Notice 2015-53 - Notice 2015–53

Notice 2015-53 - Notice 2015–53

Notice 2015–53

Updated Static Mortality Tables for Defined Benefit Pension Plans for 2016

PURPOSE

This notice provides updated static mortality tables to be used for defined benefit pension plans under § 430(h)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and § 303(h)(3)(A) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93–406, as amended (ERISA). These updated tables, which are being issued using the methodology in the existing final regulations under § 430(h)(3)(A), apply for purposes of calculating the funding target and other items for valuation dates occurring during calendar year 2016.

This notice also includes a modified unisex version of the mortality tables for use in determining minimum present value under § 417(e)(3) of the Code and § 205(g)(3) of ERISA for distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods beginning in the 2016 calendar year.

BACKGROUND

Section 412 of the Code provides minimum funding requirements that generally apply for defined benefit plans. Section 412(a)(2) provides that § 430 specifies the minimum funding requirements that generally apply to defined benefit plans that are not multiemployer plans. Section 430(a) defines the minimum required contribution for such a plan by reference to the plan’s funding target for the plan year.

Section 430(h)(3) provides rules regarding the mortality tables to be used under § 430. Under § 430(h)(3)(A), except as provided in § 430(h)(3)(C) or (D), the Secretary is to prescribe by regulation mortality tables to be used in determining any present value or making any computation under § 430. Those tables are to be based on the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in that experience. Section 430(h)(3)(B) provides that periodically (at least every 10 years) these mortality tables shall be revised to reflect the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in that experience.

Section 430(h)(3)(C) provides that, upon request by a plan sponsor and approval by the Secretary, substitute mortality tables that meet the applicable requirements may be used in lieu of the standard mortality tables provided under § 430(h)(3)(A). Section 430(h)(3)(D) provides for the use of separate mortality tables with respect to certain individuals who are entitled to benefits on account of disability, with separate tables for those whose disabilities occurred in plan years beginning before January 1, 1995, and those whose disabilities occurred in plan years beginning after December 31, 1994. These separate mortality tables are permitted to be used with respect to disabled individuals in lieu of the generally applicable mortality tables provided pursuant to § 430(h)(3)(A) or the substitute mortality tables under § 430(h)(3)(C).

Determination of Minimum Funding Requirements under § 430

Section 1.430(h)(3)–1 of the regulations provides for mortality tables, based on the tables contained in the RP–2000 Mortality Tables Report,[1] adjusted for mortality improvement using Projection Scale AA as recommended in that report. Section 1.430(h)(3)–1 generally requires the use of separate tables for nonannuitant and annuitant periods for large plans (those with over 500 participants as of the valuation date). Sponsors of small plans (those with 500 or fewer participants as of the valuation date) are permitted to use combined tables that apply the same mortality rates to both annuitants and nonannuitants.

Section 1.430(h)(3)–1 describes the methodology that the IRS will use to establish mortality tables as provided under § 430(h)(3)(A). The mortality tables set forth in § 1.430(h)(3)–1 are based on expected mortality as of 2000 and reflect the impact of expected improvements in mortality. The regulations permit plan sponsors to apply the projection of mortality improvement in either of two ways: through use of static tables that are updated annually to reflect expected improvements in mortality, or through use of generational tables. The regulations include static mortality tables for use in actuarial valuations as of valuation dates occurring in 2008 and provide that the mortality tables for valuation dates occurring in future years are to be provided in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. Notice 2008–85, 2008–42 IRB 905, sets forth the static mortality tables that apply under § 430(h)(3)(A) for valuation dates during 2009 through 2013. Notice 2013–49, 2013–32 IRB 127, provides static mortality tables for valuation dates during 2014 and 2015.

Notice 2013–49 also requested comments regarding the publication of mortality tables for future years, and several comments were received. The Treasury Department and the IRS also received additional comments in response to the RP–2014 Mortality Tables Report[2] and the Mortality Improvement Scale MP–2014 Report.[3] The Treasury Department and the IRS are considering the comments received and expect to issue proposed regulations revising the base mortality rates and projection factors in § 1.430(h)(3)–1. However, in order to give time for notice and comment on the proposed regulations, the new regulations will not apply until 2017.

After regulations implementing new mortality tables are finalized, as additional data regarding mortality improvement for more recent years becomes available, the Treasury Department and IRS expect to regularly review trends in mortality improvement and will update the projection of mortality improvement as necessary.

Application of These Tables for Other Funding Rules

For a plan for which the effective date of § 430 is delayed pursuant to section 104 of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Public Law 109–280, as amended (PPA ’06), current liability under § 412(l)(7) (as in effect prior to the enactment of PPA ’06) must be determined in order to calculate the plan’s minimum required contribution. For this purpose, § 1.412(l)(7)–1(a) provides that for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2008, the mortality tables described in § 430(h)(3)(A) are to be used to determine current liability under § 412(l)(7) for nondisabled participants.

Section 1.431(c)(6)–1 provides that the same mortality assumptions that apply for purposes of § 430(h)(3)(A) and § 1.430(h)(3)–1(a)(2) are used to determine a multiemployer plan’s current liability for purposes of applying the full-funding rules of § 431(c)(6). For this purpose, a multiemployer plan is permitted to apply either the annually-adjusted static mortality tables or the generational mortality tables.

Section 433 provides the minimum funding standards for CSEC plans, which are described in section 414(y). Section 433(h)(3)(B)(i) provides that the Secretary may by regulation prescribe mortality tables to be used in determining current liability for purposes of § 433(c)(7)(C). The Treasury Department and the IRS expect to issue regulations prescribing that the mortality tables described in § 430(h)(3)(A) are to be used to determine current liability under § 433(c)(7)(C).

Application of Mortality Tables for Minimum Present Value Requirements under § 417(e)(3)

Section 417(e)(3) generally provides that the present value of certain benefits under a qualified pension plan (including single-sum distributions) cannot be less than the present value of the accrued benefit using applicable interest rates and the applicable mortality table. Under § 1.417(e)–1(d), these rules must also be used to compute the present value of a plan benefit for purposes of determining whether consent for a distribution is required under § 411(a)(11)(A).

Section 417(e)(3)(B) defines the term “applicable mortality table” as the mortality table specified for the plan year under § 430(h)(3)(A) (without regard to § 430(h)(3)(C) or (D)), modified as appropriate by the Secretary.

Rev. Rul. 2007–67, 2007–2 CB 1047, provides that, except as otherwise stated in future guidance, the applicable mortality table under § 417(e)(3) for 2008 is based on a fixed blend of 50% of the static male combined mortality rates and 50% of the static female combined mortality rates promulgated under § 1.430(h)(3)–1(c)(3) of the proposed regulations (which have since been issued as final regulations). The applicable mortality table for purposes of § 417(e)(3) is not a generational table. Rev. Rul. 2007–67 also provides that the applicable mortality table for a given year applies to distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods that begin during that calendar year. Rev. Rul. 2007–67 further states that the § 417(e)(3) applicable mortality table for each subsequent year will be published in future guidance and, except as provided in that future guidance, will be determined from the § 430(h)(3)(A) tables on the same basis as the applicable mortality table for 2008. Notice 2008–85 set forth the § 417(e)(3) applicable mortality tables for distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods beginning during calendar years 2009 through 2013. Notice 2013–49 set forth the § 417(e)(3) applicable mortality tables for distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods beginning during calendar years 2014 and 2015.

STATIC MORTALITY TABLES FOR 2016

This notice sets forth the mortality tables for minimum funding and present value requirements for 2016.

The static mortality tables that apply under § 430(h)(3)(A) for valuation dates occurring during 2016 are set forth in the appendix to this notice. The mortality rates in these tables have been developed from the base mortality rates, projection factors, and weighting factors set forth in § 1.430(h)(3)–1(d), using the blending techniques described in the preamble to those regulations.

The static mortality tables that apply under § 417(e)(3) for distributions with annuity starting dates occurring during stability periods beginning in 2016 are set forth in the appendix to this notice in the column labeled “Unisex.” These tables were derived from the tables used for § 430(h)(3)(A) following the procedures set forth in Rev. Rul. 2007–67.

Drafting Information

The principal authors of this notice are Michael P. Brewer and Linda S. F. Marshall of the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities). For further information regarding this notice, contact Michael Brewer or Linda Marshall (202) 317-6700 (not a toll-free number).

APPENDIX

Mortality tables for valuation dates occurring during 2016 and distributions subject to § 417(e)(3) with annuity starting dates occurring during stability periods beginning in 2016
AgeMALEMALEMALEFEMALEFEMALEFEMALEUNISEX
------------------------
2016 Non-Annuitant Table2016 Annuitant Table2016 Optional Combined Table for Small Plans2016 Non-Annuitant Table2016 Annuitant Table2016 Optional Combined Table for Small Plans2016 Table for Distributions Subject to § 417(e)(3)
------------------------
10.0003410.0003410.0003410.0003050.0003050.0003050.000323
20.0002300.0002300.0002300.0001990.0001990.0001990.000215
30.0001910.0001910.0001910.0001490.0001490.0001490.000170
40.0001490.0001490.0001490.0001110.0001110.0001110.000130
50.0001360.0001360.0001360.0001010.0001010.0001010.000119
60.0001300.0001300.0001300.0000940.0000940.0000940.000112
70.0001250.0001250.0001250.0000880.0000880.0000880.000107
80.0001150.0001150.0001150.0000790.0000790.0000790.000097
90.0001120.0001120.0001120.0000750.0000750.0000750.000094
100.0001130.0001130.0001130.0000750.0000750.0000750.000094
110.0001170.0001170.0001170.0000760.0000760.0000760.000097
120.0001220.0001220.0001220.0000790.0000790.0000790.000101
130.0001280.0001280.0001280.0000830.0000830.0000830.000106
140.0001400.0001400.0001400.0000920.0000920.0000920.000116
150.0001480.0001480.0001480.0001030.0001030.0001030.000126
160.0001570.0001570.0001570.0001110.0001110.0001110.000134
170.0001660.0001660.0001660.0001190.0001190.0001190.000143
180.0001740.0001740.0001740.0001210.0001210.0001210.000148
190.0001830.0001830.0001830.0001190.0001190.0001190.000151
200.0001900.0001900.0001900.0001160.0001160.0001160.000153
210.0002030.0002030.0002030.0001130.0001130.0001130.000158
220.0002150.0002150.0002150.0001140.0001140.0001140.000165
230.0002330.0002330.0002330.0001190.0001190.0001190.000176
240.0002510.0002510.0002510.0001260.0001260.0001260.000189
250.0002750.0002750.0002750.0001340.0001340.0001340.000205
260.0003140.0003140.0003140.0001470.0001470.0001470.000231
270.0003270.0003270.0003270.0001530.0001530.0001530.000240
280.0003360.0003360.0003360.0001620.0001620.0001620.000249
290.0003530.0003530.0003530.0001710.0001710.0001710.000262
300.0003800.0003800.0003800.0001930.0001930.0001930.000287
310.0004270.0004270.0004270.0002390.0002390.0002390.000333
320.0004810.0004810.0004810.0002730.0002730.0002730.000377
330.0005400.0005400.0005400.0002980.0002980.0002980.000419
340.0006010.0006010.0006010.0003190.0003190.0003190.000460
350.0006620.0006620.0006620.0003370.0003370.0003370.000500
360.0007200.0007200.0007200.0003540.0003540.0003540.000537
370.0007740.0007740.0007740.0003690.0003690.0003690.000572
380.0008000.0008000.0008000.0003860.0003860.0003860.000593
390.0008210.0008210.0008210.0004060.0004060.0004060.000614
400.0008410.0008410.0008410.0004420.0004420.0004420.000642
410.0008630.0008900.0008630.0004840.0004840.0004840.000674
420.0008900.0009870.0008910.0005330.0005330.0005330.000712
430.0009220.0011330.0009250.0005860.0005860.0005860.000756
440.0009610.0013280.0009680.0006440.0006440.0006440.000806
450.0010050.0015720.0010180.0006820.0006890.0006820.000850
460.0010440.0018640.0010660.0007190.0007780.0007200.000893
470.0010850.0022050.0011210.0007550.0009120.0007590.000940
480.0011280.0025950.0011810.0008170.0010900.0008260.001004
490.0011720.0030340.0012480.0008830.0013130.0009010.001075
500.0012170.0035210.0013210.0009850.0015800.0010150.001168
510.0012620.0035560.0013760.0011000.0016970.0011350.001256
520.0013090.0035460.0014620.0012710.0019140.0013190.001391
530.0014010.0035950.0016100.0014680.0021930.0015370.001574
540.0015030.0036430.0017790.0017000.0025320.0017990.001789
550.0016710.0037980.0021100.0019690.0029350.0021520.002131
560.0018830.0040330.0025650.0022870.0034180.0026100.002588
570.0021320.0043440.0029680.0025770.0039080.0030300.002999
580.0024240.0047580.0034510.0028170.0043850.0034250.003438
590.0026770.0051650.0039180.0030810.0049290.0038870.003903
600.0029590.0056560.0044780.0033650.0055250.0044350.004457
610.0033690.0063580.0052630.0036680.0061660.0051180.005191
620.0037040.0070040.0060480.0039860.0068520.0058770.005963
630.0041800.0079180.0071340.0043140.0075820.0067720.006953
640.0045400.0087610.0080670.0046480.0083720.0076430.007855
650.0048920.0097030.0091410.0049830.0092350.0086190.008880
660.0053980.0110040.0106230.0053140.0101700.0097420.010183
670.0057310.0121820.0118660.0056360.0111750.0108240.011345
680.0058580.0131600.0128960.0059450.0122710.0119690.012433
690.0061430.0145370.0142970.0062400.0135030.0132320.013765
700.0062100.0156860.0154400.0065170.0149190.0146340.015037
710.0070260.0173560.0171140.0071080.0161770.0159000.016507
720.0086580.0192710.0190500.0082900.0179940.0177310.018391
730.0111060.0214650.0212760.0100640.0195430.0193180.020297
740.0143690.0239460.0237970.0124290.0216600.0214730.022635
750.0184480.0273560.0272400.0153850.0233650.0232290.025235
760.0233430.0304900.0304160.0189320.0257430.0256500.028033
770.0290540.0347150.0346710.0230710.0290170.0289560.031814
780.0355810.0394860.0394660.0278010.0319860.0319580.035712
790.0429240.0449150.0449100.0331220.0353140.0353070.040109
800.0510830.0510830.0510830.0390340.0390340.0390340.045059
810.0585160.0585160.0585160.0432040.0432040.0432040.050860
820.0669100.0669100.0669100.0478960.0478960.0478960.057403
830.0745840.0745840.0745840.0531810.0531810.0531810.063883
840.0848930.0848930.0848930.0591460.0591460.0591460.072020
850.0942330.0942330.0942330.0674350.0674350.0674350.080834
860.1044770.1044770.1044770.0769700.0769700.0769700.090724
870.1184580.1184580.1184580.0878530.0878530.0878530.103156
880.1341920.1341920.1341920.0978540.0978540.0978540.116023
890.1482980.1482980.1482980.1111980.1111980.1111980.129748
900.1672570.1672570.1672570.1228900.1228900.1228900.145074
910.1821770.1821770.1821770.1349490.1349490.1349490.158563
920.2021420.2021420.2021420.1470940.1470940.1470940.174618
930.2180600.2180600.2180600.1627630.1627630.1627630.190412
940.2339540.2339540.2339540.1745730.1745730.1745730.204264
950.2554530.2554530.2554530.1857560.1857560.1857560.220605
960.2711290.2711290.2711290.1961370.1961370.1961370.233633
970.2863580.2863580.2863580.2103440.2103440.2103440.248351
980.3081230.3081230.3081230.2188520.2188520.2188520.263488
990.3226950.3226950.3226950.2261230.2261230.2261230.274409
1000.3367180.3367180.3367180.2320650.2320650.2320650.284392
1010.3586280.3586280.3586280.2448340.2448340.2448340.301731
1020.3716850.3716850.3716850.2544980.2544980.2544980.313092
1030.3830400.3830400.3830400.2660440.2660440.2660440.324542
1040.3920030.3920030.3920030.2790550.2790550.2790550.335529
1050.3978860.3978860.3978860.2931160.2931160.2931160.345501
1060.4000000.4000000.4000000.3078110.3078110.3078110.353906
1070.4000000.4000000.4000000.3227250.3227250.3227250.361363
1080.4000000.4000000.4000000.3374410.3374410.3374410.368721
1090.4000000.4000000.4000000.3515440.3515440.3515440.375772
1100.4000000.4000000.4000000.3646170.3646170.3646170.382309
1110.4000000.4000000.4000000.3762460.3762460.3762460.388123
1120.4000000.4000000.4000000.3860150.3860150.3860150.393008
1130.4000000.4000000.4000000.3935070.3935070.3935070.396754
1140.4000000.4000000.4000000.3983080.3983080.3983080.399154
1150.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.400000
1160.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.400000
1170.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.400000
1180.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.400000
1190.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.4000000.400000
1201.0000001.0000001.0000001.0000001.0000001.0000001.000000

[1] The RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report was released by the Society of Actuaries in July 2000 and updated in May 2001. Society of Actuaries, RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report, at www.soa.org/Research/Experience-Study/Pension/research-rp-2000-mortality-tables.aspx_._

[2] The RP-2014 Mortality Tables Report was released by the Society of Actuaries in October 2014 and revised in November 2014. Society of Actuaries, RP-2014 Report, at www.soa.org/Research/Experience-Study/pension/research-2014-rp.aspx.

[3] The Mortality Improvement Scale MP-2014 Report was released by the Society of Actuaries in October 2014. Society of Actuaries, Mortality Improvement Scale MP-2014 Report, at www.soa.org/Research/Experience-Study/pension/research-2014-mp.aspx.

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