WASHINGTON–A new report from the Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) and AARP provides policymakers and stakeholders with an overview of the use of variable benefit and contribution arrangements in public pension plans. Under variable benefit and contribution arrangements, a pre-set formula drives occasional adjustments - increases or decreases - in retirement benefits and/or contributions to help maintain the long-term sustainability of the pension plan.

Such arrangements can add flexibility and create potential benefits for plans and beneficiaries alike, while preserving the underlying defined benefit pension system. The report also offers six case studies of variable arrangements implemented in Colorado, Iowa, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin. 

The new research, Proactive Pension Management: An Elected Official’s Guide to Variable Benefit and Contribution Arrangements, is available here.

Register here at no charge for a webinar reviewing the report scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, 2019, at 1:00 PM ET.

“Public pension systems often require fine-tuning to ensure stable finances,” said Gerald Young, SLGE senior research associate and report author. “Reacting to every change in demographic trends or market conditions would place a significant burden on the available time of legislators and their staff, while also impacting the predictability of public pension benefits and their value in recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce. One strategy for meeting those needs in a proactive way is to implement variable benefit and/or variable contribution arrangements. Under such arrangements, a pre-set formula drives occasional adjustments in the plan to maintain long-term stability,” Young explained.

This is the second elected officials guide AARP has produced with the Center for State and Local Government Excellence. The first, Understanding Public Pensions: A Guide for Elected Officials, provides an overview of public pensions and how they help to provide a secure retirement for the public sector workforce, including teachers, police officers and firefighter. This new guide released today builds on the earlier report. 

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The Center for State and Local Government Excellence (SLGE) helps local and state governments become knowledgeable and competitive employers so they can attract and retain a talented and committed workforce. SLGE identifies leading practices and conducts research on public retirement plans, health and wellness benefits, workforce demographics and skill set needs and labor force development. SLGE brings state and local leaders together with respected researchers. Access all SLGE publications and sign up for its newsletter at slge.org and follow @4GovtExcellence on Twitter.