AWC Personnel News - August 2008  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
 Pension Contribution Rates Set For 2009-2011 Biennium
 Latest CPI Data
 AWC 2008 Annual Salary & Benefit Survey – Available Now
 IRS Increases Mileage Rates Through December 31, 2008
 Proposed Expansion of ADA Will Impact Local Governments
 Time to Review Email Policies and Practices
 New Rule on Heat-Related Illness
 The Next Generation of Leadership in Government – Are You Prepared?
 Leave for Family of Military Personnel & Increased Paid Military Leave
 Worker’s Comp Dividends in the Mail – Benefits to Injured Workers Increase
 What to Do When You’ve Discovered an FLSA Violation
 LEOFF 1 Medical and Long-Term Care Costs Update
 Thanks to our Sponsors!
 New Medicare Opt-in Legislation
 Upcoming Conferences and Workshops


Pension Contribution Rates Set For 2009-2011 Biennium

The Pension Funding Council adopted pension contribution rates for 2009-2011, as recommended by the Office of the State Actuary.

The Pension Funding Council adopted pension contribution rates for 2009-2011, as recommended by the Office of the State Actuary. The new rates assume a 4.25% general salary growth (down from 4.50%) and mortality improvements which assume members will live longer. The following charts provide information on current and newly-adopted rates, which go into effect on July 1, 2009.

Employer Contribution Rates*

System

2009-11 Rates

Current Rates

Difference

PERS 1/2/3

8%

8.31%

-0.31%

LEOFF 1

.16%

.16%

0.00%

PSERS

10.22%

9.43%

0.79%

*Includes current DRS administrative expense rate of 0.16%

Member Contribution Rates

System

2009-11 Rates

Current Rates

Difference

PERS 2**

4.61%

5.45%

-0.84%

LEOFF 1

0.00%

0.00%

0.00%

PSERS

6.94%

6.57%

0.37%

** PERS 1 member contribution rates are set in statute at 6%. PERS 3 members contribute to the defined contribution portion of their benefit at a self-selected rate.

The Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters’ Plan 2 Retirement Board (LEOFF 2 Board) adopted future pension contribution rates based on a four-year schedule. The LEOFF 2 Board has the discretion to adopt rates periodically based on the Office of the State Actuary’s (ASO) actuarial valuation or they could adopt a fixed rate based on the plan’s expected long-term cost.

The following fixed rate plan, based on the OSA’s June 30, 2007 Actuarial Valuation Report and projected improvements in mortality (longer life span), results in slightly lower future contribution rates. The LEOFF 2 Board did not elect to adopt the ASO’s reduced salary growth assumption.

LEOFF Plan 2 Contribution Rates

 

Member

Employer***

July 1, 2009 –
June 30, 2013

8.45%

5.23%

Current rates
through June 30, 2009

8.83%

5.46%

***Includes current DRS administrative expense rate of 0.16%