Pension Sustainability: Utah

Analysis of Utah's policies

As of January 1, 2010, the most recent date for which an actuarial valuation is available, Utah's teacher defined benefit pension plan is 85.7 percent funded and has an amortization period of 24 years. This means that if the plan earns its assumed rate of return and maintains current contribution rates, it would take the state 24 years to pay off its unfunded liabilities. While not ideal, both levels are better than regulatory recommendations, and Utah's system is financially sustainable according to actuarial benchmarks.

However, Utah commits excessive resources toward its teachers' retirement system. The current employer contribution rate to the defined benefit plan of 16.32 percent is too high, in light of the fact that local districts must also contribute 6.2 percent to Social Security. While this rate allows the state to pay off liabilities relatively quickly, it does so at great cost, precluding Utah from spending those funds on other, more immediate means to retain talented teachers. Teachers are not required to contribute to the pension system.

Utah closed its defined benefit plan to new employees as of July 1, 2011. All employees hired after this date will have a choice between a defined contribution plan or a hybrid plan. As set by statute, the employer contribution to both of these plans is 10 percent, plus the employer must contribute toward the amortization of the old plan. Any additional costs of the new plan that are beyond 10 percent will be paid by the employee. This employer rate is still too high, in light of the fact that local districts must also contribute 6.2 percent to Social Security. 

Citation

Utah Retirement Systems, Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 https://www.urs.org/pdf/AnnualReport/2010/annualReport.pdf

Recommendations for Utah

Avoid committing excessive resources to the pension system.
The state is commended for maintaining a system that is financially sustainable. However, Utah should consider decreasing employer contributions to allow local districts to spend those funds on more immediate recruitment and retention strategies. In addition, Utah should ensure that its new system is financially sustainable without demanding excessive contributions from employers. 

State response to our analysis

Utah recognized the factual accuracy of this analysis.