Flat Amount
Definition of "Flat amount"
Same as term Defined Benefit Plan: retirement plan under which benefits are fixed in advance by formula, and contributions vary. The defined benefit plan can be expressed in either of two ways:
- Fixed Dollars: Unit benefit approach a discrete unit of benefit is credited for each year of service recognized by the employer.The unit is either a flat dollar amount or (more often) a percentage of compensation usually 1 1/2-2 1/2%. Total years of service are multiplied by this percentage. For example, if total years of service is 30 and the percentage is VA, 45% would be applied to either the career average earnings or final average earnings (highest three of five consecutive years of earnings). If the average of the highest five consecutive years of earnings is $100,000, the yearly retirement benefit would be $45,000. Level Percentage of Compensation After a minimum number of years of service (usually 20) and a minimum age (usually 50), all employees will receive the same percentage of earnings as a retirement benefit, regardless of income, position in the company, or years of service. For example, each employee who is at least 50 years of age, with at least 20 years of service receives 20% of compensation. This plan is more common than the flat amount approach described below, Flat Amount After having attained a minimum number of years of service (usually 20) and a minimum age (usually 50), all employees will receive the same absolute dollar amount as a retirement benefit, regardless of income, position in the company, or years of service. For example, each employee who is at least 50 years of age, with at least 20 years of service receives $8000 a year in retirement benefits.
- Variable Dollars: Cost-of-Living Plan benefits are modified according to changes in a predetermined price index usually, the Consumer Price Index (CPI). For example, when the CPI increases by at least 3% benefits are increased by that percentage, Equity Annuity Plan premiums are paid into a variable annuity plan to purchase accumulation units. At retirement, the accumulation units are converted to retirement units whose values fluctuate according to the common stock portfolio in which the premiums we reinvested.
Popular Insurance Terms
Gain that occurs when the move in the underlying asset in one direction is similar to the loss when the underlying asset moves in the opposite direction. For example, if a stock goes up by ...
Instrument that guarantees compliance with various city, county, and state laws that govern the issuance of a particular license to conduct business. ...
Difference between the actuarial equivalent (rate) and the often lower rate actually charged to insure a risk. ...
recipient. insurance company that receives a premium payment from a payer. insured or beneficiary who receives a loss or benefit payment from an insurer. ...
Maximum limit of liability of an insurance company for a particular claim or kind of loss that is applicable in general to all such claims or losses. This maximum limit of liability is ...
In insurance, debit agents list of total premiums to be collected. This also applies to the geographical area in which an agent collects the premiums. ...
Single insurance policy for only one kind of property at only one location of an insured. For example, property insurance on a rare piano in the insured's home would cover only that piano, ...
Policy permitting an insured to choose desired coverages. These policies are important for items with relatively low limits of coverage under standard property insurance forms. For example, ...
Excess of loss reinsurance written on a facultative reinsurance basis to provide cover for a particular PRIMARY INSURANCE policy. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.