HomeMy WebLinkAbout#16 - Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Pension Increase STAFF REPORT
DATE: December 3, 2024
REGULAR
TO: City Council
FROM: Dustin Kalis, Fire Chief
AGENDA ITEM: Approve Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan Benefit Level Increase
REVIEWED BY: Nicole Miller, City Administrator
Dustin Kalis, Fire Chief
Clarissa Hadler, Finance Director
Mike Schwarz, President, Lake Elmo Firefighters Relief Association
BACKGROUND:
On January 1st, 2024, the Lake Elmo Firefighters Relief Association transferred funds and began
operating under the direction of the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan (SVF). Annually, Public
Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota (PERA) and the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter
Plan provides an Actuarial Valuation Report to the city. Information provided in this report provides
information used when seeking a pension benefit level increase.
ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL:
Should the City Council adopt a resolution authorizing the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan
Benefit Level Increase to $8,000 per year of service.
PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS:
The Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan is the sole retirement benefit provided to paid-on-call fire
department staff. The plan is funded through the department’s pension assets and annual fire state aid
contributions from the State of Minnesota.
The proposed change would increase the retirement benefit from $7,000 per year of service to $8,000
per year of service. The current vesting schedule is 5 years (40%) and full vesting at 20 years
(100%).
A fire department’s SVF Plan benefit level is the dollar amount corresponding to each year of a
volunteer firefighter’s certified service. PERA’s cost analysis is intended to help the city determine
whether and the extent to which a benefit level increase is appropriate for their fire department.
The city has the authority to approve benefit level increases for the fire department and may elect to
do so once per year. A benefit level increase approved in a given year will go into effect on January 1
of the next year. The city cannot elect to decrease the fire department’s benefit level.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The 2024 Actuarial Valuation Report indicated that at our current benefit level of $7,000 per year of
service, with the plan currently 147.39% overfunded and requiring no municipal contribution to the
plan for 2025. A benefit level analysis provided by PERA on 10/8/24 accounted for a recent and
anticipated retirement payout. At the $8,000 per year benefit level, our funding amount is 156%.
SVF PERA fees are $60 per firefighter per year (includes active and deferred firefighters) and
investment fees: $0.06 per $1,000 invested (6/10ths of 1%). These fees are calculated annually and
are withdrawn from the department’s pension assets.
OPTION:
1) Approve the resolution.
2) Amend and then approve the resolution
RECOMMENDATION:
“Motion to approve Resolution No 2024-131, A Resolution opting to increase the benefit level for
firefighters who are vested in the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan to $8,000 per year of service”
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
WASHINGTON COUNTY
STATE OF MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-131
A RESOLUTION OPTING TO INCREASE THE BENEFIT LEVEL FOR
FIREFIGHTERS WHO ARE VESTED IN THE STATEWIDE VOLUNTEER
FIREFIGHTER PLAN
WHEREAS: The City previously authorized the fire department to join the
Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan administered by the Public Employees Retirement
Association (PERA); and
WHEREAS: The City requested and obtained a cost analysis of increasing the
benefit level for firefighters who are vested in the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan
from PERA not more than 120 days ago; and
WHEREAS: The City understands that Minnesota statutes do not have provisions
for a decrease in benefit levels; and
WHEREAS: The City highly values the contributions of City Fire Department
members to the safety and well being of our community and wishes to safeguard their
pension investments in a prudent manner.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of
Lake Elmo, Minnesota:
1) The City hereby approves an increase in the benefit level for firefighters
who have completed at least 5 years of good time service credit as a
member of the Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan administered by
PERA at the $8,000.00 benefit level per year of service, effective January
1, 2025; and
2) The City Clerk/Administrator and Mayor are hereby authorized to execute
all documents necessary to effectuate the intent of this resolution.
APPROVED by the Lake Elmo City Council on this 3rd day of December, 2024.
By: __________________________
Charles Cadenhead
Mayor
ATTEST:
________________________________
Julie Johnson, City Clerk
CITY OF LAKE ELMO
Page 1
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Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota
Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Plan
Actuarial Valuation Report as of December 31, 2024 for
the City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department
Table of Contents
Cover Letter -
Executive Summary 1
Summary of Results................................................................................................................................ 1
Valuation Results 2
Financial Requirement for Following Calendar Year .............................................................................. 2
Benefit Level Analysis ............................................................................................................................. 2
Projection of Accrued Liability ............................................................................................................... 3
Projection of Assets ................................................................................................................................ 3
(Gain) / Loss ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Cost Impact of Increase in Benefit Level ................................................................................................ 4
Summary of Participant Data ........................................................................................................................ 5
Assessment of Risk ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Low-Default-Risk Obligation Measure ......................................................................................................... 7
Methods and Assumptions ........................................................................................................................... 8
Summary of Plan Provisions ......................................................................................................................... 9
Plan Member Detail .................................................................................................................................... 10
July 15, 2024
Public Employees Retirement Association of Minnesota
St. Paul, Minnesota
Re: City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department Actuarial Valuation as of December 31, 2024
Dear PERA Trustees:
The results of the December 31, 2024 Actuarial Valuation of the City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire
Department (the Plan) are presented in this report.
This report was prepared at the request of the Board and is intended for use by the Public Employees
Retirement Association (PERA) and the Plan and those designated or approved by the Board or the Plan.
This report may be provided to parties other than PERA and the Plan only in its entirety and only with the
permission of the Board or the Plan. GRS is not responsible for unauthorized use of this report.
The purposes of the valuation are to measure the Plan’s funding progress and to determine the required
contribution for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. This report should not be relied on for any
purpose other than the purposes described herein. Determinations of financial results, associated with the
benefits described in this report, for purposes other than those identified above may be significantly
different.
The contribution in this report is determined using the actuarial assumptions and methods disclosed on
page 8 of this report. This report includes risk metrics on page 6 but does not include a more robust
assessment of the risks of future experience not meeting the actuarial assumptions. Additional assessment
of risks was outside the scope of this assignment.
This valuation assumed the continuing ability of the governing body to make the contributions necessary to
fund this plan. A determination regarding whether or not the governing body is actually able to do so is
outside our scope of expertise and was not performed.
The findings in this report are based on data and other information through December 31, 2023. The
valuation was based upon information furnished by PERA concerning the Plan, financial transactions, plan
provisions, and active and terminated members. We checked for internal reasonability and year-to-year
consistency, but did not audit the data. We are not responsible for the accuracy or completeness of the
information provided by PERA.
Public Employees Retirement Association of MN
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department
July 15, 2024
Page 2
Actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, and others identified in this report, are prescribed by
Minnesota Statutes Section 353G.08, the Legislative Commission on Pensions and Retirement (LCPR), and
the Trustees. These parties are responsible for selecting the plan’s funding policy, actuarial valuation
methods, asset valuation methods and assumptions. The policies, methods and assumptions used in this
valuation are those that have been so prescribed and are described in the Methods and Assumptions
section of this report. PERA is solely responsible for communicating to GRS any changes required thereto.
All actuarial assumptions used in this report are reasonable for the purposes of this valuation. The
combined effect of the assumptions is expected to have no significant bias (i.e. not significantly optimistic
or pessimistic). All actuarial assumptions and methods used in the valuation follow the guidance in the
applicable Actuarial Standards of Practice. Additional information about the actuarial assumptions is
included in the section of this report entitled Methods and Assumptions. We have assessed that the
contribution allocation procedure calculated under the current funding policy is a reasonable Actuarially
Determined Employer Contribution (ADEC) and is not significantly inconsistent with the plan accumulating
adequate assets to make benefit payments when due.
This report was prepared using our proprietary valuation model and related software which, in our
professional judgment, has the capability to provide results that are consistent with the purposes of the
valuation and has no material limitations or known weaknesses. We performed tests to ensure that the
model reasonably represents that which is intended to be modeled.
This report has been prepared by actuaries who have substantial experience valuing public employee
retirement systems. To the best of our knowledge, the information contained in this report is accurate and
fairly presents the actuarial position of the Plan as of the valuation date and was performed in accordance
with the requirements of Minnesota Statutes Section 353G.08, and the requirements of the Standards for
Actuarial Work established by the LCPR. All calculations have been made in conformity with generally
accepted actuarial principles and practices, with the Actuarial Standards of Practice issued by the Actuarial
Standards Board, and with applicable statutes.
Bonita J. Wurst and Sheryl L. Christensen are Members of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA) and
meet the Qualification Standards of the American Academy of Actuaries to render the actuarial opinions
contained herein. In addition, GRS meets the requirements of “approved actuary” under Minnesota
Statutes Section 356.215, Subdivision 1, Paragraph (c).
The signing actuaries are independent of the plan sponsor.
Respectfully submitted,
Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company
Bonita J. Wurst, ASA, EA, FCA, MAAA Sheryl L. Christensen, FSA, EA, FCA, MAAA
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 1
Executive Summary
The Required Contributions for 2024 and 2025 are summarized in the following table:
Summary of Results
Plan Data 2024 2023*
1. Current Benefit Level
2. Number of Participants
$ 7,000 $ N/A
a. Active members 24
b. Deferred members 9
c. Total 33
Funded Status 2024 2023*
1. Projected Assets at End of Year $ 1,542,698 $ N/A
2. Accrued Liability at End of Year 1,046,711 N/A
3. Surplus / (Deficit) $ 495,987 $ N/A
4. Funded Ratio 147.39% N/A
5. Account Status Surplus Over Full
Funding
N/A
Contributions 2024 2023*
1. Financial Requirement
a. Total Financial Requirement $ 141,510 $ N/A
b. Reduction to the Financial Requirement (217,267) N/A
c. Required Contribution $ 0 $ N/A
2. Contribution Due Date 12/31/2025 12/31/2024
* 2023 results calculated and provided by PERA.
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 2
Valuation Results
Financial Requirement for Following Calendar Year
2024 2023*
1. Determination of Surplus / (Deficit)
a. Projected Assets $ 1,542,698 $ N/A
b. Accrued Liability 1,046,711 N/A
2. Surplus / (Deficit)
[1a-1b] $ 495,987 $ N/A
3. Financial Requirement Charges
a. Increase/(Decrease) in liability $ 139,530 $ N/A
b. Administrative Fees 1,980 N/A
c. One-Tenth of Deficit / (Surplus)^ 0 N/A
d. Net Financial Requirement Charge
[3a+3b+3c, not less than zero]
$ 141,510
$ N/A
4. Financial Requirement Credits
a. Fire State Aid Current Year x 1.035 $ (106,671) $ N/A
b. Supplemental State Aid Current Year (18,034) N/A
c. 6% interest on Projected Present Assets (92,562) N/A
d. Net Financial Requirement Credit
[4a+4b+4c]
$ (217,267)
$ N/A
5. Required Contribution
[3d+4d, not less than zero]
$ 0
$ N/A
6. Contribution Due Date 12/31/2025 12/31/2024
Benefit Level Analysis
2024 2023*
1. Current Benefit Level $ 7,000 $ N/A
2. Financial Requirement Charges 141,510 N/A
3. Fire State Aid (including supplemental aid) 124,705 N/A
4. Fire State Aid Use Ratio 113% N/A
* 2023 results calculated and provided by PERA.
^ Zero if the plan has had a surplus for only one year.
Your organization uses all of the available Fire State Aid towards its financial requirement.
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 3
Projection of Accrued Liability
2024 2023*
1. Active Member Liability $ 685,129 $
2. Deferred Member Liability 361,582
3. Total Accrued Liability at year-end (1+2) $ 1,046,711 $ N/A
4. Projected Accrued Liability at next year-end 1,186,241 N/A
5. Increase/(Decrease) in Liability (4-3) $ 139,530 $ N/A
Projection of Assets
2024 2023*
1. Actual Assets at Beginning of Year
2. Projected Change in Asset Value
$ 1,342,066 $
a. Fire State Aid 103,064
b. Fire Supplemental Aid 18,034
c. Required Contribution 0
d. Net Investment Income 80,524
e. PERA Administrative Fee (990)
f. Net Change in Present Assets $ 200,632 $
3. Projected Assets at End of Year $ 1,542,698 $ N/A
* 2023 results calculated and provided by PERA.
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 4
Cost Impact of Increase in Benefit Level
2024
2023* Benefit Level $7,000 $7,100 $7,200 $8,000
1. Determination of Surplus / (Deficit)
a. Projected Assets $ 1,542,698 $ 1,542,698 $ 1,542,698 $ 1,542,698
b. Accrued Liability 1,046,711 1,056,499 1,066,286 1,144,587
2. Surplus / (Deficit)
[1a-1b] $ 495,987 $ 486,199 $ 476,412 $ 398,111
3. Financial Requirement Charges
a. Increase/(Decrease) in liability $ 139,530 $ 141,213 $ 142,897 $ 156,364
b. Administrative Fees 1,980 1,980 1,980 1,980
c. One-Tenth of Deficit / (Surplus)^ 0 0 0 0
d. Net Financial Requirement Charge
[3a+3b+3c, not less than zero]
$ 141,510
$ 143,193
$ 144,877
$ 158,344
4. Financial Requirement Credits
a. Fire State Aid Current Year x 1.035 $ (106,671) $ (106,671) $ (106,671) $ (106,671)
b. Supplemental State Aid Current Year (18,034) (18,034) (18,034) (18,034)
c. 6% interest on Projected Present Assets (92,562) (92,562) (92,562) (92,562)
d. Net Financial Requirement Credit
[4a+4b+4c]
$ (217,267)
$ (217,267)
$ (217,267)
$ (217,267)
5. Required Contribution
[3d+4d, not less than zero]
$ 0
$ 0
$ 0
$ 0
^ Zero if the plan has had a surplus for only one year.
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 5
Summary of Participant Data
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023*
Active Members
Number 24
Average Age 39.3
Average Service 5.5
Deferred Vested Members
Number 9
Average Age 43.6
Total Benefits $ 516,280
* 2023 results calculated and provided by PERA.
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 6
Risks Associated with Measuring the Accrued Liability and
Actuarially Determined Contribution
The determination of the accrued liability and the actuarially determined contribution requires the use of
assumptions regarding future economic and demographic experience. Risk measures, as illustrated in this
report, are intended to aid in the understanding of the effects of future experience differing from the
assumptions used in the course of the actuarial valuation. Risk measures may also help with illustrating the
potential volatility in the accrued liability and the actuarially determined contribution that result from the
differences between actual experience and the actuarial assumptions.
Future actuarial measurements may differ significantly from the current measurements presented in this
report due to such factors as the following: plan experience differing from that anticipated by the economic or
demographic assumptions; changes in economic or demographic assumptions due to changing conditions;
increases or decreases expected as part of the natural operation of the methodology used for these
measurements (such as the end of an amortization period, or additional cost or contribution requirements
based on the Plan’s funded status); and changes in plan provisions or applicable law. The scope of an actuarial
valuation does not include an analysis of the potential range of such future measurements.
Examples of risk that may reasonably be anticipated to significantly affect the plan’s future financial condition
include:
1. Investment Risk – actual investment returns may differ from the expected returns;
2. Asset/Liability Mismatch – changes in asset values may not match changes in liabilities, and are highly
dependent on the timing of lump sum payments, thereby altering the gap between the accrued
liability and assets and consequently altering the funded status and contribution requirements;
3. Contribution Risk – actual contributions may differ from expected future contributions. For example,
actual contributions may not be made in accordance with the plan’s funding policy or material changes
may occur in the anticipated number of covered employees or other relevant contribution base;
4. Other Demographic Risks – members may terminate, retire or become disabled at times or with
benefits other than assumed resulting in actual future accrued liability and contributions differing from
expected.
The effects of certain trends in experience can generally be anticipated. For example, if the investment return
since the most recent actuarial valuation is less (or more) than the assumed rate, the cost of the plan can be
expected to increase (or decrease).
The required contribution shown on page 1 may be considered as a minimum contribution that complies with
Minnesota Statutes. The timely receipt of the actuarially determined contributions is critical to support the
financial health of the plan. Users of this report should be aware that contributions made at the actuarially
determined rate do not necessarily guarantee benefit security.
Additional Risk Assessment
Additional risk assessment is outside the scope of the annual actuarial valuation. Additional assessment may
include scenario tests, sensitivity tests, stochastic modeling, stress tests, and a comparison of the present
value of accrued benefits at low-risk discount rates with the actuarial accrued liability.
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 7
Low-Default-Risk Obligation Measure
Actuarial Standards of Practice No. 4 (ASOP No. 4) was revised and reissued in December 2021 by the Actuarial
Standards Board (ASB). It includes a new calculation called a Low-Default-Risk Obligation Measure (LDROM) to
be prepared and issued annually for defined benefit pension plans. The transmittal memorandum for ASOP
No. 4 includes the following explanation:
“The ASB believes that the calculation and disclosure of this measure provides appropriate, useful information
for the intended user regarding the funded status of a pension plan. The calculation and disclosure of this
additional measure is not intended to suggest that this is the “right” liability measure for a pension plan.
However, the ASB does believe that this additional disclosure provides a more complete assessment of a plan’s
funded status and provides additional information regarding the security of benefits that members have
earned as of the measurement date.”
The following information has been prepared in compliance with this new requirement. Unless otherwise
noted, the measurement date, actuarial cost methods, and assumptions used are the same as for the funding
valuation covered in this actuarial valuation report.
A. Low-Default-Risk Obligation Measure of benefits earned as of the measurement date: $1,109,145
B. Discount rate used to calculate the LDROM: 4.83%
C. Other significant assumptions that differ from those used for the funding valuation: none
D. Actuarial cost method used to calculate the LDROM: Entry Age Actuarial Cost Method
E. Valuation procedures to value any significant plan provisions that are difficult to measure using
traditional valuation procedures, and that differ from the procedures used in the funding valuation:
none
F. The LDROM is a market-based measurement of the pension obligation. It estimates the amount the
plan would need to invest in low risk securities to provide the benefits with greater certainty. This
measure may not be appropriate for assessing the need for or amount of future contributions. This
measure may not be appropriate for assessing the sufficiency of plan assets to cover the estimated
cost of settling the plan’s benefit obligation.
The difference between the two measures (Valuation and LDROM) is one illustration of the savings the
sponsor anticipates by taking on the risk in a diversified portfolio.
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 8
Methods and Assumptions
Actuarial Methods
Valuation Date December 31, 2024, projected from data as of
December 31, 2023
Funding Method Entry age normal level dollar with no pre-retirement
decrements per MN Statutes 353G.08
Market Assets Trustee value plus any receivable income and less any
payables
Actuarial Assets Market assets projected to the end of the valuation year,
per MN Statutes 353G.08
Economic Assumptions
Valuation Rate 6.00%, net of investment expenses
Increases to Fire State Aid 3.50% per year
Future Benefit Level Increases None
Interest on Deferred Benefits As indicated in member data
Other Assumptions
Mortality (pre-retirement) None
Mortality (post-retirement) Not Applicable
Disability None
Withdrawal None
Retirement Age Later of Age 50 or 20 years of service
Form of Payment Lump Sum
Administrative Expenses $30 per participant; increasing to $60 per participant for
plan year 2025
Assumption Changes: None
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 9
Summary of Plan Provisions
Following is a summary of the major plan provisions used to determine the plan’s financial position. It should
not be used in determining plan benefits.
Fire Department City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department
Plan Year Calendar year
Vesting Schedule Members are 40% vested upon completion of 5 years of
service. The vesting percentage increases by 4% for each
complete year of service above 5 years until the member is
100% vested with 20 years of service.
Normal Form of Payment Lump sum
Deferred Vested Benefit Eligible upon termination, after completion of at least 5 years
of service. Lump sum of $7,000 per year of service, subject to
the vesting schedule, payable at age 50. The benefit may be
subject to an interest rate credit during the time that a
member is deferred.
Normal Retirement Benefit Eligible upon attainment of age 50 and completion of 20 years
of service. Lump sum of $7,000 per year of service.
City of Lake Elmo Volunteer Fire Department 10
Plan Member Detail*
As of 12/31/2024
Member Name Status Date of
Entry
Total
Service
Years
Vesting
%
Vested
Benefit
Accrued
Benefit
Projected
Ben at
Ret
Anderson, Brent Active 7/16/2019 5 40% $14,000 $35,000 $140,000
Awoyinka, Oluwole Active 10/29/2019 5 40% $14,000 $35,000 $140,000
Beard, Alex Active 11/4/2022 2 0% $0 $14,000 $175,000
Bermudez, Bill P Active 1/6/2021 4 0% $0 $28,000 $147,000
Chapman, Brian A Active 11/4/2022 2 0% $0 $14,000 $140,000
Goodspeed, Robin L Active 6/1/2010 15 80% $84,000 $105,000 $140,000
Haveman, Peter Active 8/17/2021 3 0% $0 $21,000 $203,000
Johnson, Brian J Active 12/8/1992 32 100% $224,000 $224,000 $224,000
Klein, Chris Active 8/19/2008 16 84% $94,080 $112,000 $140,000
Klitzke, Dale B Active 8/17/2021 3 0% $0 $21,000 $140,000
Lembrich, Adam J Active 11/4/2022 2 0% $0 $14,000 $140,000
Lilly, Andrew Active 1/1/2024 1 0% $0 $7,000 $140,000
Lovett, Doug Active 6/21/2018 7 48% $23,520 $49,000 $140,000
Malone, Quinn Active 1/4/2021 4 0% $0 $28,000 $175,000
Montgomery, Joshua D Active 1/1/2024 1 0% $0 $7,000 $140,000
Penman, Jeremy J Active 5/19/2015 10 60% $42,000 $70,000 $140,000
Rivera, Anthony Active 1/1/2024 1 0% $0 $7,000 $140,000
Rosenberg, Nicholas M Active 1/1/2024 1 0% $0 $7,000 $140,000
Salchow, Colin Active 11/17/2021 3 0% $0 $21,000 $175,000
Schwarz, Mike Active 11/21/2018 6 44% $18,480 $42,000 $189,000
Thone, Jordan Active 1/1/2024 1 0% $0 $7,000 $140,000
Wagner, Nathaniel W Active 9/21/2021 3 0% $0 $21,000 $140,000
Watt, Matt Active 11/4/2022 2 0% $0 $14,000 $140,000
Weil, Alex R Active 11/4/2022 2 0% $0 $14,000 $168,000
Cornell, Lawrence M Deferred 12/30/2010 $35,100 $35,100
Cornell, Michael R Deferred 6/5/2007 $64,467 $64,467
Hauser, Brian Deferred 7/31/2002 $32,232 $32,232
Malmquist, Noah Deferred 8/15/2006 $65,949 $65,949
Olson, Lee Deferred 7/31/2002 $27,937 $27,937
Rutkowski, Steve Deferred 7/31/2002 $96,876 $96,876
Sachs, Barney Deferred 11/16/1999 $26,701 $26,701
Springborn, Richie W Deferred 2/20/1996 $123,338 $123,338
Witter, Nicholas B Deferred 9/15/2009 $43,680 $43,680
*Information was provided by PERA for valuation purposes and should not be relied upon. Any changes in the data
provided would produce different valuation results and estimated benefit amounts.