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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-11-1999 - 4Orange County Board of Commissioners Action Agenda Item No. Action Agenda Item Abstract Meeting Date: May 11,1999 Subject: Employee Pay and Benefits - Follow Up Report on 401(k) Plan Department: Personnel Public Hearing: (Y/N) No Attachment(s): Information Contact: 1 - "Pay Proposal' from October 13, 1998 Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director Employee Compensation Work Session Telephone Numbers: - - ext. 2550 2 - 401(k) Plan Information Updated from Hillsborough 732 -8181 October 1998 Pay and Benefits Report Chapel Hill 968 -4501 3- State 401(k) Plan letter confirming options Durham 688 -7331 4 - 401(k) Plan Options and Cost Estimates for Mebane 227 -2031 1999 -2000 Purpose: To receive an updated, comprehensive report on the State 401(k) plan and consider County contribution options for 1999 -00, as requested by the Board in the April 21 employee pay and benefits work session. Background: On April 21, 1999 the Board held a work session on employee compensation for 1999 -00. In that work session, the Board reviewed the planned pay and benefits components for 1999 -00 from its October 13, 1998 work session, including the plan to implement a County 401(k) Plan contribution effective July 1, 1999. In the April 21 work session, the Board reaffirmed its desire to implement a 401(k) contribution but wished to revisit the: ❑ Previous Board discussion related to the type of contribution and contribution amount, and ❑ 401(k) Plan information generally, including types of contribution options available to the County. Previous Discussion In preparation for the October 13, 1998 work session, the Board received a comprehensive pay and benefits report. This included an extensive benefits review and 401(k) Plan information. In support of the Board's discussion of employee pay and benefits at the October 13 work session, then Board Chair Margaret Brown presented a "Pay Proposal" (Attachment 1) for the Board's consideration. This provided under "Additions to the Pa and 2 Y d Benefits "To be established a 401 -K plan effective July 1, 1999 — a county match based on flat dollar amount of $15.00 er a P Pay period" In the October 13 work session the Board discussed the option of a County match as compared to a non matching, across -the -board contribution. At the conclusion of that work session, the Board adopted Commissioner Brown's Proposal including the $15 per pay period amount with the modification to not make a decision about the in range increase amount until a decision was made about the cost of living increase for 1999. Staff was not clear about the end result of the Board's discussion of the matching vs. non - matching 401(k) contribution. The draft minutes for the October 13 work session reflect a non - matching contribution. In presenting the October 13 planned pay and benefits components for the Board's review and confirmation or clarification, staff presented the $15 across - the -board contribution 401(k) County contribution as the last understanding of the October 13 discussion outcome for the Board's confirmation or clarification. Updated 401(k) Plan Information Attachment 2 to this abstract is the updated 401(k) information from the October 1998 Pay and Benefits Report. The updates include: ❑ Current numbers of employees voluntarily participating in the 401(k) plan, including salary level information, and ❑ Current numbers of other local government employers participating in the 401(k) and the types of plans that they have (matching as compared to non - matching, percentage of salary as compared to flat dollar contribution). As part of the updating process, staff met again with the State 401(k) Plan representative and reviewed in detail the types of 401(k) contribution options available to the County. This indicated no change from the options previously identified in the report. Attachment 3 is a letter from the 401(k) Plan representative confirming the options available. Financial Impact: Attachment 4 shows the various 401(k) Plan options and updated cost estimates for 1999 -00. In the April 21 work session, the Board said that it wished to consider options within the estimated cost range of the $15 per pay period across the board amount so the options shown reflect these amounts. This amount of funds also will be available within the Manager's Recommended Budget for 1999 -00. At this time, the Board is not being asked to make a decision on funding or to appropriate funds. These decisions will be part of the final budget deliberations in June. Recommendation(s): The Manager recommends the Board receive the 401(k) Plan information and provide direction to staff on the type of plan option it wishes to pursue for 1999 -00. H:\e\99401abs May 2, 1999 4 ATTACHMENT 1 PAY PROPOSAL 1. Desuspend the current payplan and adopt the 1997 -98 plan for this year. 2. Starting July 1, 1999 - adopt a 2 -year employee pay plan and benefits package including the following: * COLA/Market based oav _ see page 15 of the notebook * Addressing the salary progression schedule - after the first year a 2.5% or equivalent to 1/2 step increase will be given to all employees that rate effective or higher on the WPPR (replaces 1.25 salary progression) * Meritorious Service Awards _ exceptional (highest) and superior 2 -tier award program) Exceptional - employees would receive a meritorious award of $1500 in a lump sum payment, not to be attached to base pay. Exceptional is those employees who excel in 100% of their job duties. * Superior - employees would receive a meritorious award of $750 in a lump sum payment, not to be attached to base pay. Superior is those employees who consistently exceed job expectations at least 95% of the time. Employees rated at this level will receive a certificate of recognition from the Board of County Commissioners as recommended by the County Manager and the County Manager may also recommend other recognition for these employees * Longevity - remains at the current level * COLA - determined annually by the Board of Commissioners ADDITIONS TO THE PAY AND BENEFIT PLAN to be established a 401 -K plan, effective July 1, 1999 - a county match based on flat dollar amount of $15.00 per pay period - see page 67, tab "H" * Personal leave days - 2 days to be used as determined by employees and approved by the department head * Equity /Retention Fund to be used to address re- establishing equitable salary relationships among employees in a work unit and retention - adopt as presented in the notebook - see page 22 Tab "B° 401(k) Plan Information 1. Background 5 Attachment 2 The North Carolina legislature created the Supplemental Income Plan of North Carolina [NC 401(k) Plan] in 1984 to offer employees a tax- deferred investment program for their retirement. The plan is established under Section 401(k) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code. 2. Plan Governance The Plan is sponsored by the State of North Carolina and is governed by the Department of the State Treasurer and the Plan's Board of Trustees. The Board is composed of members of the Boards of Trustees for the State Retirement System and the Local Government Employees Retirement System. The State Treasurer and the Board have contracted with Branch Banking and Trust Company (BB &T) to administer the plan. 3. Plan Eligibility The Plan is available to employees who are members of the State Retirement System or the Local Government Employees Retirement System. 4. How the Plan Works ❑ An employee and/or employer makes a contribution to the plan through payroll deduction. The contribution goes into the employee's individual 401(k) account that is owned by the employee. ✓ An employee's contributions are pre -tax; that is, they are sheltered from Federal and State income taxes and not subject to taxes until withdrawal. ✓ An emplo econtributions are pre -tax and also are exempt from mandatory deductions for Social Security and Local Government Employees Retirement System. ❑ The employee selects the investment options for the funds in his or her account from a range of options that include bank investments or mutual funds. ❑ Funds may be withdrawn: ✓ At retirement in a variety of payout options to provide retirement income. ✓ For certain financial hardships. ✓ Through a loan provision in which employees borrow from the account and pay back to themselves for any reason such as for medical or college expenses. ✓ At age 55 if separated from service or age 59 1/2 if still employed. 5. Benefits for the Employee ❑ Retirement income and security ❑ Tax savings ❑ Full ownership, 100% vested immediately ❑ Hardship withdrawal provisions ❑ Loan provision 6. Employee Participation ❑ One of the key purposes of an employer contribution is to encourage employee participation in the supplemental retirement plans. This supports employees in actively planning for retirement. The experience of the 401(k) plan has been that an employer contribution has the effect of significantly increasing employee participation. ❑ As of April 30, 1999, 159 Orange County general government employees participate in the 401(k) plan by making an employee contribution. By salary grade, the following numbers of employees make a voluntary contribution: Salary Grade Category Number Employees Grades 57 -63 46 Grades 64 -70 83 Grades 71 and over 30 For the 159 general government employees making a voluntary contribution, the average salary grade is grade 65. The average salary is $28,000. (For County employees as a whole, the average salary grade is 65 and the average salary is about $32,000.) ❑ As of April 30, 1999, 137 employees participate in the 457 Plan (another type of supplemental retirement plan with some different provisions as outlined in Attachment 1). By salary grade the following numbers of employees make a voluntary contribution. Salary Grade Category Number Employees Grades 57 -63 35 Grades 64 -70 73 Grades 71 and over 29 For these 137 employees, the average salary grade is 66 and the average salary is about $39,000. 7. Benefits to the County ❑ An employer contribution to the 401(k) plan would support the County in recruitment as it competes with other local government employers and private employers. Attachment 2 shows area local governments with supplement retirement contributions. There are about 140,000 active plan participants state -wide. About 242 local government employers state -wide make an employer contribution to the plan for general government employees, including 38 counties. ❑ An employer contribution to the 401(k) has cost savings to the County over cash payments. An employer contribution to a 401(k) plan is a declared expenditure for public purpose and therefore exempt from FICA and Retirement contributions. ❑ An employer contribution to the 401(k) plan also would offer some disability protection wherein employees can access money through the loan and hardship provisions. Currently the County does not offer an employer paid disability insurance plan. Some local government employers in the area offer short-term and/or long -term disability coverage. Unlike making premium payments to purchase disability insurance, money contributed to a 401(k) plan is there and available to the employee for a variety of financial hardships. ❑ An employer contribution to the 401(k) plan would significantly increase employee morale. It is most appreciated by employees that their employer is helping to plan for future retirement as well as meet immediate needs such as college tuition, medical expenses, purchase of a primary residence, or the like. ❑ An employer contribution to the 401(k) plan would offer additional incentive for voluntary participation. ❑ An employer contribution to the 401(k) plan would support the County's efforts in retaining qualified employees as it competes with other local government employers and private employers. 8. Types of Employer Contributions There are three forms in which an employer contribution may be made to the 401(k) Plan. These are listed and described below. a. Across the Board Contribution Option (1) An across the board contribution is one in which the County makes a employer paid contribution to employees without regard to whether or not the employee makes a contribution. An across the board contribution may be a fixed percent of salary or a flat dollar amount provided that each employee receives the same contribution. (2) Of the 242 local government employers who make a 401(k) contribution, 201 (83 percent) make an across the board contribution. 8 (3) With an across the board contribution, the effective date could be effective on a retroactive or current basis. b. Matching Option (1) A matching option is one in which the County makes a contribution if the employee makes a contribution. A matching contribution may be up to a percentage of salary or a flat dollar amount provided that the employee elects to participate by making a voluntary contribution. (2) The 401(k) matching option is a new provision now available to all local government employers effective January 1, 1998. (3) Of the 242 employers, 43 (18 percent) provide for a matching option. Of the 38 counties, four provide a matching contribution. (4) The minimum employee 401(k) Plan contribution is $10 a pay period for the 24 pay periods in which deductions are made. This would be the minimum required for any matching option. (5) The match may be dollar for dollar up to specified limit such as two percent of salary or it may be that any employee contribution triggers the full employer match such as if the employee contributes $10 a pay period then the employer contributes two percent of salary. (6) A matching option must be effective on a prospective basis and may not be retroactive. (7) The employee may not match by designating a percentage of his or her salary for the contribution. The match must designate a specific dollar amount each pay .period. This means any increase in earnings such as overtime pay or other requires the employee do a change form in order to maximize any match which is based on a percentage of salary. (8) Several examples of employer matches are listed below: Craven County matches voluntary employee contributions up to 2 percent of salary. Harnett County matches a 1 percent employee contribution with a 1 percent match (employee has to contribute 1 percent to get the match). Scotland County matches 3.75 percent of salary if the employee contributes anything. 9 c. Combination of Across the Board contribution and a Match (1) The 401 (k) Plan advises the two options also may be combined. Each part of the combination must apply to all employees and the amounts may not vary. (2) An example would be if an employer made a $10 a pay period across the board contribution and a match of up to one percent of salary. A combination may not be in a form such as $20 or one percent of salary, whichever is higher. (3) At present, five employers have a combination plan. One of these is a county. Rutherford County has a two percent across the board contribution and a one percent match. 9. Impacts (Pros /Cons) of Across the Board Contribution a. Benefits more the lower salaried employee who may have more difficulty making a matching contribution. b. Is more competitive in the labor market since this is the most frequent practice in local government. c. Could be effective retroactive to July 1, 1999, based on a Board decision with budget adoption on June 21, 1999. d. Encourages employee 401(k) participation but not as strongly as a match. 10. Impacts (Pros /Cons) Matching Option a. Strongly encourages employee participation in the 401(k) plan. b. Higher salaried employees may be more able to take advantage of the match than lower salaried employees. c. Must be effective on a prospective basis. Based on a Board decision on June 21, 1999 with budget adoption, could be effective August 23, 1999 with the September 3 payday. d. More difficult for employees to maximize the employer contribution (if the employer contribution is a percentage of salary) because a change form must be completed by the employee with every change in salary. e. Is more complex to communicate and requires significantly more administrative time than an across the board contribution. 11. Impacts (Pros /Cons) of Flat Dollar Amount Vs a Percentage of Salary a. A flat dollar amount provides a relative greater percentage increase to a lower salaried employee. The following chart shows the impact of a $10, $15 and $20 a pay period contribution as a percentage of salary.* lU *Based the matching option for 24 pay periods. b. While a flat dollar amount serves the objective of addressing the lower salaried employees, it does not serve as well the objective of competing with the other employers in the market who offer a 401(k) Plan contribution as a percentage of salary. Of the 201 employers who make an across the Board contribution, nine or four percent make a flat dollar amount contribution and 192 or 96 percent make a percentage of salary contribution. One county makes a flat dollar amount contribution. 12. Waiting Periods The County could make a 401(k) plan contribution or match effective with the hire date or could impose a waiting of up to six months from the hire date. 13. Employers Making 401(k) Contributions or Matches Attachment 3 is a list provided by the 401(k) Plan of governmental employers who make 401(k) Plan contributions. 14. Types of Options and Cost The separate chart provided with the agenda abstract shows various 401(k) contribution and matching options and the estimated County costs. 15. Benefits as a Percent of Salary If the County adopted a one percent of salary 401(k) plan contribution for general government employees, the County's benefits as a percent of salaries would change from the current 25.8 percent to 26.6 percent. K\health/401 info May 6, 1999 Amount Per Pay Period Yields At a salary of $10 ($240 yr) $15 ($360 yr) $20 ($480 yr) $17,561 (pay plan minimum) 1.37% 2.05 % 2.73% $25,000 .96% 1.44% 1.92% $32,000 .75% 1.13% 1.50% $50,000 .48% .72% .96% *Based the matching option for 24 pay periods. b. While a flat dollar amount serves the objective of addressing the lower salaried employees, it does not serve as well the objective of competing with the other employers in the market who offer a 401(k) Plan contribution as a percentage of salary. Of the 201 employers who make an across the Board contribution, nine or four percent make a flat dollar amount contribution and 192 or 96 percent make a percentage of salary contribution. One county makes a flat dollar amount contribution. 12. Waiting Periods The County could make a 401(k) plan contribution or match effective with the hire date or could impose a waiting of up to six months from the hire date. 13. Employers Making 401(k) Contributions or Matches Attachment 3 is a list provided by the 401(k) Plan of governmental employers who make 401(k) Plan contributions. 14. Types of Options and Cost The separate chart provided with the agenda abstract shows various 401(k) contribution and matching options and the estimated County costs. 15. Benefits as a Percent of Salary If the County adopted a one percent of salary 401(k) plan contribution for general government employees, the County's benefits as a percent of salaries would change from the current 25.8 percent to 26.6 percent. K\health/401 info May 6, 1999 Attachment 1 State 401(k) Plan and 457 Deferred Compensation Plan Comparison Summary Benefits 401(k) Plan 457 Deferred Compensation Contributions Minimum Monthly Maximum Annual Withdrawal Terms Penalties Transfers Investment Options Number of Transfers Allowed Loans $20.00 20% of annual gross salary up to $10,000 - Termination - Retirement - Death - Age 59'/2 (regardless of employment status) - Separation from service after Reaching age 55 - Disability - Financial Hardships: Medical Expenses College Tuition Eviction Foreclosure Purchase of primary residence Some withdrawals prior to age 59'/2 may be subject to 10% IRS* Penalty. A 401(k) plan is transferable to Another 401(k) plan, IRA or Another qualified plan. 10 (includes 7 Mutual Funds & 3 Bank Investment Contracts - BIC) Unlimited transfers allowed (5 year BIC — Penalty of 3 months of interest if moved before maturity) Yes - loans for any reason such as college education, home improvement or other. The employee borrows from his or her account and pays him or herself back with interest. $20.00 25% of annual taxable salary up to $8,000 - Termination - Retirement (regardless of age) - Death - Unforeseeable emergencies which cannot be budgeted for as determined by the plan (catastrophic events) Withdrawals without a 10% IRS penalty under above listed terms regardless of age. A 457 plan is transferable only to other 457 plans. 49 (includes 48 Mutual Funds & Fixed Account) Mutual Funds - Unlimited same day transfers Allowed with no penalty Fixed Accounts Only - No more than twice per year - May not exceed 20% of account value - with no penalty None 11 Benefits 401(k) Plan 457 Deferred Compensation Fees: Not subject to retirement Not subject to retirement Administrative None None Asset Fee 0.30% annually on all accounts 0.70 — 0.90% annually on Mutual N.C. Governmental employees Fund options Loan Fee $60.00 for each loan Not applicable Catch Up Option Calendar year catch up available. Calendar year catch up available. Contributions are to be made to all Also general employees exactly the An individual can contribute up to same. $15,000 per year for three years prior to retirement eligibility. Universal Life and County may elect no waiting Any waiting period as the County Term Life Insurance No Yes (premiums are paid with pre- month waiting period. tax dollars) Additional Information Related to Employer Contributions FICA Not subject to FICA taxes Subject to FICA taxes Retirement Not subject to retirement Not subject to retirement Contributions Markets Private Sector nationwide and Public Service nationwide N.C. Governmental employees Governmental employees only only Contributions Fixed contributions amounts: Contributions may be made to all Contributions are to be made to all employees on the same basis or general employees exactly the on a tiered basis based on same. longevity, job classification, salary, etc. Waiting Periods County may elect no waiting Any waiting period as the County period or may impose up to a six decides. month waiting period. Amount of May be a percentage or may be a May be a percentage or may be a Contributions flat dollar amount flat dollar amount Matching Options Yes, available. Yes, available. and/or combinations 12 13 Pros /Cons Summary - 401(k) Plan As Compared to 457* 1. Employer contributions to 401(k) plan are not subject to Social Security. Thus County cost for the 401(k) contribution is about 7.65 percent less. 2. Several 401(k) plan provisions are stronger: ❑ A loan provision for any reason is available. This enables the employee to access funds without withdrawal and does not require the employee demonstrate hardship. Such loans may be used for college education, home improvement or any other reason. The employee borrows from himself or herself and pays the money back to him or herself with interest. Among other things, this may provide some disability protection. ❑ Account fees paid by the employee are lower. ❑ There is greater portability. 3. Other local government employers with whom the County competes primarily offer the 401(k) Plan. 4. The 457 Plan permits approved withdrawals without an IRS penalty. Some 401(k) Plan withdrawals may involve an IRS penalty. [A 401(k) loan does not involve an IRS penalty.] The terms to qualify for withdrawal are significantly more stringent under the 457 than the 401(k). 5. The 457 plan permits different employer contribution amounts to different employee groups such as by service or salary. The 401(k) Plan does not. 6. The 457 plan offers more investment options. * Differences primarily result from the different sections of the Internal Revenue Code [401(k) or 45 7] under which the plans operate. (K:\Benefits\Misc \401 &457.Doc) May 4, 1999 14 Attachment 2 Area Local Government Employers Supplemental Retirement Contributions Employer Amount Match? Alamance County 2% No Carrboro 3% No Chapel Hill 5% No Chatham County 2% No Durham City 5% No Durham County 5 %* No Hillsborough 4.5% No Orange Water and Sewer Authority Years Service Pay Period Amt ** 0 -4 0 4 -9 $20 10 -14 $30 15+ $40 No Person County 3% No Raleigh Up to 1.75% ** Yes Wake County 5% No Orange County - - * To 401(k) or 457 plan * *To 457 plan A -B Tech Comm Coll $25 /mon Aberdeen 5% Ahoskie 5% Alamance - Caswell Mental Health 3% Alamance County 2% Angier 5% Anson County 2% Apex(town) 4.5% Archdale 5% Ashe County 2% Asheville 3 % Ashevile Reg. Airport 4% Bald Head Island 5% Beaufort (town) 1% Belhaven 2% Belmont 5% Benson 3.5% Bessemer City 2% Bethel 2% Beulaville 5% Biltmore Forest 3% Black Mountain 3% Blue Ridge Center 2% Boiling Spring Lakes 5% Boiling Springs 5% Brunswick County 2% Buncombe County 5% Bunc County Air Pollution 5% Burke - Catawba Confinement 2% Burke County 2% Burke County Dept. Social Services 2% Burke County Health Dept. 2% Burlington 5% Burlington Graham ABC 5% Cabarrus County 5% Cabarrus Health Alliance 5% Cape Fear COG 1% Carrboro 3% Carteret "County 2% Cary 5% Caswell Beach 5% Centralina COG 2.5 % Chapel Hill 5% Chatham County 2% Cher yville 5% Clayton 2% Cleveland County 5% Coastal Regional Solid Waste Mgmt. 5% Columbus (town) $10 x 52 Concord 2.5% Concord ABC 2.5% Conover 5% Comelius 5% Craven County 2% Craven County Airport Auth. 2% Creedmoor 4% Cumberland County ABC 5% Currituck County 4.52% Dallas 2% Davidson (town) 5% Davie County 2% Fletcher 5% Franklin County 3% Fuquay -Varina 3% Gamer 3% Gaston (town) 2% Gibsonville 4% Graham (city) 5% Greensboro ABC 5% Greenville $25 x 26 Greenville Housing Authority $25 x 26 Greenville Utilities $25 x 26 Grover 5% Guilford College Vol. Fire Dept.. 5% Guilford County 5% Guilford Fire Dist 13 2% Harnett County 1% Havelock 5% Haw River 4.67% Henderson (city) 4% Hertford (town) 2% High Point ABC 5% Hillsborough 4.5% Holly Springs 2.5% Hudson 1% Huntersvilie 5% iredell County 5% Jamestown 2% Johnston County 5% Johnston County ABC 5% Johnston/Smith Library 5% Jonesville 4.67% Kenly 2% Kill Devil Hills 3% King 5% Kings Mountain 2% Kinston 1.5% Knightdale 2% Laurinburg 5% Lee County 3% Lee -Hamett Mental Health 10% Lenoir County 5% Lexington 2% Lillington 5% Uncointon Housing Auth 3% Long Beach 1.51% Louisburg 5% Louisburg ABC 5% Lowell 2.5% Madison (town) 3% Madison - Mayodan Recreation 5% Manteo 5% Marion 3.46% Marshville 3.5% Matthews 5% Mayodan 5% McAdenville 5% McDowell County $10.35 x 24 Mecklenburg County ABC 6% Metro Sewage Dist 1.5% Mid- Carolina COG 2% Middlesex 3.5% EMPLOYER NAME RATE: NC Ctr for Applied Tech for Applied Tech 1.5% North Topsail Beach 3 %, North Wilkesboro 2.5% Northwest Piedmont COG 1% Ocean Isle Beach 5 % Person County 3 %, Pilot Mountain 5 %, .Pine Knoll Shores 5 %, Pinecroft -Sedge Fire 2 %, Pinehurst 5 %, Pineville 5 % Pitt - Greenville VisWConv. $25 X 26 Pitt County 4.58% Plymouth Housing Auth. 1 % Raeford 5 % Reidsville 3 % Reidsville ABC 1 % River Bend 5 %, Robbins 2 %, Robeson County 2% Rockingham (city) 2.5% Rocky Mount 4% Rowan County 3% Rutherford County 3% Sampson County 2.53% Sanford 3% Sawmills 1% Scotland County 3.75% Scotland County ABC 2.25% Scotland Neck 1.5% Selma 5 %, Shaliotte 2% Shelby 5% Siler City 2.5% Simpson(town) 5% Smithfield 4.47% Smoky Mountain Center 5% South Brunswick Water & Sewage 5% Southern Pines 5% Southern Shores 5% Southport 5% Spindale 5% Spring Hope 5% Stanley (town) 5% Statesville ABC 5% Stedman 5 %, Stokes County 1 % Sunset Beach 10% Surry- Yadkin Mental Health 1 % Tarboro 3% Taylorsville 5% Topsail Beach 5% Trent Woods 5% Triangle J COG 3% Union County 5% Vass 5% Wadesboro 3% Wake County 5% Wake County ABC 5% Wake Forest (town) 3.5% Wallace 1 % EMPLOYER NAME RATE EMPLOYER NAME RATE EMPLOYER NAME RATE Davie Soil and Water District 2% Mocksville 3% Dobson 4% Monroe 5% Dobson ABC 4% Monroe Housing Authority 5% Dunn 2% Montreat 5% Dunn ABC Board 2% Moore County 2.6% Durham (city) 5% Moore County ABC 2.5% Durham County 5% Moore Water & Sewer Authority 8.8% Edgecombe County 1 % Mooresville 5% Edgecombe County ABC 5% Morehead City 5% Edge -Nash Mental Health 2.5% Mount Holly 2.5% Electri -Cities of N.C., Inc. 2.5% Mount Olive 4% Elizabeth City 5% Murfreesboro 1.5% Elizabethtown 2% Nags Head 3% Elkin 3% Nash County 5% Elon College 5% Nash County ABC 5% Emerald isle 2% Nashville 3% Erwin 2.5% New Bern 6% Eureka 5% New Hanover ABC 5% Farmville 2.75% NC Assn of County Commissioners 3% Walnut Cove 1% Washington (city) $10 X 26 Washington County 3% Water and Sewer of Cabarrus 4% Wayne County ABC $20 /mon Weaverville 5% Whispering Pines 5% White Lake 2% Wilson (city) 4.25% Wilson County 2% Wilson County ABC 2% Windsor 5% Winterville 5% Woodfin 2.5% Wrightsville Beach 2% Yaupon Beach 4% Zebulon 3.52% I 01ii 17 MAY - 51999 ORANGE COUNTY PERSONNEL April 30, 1999 Ms. Elaine Holmes Personnel Director Orange County 208 S. Cameron St. Hillsborough, NC 27278 Re: NC 401(k) Employer Contributions Dear Elaine: ATTACHMENT 3 Branch Banking & Trust Co. State 401(k) Services P.O. Box 29541 Raleigh, NC 27626 -0541 (919) 716 -9200 1- 800 - 722 -4015 To assist the County with its research of supplemental retirement contributions, I have confirmed below the options available to the County through the NC 401(k) Plan as I have discussed them with you: 1., Across the board contributions based on a percentage of compensation or on a per capita basis (i.e., flat dollar amount). If allocated as a percentage of compensation, the percentage must be the same for all eligible employees. Likewise, if allocated on a per capita basis, the dollar amount of employer contribution must be the same for all eligible employees. 2. Matching contributions based on a percentage of compensation or on a per capita basis. Again, the percentage* or dollar amount must be the same for all eligible employees. 3. A combination of across the board contribution and matching contribution ,for example, a $10 per pay period across the board contribution and a match of up to one percent of salary. Another example would be a one percent across the board and a one percent match. Once again, the percentage or dollar amount must be the same for all eligible employees. Access your NC 401(k) Plan account via the 401(k) Action Line at 1- 800 - 228 -6777 or the Web site at www.bbandt.com /nc401 k. 18 There is not a.provision in the NC 401(k) Plan that will permit employers to make employer contributions on a tiered basis or at varying rates tied to salary level, longevity, job classification or other factors. Elaine, thank you for your interest in providing this benefit to your employees. Please let me know if you need any additional information. Sincerely, Jennifer O. Willis Regional Sales Manager cc: Beverly Berling, Vice President, BB &T 19 401(k) Options Examples and Estimated Cost Attachment 4 401(k) Options 1999 -00 Estimated Cost Full Year Estimated Cost A. Across the Board Percent Contribution (Effective 7 -1 -99) 1% $ 176,360 $ 176,360 1.25% $ 220,450 $ 220,450 B. Across the Board Flat Dollar Contribution (Effective 7 -1 -99) $10 $ 138,580 $ 138,580 $15 $ 207,870 $ 207,870 C. County Match Based on Percent (Effective 8- 23 -99) 1% $ 106,833 $ 122,095 1.25% $ 133,542 $ 152,619 2% $ 213,667 $ 244,191 D. County Match Based on Flat Dollar Amount (Effective 8- 23 -99) $10 '$ 84,000 $ 96,000 $15 $ 126,000 $ 144,000 $20 $ 168,000 $ 192,000 E. Combination of Across the Board and Match (Effective 8- 23 -99) $10 across the board and $10 match* $ 195,930 $ 234,580 *The employee would have to contribute the full $10 per pay period for the match because $10 is the required minimum employee contribution. Notes: The across the board contribution is estimated at 100 percent participation for 26 payrolls. The match is estimated at 75 percent participation for the 24 payrolls in which employee deductions are made. Under the 401(k) Plan, an across the board contribution may be made with a retroactive effective date. A match may be effective only with a prospective effective date. Based on a June 21, 1999 Board decision, an across the board contribution could be effective July 1, 1999 and a match could be effective August 23, 1999. As requested by the Board, options shown are within the same approximate cost range as the cost of $15 across the board contribution for 1999 -00. (K:\Health\13enef000.x1s)5 /6/99