NonSubstantive Change Request (Name Change for Annual Public Pension Survey)

Non-Substantive Change Request to the Office of Management and Budget

The Census Bureau is requesting the approval of two actions related to the State and Local Government Finance forms (0607-0585). First, is a name change for forms F-11, F-12, and F-12(S), and the second is approval for several changes to these forms.

In March 2012, the OMB approved a name change for the Quarterly Survey of Finances of Selected Government Retirement Systems (0607-0143). The new name is Quarterly Survey of Public Pensions. Following suit, the Census Bureau requests a name change for the corresponding annual survey, changing the name from the Annual Survey of Public-Employee Retirement Systems to the Annual Survey of Public Pensions. The forms for this survey are the F-11, F-12, and F-12(S).

In July 2011, the OMB approved the State and Local Government Finance forms (0607-0585) for the 2012 Census of Governments, and the 2011 and 2013 annual surveys. In addition to the name change, we are requesting several changes to the previously approved survey forms for the 2012 Census of Governments and the 2013 Annual Survey of Public Pensions. These changes are based on the results of record keeping and cognitive testing visits to state and local public-employee retirement system administrators; these visits were conducted in late 2011 and early 2012. With the exception of two check box questions for the 2012 census year, the changes apply to both the 2012 and the 2013 survey forms.

Incorporating these changes will reduce average respondent burden from 2.5 hours to 2.25 hours. This reduction in burden results in a total decrease of 1,021 hours for the 2012 Census of Governments and a total decrease of 470 hours for the 2013 annual survey. The revised average annual burden for the collection is 73,861 hours.

Data Items Added:

• Retirement System Coverage and Organization Information. (2012 census questions) These two questions were last posed for the 2002 Census of Governments but were omitted from the 2007 Census of Governments forms. They are both check box questions collecting coverage and organizational information.

  • Description of retirement system (check box)

  • Type of coverage (check box)

• Ending Date of Fiscal Year.

• Membership and Benefits for Defined Benefit Plans

  • Amount paid for withdrawals and other one-time payments to deferred retirement option plan payees

• Actuarial Information for Defined Benefit Plans

  • Amount associated for beneficiaries receiving periodic benefit payments during the month

  • Are members required to contribute to the normal cost or service cost (check box)

  • Were cost of living adjustments (COLA) made to pension benefits during the fiscal year (check box)

Data Items Previously Approved by OMB but Now Removed:

• Membership and Benefits for Defined Benefit Plans.

  • Amount of monthly benefit payments to retirees

  • Amount of monthly benefit payments to disabilitants

  • Amount of monthly benefit payments to survivors

  • Amount paid for withdrawals and other one-time payments

  • Amount of lump-sum payments

• Cash and Investments for Defined Benefit Plans

  • All Other Short Term Investments

    • Amount of repurchase agreements

    • Amount of commercial and finance company paper and bankers acceptances

    • Amount of money market mutual funds

    • Amount of investments held in trust funds

  • Amount of mutual funds

  • Amount of hedge funds

• Actuarial Information for Defined Benefits Plans

  • Percent contributed of the annual required contribution (ARC)

  • Actuarial Cost Method

(Remove all check boxes except entry age/entry age normal, projected unit credit, and other – due to a GASB exposure draft proposal to change a reporting standard). 

Data Items Previously Approved for Removal but Not Removed:

• Cash and Investments for Defined Benefit Plans

  • Amount of state and local government securities

Instruction modifications:

• Cash and Investments for Defined Benefit Plans

  • Total amount of Other Investments: Did not delete “Investments in REITs” from the list of inclusions as was previously approved by OMB.

  • Total amount of Other Securities: Added “Mutual funds not reported elsewhere” and “Hedge funds” to the list of inclusions.