A defined benefit pension plan is a type of pension plan in which an employer or sponsor promises a specified pension payment, lump-sum (or combination thereof) on retirement that is predetermined by a formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service and age, rather than depending directly on individual investment returns. Traditionally, many governmental and public entities, as well as a large number of corporations, provided defined benefit plans, sometimes as a means of compensating workers in lieu of increased pay. A defined benefit plan is "defined" in the sense that the benefit formula is defined and known in advance. Conversely, for a "defined contribution retirement saving plan", the formula for computing the employer's and employee's contributions is defined and known in advance, but the benefit to be paid out is not known in advance.
The New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement is a comprehensive contractual arrangement that governs the operations and management of pension plans in the state of New York. This agreement establishes the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of both employers and employees participating in the plan, ensuring the provision of retirement benefits to eligible employees upon their retirement. Under the New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement, there are several types of plans available to accommodate different groups of employees. These plans include: 1. State and Local Retirement Systems: This type of plan covers employees working in various state and local public sector entities, including government agencies, public schools, public colleges, and certain public authorities. The New York State and Local Retirement System and the New York City Employees' Retirement System are two notable examples. 2. Police and Fire Retirement Systems: These plans cater specifically to police officers and firefighters. The New York State Police and Fire Retirement System and the New York City Police Pension Fund are prominent examples of systems falling under this category. 3. Teachers' Retirement Systems: These plans are designed exclusively for educators and academic staff. The Teachers' Retirement System of the City of New York and the New York State Teachers' Retirement System are the main retirement systems in this realm. 4. Public Employee Retirement Systems: This category encompasses plans for various public employees who do not fall under the state, local, police, or fire retirement systems. It typically includes employees of public authorities, municipalities, county governments, and other public entities. The New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement ensures that participating employees receive a reliable stream of retirement income based on a formula that incorporates factors such as years of service, age, and salary. Contributions made by both the employees and their employers are invested in a trust fund managed by professional investment managers, with the aim of generating returns to sustain the obligations outlined in the agreement. Furthermore, the agreement establishes eligibility criteria, vesting requirements, and rules regarding early retirement and disability benefits. It also details the procedures for determining the amount of retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, and survivor benefits for beneficiaries. Importantly, the New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement has built-in provisions for monitoring and adjusting the plan's funding levels to ensure its long-term sustainability. Regular actuarial valuations are conducted to assess the sufficiency of the plan's assets, identify potential funding shortfalls, and inform any necessary adjustments to the contribution rates by employers or employees. Overall, the New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement establishes a robust framework for providing retirement security to public sector employees in the state of New York. It offers various types of plans tailored to specific employee groups, outlining their rights and obligations while emphasizing the importance of financial sustainability for the long-term viability of the pension system.
The New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement is a comprehensive contractual arrangement that governs the operations and management of pension plans in the state of New York. This agreement establishes the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of both employers and employees participating in the plan, ensuring the provision of retirement benefits to eligible employees upon their retirement. Under the New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement, there are several types of plans available to accommodate different groups of employees. These plans include: 1. State and Local Retirement Systems: This type of plan covers employees working in various state and local public sector entities, including government agencies, public schools, public colleges, and certain public authorities. The New York State and Local Retirement System and the New York City Employees' Retirement System are two notable examples. 2. Police and Fire Retirement Systems: These plans cater specifically to police officers and firefighters. The New York State Police and Fire Retirement System and the New York City Police Pension Fund are prominent examples of systems falling under this category. 3. Teachers' Retirement Systems: These plans are designed exclusively for educators and academic staff. The Teachers' Retirement System of the City of New York and the New York State Teachers' Retirement System are the main retirement systems in this realm. 4. Public Employee Retirement Systems: This category encompasses plans for various public employees who do not fall under the state, local, police, or fire retirement systems. It typically includes employees of public authorities, municipalities, county governments, and other public entities. The New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement ensures that participating employees receive a reliable stream of retirement income based on a formula that incorporates factors such as years of service, age, and salary. Contributions made by both the employees and their employers are invested in a trust fund managed by professional investment managers, with the aim of generating returns to sustain the obligations outlined in the agreement. Furthermore, the agreement establishes eligibility criteria, vesting requirements, and rules regarding early retirement and disability benefits. It also details the procedures for determining the amount of retirement benefits, cost-of-living adjustments, and survivor benefits for beneficiaries. Importantly, the New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement has built-in provisions for monitoring and adjusting the plan's funding levels to ensure its long-term sustainability. Regular actuarial valuations are conducted to assess the sufficiency of the plan's assets, identify potential funding shortfalls, and inform any necessary adjustments to the contribution rates by employers or employees. Overall, the New York Defined-Benefit Pension Plan and Trust Agreement establishes a robust framework for providing retirement security to public sector employees in the state of New York. It offers various types of plans tailored to specific employee groups, outlining their rights and obligations while emphasizing the importance of financial sustainability for the long-term viability of the pension system.