SURS Facts – Money Purchase Factor Change
Background Information
When SURS calculates a retirement benefit, all eligible calculation types are performed and the annuity is based on the calculation that provides the highest benefit. For most defined-benefit members, this is a comparison between the General Formula and the Money Purchase calculation. Approximately 35 percent of SURS retirements are highest using the Money Purchase calculation. The Money Purchase calculation, however, is not available to members who first became participants on or after July 1, 2005.
How are the Money Purchase factors used?
While the General Formula is based on a member’s age, years of service, and earnings averages, the Money Purchase utilizes the member’s age, normal retirement contributions, and interest at retirement to determine the benefit amount. The Money Purchase factors are, in effect, an actuarial representation of the member’s life expectancy. The Money Purchase factors are used to divide the member’s normal retirement contributions and interest into the monthly annuity, based upon their age at retirement.
Why do Money Purchase factors change?
State statute requires SURS to conduct an actuarial experience study (full review of economic and demographicassumptions) at least every three years. In addition, the state actuary recommends an economic assumption study be completed annually. The results of these studies are then evaluated to determine which, if any, of the assumptions need modification to provide better estimates of future liability and asset growth for the System. If the assumptions are modified, the Money Purchase factors also change accordingly to reflect the changes in economic conditions, demographics and life expectancies.
When will factors be changing?
The Money Purchase factors used to determine monthly annuity benefits changed July 2, 2022, based upon the most recent experience study conducted by SURS actuaries.
Will the factor changes impact everyone?
The factor changes will not affect current annuitants or survivor benefit recipients. They will also have no impact on Retirement Savings Plan members or members who first became participants on or after July 1, 2005, because they are not eligible for the Money Purchase calculation that uses the factors. As noted in the Background Information section, the Money Purchase calculation does not always provide the highest benefit for members. If a member’s retirement annuity is highest under a calculation method other than the Money Purchase, they will experience no reduction in benefit based upon the changing factors.
How will the change affect benefits?
The new factors resulted in a lower monthly benefit payment for those who retired on or after the July 2, 2022, effective date, if their benefit was calculated to be highest using the Money Purchase calculation. It is estimated that the monthly benefit paid from the Money Purchase will be reduced on average by approximately 2% to 4% if retirement is deferred until after the new factors take effect. SURS estimates that active participants can recover this monthly reduction by delaying retirement for approximately three to four months, due to the additional contributions and interest that would be added. Inactive participants would need to delay retirement for approximately 4 to 6 months, because only interest would be added.
How can I determine the impact to my benefit?
The actual reduction in a monthly annuity calculated using the Money Purchase is unique to each individual member. For this reason, SURS encourages members to use the Benefit Estimator by logging on to the Member Website at www.surs.org. Members can gain a clearer picture on how the factor changes could impact them and their retirement date by performing estimates for retirement dates before and after July 2, 2022, and then comparing the results. Click here to view a simple guide which may assist you in determining if you might be impacted. There is also an explanatory Money Purchase Factor Changes video available on our videos page.