02-14-11 Regular Meeting of Fiscal Affairs Committee

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CITY OF LA PORTE, TEXAS Notes to the Financial Statements September 30, 2010 10. Post - Employment Benefits — Continued Actuarial Methods and Assumptions. Projections of benefits for financial reporting purposes are based on the substantive plan (the plan as understood by the employer and plan members) and include the types of benefits provided at the time of each valuation and the historical pattern of sharing benefit costs between the employer and plan members to that point. The actuarial methods and assumptions used include techniques that are designed to reduce the effects of short-term volatility in actuarial accrued liabilities and the actuarial value of assets, consistent with the Tong -term perspective of the calculations. In the December 31,2008, actuarial valuation, the projected unit credit actuarial cost method was used. The actuarial assumptions included a 4.5 percent investment rate of return compounded annually (net of administrative expenses), which is a blended rate of the expected long -term investment returns on plan assets and on the employer's own investments calculated based on the funded level of the plan at the valuation date, an annual healthcare cost trend rate of 10 percent initially, reduced by decrements to an ultimate rate of 4.5 percent after 10 years, and a payroll growth rate for projecting normal cost of 3 percent. These rates include a 3 percent inflation assumption. The actuarial value of assets was determined using techniques that spread the effects of short-term volatility in the market value of investments over a five -year period. The UAAL is being amortized as a level percentage of payroll contributions over a 30 year period assuming payroll growth of 3 percent. The remaining amortization period at September 30, 2010, was 29 years. Supplemental Death Benefits Fund The City also participates in the cost sharing multiple - employer defined benefit group term life insurance plan operated by the Texas Municipal Retirement System (TMRS) known as the Supplemental Death Benefits Fund (SDBF). The City elected, by ordinance to provide group term life insurance coverage to both current and retired employees. The city may terminate coverage under and discontinue participation in the SDBF by adopting an ordinance before November 1 of any year to be effective the following January 1. The death benefit for active employees provides a lump sum payment approximately equal to the employee's annual salary (calculated based on the employee's actual earnings, for the 12 -month period preceding the month of death); retired employees are insured for $7,500; this coverage is an "other postemployment benefit, " or OPEB. The city contributes to SDBF at a contractually required rate as determined by an annual actuarial valuation. The rate is equal to the cost of providing one -year term life insurance. The funding policy for the SDBF program is to assure that adequate resources are available to meet all death benefit payments for the upcoming year; the intent is not to pre -fund retiree term life insurance during employee's entire careers. 74