Defined Benefit / Actuarial Services
News & Updates
National actuarial and employee benefits firm Swerdlin & Company promotes Lee Swerdlin to President and COO.
Swerdlin & Company has a team of consulting actuaries and experienced analysts devoted to providing high level actuarial consulting services to our clients. We offer a full range of services to sponsors of defined benefit and retiree medical plans. Our clients range in size from one to several thousand employees and include publicly traded, privately held and governmental entities.
Defined Benefit Pension Plan Valuation and Administration Services
Our team provides a complete line of consulting, actuarial valuation and administration services to sponsors of defined benefit plans. We have experience with qualified plans of all types including traditional plans and hybrid plans such as cash balance plans. We also provide consulting and valuation services to sponsors of non-qualified, supplemental executive retirement plans (SERPs).
Some of the services we provide include:
- Annual funding valuations – Calculation of contribution requirements; funding recommendations; funding projections and forecasts; AFTAP certifications and elections required by PPA; annual discrimination testing; etc.
- Financial accounting under GASB and FASB – Preparation of year end disclosure; preparation of annual cost reports; curtailment and settlement accounting.
- ERISA reporting – Form 5500 and corresponding schedules; PBGC filings; IRS Forms 945, 1096 and 1099-R; Form 5310 filings; event-related PBGC filings and notices; etc.
- Administration – Partial to full line services including standard benefit calculations upon termination of employment, retirement, death or disability; benefit estimates; consulting on QDRO calculations; benefit election forms and packages; election and payment processing; call center services; etc.
- Participant communications – Employee benefit statements including comprehensive (“hidden paycheck”) statements; annual funding notices and summary annual reports; 204(h) notices upon plan freeze; all notices required upon plan termination; etc.
- Client communications – Complete consulting services including recurring meetings with plan sponsors, pension committees, pension boards, boards of trustees, etc.
Retiree Healthcare Valuation Services
Our team provides consulting, valuation and financial accounting services to sponsors of postretirement medical, dental, prescription drug, life insurance, or other postemployment benefits plans.
Some of the services we provide include:
- Financial accounting under GASB and FASB – Preparation of year end disclosure; preparation of annual cost reports; curtailment and settlement accounting.
- Attestation services – Attestation of actuarial equivalence of prescription drug plans to Medicare Part D plans for purpose of applying for retiree prescription drug subsidies from the government.
Special Consulting
Our consultants provide high level services to both existing clients and clients seeking an independent consultant for special projects. Our Consulting Actuaries are experienced, credentialed professionals; have a broad range of skills and knowledge; and emphasize clear written and verbal communications.
Some of the consulting services we provide include:
- Long-term financial planning – Funding and accounting forecasts and consultation on the development of funding policies.
- Retirement incentive programs – Design of retirement incentive programs or “early retirement window” programs.
- Plan redesign – Consulting and design work for companies wishing to modify their existing programs to meet financial and/or benefits goals. Changes from defined benefit to defined contribution designs, as well as, changes to hybrid plan designs. Assistance with employee communications ranging from written materials to face-to-face meetings.
- Plan freezes and terminations – Plan freezes and terminations including complete consulting services; cost, contribution and timing analysis; all participant communications and notices; PBGC/IRS timelines, filings, notices; plan amendments; annuity and lump sum options; etc.
- Compliance and audits – Complete compliance reviews and assistance with IRS, DOL and PBGC audits.
- Mergers and acquisitions – Retirement plan analysis and consulting in the event of a merger; acquisition or spinoff.
- Union or executive benefit negotiation – Analysis of benefits programs in negotiations including determination of program costs and/or benefit adequacy.
- Expert witness testimony – Provide testimony in court cases where actuarial or employee benefits expertise is required.