Public Act 202 of 2017: Waiver and corrective action plan proceses
In early 2018, the Michigan Department of Treasury released initial reporting requirements under Public Act 202 of 2017, the Protecting Local Government Retirement and Benefits Act (the Act). Under the initial reporting requirements of the Act, local units complete Form 5572 for each applicable defined benefit pension or OPEB plan.
Any plan that meets the trigger for a preliminary review of “underfunded status” as outlined on Form 5572 is first given the option to apply for a waiver, which is evaluated by the state treasurer. If Treasury determines that the underfunded status is adequately being addressed by the local unit of government, it issues a waiver of the underfunded status, and no further action is required. If a waiver isn’t granted, or the local unit chooses not to submit a waiver application, a corrective action plan is required.
If a waiver isn't granted, or the local unit chooses not to submit a waiver application, a corrective action plan is required.
Local units that elect to apply for a waiver have 45 days from the date of notification of their underfunded status to submit the appropriate waiver form (Form 5583 for defined benefit pension plans and Form 5584 for defined benefit OPEB plans). The submission of the waiver application to Treasury requires prior approval by the governing body. This documentation must be attached to the waiver application, along with additional required supporting documents outlined on the forms.
In May 2018, the Municipal Stability Board (MSB), established by the Act to review corrective action plans, released a listing of local units required to submit a corrective action plan at this time. The deadline to submit corrective action plans, by each individual plan if a local unit has more than one, is 180 days from the notification date. A local unit can apply for a 45-day extension, if a reasonable draft of the corrective action plan is submitted to the MSB.
Treasury has released two additional forms for submission of corrective action plans — Form 5598 for defined benefit pension plans and Form 5597 for defined benefit OPEB plans. Similar to the waiver applications, governing bodies will need to approve each corrective action plan prior to submission to Treasury, and required supporting documentation outlined on the forms must be attached.
Each corrective action plan will be evaluated on an individual basis by the MSB and either approved or rejected. Local units with rejected submissions will receive a letter outlining the reasons for rejection and a 60-day timeline to make suggested edits and submit a new plan.
Local units with approved submissions have 180 days to start implementing the actions outlined in the plan. The MSB will monitor the actions for the following two years and will report on their compliance with the Act at least every two years.
The forms provided by Treasury for corrective action plans include areas for the local unit to describe prior actions already implemented to address the plan’s underfunded status as well as prospective actions to be implemented going forward, including system design changes, additional funding, or other considerations.
The waiver and corrective action plan forms and instructions can be found on the Treasury website.
Questions regarding the waiver or corrective action plan process should be directed via email to the Treasury offices or by visiting its website.
