Course Outline:

Day 1: Overview of Pension Plan Structures

• Introduction to pension plans and their purpose
• Key concepts and terminology (e.g., accrual rate, vesting, funding)
• Basic structures of pension plans
• Case Study: Identifying the structure of a sample pension plan and discussing its key features

Day 2: Defined Benefit Plans

• Detailed examination of defined benefit plans
• Features, advantages, and disadvantages
• Calculation of benefits and funding requirements
• Case Study: Analyzing a defined benefit plan, including benefit calculations and funding strategies

Day 3: Defined Contribution Plans

• In-depth look at defined contribution plans
• Types of defined contribution plans (e.g., 401(k), 403(b))
• Contribution limits, investment options, and withdrawal rules
• Case Study: Evaluating a defined contribution plan’s features and performance, and comparing it with defined benefit plans

Day 4: Hybrid and Other Pension Plan Types

• Overview of hybrid plans (e.g., cash balance plans, pension equity plans)
• Comparison of hybrid plans with defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Other variations (e.g., multi-employer plans, governmental plans)
• Case Study: Designing a hybrid pension plan for a hypothetical company, including benefits and risk analysis

Day 5: Pension Plan Selection and Communication

• Criteria for selecting appropriate pension plans based on organizational needs
• Considerations for plan design and implementation
• Best practices for communicating pension plan options to employees
• Case Study: Developing a plan selection and communication strategy for a new pension plan, including employee-facing materials and internal guidelines