7.22 How Costs are Reflected to Employers

The following basic example shows how the rate is calculated for an employer for the 2024 Regular plan. Assume the actual payroll is $93,996.

As illustrated above, the unfunded amortization rate depends not only on the size of the unfunded liability but also on the size of the payroll. An employer’s unfunded amortization rate may increase not because the unfunded liability increased, but because the payroll decreased sharply. This situation often arises for small employers when a long-term employee leaves and is replaced by someone with a much lower salary. Unless the long-term employee takes a refund, the present value of benefits does not decrease. However, because the estimated payroll has decreased markedly, the unfunded rate goes up. The reverse can happen if an employer increases its payroll dramatically.

Contributions are not earmarked for specific members. Employer contributions The employer IMRF contribution rate is computed separately for each employer every year. Employer contributions pay a portion of the cost of retirement pensions, surviving spouse pensions, death benefit coverage, and disability benefits. are accumulated for those members who may qualify for IMRF pensions in the future.

Employers with no employees and negative employer assets may be assigned a minimum monthly contribution.