority) or for any other reason the actuary deems appropriate, the actuary should refer to section 4.

1.3 Cross References

When this standard refers to the provisions of other documents, the reference includes the referenced documents as they may be amended or restated in the future, and any success or to them, by whatever name called. If any amended or restated document differs materially from the originally referenced document, the actuary should consider the guidance in this standard to the extent it is applicable and appropriate.

1.4 Effective Date

This standard will be effective for any actuarial work product with a measurement date on or after December 31, 2014.

Section 2. Definitions

The terms below are defined for use in this actuarial standard of practice.

2.1 Actuarial Accrued Liability

The portion of the actuarial present value of projected benefits (and expenses, if applicable), as determined under a particular actuarial cost method that is not provided for by future normal costs. Under certain actuarial cost methods, the actuarial accrued liability is dependent upon the actuarial value of assets.

2.2 Actuarial Cost Method

A procedure for allocating the actuarial present value of projected benefits (and expenses, if applicable) to time periods, usually in the form of a normal cost and an actuarial accrued liability. For purposes of this standard, a pay-as- you-go method is not considered to be an actuarial cost method.

2.3 Actuarial Present Value

The value of an amount or series of amounts payable or receivable at various times, determined as of a given date by the application of a particular set of actuarial assumptions with regard to future events, observations of market or other valuation data, or a combination of assumptions and observations.

2.4 Actuarial Present Value of Projected Benefits

The actuarial present value of benefits that are expected to be paid in the future, taking into account the effect of such items as future service, advancement in age, and anticipated future compensation (sometimes referred to as the “present value of future benefits”).

2.5 Actuarial Valuation

The measurement of relevant pension obligations and, when applicable, the determination of periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions.

2.6 Actuarially Determined Contribution

A potential payment to the plan as determined by the actuary using a contribution allocation procedure. It may or may not be the amount actually paid by the plan sponsor or other contributing entity.

2.7 Amortization Method

A method under a contribution allocation procedure or cost allocation procedure for determining the amount, timing, and pattern of recognition of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability.

2.8 Contribution Allocation Procedure

A procedure that uses an actuarial cost method, and may include an asset valuation method,an amortization method, and an output smoothing method, to determine the actuarially determined contribution for a plan. The procedure may produce a single value, such as normal cost plus an amortization payment of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability, or a range of values, such as the range from the ERISA minimum required contribution to the maximum tax-deductible amount.

2.9 Cost Allocation Procedure

A procedure that uses an actuarial cost method, and may include an asset valuation method and an amortization method, to determine the periodic cost for a plan (for example, the procedure to determine the net periodic pension cost under accounting standards).

2.10 Expenses

Administrative or investment expenses borne or expected to be borne by the plan.

2.11 Funded Status

Any comparison of a particular measure of plan assets to a particular measure of plan obligations.

2.12 Immediate Gain Actuarial Cost Method

An actuarial cost method under which actuarial gains and losses are included as part of the unfunded actuarial accrued liability of the pension plan, rather than as part of the normal cost of the plan.

2.13 Market-Consistent Present Value

An actuarial present value that is estimated to be consistent with the price at which benefits that are expected to be paid in the future would trade in an open market between a knowledgeable seller and a knowledgeable buyer. The existence of a deep and liquid market for pension cash flows or for entire pension plans is not a prerequisite for this present value measurement.

2.14 Measurement Date

The date as of which the values of the pension obligations and, if applicable, assets are determined (sometimes referred to as the “valuation date”).

2.15 Normal Cost

The portion of the actuarial present value of projected benefits (and expenses, if applicable) that is allocated to a period, typically twelve months, under the actuarial cost method. Under certain actuarial cost methods, the normal cost is dependent upon the actuarial value of assets.

2.16 Output Smoothing Method

A method used by the actuary to adjust the results of a contribution allocation procedure to reduce volatility.

2.17 Participant

An individual who satisfies the requirements for participation in the plan.

2.18 Periodic Cost

The amount assigned to a period using a cost allocation procedure for purposes other than funding. This may be a function of plan obligations, normal cost, expenses, and assets. In many situations, periodic cost is determined for accounting purposes.

2.19 Plan Provisions

The relevant terms of the plan document and any relevant administrative practices known to the actuary.

2.20 Prescribed Assumption or Method Set by Another Party

A specific assumption or method that is selected by another party, to the extent that law, regulation, or accounting standards gives the other party responsibility for selecting such an assumption or method. For this purpose, an assumption or method set by a governmental entity for a plan that such governmental entity or a political subdivision of that entity directly or indirectly sponsors is deemed to be a prescribed assumption or method set by another party.

2.21 Prescribed Assumption or Method Set by Law

A specific assumption or method that is mandated or that is selected from a specified range or set of assumptions or methods that is deemed to be acceptable by applicable law (statutes, regulations, or other legally binding authority). For this purpose, an assumption or method set by a governmental entity for a plan that such governmental entity or a political subdivision of that entity directly or indirectly sponsors is not deemed to be a prescribed assumption or method set by law .

2.22 Spread Gain Actuarial Cost Method

An actuarial cost method under which actuarial gains and losses are included as part of the current and future normal costs of the plan.

Section 3. Analysis of Issues and Recommended Practices

3.1 Overview

Measuring pension obligations and determining periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions are processes in which the actuary may be required to make judgments or recommendations on the choice of actuarial assumptions, actuarial cost methods, asset valuation methods, amortization methods, and output smoothing methods.

The actuary may have the responsibility and authority to select some or all actuarial assumptions, actuarial cost methods, asset valuation methods, amortization methods, and output smoothing methods. In other circumstances, the actuary may be asked to advise the individuals who have that responsibility and authority. In yet other circumstances, the actuary may perform actuarial calculations using prescribed assumptions or methods set by another party or prescribed assumptions or methods set by law.

ASOP No. 27, Selection of Economic Assumptions for Measuring Pension Obligations, and ASOP No. 35, Selection of Demographic and Other Noneconomic Assumptions for Measuring Pension Obligations, provide guidance concerning actuarial assumptions. ASOP No. 44, Selection and Use of Asset Valuation Methods for Pension Valuations, provides guidance concerning asset valuation methods. ASOP No. 4 addresses broader measurement issues including cost allocation procedures and contribution allocation procedures, and provides guidance for coordinating and integrating all of these elements of an actuarial valuation of a pension plan. In the event of a conflict between the guidance provided in ASOP No. 4 and the guidance in any of the aforementioned ASOPs, ASOP No. 4 governs.

3.2 General Procedures

When measuring pension obligations and determining periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions, the actuary should perform the following general procedures:

a. identify the purpose of the measurement (section 3.3);

b. identify the measurement date (section 3.4);

c. identify plan provisions applicable to the measurement and any associated valuation issues (section 3.5);

d. gather data necessary for the measurement (section 3.6);

e. obtain from the principal other information necessary for the purpose of the measurement (section 3.7);

f. select actuarial assumptions (section 3.8);

g. select an asset valuation method, if applicable (section 3.9);

h. consider how to measure accrued or vested benefits, if applicable (section 3.10);

i. consider how to measure market-consistent present values, if applicable (section 3.11);

j. reflect how plan or plan sponsor assets as of the measurement date are reported, if applicable (section 3.12);

k. select an actuarial cost method, if applicable (section 3.13);

l. select a cost allocation procedure or contribution allocation procedure, if applicable (section 3.14);

m. assess the implications of the contribution allocation procedure or plan sponsor’s funding policy, if applicable (section 3.14);

n. consider the use of approximations and estimates (section 3.15);

o. consider the sources of significant volatility, if applicable (section 3.16); and

p. evaluate prescribed assumptions and methods set by another party, if applicable (section 3.17).

3.3 Purpose of the Measurement

When measuring pension obligations and determining periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions, the actuary should reflect the purpose of the measurement. Examples of measurement purposes are periodic costs, actuarially determined contribution requirements, benefit provision pricing, comparability assessments, withdrawal liabilities, benefit plan settlements, funded status assessments, market value assessments, and plan sponsor mergers and acquisitions.

3.3.1 Projection or Point-in-Time

The actuary should consider whether assumptions or methods need to change for measurements projected into the future compared to point-in-time measurements.

3.3.2 Uncertainty or Risk

In conjunction with the related guidance in ASOP No. 41, the actuary should consider the uncertainty or risk inherent in the measurement assumptions and methods and how the actuary’s measurement treats such uncertainty or risk.

3.4 Measurement Date Considerations

When measuring pension obligations and determining periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions as of a measurement date, the actuary should address the following:

3.4.1 Information as of a Different Date

The actuary may estimate asset and participant information at the measurement date on the basis of information as of a different date. In these circumstances, the actuary should make appropriate adjustments to the data. Alternatively, the actuary may calculate the obligations as of a different date and then adjust the obligations to the measurement date (see section 3.4.3 for additional guidance). In either case, the actuary should determine that any such adjustments are reasonable in the actuary’s professional judgment, given the purpose of the measurement.

3.4.2 Events after the Measurement Date

Events known to the actuary that occur subsequent to the measurement date and prior to the date of the actuarial communication should be treated appropriately for the purpose of the measurement. Unless the purpose of the measurement requires the inclusion of such events, they may, but need not, be reflected in the measurement.

3.4.3 Adjustment of Prior Measurement

The actuary may adjust the results from a prior measurement in lieu of performing a new detailed measurement if, in the actuary’s professional judgment, such an adjustment would produce a reasonable result for purposes of the measurement.To determine whether such an adjustment would produce a reasonable result, the actuary should consider items such as the following, if known to the actuary:

a. changes in the number of participants or the demographic characteristics of that group;

b. length of time since the prior measurement;

c. differences between actual and expected contributions, benefit payments, expenses, and investment performance;

d. changes in economic and demographic expectations; and

e. changes in plan provisions.

When adjusting obligations from a prior measurement date, the actuary should consider whether the assumptions used to determine the obligations should be revised.

3.5 Plan Provisions

When measuring pension obligations and determining periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions, the actuary should reflect all significant plan provisions known to the actuary as appropriate for the purpose of the measurement. However, if in the actuary’s professional judgment, omitting a significant plan provision is appropriate for the purpose of the measurement, the actuary should disclose the omission in accordance with section 4.1(d).

3.5.1 Adopted Changes in Plan Provisions

Unless contrary to applicable law (statutes, regulations, and other legally binding authority), the actuary should reflect plan provisions adopted on or before the measurement date for at least the portion of the period during which those provisions are in effect. Plan provisions adopted after the measurement date may, but need not, be reflected.

3.5.2 Proposed Changes in Plan Provisions

The actuary should reflect proposed changes in plan provisions as appropriate for the purpose of the measurement.

3.5.3 Plan Provisions that are Difficult to Measure

Some plan provisions may create pension obligations that are difficult to appropriately measure using traditional valuation procedures. Examples of such plan provisions include the following:

a. gain sharing provisions that trigger benefit increases when investment returns are favorable but do not trigger benefit decreases when investment returns are unfavorable;

b. floor-offset provisions that provide a minimum defined benefit in the event a participant’s account balance in a separate plan falls below some threshold;

c. benefit provisions that a retied to an external index, but subject to a floor or ceiling, such as certain cost of living adjustment provisions and cash balance crediting provisions; and

d. benefit provisions that may be triggered by an event such as a plant shutdown or a change in control of the plan sponsor.

For such plan provisions, the actuary should consider using alternative valuation procedures, such as stochastic modeling, option-pricing techniques, or deterministic procedures in conjunction with assumptions that are adjusted to reflect the impact of variations inexperience from year to year. When selecting alternative valuation procedures for such plan provisions, the actuary should use professional judgment based on the purpose of the measurement and other relevant factors.

The actuary should disclose the approach taken with any plan provisions of the type described in this section,in accordance with section 4.1(i).

3.6 Data

With respect to the data used for measurements, including data supplied by others, the actuary should refer to ASOP No. 23, Data Quality, for guidance.

3.6.1 Participants

The actuary should include in the measurement all participants reported to the actuary, except inappropriate circumstances where the actuary may exclude persons such as those below a minimum age/service level. When appropriate, the actuary may include employees who might become participants in the future.

3.6.2 Hypothetical Data

When appropriate, the actuary may prepare measurements based on assumed demographic characteristics of current or future plan participants.

3.7 Other Information from the Principal

The actuary should obtain from the principal other information, such as accounting policies or funding elections, necessary for the purpose of the measurement.

3.8 Actuarial Assumptions

The actuary should refer to ASOP Nos. 27 and 35 for guidance on the selection of actuarial assumptions.

3.9 Asset Valuation

The actuary should refer to ASOP No. 44 for guidance on the selection and use of an asset valuation method.

3.10 Measuring the Value of Accrued or Vested Benefits

Depending on the scope of the assignment, the actuary may measure the value of any accrued or vested benefits as of a measurement date. The actuary should consider the following when making such measurements:

a. relevant plan provisions and applicable law (statutes, regulations, and other legally binding authority);

b. the status of the plan (for example, whether the plan is assumed to continue to exist or be terminated);

c. the contingencies upon which benefits become payable, which may differ for ongoing-basis and termination-basis measurements;

d. the extent to which participants have satisfied relevant eligibility requirements for accrued or vested benefits and the extent to which future service or advancement in age may satisfy those requirements;

e. whether or the extent to which death, disability, or other ancillary benefits are accrued or vested;

f. whether the plan provisions regarding accrued benefits provide an appropriate attribution pattern for the purpose of the measurement (for example, following the attribution pattern of the plan provisions may not be appropriate if the plan’s benefit accruals are significantly backloaded); and

g. if the measurement reflects the impact of a special event (such as a plant shutdown or plan termination), factors such as the following:

1. the effect of the special event on continued employment;

2. the impact of the special event on participant behavior due to factors such as subsidized payment options;

3. expenses associated with a potential plan termination, including transaction costs to liquidate plan assets; and

4. changes in investment policy.

3.11 Market-Consistent Present Values

If the actuary calculates a market-consistent present value, the actuary should do the following:

a. select assumptions based on the actuary’s observation of the estimates inherent in market data in accordance with the guidance in ASOP Nos. 27 and 35, depending on the purpose of the measurement; and

b. reflect benefits earned as of the measurement date.

In addition, the actuary may consider how benefit payment default risk or the financial health of the plan sponsor affects the calculation.

3.12 Relationship Between Asset and Obligation Measurement

The actuary should reflect how plan or plan sponsor assets as of the measurement date are reported. For example, if the plan or plan sponsor assets have been reduced to reflect a lump sum paid, the lump sum or the related annuity value should be excluded from the obligation.

3.13 Actuarial Cost Method

When assigning periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions to time periods in advance of the time benefit payments are due, the actuary should select an actuarial cost method that meets the following criteria:

a. The period over which normal costs are allocated for a participant should begin no earlier than the date of employment and should not extend beyond the last assumed retirement age. The period may be applied to each individual participant or to groups of participants on an aggregate basis.

When a plan has no active participants and no participants are accruing benefits, a reasonable actuarial cost method will not produce a normal cost for benefits. For purposes of this standard, an employee does not cease to be an active participant merely because he or she is no longer accruing benefits under the plan.

b. The attribution of normal costs should bear a reasonable relationship to some element of the plan’s benefit formula or the participant’s compensation or service. The attribution basis may be applied on an individual or group basis. For example,the actuarial present value of projected benefits for each participant may be allocated by that participant’s own compensation or may be allocated by the aggregated compensation for a group of participants.

c. Expenses should be considered when assigning periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions to time periods. For example, the expenses for a period may be added to the normal cost for benefits or expenses may be reflected as an adjustment to the investment return assumption or the discount rate. As another example, expenses may be reflected as a percentage of pension obligation or normal cost.

d. The sum of the actuarial accrued liability and the actuarial present value of future normal costs should equal the actuarial present value of projected benefits and expenses, to the extent expenses are included in the actuarial accrued liability and normal cost. For purposes of this criterion, under a spread gain actuarial cost method, the sum of the actuarial value of assets and the unfunded actuarial accrued liability, if any, shall be considered to be the actuarial accrued liability.

3.14 Allocation Procedure

When selecting a cost allocation procedure or contribution allocation procedure, the actuary should consider factors such as the timing and duration of expected benefit payments and the nature and frequency of plan amendments. In addition, the actuary should consider relevant input received from the principal, such as a desire for stable or predictable periodic costs or actuarially determined contributions, or a desire to achieve a target funding level within a specified time frame.

3.14.1 Consistency Between Contribution Allocation Procedure and the Payment of Benefits

In some circumstances, a contribution allocation procedure may not be expected to produce adequate assets to make benefit payments when they are due even if the actuary uses a combination of assumptions selected in accordance with ASOP Nos. 27 and 35, an actuarial cost method selected in accordance with section 3.13 of this standard, and an asset valuation method selected in accordance with ASOP No. 44.

Examples of such circumstances include the following:

a. a plan covering a sole proprietor with funding that continues past an expected retirement date with payment due in a lump sum;

b. using the aggregate actuarial cost method for a plan covering three employees, in which the principal is near retirement and the other employees are relatively young; and

c. a plan amendment with an amortization period so long that overall plan actuarially determined contributions would be scheduled to occur too late to make plan benefit payments when due.

When selecting a contribution allocation procedure, the actuary should select a contribution allocation procedure that, in the actuary’s professional judgment, is consistent with the plan accumulating adequate assets to make benefit payments when due, assuming that all actuarial assumptions will be realized and that the plan sponsor or other contributing entity will make actuarially determined contributions when due.

In some circumstances, the actuary’s role is to determine the actuarially determined contribution, or range of actuarially determined contributions, using a contribution allocation procedure that the actuary did not select. If, in the actuary’s professional judgment, such a contribution allocation procedure is significantly inconsistent with the plan accumulating adequate assets to make benefit payments when due, assuming that all actuarial assumptions will be realized and that the plan sponsor or other contributing entity will make actuarially determined contributions when due, the actuary should disclose this in accordance with section 4.1(l).

3.14.2 Implications of Contribution Allocation Procedure or Funding Policy

The actuary should qualitatively assess the implications of the contribution allocation procedure or plan sponsor’s funding policy on the plan’s expected future contributions and funded status. For purposes of this section, contributions set by law or by a contract, such as a collective bargaining agreement, constitute a funding policy. In making this assessment, the actuary may presume that all actuarial assumptions will be realized and the sponsor (or other contributing entity) will make contributions anticipated by the contribution allocation procedure or funding policy. The actuary’s assessment required by this section should be disclosed in accordance with section 4.1(m).

3.15 Approximations and Estimates

The actuary should use professional judgment to establish a balance between the degree of refinement of methodology and materiality. The actuary may use approximations and estimates where circumstances warrant. Following are some examples of such circumstances:

a. situations in which the actuary reasonably expects the results to be substantially the same as the results of detailed calculations;

b. situations in which the actuary’s assignment requires informal or rough estimates; and

c. situations in which the actuary reasonably expects the amounts being approximated or estimated to represent only a minor part of the overall pension obligation, periodic cost, or actuarially determined contribution.

3.16 Volatility

If the scope of the actuary’s assignment includes an analysis of the potential range of future pension obligations, periodic costs, actuarially determined contributions, or funded status, the actuary should consider sources of volatility that, in the actuary’s professional judgment, are significant. Examples of potential sources of volatility include the following:

a. plan experience differing from that anticipated by the economic or demographic assumptions, as well as the effect of new entrants;

b. changes in economic or demographic assumptions;

c. the effect of discontinuities in applicable law (statutes, regulations, and other legally binding authority) or accounting standards, such as full funding limitations, the end of amortization periods, or liability recognition triggers;

d. the delayed effect of smoothing techniques, such as the pending recognition of prior experience losses; and

e. patterns of rising or falling periodic cost expected when using a particular actuarial cost method for the plan population.

When analyzing potential variations in economic and demographic experience or assumptions, the actuary should exercise professional judgment in selecting a range of variation in these assumptions (while maintaining internal consistency among these assumptions, as appropriate) and in selecting a methodology by which to analyze them, consistent with the scope of the assignment.

3.17 Evaluation of Assumptions and Methods

An actuarial communication should identify the party responsible for each material assumption and method. Where the communication is silent about such responsibility, the actuary who issued the communication will be assumed to have taken responsibility for that assumption or method.

3.17.1 Prescribed Assumption or Method Set by Another Party

The actuary should evaluate whether a prescribed assumption or method set by another party is reasonable for the purpose of the measurement, except as provided in section 3.17.3. The actuary should be guided by Precept 8 of the Code of Professional Conduct, which states, “An Actuary who performs Actuarial Services shall take reasonable steps to ensure that such services are not used to mislead other parties.” For purposes of this evaluation, reasonable assumptions or methods are not necessarily limited to those the actuary would have selected for the measurement.

3.17.2 Evaluating Prescribed Assumption or Method

When evaluating a prescribed assumption or method set by another party, the actuary should determine whether the prescribed assumption or method significantly conflicts with what, in the actuary’s professional judgment, would be reasonable for the purpose of the measurement. If, in the actuary’s professional judgment, there is a significant conflict, the actuary should disclose this conflict in accordance with section 4.2(a).

3.17.3 Inability to Evaluate Prescribed Assumption or Method

If the actuary is unable to evaluate a prescribed assumption or method set by another party without performing a substantial amount of additional work beyond the scope of the assignment, the actuary should disclose this in accordance with section 4.2(b).

Section 4.Communications and Disclosures

4.1 Communication Requirements

Any actuarial communication prepared to communicate the results of work subject to this standard should comply with the requirements of ASOP Nos. 23, 27, 35, 41, and 44. In addition, such communication should contain the following disclosures when relevant and material. An actuarial communication can comply with some, or all, of the specific requirements of this section by making reference to information contained in other actuarial communications available to the intended users (as defined in ASOP No. 41), such as an annual actuarial valuation report.

a. a statement of the intended purpose of the measurement and a statement to the effect that the measurement may not be applicable for other purposes;

b. the measurement date;

c. a description of adjustments made for events after the measurement date under section 3.4.2;

d. an outline or summary of the plan provisions included in the actuarial valuation, a description of known changes in significant plan provisions included in the actuarial valuation from those used in the immediately preceding measurement prepared for a similar purpose, and a description of any significant plan provisions not included in the actuarial valuation, along with the rationale for not including such significant plan provisions;

e. the date(s) as of which the participant and financial information were compiled;

f. a summary of the participant information;

g. if hypothetical data are used, a description of the data;

h. a description of any accounting policies or funding elections made by the principal that are pertinent to the measurement;

i. a description of the methods used to value any significant benefit provisions described in section 3.5.3 such that another actuary qualified in the same practice area could make an objective appraisal of the reasonableness of the actuary’s work as presented in the actuarial report;

j. a description of the actuarial cost method and the manner in which normal costs are allocated, in sufficient detail to permit another actuary qualified in the same practice area to assess the significant characteristics of the method (for example, how the actuarial cost method is applied to multiple benefit formulas, compound benefit formulas, or benefit formula changes, where such plan provisions are significant);

k. a description of the cost allocation procedure or contribution allocation procedure including a description of amortization methods and any pay-as-you- go funding (i.e., the intended payment by the plan sponsor of some or all benefits when due). The actuary should disclose the outstanding amortization balance, the amortization payment included in the periodic cost or actuarially determined contribution, and the remaining amortization period for each amortization base along with a disclosure if the unfunded actuarial accrued liability is not expected to be fully amortized. For purposes of this section, the actuary should assume that all actuarial assumptions will be realized and actuarially determined contributions will be made when due;

l. a statement indicating that the contribution allocation procedure is significantly inconsistent with the plan accumulating adequate assets to make benefit payments when due, if applicable in accordance with section 3.14.1;

m. a qualitative description of the implications of the contribution allocation procedure or plan sponsor’s funding policy on future expected plan contributions and funded status in accordance with section 3.14.2. The actuary should disclose the significant characteristics of the contribution allocation procedure or plan sponsor’s funding policy, and the significant assumptions used in the assessment;

n. a description of the types of benefits regarded as accrued or vested if the actuary measured the value of accrued or vested benefits, and, to the extent the attribution pattern of accrued benefits differs from or is not described by the plan provisions, a description of the attribution pattern;

o. a description of whether and how benefit payment default risk or the financial health of the plan sponsor was included, if a market-consistent present value measurement was performed;

p. funded status based on an immediate gain actuarial cost method if the actuary discloses a funded status based on a spread gain actuarial cost method. The immediate gain actuarial cost method used for this purpose should be disclosed in accordance with section 4.1(j);

q. if applicable, a description of the particular measures of plan assets and plan obligations that are included in the actuary’s disclosure of the plan’s funded status. For funded status measurements that are not prescribed by federal law or regulation, the actuary should accompany this description with each of the following additional disclosures:

1. whether the funded status measure is appropriate for assessing the sufficiency of plan assets to cover the estimated cost of settling the plan’s benefit obligations;

2. whether the funded status measure is appropriate for assessing the need for or the amount of future contributions; and

3. if applicable, a statement that the funded status measure would be different if the measure reflected the market value of assets rather than the actuarial value of assets.

r. a statement, appropriate for the intended users, indicating that future measurements (for example, of pension obligations, periodic costs, actuarially determined contributions, or funded status as applicable) may differ significantly from the current measurement. For example, a statement such as the following could be applicable: “Future actuarial measurements may differ significantly from the current measurements presented in this report due to such factors as the following: plan experience differing from that anticipated by the economic or demographic assumptions; changes in economic or demographic assumptions; increases or decreases expected as part of the natural operation of the methodology used for these measurements (such as the end of an amortization period or additional cost or contribution requirements based on the plan’s funded status); and changes in plan provisions or applicable law.”

In addition, the actuarial communication should include one of the following:

1. if the scope of the actuary’s assignment included an analysis of the range of such future measurements, disclosure of the results of such analysis together with a description of the factors considered in determining such range; or

2. a statement indicating that, due to the limited scope of the actuary’s assignment, the actuary did not perform an analysis of the potential range of such future measurements;

s. a description of known changes in assumptions and methods from those used in the immediately preceding measurement prepared for a similar purpose. For assumption and method changes that are not the result of a prescribed assumption or method set by another party or a prescribed assumption or method set by law, the actuary should include an explanation of the information and analysis that led to those changes. The explanation may be brief but should be pertinent to the plan’s circumstances;

t. a description of all changes in cost allocation procedures or contribution allocation procedures that are not a result of a prescribed assumption or method set by law, including the resetting of an actuarial asset value. The actuary should disclose the reason for the change and the general effects of the change on relevant periodic cost, actuarially determined contribution, funded status, or other measures, by words or numerical data, as appropriate. The disclosure of the reason for the change and the general effects of the change may be brief but should be pertinent to the plan’s circumstances;

u. a description of adjustments of prior measurements used under section 3.4.3; and

v. if, in the actuary’s professional judgment, the actuary’s use of approximations and estimates could produce results that differ materially from results based on a detailed calculation, a statement to this effect.

4.2 Disclosure about Prescribed Assumptions or Methods

The actuary’s communication should state the source of any prescribed assumptions or methods.

With respect to prescribed assumptions or methods set by another party, the actuary’s communication should identify the following, if applicable:

a. any prescribed assumption or method set by another party that significantly conflicts with what, in the actuary’s professional judgment, would be reasonable for the purpose of the measurement (section 3.17.2); or

b. any prescribed assumption or method set by another party that the actuary is unable to evaluate for reasonableness for the purpose of the measurement (section 3.17.3).

4.3 Additional Disclosures

The actuary should also include the following, as applicable, in an actuarial communication:

a. the disclosure in ASOP No. 41, section 4.3, if the actuary states reliance on other sources and thereby disclaims responsibility for any material assumption or method set by a party other than the actuary; and

b. the disclosure in ASOP No. 41, section 4.4, if, in the actuary’s professional judgment, the actuary has otherwise deviated materially from the guidance of this ASOP.

4.4 Confidential Information

Nothing in this standard is intended to require the actuary to disclose confidential information.

Appendix 1 Comments on the Second Exposure Draft and Responses

The second exposure draft of this revision of ASOP No. 4, Measuring Pension Obligations and Determining Pension Plan Costs or Contributions,was issued in December 2012 with a comment deadline of May 31, 2013. Thirteen comment letters were received, some of which were submitted on behalf of multiple commentators, such as by firms or committees. For purposes of this appendix, the term “commentator” may refer to more than one person associated with a particular comment letter. The Pension Committee carefully considered all comments received, and the ASB reviewed (and modified, where appropriate) the proposed changes.

Click here to view Appendix 1 in its entirety.