About the Actuarial Reports
The Commonwealth sponsors two health care plans – the Retired Employee Health Program (REHP) and the Retired Pennsylvania State Police Program (RPSPP) – that allow eligible retirees or annuitants and their dependents to continue subsidized health care coverage through the Commonwealth for the life of the retiree. Prior to 2007, the Commonwealth reported the cost of retiree medical benefits on a cash basis.
On July 1, 2016, the Commonwealth implemented Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) Statement No. 74, Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefit Plans Other Than Pension Plans. On July 1, 2017, the Commonwealth implemented GASB Statement No. 75, Accounting and Financial Reporting for Postemployment Benefits Other Than Pensions. GASB Statements No. 74 and 75 replace the reporting requirements implemented under GASB No. 43 and 45, which had been in place since 2007 and 2008, respectively.
With the implementation of these standards, the Commonwealth recognizes the cost of other post-employment benefits (OPEB) during the periods when employee service is rendered. This improves financial reporting by providing timely information about the size of the liabilities and the extent to which they are funded.
The Commonwealth retains an actuary to perform an actuarial valuation of the post-employment medical plans in order to provide estimates of the liabilities in accordance with each applicable standard.
