PERS Employer Incentive Fund: Still Time to Apply, Next Steps

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October 2019

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Employer Incentive Fund (EIF) Updates

Attention PERS-participating employers! We are more than halfway through the first 90-day period for Employer Incentive Fund (EIF) matching funds.

As a reminder, the EIF provides a 25% match on qualifying employer lump-sum payments made after June 2, 2018. This is a key opportunity for PERS-participating employers to proactively manage their employer rates over time and increase their actuarial assets.

What does this mean for you?

If you are an employer with a UAL that exceeds 200% of your payroll:

  • You still have time to apply for funds before the Employer Incentive Fund is open to all employers.

  • Remember, just because you apply today does not mean you have to make your lump-sum payment today; you can align your payment to your budget schedule.

If you are an employer with a UAL that is less than 200% of your payroll:

  • If you plan to make a payment by the end of this calendar year and you want a rate offset date of December 1, 2019, you need to request an actuarial calculation before the end of October 2019. Contact Actuarial.Services@pers.state.or.us for next steps.

    • Please note, since you would be establishing your side account prior to the EIF application window opening on December 2, if you are approved, the additional EIF match will be deposited as a separate, additional payment. Those matching funds will not provide additional rate relief until July 1, 2021.
  • If you plan to make a payment by the end of this calendar year without requesting an actuarial calculation, you can simply apply on or after December 2 and make your payment. Both your side account and the matching funds will provide rate relief beginning July 1, 2021.
  • Employer lump-sum deposits, and associated matching fund payments, made before December 31, 2019, will have the greatest impact on the annual actuarial system valuation used to set 2021-2023 employer contribution rates.
  • Did you establish or make an additional payment into a side account in 2018 or 2019? If it was established with funds that were not borrowed, these payments are eligible for EIF matching funds through the application process.

  • Do you have a transition liability? Transition liabilities must be paid before a side account can be established. Check your December 31, 2017 valuation for details.


EIF Resources

  • Review the application questions to gather what you will need before applying.
  • Read an FAQ with further information about the EIF.
  • Apply for the EIF through this SurveyMonkey link:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PERS_EIF_2019
    (Note that this application link will temporarily close after Wednesday, November 27, during Thanksgiving weekend, before reopening at 10 a.m. Pacific Time on Monday, December 2, for the full application period.)

Need help? Want more information?

If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please email Side.Account.Legislation@pers.state.or.us.

Visit the main Employer Incentive Fund webpage.

Share this link with your colleagues to stay informed about Employer Rate Relief Programs.