In this section we elaborate on the benefits and plan structure that can be expected in a sample employee benefits portfolio:
This case, like Case 1, is a group project that is part of employee benefits classes taught by the author of this textbook. Following is the employee benefits portfolio of a compilation of the ten groups of the fall 2002 class (and some of the fall 2000 class), in the words of the students.The work of the following students is reflected in this case: Donna Biddick, Lavonnia Bragg, Katrina Brand, Heather Cartes, Robert Cloud, Maria Conway, Thomas Dabney Clay, Lillian Dunlevy, Daniel Fleming, Shannon Fowlkes, Caroline Garrett, Barbara Guill, Steven Hall, Georgette Harris, Shirelle Harris, Tyron Hinton, Tiffany Jefferson, Tennille McCarter, Pamela Nicholson, Hiren Patel, Susan Shaban, Carolyn Shelburne, Gaurav Shrestha, Stephanie Soucy, Christopher Speight, Cassandra Townsend, Geoff Watkins, and Tresha White, from fall 2002. Also included is the work of Margaret Maslak and Shelisa Artis from fall 2000. The case is a typical project that lasts for the students throughout the semester. The students present portions of the case as the material is covered in class. In most cases, the whole employee benefits portfolio of the hypothetical company created by the students is presented at the conclusion of the semester as part of the final grade. This case does not provide a long-term care coverage plan. Most of the retirement plans offered by the hypothetical employers of these projects are not realistic in terms of the amounts and variety. The students are requested to provide a defined benefit plan, a defined contribution plan, and a 401(k) plan in order to experience the workings of these plans. The students did not offer a complete cafeteria plan—only a flexible spending account.The students used information from the following companies and sources: Dominion Co., www.dominion.com; Dominion Virginia Power, http://www.dom.com/; Phillip Morris, USA, http://www.philipmorrisusa.com/en/cms/Home/default.aspx; Virginia Retirement System, www.state.va.us/vrs/vrs-home-htm; Henrico County, Virginia, www.co.henrico.va.us.; Minnesota Life, www.minnesotalife.com; A. M. Best Company, ambest.com; Federal Reserve Board, http://www.federalreserve.gov/; Stanley Corp.; Ethyl Corporation, http://www.ethyl.com/index.htm; Aetna, www.aetna.com; Anthem, http://www.anthem.com/; CIGNA, www.cigna.com; and more.
The Board of Directors and the corporate executives of Galaxy Max, Inc., have developed a comprehensive benefits package to meet the needs of our employees and their families. This handbook includes a brief overview of the organization and its structure and a detailed description of benefits related to group life insurance, health care, dental and vision coverage, flexible spending accounts, and retirement benefits. The information provided will enable you to understand your benefits. General information may be secured from the company’s Web site, www.galaxymax.com. Additional questions may be addressed to the Human Resources Department, 7500 Galaxy Max Road, Richmond, VA 23228; telephone 1-800-674-2900; e-mail hrgalaxymax@vcu.edu. Suggestions are always welcome as we continue to improve customer service.
Figure 23.4 Galaxy Max, Inc., Organizational Structure
Galaxy Max employs 758 staff members: 338 full-time salaried and 420 hourly employees. Our rapid growth in size and value allows us to provide a substantial benefit package to salaried and full-time employees.
Galaxy Max has developed a competitive and comprehensive benefits package for our employees because we value their service to the organization and we want to maintain a healthy, motivated, and high-quality staff. Our commitment to employees is to support their personal needs and financial goals for retention and to reward dedicated individuals. The benefits package is summarized in Table 23.9 "Galaxy Max Benefits Package".
Table 23.9 Galaxy Max Benefits Package
| Full-Time Salaried Employees (32 or More Hours per Week) | Hourly and Part-Time Employees |
|---|---|
| Group term life insurance | None |
| Short- and long-term disability | None |
| Health | Optional |
| Dental | Optional |
| Flexible spending account | Flexible spending account |
| Defined benefit plan | Defined benefit plan available for those working more than 1,000 hours per year |
| Profit-sharing plan | Profit-sharing plan available for those working more than 1,000 hours per year |
| 401(k) plan with matching | 401(k) plan with matching available for those working more than 1,000 hours per year |
Galaxy Max is committed to providing superior customer satisfaction in administering sales and service to consumers while maintaining competitive prices, quality products, and active growth within the international business community. We strive for technological advancement and excellence in the delivery of services, and we promote partnerships.
Galaxy Max provides you with basic life insurance at one times your annual base pay (1 × annual salary) at no cost to you. Benefits are rounded to the next higher $1,000. The minimum benefit is $5,000. You may purchase supplemental coverage. The maximum benefit is five times your current annual base pay or $1,000,000, whichever is less. Table 23.10 "Group Term Life Insurance: Major Plan Provisions" outlines the main features of the company’s life insurance plan. The cost of supplemental life insurance coverage is shown in Table 23.11 "Costs for Supplemental Life and Dependent Life".
Table 23.10 Group Term Life Insurance: Major Plan Provisions
| Benefits | Basic life insurance is equal to one times your annual base pay—employer pays Additional coverage up to five times your annual base pay as supplemental coverage—you pay (see costs in Table 23.11 "Costs for Supplemental Life and Dependent Life") |
| Added coverage for dependents—you pay (see costs in Table 23.11 "Costs for Supplemental Life and Dependent Life") | |
| Accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D)—employer pays | |
| Waiver of premium in case of disability (life coverage continues without charge)—part of the basic coverage | |
| Convertibility (in case of termination of the term life, you can convert the policy to whole life policy without evidence of insurability)—part of basic coverage Accelerated benefits (living benefits)—in case of becoming terminally ill, you can collect up to 50 percent of the policy benefits while still living—part of basic coverage | |
| Eligibility | Regular, full-time employees (working 32 hours per week or more) who are active at work |
| Enrollment | Coverage is automatic |
| When coverage begins | 30 days after employment date |
| Cost | The company pays the full cost of basic life insurance; you pay for any additional coverage (supplements of 2×, 3×, 4×, or 5× annual salary, and for dependent coverage) |
| Evidence of insurability | For basic coverage paid by the employer, no evidence of insurability is required |
| For supplemental amounts greater than $150,000, evidence of insurability is required | |
| Provider, A.M. Best Rating | Minnesota Life (Minnesota, USA), A++ Rating |
| Taxes | Premiums on coverage greater than $50,000 are taxable income to you (based on IRS Table PS-58) |
| Death benefits paid to the beneficiary are not taxed |
Table 23.11 Costs for Supplemental Life and Dependent Life
| Supplemental Term Life | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | Cost per Month per $1,000 of Coverage | Age | Cost per Month per $1,000 of Coverage |
| 29 and under | $0.06 | 50–54 | $0.42 |
| 30–34 | $0.07 | 55–59 | $0.69 |
| 35–39 | $0.09 | 60–64 | $1.10 |
| 40–44 | $0.15 | 65–69 | $2.00 |
| 45–49 | $0.25 | 70 and over | $3.60 |
| Dependent: Rates for Spouse | |
|---|---|
| Amount | Cost |
| $5,000 | $0.58 |
| $10,000 | $1.15 |
| $15,000 | $1.73 |
| $20,000 | $2.31 |
| $25,000 | $2.88 |
The employee names the beneficiary. It cannot be the employer.
Coverage shall terminate automatically when any of the following conditions exist:
If a covered employee is diagnosed with a qualifying condition, the employee may request that an accelerated benefit be paid immediately. The amount payable is 50 percent, up to a maximum benefit of $50,000. Qualifying conditions include the following:
Life insurance on a spouse can be purchased by full-time employees in increments of $5,000 up to $25,000. Life insurance on children can be purchased in the amount of $5,000 per child.
Benefits under the accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) plan are in addition to any benefits payable under the life insurance plan. AD&D benefits are payable in the event of an accident resulting in the following:
Table 23.12 "AD&D Plan Provisions" outlines the main features of the Company’s AD&D plan. If you survive an accident but sustain certain injuries, AD&D benefits would be payable as shown in Table 23.13 "AD&D Loss Provisions".
Table 23.12 AD&D Plan Provisions
| Benefit | In case of accidental death, the basic and supplemental amounts are doubled (in case of a loss, see Table 23.13 "AD&D Loss Provisions") |
| Eligibility | Regular, full-time employees (working 32 hours per week or more) who are active at work |
| Enrollment | Coverage is automatic |
| When coverage begins | 30 days after employment date |
| Cost | The company pays the full cost of basic AD&D insurance; you pay for any additional coverage (supplements of 2×, 3×, 4×, or 5× annual salary) |
| Evidence of insurability | Same as for regular group term life |
| Provider, A.M. Best Rating (periods as elsewhere) | Minnesota Life, A++ Rating |
Table 23.13 AD&D Loss Provisions
| If You Have This Loss | You Will Receive This Percentage of Your AD&D Coverage |
|---|---|
| Loss of hand | 50% |
| Loss of foot | 50% |
| Loss of eye | 50% |
| Multiple loss | 100% |
Life insurance will not pay out if you survive an accident; it pays only in the event of your death.
Losses not covered under AD&D include the following:
Life insurance is provided by Minnesota Life Insurance Company, which is rated A++ by A.M. Best.
A forty-year-old employee making annual base salary of $45,000 dies in an automobile accident. He had chosen to purchase supplemental insurance for both life (one times salary) and AD&D (one times salary).
Beneficiary will receive the following:
Total received is $180,000.
A life insurance claim was filed by Mary Jones after the death of her husband, Robert, in June 2002. He died after a short battle with cancer. He was a full-time employee at Galaxy Max for five years and his salary at the time was $55,000 annually. He has life insurance in the amount of three times his salary: $55,000 × 3 = $165,000. Therefore, his benefit is $165,000, payable to his beneficiary, which is his spouse, Mary Jones. Mrs. Jones filed the claim within two weeks of Mr. Jones’s death. Mrs. Jones had to present a copy of his death certificate and fill out the required forms. She was informed that she would receive her benefit within sixty days from the date of the claim.
Mrs. Jones has chosen to receive the life insurance benefit in a lump-sum payment. She received this payment fifty-eight days from the date of the claim.
Internal Revenue Service Code Section 101 provides that the death benefits are not counted toward taxable income.
Table 23.14 "Sick Leave, Group Short-Term Disability, and Group Long-Term Disability—Major Plan Provisions" summarizes all the disability plans provided by Galaxy Max.
Table 23.14 Sick Leave, Group Short-Term Disability, and Group Long-Term Disability—Major Plan Provisions
| Benefits | Sick leave—7 days, 100% of pay |
| STD (7 days to 6 months)—80% of pay up to $5,000 benefit per month | |
| LTD (6 months to age sixty-five)—60% of pay up to $6,000 benefit per month coordinated with workers’ compensation and Social Security | |
| Eligibility | Regular, full-time employees (working 32 hours per week or more) who are active at work |
| Enrollment | Coverage is automatic |
| When coverage begins | 30 days after employment date |
| Cost | The company pays the full cost of STD; employee pays for LTD through payroll reduction |
| Definition of disability | Sick leave and STD—unable to do your own job due to nonoccupational injury or illness |
| LTD—from 6 months to 2 years, unable to do any job relating to your training and education; after two years, unable to do any job | |
| Evidence of insurability | Required if joining after open enrollment |
| Provider, A. M. Best Rating | Sick leave and STD—self-insured |
| LTD—Aetna (rated “A” for excellent by A.M. Best) | |
| Taxes | Employees do not pay taxes on premiums paid by employer for STD; but in the case of receiving benefits, taxes will be paid on the benefits |
| For LTD, employee pays the premium from income after taxes, and benefits in the case of disability are nontaxable |
The employee will receive regular pay for time missed due to illness or injury (nonoccupational) up to seven days per calendar year.
Galaxy Max pays for sick leave from its operating budget.
“Disability” is the total and continuous inability of the employee to perform each and every duty of his or her regular occupation.
Short-term disability (STD) benefits are 80 percent of salary up to $5,000 per month after a seven-day waiting period. The maximum length of the benefit is six months. There is no integration of benefits under short-term disability.
Galaxy Max pays STD premiums and deducts such as normal business expense. Galaxy Max will continue to pay premiums for disabled employees.
An employee cannot collect STD benefits under the following conditions:
Disabled employees will not be considered terminated and, when able to return to work, will not have to satisfy any waiting period for coverage.
Long-term disability (LTD) is defined as the total and continuous inability of the employee to engage in any and every gainful occupation for which he or she is qualified or shall reasonably become qualified by reason of training, education, or experience for the first two years. After two years, it is the inability to engage in any gainful employment.
LTD provides for the following:
“Basic monthly earnings” means your monthly salary in effect just prior to the date disability begins. It includes earnings received from commissions and incentive bonuses but not overtime pay or other extra compensation. Commissions and incentive bonuses will be averaged for the thirty-six-month period of employment just prior to the date disability begins.
The employee will pay the full cost through payroll deduction. The Human Resources representative will advise of the contribution amount, which is based on a rate per $1,000 of your annual base pay. The cost of coverage is determined by the insurance company, Aetna (rated “A” for excellent by A.M. Best). Galaxy Max will notify you in advance in the event of a rate change.
An employee cannot collect LTD benefits under the following conditions:
Because the employee pays the entire premium from income after taxes, benefits are not taxable to the employee.
A disabled employee may enter a trial work period of up to two years in rehabilitative employment. During this time, benefits will be reduced by 50 percent. If the trial is unsuccessful, original long-term benefits will resume without penalty.
Disabled employees will not be considered terminated and, if able to return to work, will not have to satisfy any waiting period for coverage. Long-term disability coverage cannot be converted upon termination of employment.
Galaxy Max offers two plans for health insurance, an HMO and PPO. The broad benefits are described in Table 23.15 "Health Plan Provisions". The medical plans pay the cost of necessary and reasonable medical expenses for non-work-related illness or injury and are completely optional.
Table 23.15 Health Plan Provisions
| Benefits | You have a choice between an HMO and a PPO. |
| Eligibility | Regular, full-time salaried and part-time employees scheduled to work at least 32 hours per week and their eligible dependents: spouse; unmarried dependent child under age 19, or under age 25 in school full-time; disabled dependent child; eligible child with qualified medical child support order. |
| Enrollment | You may enroll when eligible. You may elect to enroll eligible dependents for extra charges provided they meet the qualifications of a “dependent.” |
| Annual open enrollment period for current plan participants is October 1 to November 1 every year. Changes made during open enrollment become effective January 1 the following year. | |
| Waiting period | 30 days after the first day of employment |
| Coverage categories | Employee only |
| Employee and child(ren) | |
| Employee and spouse | |
| Employee and family | |
| Cost | You and Galaxy Max share the cost of coverage (see Table 23.17 "Employee Premiums") |
| What is covered | Medically necessary services and supplies |
| Inpatient and outpatient hospital care | |
| Doctors’ care and treatment | |
| Home or office visits | |
| Prescription drugs | |
| In-patient and out-patient mental health care | |
| Routine physical exams and preventive care (in network only) |
Galaxy Max has chosen Healthkeepers, Inc., for HMO coverage. Healthkeepers’ most recent A.M. Best rating is “A” (excellent). Cigna Healthcare of Virginia, Inc., is Galaxy Max’s PPO provider and has also earned A.M. Best’s rating of “A.” Benefits paid are at the discretion of the insurance companies.
The benefits under each plan are explained in Table 23.16 "HMO and PPO Plan Benefits".
Table 23.16 HMO and PPO Plan Benefits
| HMO | PPO in Network | PPO out of Network | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Deductible | |||
| None | None | $300/individual, $600/family | |
| Outpatient Care | |||
| Copay per Visit ($) | Coinsurance (%) or Copay ($) per Visit | Coinsurance (%) per Visit | |
| Primary care physician | $10 | $15* | 30% |
| Diagnostic labs/X-rays | Fully covered | 10% | 30% |
| Preventive care | $10 | $15† | 30% |
| Well-baby care | $10; no age limit | $15 plus 10% of screening and diagnostic tests; through child’s seventh birthday† | 30% |
| Maternity care for all routine pre and postnatal care of mother rendered by ob/gyn | Routine care fully covered; $10 for diagnostic testing | $15 for initial visit if doctor submits one bill after delivery | 30% |
| Mammogram screenings | $20 | 20% | 30% |
| Ob/gyn visit (includes pelvic exam, breast exam, and pap smear) | $10 | $15 | 30% |
| Specialist office visit | $20 with PCP referral | $15 | 30% |
| Emergency services | $50 (waived if admitted) | $50 plus 20%; $15 for doctor’s services | 30% |
| Annual vision exams | $10 | no | |
| Out-patient surgery | $75 | $50 plus 20%; $15 for doctor’s services | 30% |
| Out-patient nonsurgical services | $20 | $50 plus 20%; $15 for doctor’s services | 30% |
| Mental health and substance abuse | $20 | 26 visits per calendar year: $15 for visits 1–13; 50% for visits 14–26 | 30% |
| Home health care | Fully covered | Fully covered | 30% |
| Out-patient physical, speech, and occupational therapy | $20 (90 days maximum) § | limits per calendar year: physical, $2,000; speech, $750; occupational, $2,000 | 30% |
| In-Patient Care (Preauthorization Required) | |||
| Copay per Visit ($) | Coinsurance (%) or Copay ($) per Visit | Coinsurance (%) per Visit | |
| Hospital care for illness, injury, or maternity in a semiprivate room | $250 per admission | $250 plus 10% per admission | 30% |
| In-hospital physician’s services | Fully covered | 10% | 30% |
| In-patient mental health and substance abuse | $250 per admission§ | $250 plus 10% per admission | 30% |
| Skilled nursing facility care | Fully covered (limited to 100 days per illness or condition)§ | 20% (limited to 100 days per illness or condition) | 30% |
| Durable medical equipment and supplies | Fully covered up to $1,000 per calendar year§ | 10%; limited to $5,000 per calendar year§ | 30% |
| Hospice services | Fully covered for patients diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less | Fully covered for patients diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of 6 months or less | 30% |
| Annual Out-of-Pocket Expense Limit Through Deductibles, Coinsurance, and Copayments for Covered Services | |||
| Individual | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| Family | $2,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| Lifetime Maximum | |||
| $500,000 | $750,000 | $750,000 | |
| * Primary care physician or specialist visit. | |||
| † Coverage includes annual checkups, annual gynecological exam and pap smear, prostate specific antigen (PSA) test and prostate exams for men age forty and over, one baseline mammogram for women ages thirty-five to thirty-nine, annual mammogram for women age forty and over, and annual colorectal cancer screening; up to $200 per calendar year for family members age seven and older for all other routine immunizations, labs, and X-rays done in connection with annual checkups whether received in-network or out-of-network. | |||
| † No coinsurance for immunizations. | |||
Galaxy Max will pay a generous 85 percent of the health care premiums. Table 23.17 "Employee Premiums" lists employee obligations.
Table 23.17 Employee Premiums
| Plan | HMO | PPO |
|---|---|---|
| Biweekly premium per insured | $35.67 | $51.09 |
| Each additional dependent | $12.00 | $18.00 |
The PPO is comprised of specific in-network offices. Consult your Benefits Liaison for a complete list of providers in your area. All employees residing in Virginia are considered in-area.
The items listed below, among others, are not covered in any of the plans. If you have any questions regarding the coverage of a treatment or service, you must contact the appropriate provider.
Coverage is terminated at the following times:
The employee may convert to individual health coverage within thirty-one days of losing eligibility. Galaxy Max complies with all local, state, and federal legislation with regard to group health plans.
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) extends coverage for eighteen to thirty-six months following a qualifying eventA qualifying event is a marriage or divorce, adoption of a child, death of a covered dependent, a change in status or eligibility of a dependent, and so forth. that causes the employee to lose eligibility. The employer does not have to pay the premium, and the premium may be increased to a maximum of 102 percent of the group rate. The employee may elect COBRA within sixty days of the qualifying event. As noted above, the thirty-one-day period of conversion may be applied after COBRA coverage. COBRA does not protect an employee who is fired for cause.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) forbids insurers from imposing preexisting-condition exclusions when an eligible individual transfers from one plan to another. After you have been covered in a health plan for twelve months, preexisting-condition exclusions are no longer in effect. Prior coverage would not qualify if there is a break in health insurance coverage for more than sixty-three days.
Group dental provides coverage for any dental work you may incur. Like group medical, group dental has many variations, and coverage can be obtained from two different providers. However, there are some clear differences between the two plans. For example, group dental plans are more likely to provide benefits on a fee-for-service basis but provide the benefits under a managed-care arrangement.
Full-time (thirty-five hours or more per week) and salaried employees are eligible to enroll for group dental coverage. You may enroll your spouse and child(ren) for an additional premium.
You may enroll when eligible. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following employment. For example, if you start employment on the first of the month, coverage begins immediately.
Table 23.18 "Major Dental Plan Provisions" summarizes the key features of the dental plan, including benefits, types of service, and cost information.
Table 23.18 Major Dental Plan Provisions
| Annual deductible | $30 per person, with $90 family maximum | |
| Cost | You and the company share the cost | |
| Plan maximums | $1,000 per person per year | |
| $1,000 lifetime under age 19 for orthodontics | ||
| Coverage | Examples of Items Covered | Plan Pays Up To … |
| Preventive | Nonorthodontics X-rays, oral exams, and cleaning of teeth | 100% of reasonable and customary fees (R&C) for cleanings, X-rays, exams, fluoride treatments |
| Restorative | Fillings, extractions | 80% R&C fillings, extractions |
| Prosthodontics | Replacement of natural teeth with bridgework or dentures | 50% R&C for bridgework |
| Orthodontics | Straightening of teeth with braces | 50% of R&C for orthodontic services |
Dental coverage cannot be converted to an individual policy if employment terminates. You, your spouse, or your dependent children may elect to continue coverage under the company’s dental plan as provided by COBRA if the original coverage ends because of one of the following life events:
Galaxy Max has chosen Cigna Corporation for dental coverage because the company has a strong presence in the insurance business and has been one of the leaders in coverage. Cigna’s A.M. Best rating is NR-5, meaning that they have not been formally evaluated for the purpose of assigning a rating opinion.
To accommodate the needs of our diverse work force, Galaxy Max has created a flexible spending account (FSA) plan to help employees to meet expenses that are not covered under any benefit plan. Money deposited in these accounts is not taxed when it goes into the accounts or when it is paid back to you. Employees can use these pretax dollars to pay for miscellaneous items such as eyeglasses or unreimbursed medical/dental expenses. This plan also allows employees to pay dependent care expenses with pretax dollars. Any amount not spent at the end of the plan year is forfeited by the employee (use it or lose it). See Table 23.19 "Summary of FSA: Major Plan Provisions" for details. In addition, a premium conversion plan is offered to employees for payment of health insurance premiums on a pretax basis.
Table 23.19 Summary of FSA: Major Plan Provisions
| Eligibility | Regular, full-time salaried employees and part-time employees scheduled to work 1,000 hours or more during a year |
| When coverage begins | Employment date; or |
| Each January, following annual open enrollment; or | |
| Date of life event | |
| When coverage ends | Employment termination or your pay ceases for any reason (death, retired, or disabled) |
| You or your survivors may continue to submit claims expenses incurred prior to the date you left the payroll | |
| Contributions | Your selected contributions will be deducted from each pay before federal income tax and, in most cases, state income tax and Social Security tax are withheld |
| Minimum annual contribution: health care and/or dependent day care: $120 | |
| Maximum annual contribution: health care and/or dependent day care: $5,000 | |
| Accounts | Health care accounts for tax-deductible health care expenses |
| Dependent day care accounts for work-related dependent day care expenses | |
| Maximums | Health care: $5,000 per year to each account |
| For dependent day care: | |
| Amount of spouse’s earnings, if less than $5,000 | |
| Maximum of $2,500 if married and filing separate returns | |
| Reimbursement | Eligible claims paid monthly |
| Minimum claim of $10/month | |
| Claims must be received by administrator by April 1 for prior year’s expenses | |
| Unclaimed account balances must be forfeited |
Galaxy Max offers to its eligible employees a defined benefit pension plan. The pension plan is designed to provide you or your beneficiary with monthly benefit payments at retirement. The pension plan is funded entirely by the company; employees do not contribute. In addition, Galaxy Max offers a 401(k) plan and a profit-sharing plan.
A defined benefit plan explicitly defines the amount of benefit available at retirement. Table 23.20 "Defined Benefit Plan" summarizes the major pension program provisions.
Table 23.20 Defined Benefit Plan
| Benefit formula | (1.3% of your final average salary up to the Social Security–covered compensation level) + (1.8% of your final average salary in excess of the Social Security–covered compensation level, if any) × (years of creditable service). See example in Table 23.21 "Example of Defined Benefit Formula". |
| Eligibility | Full- or part-time employees who are scheduled to work or who actually work at least 1,000 hours in a twelve-month period are eligible |
| Participation begins on your date of hire or your twenty-first birthday, whichever is later | |
| Normal retirement | You may retire and receive normal retirement benefits the first day of the month on or after your sixty-fifth birthday |
| Early retirement | You may retire and receive an early retirement benefit on or before you reach age sixty-five |
| You are eligible for early retirement on the first day of the month on or after your fifty-fifth birthday with three years of vesting service | |
| Insured | Plan is insured by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation |
| Vesting | You become fully vested when you complete three years of vesting service (including vesting service with an acquired company) or reach age sixty-five |
| Vesting credit begins when you are eligible for the pension program |
Your pension benefit is paid to you in monthly installments at the end of the month. Your benefits will be paid as a lump-sum payment if the present value of your pension is $5,000 or less. The normal form of benefit paid by the retirement plan is based on your marital status. Unless you elect a different option, you will receive your benefit in one of the following forms, which are actuarially equivalent:
The survivorship option pays you for as long as you live. When you die, benefits continue to be paid to your designated beneficiary, assuming your beneficiary survives you. Written spousal consent is required before you can designate a beneficiary other than your spouse. Benefits are reduced for the survivorship option because payments will be made over two lives rather than one. Payments depend on your age and your beneficiary’s age when you begin receiving payments. If you choose the survivorship option and your beneficiary dies before you do, your payment will be increased to the amount that you would have received under the single life option. Additionally, you may choose the amount (50 percent, 75 percent, or 100 percent) your surviving beneficiary will receive after you die.
The traditional formula used in calculating your retirement benefit is based on your final average salary, your creditable service, and the Social Security–covered compensation level based on your age. Your retirement pension benefit may not be more than 100 percent of your final average salary, or $160,000 in 2002. These formula components are outlined below. See Table 23.21 "Example of Defined Benefit Formula" for an example of how the formula works.
Table 23.21 Example of Defined Benefit Formula
| Suppose Joe, a sales representative for Galaxy Max, was born in 1942 and retired after thirty years of service to Galaxy Max with a final average salary of $40,000. At the time of Joe’s retirement, the Social Security–covered compensation level is $37,212. To calculate Joe’s benefit: | |
| 1. Multiply Joe’s final average salary, up to Social Security–covered compensation level, by the benefit percentage | $37,212 × 1.3% = $484 |
| 2. Multiply Joe’s final average salary in excess of Social Security–covered compensation level by the excess benefit percentage | ($40,000 – $37,212) × 1.8% = $50 |
| 3. Add amounts calculated | $448 + $50 = $534 |
| 4. Multiply by years of service to calculate Joe’s annual retirement benefit | $534 × 30 = $16,018 |
| Thus, Joe’s annual pension benefit from Galaxy Max is $16,018. | |
Your final average salary is your highest average annual compensation during any consecutive sixty-month period. It includes base pay, commission payments, bonuses, and overtime.
Your service with Galaxy Max, including approved leaves of absence up to six months, certain periods of military and public service, and periods in which you are totally disabled (as defined in the LTD plan), is considered your creditable service. Service for part-time work is reduced to the equivalent portion of the year worked.
The average of the Social Security wage bases (maximum amount on which you pay Social Security taxes) for the thirty-five years before the date of your retirement is the Social Security compensation level that is used to calculate your benefits. These amounts change each year according to the Covered Compensation Table provided by the Social Security Administration.
We at Galaxy Max chose to use a cliff vesting option. You become 100 percent vested after three years of creditable service. Our plan provides you with a cash settlement option if your employment at Galaxy Max is terminated. The cash settlement option is effective on your termination date. This distribution is considered taxable income in the year the distribution is made. The only exception to this rule is if you choose to shift this payment into an IRA.
Loans are not available under the retirement plan
As a valued employee of Galaxy Max, you or your beneficiaries may choose one of the following distribution options:
You may choose to have your pension payments guaranteed for a certain period of time after retirement. The payment options include either five or ten years for a single life pension or five years for a survivorship pension benefit.
You may request a lump-sum payment of $1,000 or more (in $100 increments) to your designated beneficiary from your pension benefit, payable after you die.
If you retire early and want to start receiving benefits before age sixty-two, you may choose this payment feature. You will receive larger benefit payments prior to age sixty-two and then receive lower benefit payments upon reaching age sixty-two. At age sixty-two, you will be eligible to receive Social Security benefits. The intent of this plan is to provide level retirement income before and after Social Security payments begin at age sixty-two.
Depending on your age and length of service, you may choose normal retirement or early retirement. Normal retirement is when you retire at or after age sixty-five. If you choose this option, you will receive normal retirement pension benefits.
You become eligible for early retirement benefits when you reach age fifty-five with three years of vested service. You can retire on the first day of any month on or after your fifty-fifth birthday. If you retire before you reach age sixty-five, the date you retire will be known as your early retirement date.
Benefits for early retirement are less than normal retirement benefits because the plan adjusts the payment amount to allow the benefits to be paid over a longer period of time. The amount of your normal retirement benefit is available to you, without reduction, if you retire early on or after your sixtieth birthday. If you retire on or after your fifty-fifth birthday and before your sixtieth birthday, your pension benefit will be reduced, as explained in Table 23.22 "Early Retirement Reduction in Defined Benefit Plan".
Table 23.22 Early Retirement Reduction in Defined Benefit Plan
| If you retire between the ages of fifty-eight and sixty, your pension benefit will be reduced by 0.25% for each month that remains until your sixtieth birthday. For example, if you retire on your fifty-eighth birthday, your pension will be reduced by (24 months × 0.25% per month) = 6%. If you retire between the ages of fifty-five and fifty-eight, your pension will be reduced by that 6% plus an additional 0.50% for each month that remains until your fifty-eighth birthday. For example, if you retire on your fifty-sixth birthday, your benefit will be reduced by (6% + [24 months × 0.50% per month]) = 18%. This table shows the percentage your benefit would be reduced if you retired on your birthday. | |
| Retirement Age | Benefit Reduction |
| 60 or older | None |
| 59 | 3% |
| 58 | 6% |
| 57 | 12% |
| 56 | 18% |
| 55 | 24% |
The benefit in Galaxy Max’s defined plan is protected by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). The cost of $19 per year per employee is paid by Galaxy Max.
Galaxy Max offers you a Section 401(k) plan, hereinafter referred to as the Galaxy Max 401(k) Plan, as a supplement to the retirement plan. You have the opportunity to put aside salary dollars on a pretax basis, and Galaxy Max makes employer-matching contributions to help build retirement savings more quickly. You can choose your own level of deferral, if any. The plan also offers you several investment options with varying portfolios to allow your savings to grow over time. Taxes are deferred on employer matching contributions, your pretax deferral, and investment returns until you withdraw the funds from your account.
All full-time and part-time employees are eligible. You become eligible for the Galaxy Max 401(k) Plan after completing one year of continuous service and must complete at least 1,000 hours of service during the year. Your enrollment commences on the first day of the month following the completion of that first year of service. You are not eligible to participate in the plan if you are no longer an employee as of fiscal year end or if you are a temporary employee.
For employees under the age of fifty, the 2009 contribution limit is $16,500. If you are fifty years old or older, this limit is $22,000 in 2009.
During each of your first five years of service, Galaxy Max will match 80 percent ($0.80 for every $1.00) that you contribute to the plan, up to 6 percent of your salary. After five years of service, our matching increases to 100 percent ($1.00 for every $1.00) that you contribute to the plan, up to 6 percent of your salary.
Vesting is your right to the money in your 401(k) account. You are always 100 percent vested in the value of your own contributions and the earnings on your investments. You are vested on Galaxy Max’s matching contributions at the rate of 20 percent each year of service, and thus fully vested after five years. For example, if you left Galaxy Max three full years after joining the 401(k) plan, you would have the right to all your investments and their earnings and to 60 percent of the matching funds plus their earnings. The vesting schedule for the 401(k) matching contribution is summarized in Table 23.23 "Galaxy Max 401(k) Matching Contribution Vesting Schedule" below.
Table 23.23 Galaxy Max 401(k) Matching Contribution Vesting Schedule
| Completed Years of Service | Percentage Vested on Employer’s Match |
|---|---|
| 1 | 20% |
| 2 | 40% |
| 3 | 60% |
| 4 | 80% |
| 5 | 100% |
In-service withdrawals for certain hardships are permitted under the Galaxy Max 401(k) Plan, as long as two conditions are met:
The withdrawal must be necessary and follow severe financial hardships. Examples include the following:
The funds are not reasonably available from any other resources. The requirements are met if the following circumstances exist:
Contributions will be suspended twelve months after the distribution and the maximum contribution in the next year will be reduced by the amount contributed in the prior year.
The minimum loan amount is $1,000. The maximum loan amount is the lesser of $50,000 or 50 percent of your vested balance. The following two types of loans are available under the plan.
You can take between six and sixty months to repay a general-purpose loan.
You can take between sixty-one and 180 months to repay this loan. Eligible residences include house, condominium, co-op, mobile home, new home construction, or land for new construction or mobile home.
You bear the risk of investments in your Galaxy Max 401(k) Savings Account. However, you can choose from several investment funds through the SunTrust Classic Funds Family, commonly referred to as the STI Classic Funds. This will enable you to select your own desired level of risk.
Investment funds range from a fixed income fund (with very low risk and corresponding low return potential) to higher risk equity funds with higher return potential. The funds that you may choose from are as listed:
You will be terminated from the Galaxy Max 401(k) Plan if you cease to be employed by Galaxy Max.
Over the past five years, Galaxy Max has been financially successful because of the dedication and talent of our valued employees. We started the profit-sharing program to give you the opportunity to share in the success of our wonderful company. The primary purpose of this plan is to help you build retirement income. Along with the Galaxy Max 401(k) Plan and the defined benefit plan, the profit-sharing plan can provide you with the foundation for a financially secure retirement.
A profit-sharing plan is a qualified, defined contribution plan that features a flexible contribution by us. When you become eligible to participate, Galaxy Max will set up an individual account in your name. In other words, you do not need to enroll in the plan. Participation in the plan is automatic and you are not required or permitted to contribute personal funds into the plan.
The eligibility requirements for the Galaxy Max Profit-Sharing Plan are the same as the Galaxy Max 401(k) Plan. Please refer to that section.
Each year, Galaxy Max will contribute a portion of its pretax income for profit-sharing purposes. The contribution is made after the end of each fiscal year. The amount allocated to your account is based on a formula that includes your compensation during the fiscal year. This contribution is made at the discretion of Galaxy Max and cannot be guaranteed every year.
Here is how the allocation formula works. Once you become a participant, we evaluate your eligible compensation (base pay, commissions, and bonuses) and the eligible compensation of all Galaxy Max employees. Your portion of the amount of profits we contribute is the proportion of your eligible compensation to that of all employees. For example, suppose that Galaxy Max will contribute $200,000 to the profit-sharing plan, your eligible compensation is $35,000, and the eligible compensation of all employees is $950,000. Your share would be $35,000/$950,000, or 3.68 percent, of $200,000. Therefore, the allocation to your account would be $7,368.42. These numbers are used only as an example. (The total contribution from Galaxy Max and eligible compensation from all employees is much larger.)
The plan’s trustee, SunTrust Bank, will invest contributions to your account. At the end of each fiscal year, investment earnings are allocated to your profit-sharing account. Because the value of your investments will fluctuate, you will assume the investment risk. Therefore, your account balance will increase or decrease in value from year to year.
Once all accounts have been reconciled for the fiscal year, you will receive an annual statement of your account. It will include your beginning balance, allocation of investment income, contributions, and ending balance. These statements are typically distributed to you four to five months after the fiscal year end.
You begin earning ownership rights to your account once you complete three continuous years of service. After your second full year, you are 20 percent vested, and you earn another 20 percent each year. Once you complete six years of service, you are fully vested. If your employment ends because you become permanently disabled, die, or leave Galaxy Max after age sixty-five with at least five years of service, you and your beneficiary will be entitled to receive the full value of your account, regardless of your vesting. The vesting schedule for profit-sharing plan contributions is presented in Table 23.24 "Galaxy Max Profit-Sharing Contribution Vesting Schedule" below.
Table 23.24 Galaxy Max Profit-Sharing Contribution Vesting Schedule
| Continuous Vesting Service | Vested Percentage |
|---|---|
| Less than 2 years | 0% |
| 2 years | 20% |
| 3 years | 40% |
| 4 years | 60% |
| 5 years | 80% |
| 6 years or more | 100% |
You may borrow from your profit-sharing account under the same provisions that apply to 401(k) loans. Please refer to that section for details.
You can receive the vested portion of your account after you leave Galaxy Max, retire, or become permanently and totally disabled. Your designated beneficiary will receive your vested account balance if you die before receiving your benefit.
If your vested account balance is $6,000 or less, you or your beneficiary will receive the payment in a single lump sum. If your account balance is more than $6,000, you or your beneficiary can take a single lump sum, receive annual installments for up to five years, or delay receiving distributions until a later time. Generally, you can roll over the vested portion of your account balance into another qualified retirement account or individual retirement account (IRA) so that you can defer paying federal income taxes.
You will be terminated from the plan if you cease to be employed by Galaxy Max.
For all three plans, certain legal limits are placed on contributions to your account. The combined annual contributions to your retirement plans cannot exceed $40,000 or 100 percent of your compensation, whichever is lower. This limit applies to both your and Galaxy Max’s contributions to your 401(k), profit-sharing, and defined benefit plans, unless the defined benefit plan requires (under the minimum required annual contribution) a greater annual contribution. Thus, in summary, all qualified retirement plans combined cannot exceed the $40,000 or 100 percent of compensation annual limit, unless more contribution is necessary to meet the minimum requirements under the defined benefit plans.
The management of Galaxy Max hopes that the benefits we offer are clear to you. Our studies indicate that our benefits package far exceeds the norms of our industry. We are very interested in your well-being, and this has motivated us to exceed our peer group’s offerings. Should you have questions, please contact the Human Resources Department, 7500 Galaxy Max Road, Richmond, VA 23228; telephone 1-800-674-2900; e-mail hrgalaxymax@vcu.edu. Suggestions are always welcome as we continue to improve service to our employees.
In this section you studied the employee benefits package of a hypothetical company (Galaxy Max, Inc.):
