Retirement Benefits
Rudd and Wisdom provides a complete range of retirement benefits consulting and administrative services to sponsors and trustees of Defined Benefit Plans, Defined Contribution Plans, Postretirement Medical, Dental and Life Insurance Benefit Plans (OPEB), and Welfare Benefit and Cafeteria Plans.
Our Services
Plan Design
- Analyze client’s existing plans for consistency with client objectives and coordination with other client plans and governmental plans in order to avoid gaps and duplication
- Design new plans or modify existing plans to meet client objectives within the framework of Federal laws and regulations
- Assist management with decision making by evaluating benefit designs via:
- Actuarial cost studies and benefit illustrations
- Cash flow and expense projections
- Retirement income replacement illustrations
Plan Administration
- Perform actuarial valuations for defined benefit pension plans for purposes of funding requirements (e.g., ERISA minimum required contributions) and Accounting requirements, including:
- FASB Accounting Standards Codifications – ASC 715 (includes statements formerly known as SFAS Nos. 87, 88, 132(R) and 158)
- GASB Nos. 67 and 68
- SSAP No. 102
- Perform actuarial valuations for defined benefit postretirement benefit (OPEB) plans for purposes of Accounting requirements, including:
- FASB Accounting Standards Codifications – ASC 715 (includes statements formerly known as SFAS Nos. 106, 132(R) and 158)
- GASB Nos. 74 and 75
- SSAP No. 92
- Create and operate Participant Accessed Web-Based Benefit Estimator to:
- Enable plan administrator to prepare individual benefit estimates
- Grant participants the ability to tailor their own benefit estimates based on different termination dates, retirement dates and pay increases
- Share plan-related documents with participants electronically (e.g., SPDs and Plan Documents)
- Prepare governmental reporting forms and PBGC premium payment and reporting forms
- Certify individual benefit calculations, including preparation of all related forms and materials
- Prepare employee benefit statements
- Prepare annual AFTAP Certifications
- Prepare Annual Funding Notices
- Perform Nondiscrimination Tests
- Assist plan administrator in the development of recordkeeping procedures
- Assist plan administrator in the preparation of administrative manuals, forms and tables
- Assist with Rate Setting for self-insured health benefit plans
- Provide Actuarial Attestations for Retiree Drug Subsidy applications under Medicare Part D
Management Information
- Periodically review plan operation with client and other interested parties
- Communicate actuarial aspects of plan design to client and plan participants
- Analyze trends in retirement plans including impact of changes in Social Security laws and other legislation
- Analyze financial reporting effects of plan operations and plan changes
- Analyze financial implications of various benefit and compensation related matters associated with actual and potential mergers and acquisitions
Plan Implementation
- Perform in-house or assist client’s legal counsel with:
- Drafting plan documents and amendments
- Preparing filings for the IRS and DOL
- Preparing employee communications including individual benefit illustrations
Employee Communications
- Assist in the preparation of communication tools, including plan announcements, plan booklets and individual employee benefit statements
- Participate in employee meetings to explain plan provisions and answer questions
- Create and maintain Participant Accessed Web-Based Benefit Estimator
Legislative Analysis and Testimony
- Develop actuarial cost estimates of various legislative proposals dealing with public retirement issues and mandated health benefits
- Participate in employee meetings to explain plan provisions and answer questions
- Testify before legislative subcommittees and regulatory commissions regarding issues of actuarial concern
