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
Management of investment risks associated with business risk, interest rate risk, political risk, and purchasing power risk. Usually fixed income financial instruments, such as fixed dollar ...
Postponement of taxes on investment or other earnings until the investor begins to consume them and anticipates being in a lower tax bracket. One example of a tax-deferred investment is an ...
Present value of a series of payments such that the first payment is due immediately, the second payment one period from hence, the third payment two periods hence, and so forth. The ...
Group insurance contract under which a periodic (usually monthly) disability income benefit is paid to the insured as long as he or she remains disabled. ...
Extension of coverage available under the Standard Fire Policy. The standard policy only covers the perils of fire and lightning. The endorsement covers riot, riot attending a strike, civil ...
One named under provisions of the employee retirement income security act of 1974 (erisa) for a terminated pension plan with an unfunded liability for its benefits. ...
Insurance policy under which payment is made for a loss not subject to any deductible or under which payment is made up to the limits of the policy, and then an excess insurance policy ...
Same as term Fortuitous Loss: loss occurring by accident or chance, not by anyone's intention. Insurance policies provide coverage against losses that occur only on a chance basis, where ...
Agent who is licensed and who markets and services insurance policies in a state in which he or she is not domiciled. ...
Have a question or comment?
We're here to help.