CEBS case studies
CEBS · Put your knowledge to work in context.
CEBS - the Certified Employee Benefit Specialist designation - is awarded by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and is described by the Foundation as a credential recognized for the depth and relevance of critical knowledge achieved. It is built for benefits and retirement professionals who need a total benefits perspective rather than a single-plan specialty, because the curriculum draws on both the GBA (group benefits) and RPA (retirement plans) courses. The CEBS case studies are 5 cases and about 4,664 words.
1Stop-Loss Renewal Shock at a Self-Funded Manufacturer
Northeast Precision Components is a 1,240-employee manufacturer with 2,050 covered lives that has self-funded its PPO for nine years. The stop-loss renewal arrives 45 days before the July 1 effective date: a 38% rate increase, the specific deductible rising from 250,000 to 350,000, and a 650,000 laser on one claimant who already has 1.1M in paid claims this year.
876 words, about 4 min2Canadian Group Plan Renewal with a Disability and EI Gap
Halton Ridge Software has 610 employees in Ontario and 40 in Alberta. Its group benefits contract renews January 1 with a 21.4% increase, taking annual premium to 4.1M.
934 words, about 5 min3Post-Merger Total Rewards Harmonization Under a No-Cut Promise
Two regional logistics firms close a merger on January 1. Cardinal has 1,800 non-union employees, a rich PPO, four weeks of vacation, a frozen DB plan plus a 401(k) with a 4% match.
948 words, about 5 min4Failing ADP Test, Top-Heavy Status, and a Requested Profit Sharing Layer
Kestrel Analytics sponsors a 401(k) plan with a 50%-of-first-6% match and no safe harbor. There are 420 employees: 340 non-highly compensated (NHCE payroll 12.0M) and 80 highly compensated (HCE payroll 16.0M).
919 words, about 5 min5Frozen Defined Benefit Plan: Swing for the Fences or De-Risk?
Meridian Foundry's defined benefit plan has been closed to new hires since 2012 and accruals froze in 2019. Current figures: assets 182M, projected benefit obligation 221M, accumulated benefit obligation 205M, AFTAP 78%, discount rate 5.35%, expected return 6.5%, and a 45% equity / 40% long bond / 15% alternatives allocation.
987 words, about 5 min