Defined benefit plans - transfer deficiencies

Defined benefit plans - transfer deficiencies

In most cases, when transferring the commuted value of a benefit from a defined benefit plan, the plan administrator must hold back the amount of the transfer deficiency from the transfer amount, unless the employer remits sufficient money to eliminate the transfer deficiency, or the transfer deficiency is a small amount.

The transfer deficiency rules do not apply to a commuted value that is calculated on a going concern basis where the plan is a limited liability plan, as defined under The Pensions Benefit Regulations, 1993. Limited liability plans are a certain type of defined benefit plan where the employer’s funding obligation is limited by a collective bargaining agreement or contract.

The transfer deficiency that has been held back must be transferred within 5 years of the date of the initial transfer, or when the plan becomes solvent, whichever comes first. The plan sponsor may also remit to the plan the amount required to eliminate the transfer deficiency and pay the transfer deficiency immediately.

A transfer deficiency is the amount by which the commuted value of a benefit exceeds the product of the commuted value and the plan’s solvency ratio.

A plan's solvency ratio is the fraction obtained by dividing the market value of the assets currently held in the plan by the liabilities of the plan on a plan termination basis.

For more information on the administration of transfer deficiencies read the Transfer Deficiencies bulletin.

For more information on commuted value calculations for limited liability plans read the Limited Liability Plan Guide.

Pensions Division

4th Floor, 2365 Albert Street

Regina, SK, S4P 4K1

Tel: (306)787-7650

Fax: (306)798-4425

Email: pensions@gov.sk.ca

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