Part III. — Internal Revenue Bulletin 2016-38

Updated Static Mortality Tables for Defined Benefit Pension Plans for 2017

Notice 2016–50

PURPOSE

This notice provides updated static mortality tables to be used for defined benefit pension plans under § 430(h)(3)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and § 303(h)(3)(A) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Pub. L. No. 93–406, as amended (ERISA). These updated tables, which are being issued using the methodology in the existing final regulations under § 430(h)(3)(A), apply for purposes of calculating the funding target and other items for valuation dates occurring during calendar year 2017. This notice also includes a modified unisex version of the mortality tables for use in determining minimum present value under § 417(e)(3) of the Code and § 205(g)(3) of ERISA for distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods beginning in the 2017 calendar year.

BACKGROUND

Section 412 of the Code provides minimum funding requirements that generally apply for defined benefit plans. Section 412(a)(2) provides that § 430 specifies the minimum funding requirements that generally apply to defined benefit plans that are not multiemployer plans. Section 430(a) defines the minimum required contribution for such a plan by reference to the plan’s funding target for the plan year.

Section 430(h)(3) provides rules regarding the mortality tables to be used under § 430. Under § 430(h)(3)(A), except as provided in § 430(h)(3)(C) or (D), the Secretary is to prescribe by regulation mortality tables to be used in determining any present value or making any computation under § 430. Those tables are to be based on the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in that experi

ence. Section 430(h)(3)(B) provides that periodically (at least every 10 years) these mortality tables shall be revised to reflect the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in that experience.

Section 430(h)(3)(C) provides that, upon request by a plan sponsor and approval by the Secretary, substitute mortality tables that meet the applicable requirements may be used in lieu of the standard mortality tables provided under § 430(h)(3)(A). Section 430(h)(3)(D) provides for the use of separate mortality tables with respect to certain individuals who are entitled to benefits on account of disability, with separate tables for those whose disabilities occurred in plan years beginning before January 1, 1995, and those whose disabilities occurred in plan years beginning after December 31, 1994. These separate mortality tables are permitted to be used with respect to disabled individuals in lieu of the generally applicable mortality tables provided pursuant to § 430(h)(3)(A) or the substitute mortality tables under § 430(h)(3)(C).

Mortality Tables for Purposes of § 430

Section 1.430(h)(3)–1 of the regulations provides for mortality tables, based on the tables contained in the RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report, ¹ adjusted for mortality improvement using Projection Scale AA as recommended in that report. Section 1.430(h)(3)–1 generally requires the use of separate tables for nonannuitant and annuitant periods for large plans (those with over 500 participants as of the valuation date). Sponsors of small plans (those with 500 or fewer participants as of the valuation date) are permitted to use combined tables that apply the same mortality rates to both annuitants and nonannuitants.

Section 1.430(h)(3)–1 describes the methodology that the IRS will use to establish mortality tables as provided under § 430(h)(3)(A). The mortality tables set forth in § 1.430(h)(3)–1 are based on expected mortality as of 2000 and reflect the

impact of expected improvements in mortality. The regulations permit plan sponsors to apply the projection of mortality improvement in either of two ways: through use of static tables that are updated annually to reflect expected improvements in mortality, or through use of generational tables. The regulations include static mortality tables for use in actuarial valuations as of valuation dates occurring in 2008 and provide that the mortality tables for valuation dates occurring in future years are to be provided in the Internal Revenue Bulletin. Notice 2008–85, 2008–42 IRB 905, sets forth the static mortality tables that apply under § 430(h)(3)(A) for valuation dates during 2009 through 2013. Notice 2013–49, 2013–32 IRB 127, provides static mortality tables for valuation dates during 2014 and 2015. Notice 2015–53, 2015–33 IRB 190, provides static mortality tables for valuation dates during 2016.

Notice 2015–53 stated that the Treasury Department and the IRS expect to issue proposed regulations revising the base mortality rates and projection factors in § 1.430(h)(3)–1 and that the new regulations would not apply until 2017. The Treasury Department and the IRS still expect to issue proposed regulations revising the base mortality rates and projection factors in § 1.430(h)(3)–1. However, in order to give sufficient time for notice and comment on the proposed regulations, the Treasury Department and the IRS expect that the final regulations will apply beginning in 2018.

As noted in Notice 2015–53, after regulations implementing new mortality tables are finalized, as additional data regarding mortality improvement for more recent years becomes available, the Treasury Department and IRS expect to regularly review trends in mortality improvement and will update the projection of mortality improvement as necessary.

Application of These Tables for Other Funding Rules

Section 1.431(c)(6)–1 provides that the same mortality assumptions that ap

1The RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report was released by the Society of Actuaries in July 2000 and updated in May 2001. Society of Actuaries, RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report, at www.soa.org/Research/Experience-Study/Pension/research-rp-2000-mortality-tables.aspx .

Bulletin No. 2016–38 371 September 19, 2016

ply for purposes of § 430(h)(3)(A) and § 1.430(h)(3)–1(a)(2) are used to determine a multiemployer plan’s current liability for purposes of applying the fullfunding rules of § 431(c)(6). For this purpose, a multiemployer plan is permitted to apply either the annuallyadjusted static mortality tables or the generational mortality tables.

Section 433 provides the minimum funding standards for CSEC plans, which are described in section 414(y). Section 433(h)(3)(B)(i) provides that the Secretary may by regulation prescribe mortality tables to be used in determining current liability for purposes of § 433(c)(7)(C). The Treasury Department and the IRS expect to issue regulations prescribing that the mortality tables described in § 430(h)(3)(A) are to be used to determine current liability under § 433(c)(7)(C).

Application of Mortality Tables for Minimum Present Value Requirements under § 417(e)(3)

Section 417(e)(3) generally provides that the present value of certain benefits under a qualified pension plan (including single-sum distributions) cannot be less than the present value of the accrued benefit using applicable interest rates and the applicable mortality table. Under § 1.417(e)–1(d), these rules must also be used to compute the present value of a plan benefit for purposes of determining whether consent for a distribution is required under § 411(a)(11)(A).

Section 417(e)(3)(B) defines the term “applicable mortality table” as the mortality table specified for the plan year under

§ 430(h)(3)(A) (without regard to § 430(h)(3)(C) or (D)), modified as appropriate by the Secretary.

Rev. Rul. 2007–67, 2007–2 CB 1047, provides that, except as otherwise stated in future guidance, the applicable mortality table under § 417(e)(3) for 2008 is based on a fixed blend of 50% of the static male combined mortality rates and 50% of the static female combined mortality rates promulgated under § 1.430(h)(3)–1(c)(3) of the proposed regulations (which have since been issued as final regulations). The applicable mortality table for purposes of § 417(e)(3) is not a generational table. Rev. Rul. 2007–67 also provides that the applicable mortality table for a given year applies to distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods that begin during that calendar year. Rev. Rul. 2007–67 further states that the § 417(e)(3) applicable mortality table for each subsequent year will be published in future guidance and, except as provided in that future guidance, will be determined from the § 430(h)(3)(A) tables on the same basis as the applicable mortality table for 2008. Notice 2008–85 set forth the § 417(e)(3) applicable mortality tables for distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods beginning during calendar years 2009 through 2013. Notice 2013–49 set forth the § 417(e)(3) applicable mortality tables for distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods beginning during calendar years 2014 and 2015. Notice 2015–53 set forth the § 417(e)(3) applicable mortality tables for distributions with annuity starting dates that occur during stability periods beginning during calendar year 2016.

STATIC MORTALITY TABLES FOR 2017

This notice sets forth the mortality tables for minimum funding and present value requirements for 2017.

The static mortality tables that apply under § 430(h)(3)(A) for valuation dates occurring during 2017 are set forth in the appendix to this notice. The mortality rates in these tables have been developed from the base mortality rates, projection factors, and weighting factors set forth in § 1.430(h)(3)–1(d), using the blending techniques described in the preamble to those regulations.

The static mortality tables that apply under § 417(e)(3) for distributions with annuity starting dates occurring during stability periods beginning in 2017 are set forth in the appendix to this notice in the column labeled “Unisex.” These tables were derived from the tables used for § 430(h)(3)(A) following the procedures set forth in Rev. Rul. 2007–67.

Drafting Information

The principal authors of this notice are Michael Brewer and Linda S. F. Marshall of the Office of the Associate Chief Counsel (Tax Exempt and Government Entities). For further information regarding this notice, contact Michael Brewer or Linda Marshall at (202) 317-6700 (not a toll-free number).

Mortality tables for valuation dates occurring during 2017 and distributions subject to § 417(e)(3) with annuity

starting dates occurring during stability periods beginning in 2017

Age MALE MALE MALE FEMALE FEMALE FEMALE UNISEX

2017 Non-Annuitant

2017 Annuitant

2017 Optional Combined Table for Small Plans

2017 Non-Annuitant

Table

2017 Annuitant

2017 Optional Combined Table

for Small Plans

2017 Table for Distributions

Subject to §

Table Table Table for Small Plans Table Table for Small Plans 417(e)(3)

1 0.000334 0.000334 0.000334 0.000299 0.000299 0.000299 0.000317

2 0.000225 0.000225 0.000225 0.000195 0.000195 0.000195 0.000210

3 0.000187 0.000187 0.000187 0.000146 0.000146 0.000146 0.000167

4 0.000146 0.000146 0.000146 0.000109 0.000109 0.000109 0.000128

Table

September 19, 2016 372 Bulletin No. 2016–38

Age MALE MALE MALE FEMALE FEMALE FEMALE UNISEX

2017 Non-Annuitant

2017 Annuitant

2017 Optional Combined Table for Small Plans

2017 Non-Annuitant

Table

2017 Annuitant

2017 Optional Combined Table

for Small Plans

2017 Table for Distributions

Subject to §

Table Table Table for Small Plans Table Table for Small Plans 417(e)(3)

5 0.000134 0.000134 0.000134 0.000098 0.000098 0.000098 0.000116

6 0.000128 0.000128 0.000128 0.000092 0.000092 0.000092 0.000110

7 0.000123 0.000123 0.000123 0.000086 0.000086 0.000086 0.000105

8 0.000113 0.000113 0.000113 0.000077 0.000077 0.000077 0.000095

9 0.000109 0.000109 0.000109 0.000073 0.000073 0.000073 0.000091

10 0.000111 0.000111 0.000111 0.000074 0.000074 0.000074 0.000093

11 0.000115 0.000115 0.000115 0.000075 0.000075 0.000075 0.000095

12 0.000119 0.000119 0.000119 0.000078 0.000078 0.000078 0.000099

13 0.000126 0.000126 0.000126 0.000081 0.000081 0.000081 0.000104

14 0.000137 0.000137 0.000137 0.000091 0.000091 0.000091 0.000114

15 0.000146 0.000146 0.000146 0.000101 0.000101 0.000101 0.000124

16 0.000154 0.000154 0.000154 0.000109 0.000109 0.000109 0.000132

17 0.000163 0.000163 0.000163 0.000117 0.000117 0.000117 0.000140

18 0.000171 0.000171 0.000171 0.000120 0.000120 0.000120 0.000146

19 0.000179 0.000179 0.000179 0.000117 0.000117 0.000117 0.000148

20 0.000187 0.000187 0.000187 0.000114 0.000114 0.000114 0.000151

21 0.000200 0.000200 0.000200 0.000111 0.000111 0.000111 0.000156

22 0.000211 0.000211 0.000211 0.000112 0.000112 0.000112 0.000162

23 0.000230 0.000230 0.000230 0.000118 0.000118 0.000118 0.000174

24 0.000247 0.000247 0.000247 0.000124 0.000124 0.000124 0.000186

25 0.000273 0.000273 0.000273 0.000132 0.000132 0.000132 0.000203

26 0.000312 0.000312 0.000312 0.000145 0.000145 0.000145 0.000229

27 0.000325 0.000325 0.000325 0.000152 0.000152 0.000152 0.000239

28 0.000335 0.000335 0.000335 0.000160 0.000160 0.000160 0.000248

29 0.000351 0.000351 0.000351 0.000169 0.000169 0.000169 0.000260

30 0.000378 0.000378 0.000378 0.000191 0.000191 0.000191 0.000285

31 0.000425 0.000425 0.000425 0.000237 0.000237 0.000237 0.000331

32 0.000479 0.000479 0.000479 0.000271 0.000271 0.000271 0.000375

33 0.000537 0.000537 0.000537 0.000295 0.000295 0.000295 0.000416

34 0.000598 0.000598 0.000598 0.000315 0.000315 0.000315 0.000457

35 0.000658 0.000658 0.000658 0.000333 0.000333 0.000333 0.000496

36 0.000716 0.000716 0.000716 0.000349 0.000349 0.000349 0.000533

37 0.000770 0.000770 0.000770 0.000364 0.000364 0.000364 0.000567

38 0.000795 0.000795 0.000795 0.000381 0.000381 0.000381 0.000588

39 0.000815 0.000815 0.000815 0.000400 0.000400 0.000400 0.000608

40 0.000834 0.000834 0.000834 0.000435 0.000435 0.000435 0.000635

41 0.000855 0.000882 0.000855 0.000477 0.000477 0.000477 0.000666

42 0.000881 0.000977 0.000882 0.000525 0.000525 0.000525 0.000704

43 0.000912 0.001120 0.000915 0.000578 0.000578 0.000578 0.000747

44 0.000949 0.001311 0.000956 0.000634 0.000634 0.000634 0.000795

45 0.000992 0.001550 0.001005 0.000671 0.000678 0.000671 0.000838

46 0.001029 0.001836 0.001051 0.000707 0.000766 0.000708 0.000880

47 0.001069 0.002170 0.001104 0.000741 0.000897 0.000745 0.000925

Table

Bulletin No. 2016–38 373 September 19, 2016

Age MALE MALE MALE FEMALE FEMALE FEMALE UNISEX

2017 Non-Annuitant

2017 Annuitant

2017 Optional Combined Table for Small Plans

2017 Non-Annuitant

Table

2017 Annuitant

2017 Optional Combined Table

for Small Plans

2017 Table for Distributions

Subject to §

Table Table Table for Small Plans Table Table for Small Plans 417(e)(3)

48 0.001110 0.002552 0.001162 0.000802 0.001072 0.000811 0.000987

49 0.001153 0.002981 0.001227 0.000867 0.001291 0.000885 0.001056

50 0.001196 0.003458 0.001298 0.000968 0.001553 0.000997 0.001148

51 0.001238 0.003488 0.001350 0.001083 0.001670 0.001117 0.001234

52 0.001282 0.003475 0.001432 0.001253 0.001887 0.001300 0.001366

53 0.001373 0.003523 0.001578 0.001451 0.002167 0.001519 0.001549

54 0.001473 0.003570 0.001743 0.001683 0.002506 0.001781 0.001762

55 0.001639 0.003726 0.002070 0.001953 0.002912 0.002135 0.002103

56 0.001849 0.003960 0.002519 0.002273 0.003397 0.002594 0.002557

57 0.002096 0.004270 0.002918 0.002564 0.003888 0.003015 0.002967

58 0.002385 0.004682 0.003396 0.002803 0.004363 0.003408 0.003402

59 0.002634 0.005082 0.003855 0.003066 0.004904 0.003867 0.003861

60 0.002911 0.005565 0.004406 0.003348 0.005497 0.004413 0.004410

61 0.003318 0.006263 0.005185 0.003650 0.006135 0.005093 0.005139

62 0.003649 0.006899 0.005957 0.003966 0.006817 0.005847 0.005902

63 0.004122 0.007807 0.007034 0.004292 0.007545 0.006738 0.006886

64 0.004476 0.008639 0.007954 0.004624 0.008330 0.007605 0.007780

65 0.004823 0.009567 0.009013 0.004958 0.009189 0.008576 0.008795

66 0.005328 0.010861 0.010485 0.005287 0.010119 0.009693 0.010089

67 0.005656 0.012024 0.011712 0.005607 0.011119 0.010770 0.011241

68 0.005776 0.012975 0.012715 0.005916 0.012210 0.011910 0.012313

69 0.006057 0.014333 0.014096 0.006209 0.013435 0.013165 0.013631

70 0.006117 0.015450 0.015207 0.006485 0.014844 0.014561 0.014884

71 0.006925 0.017095 0.016857 0.007072 0.016080 0.015805 0.016331

72 0.008542 0.018981 0.018764 0.008246 0.017886 0.017625 0.018195

73 0.010967 0.021143 0.020958 0.010007 0.019406 0.019183 0.020071

74 0.014200 0.023587 0.023441 0.012354 0.021508 0.021322 0.022382

75 0.018241 0.026973 0.026859 0.015288 0.023178 0.023044 0.024952

76 0.023091 0.030063 0.029990 0.018809 0.025537 0.025445 0.027718

77 0.028749 0.034264 0.034221 0.022917 0.028814 0.028754 0.031488

78 0.035215 0.039012 0.038992 0.027612 0.031762 0.031734 0.035363

79 0.042490 0.044421 0.044416 0.032894 0.035067 0.035060 0.039738

80 0.050573 0.050573 0.050573 0.038761 0.038761 0.038761 0.044667

81 0.057989 0.057989 0.057989 0.042902 0.042902 0.042902 0.050446

82 0.066374 0.066374 0.066374 0.047560 0.047560 0.047560 0.056967

83 0.073988 0.073988 0.073988 0.052808 0.052808 0.052808 0.063398

84 0.084299 0.084299 0.084299 0.058732 0.058732 0.058732 0.071516

85 0.093574 0.093574 0.093574 0.067030 0.067030 0.067030 0.080302

86 0.103746 0.103746 0.103746 0.076586 0.076586 0.076586 0.090166

87 0.117747 0.117747 0.117747 0.087502 0.087502 0.087502 0.102625

88 0.133521 0.133521 0.133521 0.097462 0.097462 0.097462 0.115492

89 0.147557 0.147557 0.147557 0.110864 0.110864 0.110864 0.129211

90 0.166587 0.166587 0.166587 0.122521 0.122521 0.122521 0.144554

Table

September 19, 2016 374 Bulletin No. 2016–38

Age MALE MALE MALE FEMALE FEMALE FEMALE UNISEX

2017 Non-Annuitant

2017 Annuitant

2017 Optional Combined Table for Small Plans

2017 Non-Annuitant

Table

2017 Annuitant

2017 Optional Combined Table

for Small Plans

2017 Table for Distributions

Subject to §

Table Table Table for Small Plans Table Table for Small Plans 417(e)(3)

91 0.181448 0.181448 0.181448 0.134544 0.134544 0.134544 0.157996

92 0.201536 0.201536 0.201536 0.146653 0.146653 0.146653 0.174095

93 0.217406 0.217406 0.217406 0.162438 0.162438 0.162438 0.189922

94 0.233252 0.233252 0.233252 0.174224 0.174224 0.174224 0.203738

95 0.254942 0.254942 0.254942 0.185384 0.185384 0.185384 0.220163

96 0.270586 0.270586 0.270586 0.195744 0.195744 0.195744 0.233165

97 0.285785 0.285785 0.285785 0.210133 0.210133 0.210133 0.247959

98 0.307815 0.307815 0.307815 0.218634 0.218634 0.218634 0.263225

99 0.322373 0.322373 0.322373 0.225897 0.225897 0.225897 0.274135

100 0.336381 0.336381 0.336381 0.231833 0.231833 0.231833 0.284107

101 0.358628 0.358628 0.358628 0.244834 0.244834 0.244834 0.301731

102 0.371685 0.371685 0.371685 0.254498 0.254498 0.254498 0.313092

103 0.383040 0.383040 0.383040 0.266044 0.266044 0.266044 0.324542

104 0.392003 0.392003 0.392003 0.279055 0.279055 0.279055 0.335529

105 0.397886 0.397886 0.397886 0.293116 0.293116 0.293116 0.345501

106 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.307811 0.307811 0.307811 0.353906

107 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.322725 0.322725 0.322725 0.361363

108 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.337441 0.337441 0.337441 0.368721

109 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.351544 0.351544 0.351544 0.375772

110 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.364617 0.364617 0.364617 0.382309

111 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.376246 0.376246 0.376246 0.388123

112 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.386015 0.386015 0.386015 0.393008

113 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.393507 0.393507 0.393507 0.396754

114 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.398308 0.398308 0.398308 0.399154

115 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000

116 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000

117 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000

118 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000

119 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000 0.400000

120 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000 1.000000

Table

Bulletin No. 2016–38 375 September 19, 2016