[Federal Register: December 2, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 231)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 72260-72268]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr02de05-9]                         

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[REG-124988-05]
RIN 1545-BE72

 
Updated Mortality Tables for Determining Current Liability

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations under section 
412(l)(7)(C)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) and section 
302(d)(7)(C)(ii) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(ERISA) (Pub. L. 93-406, 88 Stat. 829). These regulations provide the 
public with guidance regarding mortality tables to be used in 
determining current liability under section 412(l)(7) of the Code and 
section 302(d)(7) of ERISA. These regulations affect plan sponsors and 
administrators, and participants in and beneficiaries of, certain 
retirement plans.

DATES: Written or electronic comments and requests to speak and 
outlines of topics to be discussed at the public hearing scheduled for 
April 19, 2006, at 10 a.m., must be received by March 29, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-124988-05), room 
5226, Internal Revenue Service, POB 7604, Ben Franklin Station, 
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through 
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-
124988-05), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution 
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC. Alternatively, taxpayers may submit 
comments electronically directly to the IRS Internet site at http://www.irs.gov/regs.
 The public hearing will be held in the Auditorium, 

Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, 
DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the regulations, Bruce 
Perlin or Linda Marshall at (202) 622-6090 (not a toll-free number); 
concerning submissions and the hearing and/or to be placed on the 
building access list to attend the hearing, Treena Garrett at (202) 
622-7180 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code provides minimum funding 
requirements with respect to certain defined benefit pension plans.\1\ 
Section 412(l) provides additional funding requirements for certain of 
these plans, based in part on a plan's unfunded current liability, as 
defined in section 412(l)(8).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ Section 302 of ERISA sets forth funding rules that are 
parallel to those in section 412 of the Code. Under section 101 of 
Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1978 (43 FR 47713) and section 302 of 
ERISA, the Secretary of the Treasury has interpretive jurisdiction 
over the subject matter addressed in these proposed regulations for 
ERISA, as well as the Code. Thus, these proposed Treasury 
regulations issued under section 412 of the Code apply as well for 
purposes of section 302 of ERISA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pursuant to section 412(c)(6), if the otherwise applicable minimum 
funding requirement exceeds the plan's full funding limitation (defined 
in section 412(c)(7) as the excess of a specified measure of plan 
liability over the plan assets), then the minimum funding for

[[Page 72261]]

the year is reduced by that excess. Under section 412(c)(7)(E), the 
full funding limitation cannot be less than the excess of 90% of the 
plan's current liability (including the expected increase in current 
liability due to benefits accruing during the plan year) over the value 
of the plan's assets. For this purpose, the term current liability 
generally has the same meaning given that term under section 412(l)(7).
    Section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii) provides that, for purposes of determining 
current liability in plan years beginning on or after January 1, 1995, 
the mortality table used is the table prescribed by the Secretary. 
Under section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(I), the initial mortality table used in 
determining current liability under section 412(l)(7) must be based on 
the prevailing commissioners' standard table (described in section 
807(d)(5)(A)) used to determine reserves for group annuity contracts 
issued on January 1, 1993. For purposes of section 807(d)(5), Rev. Rul. 
92-19 (1992-1 C.B. 227) specifies the prevailing commissioners' 
standard table used to determine reserves for group annuity contracts 
issued on January 1, 1993, as the 1983 Group Annuity Mortality Table 
(1983 GAM). Accordingly, Rev. Rul. 95-28 (1995-1 C.B. 74) sets forth 
two gender-specific mortality tables--based on 1983 GAM--for purposes 
of detemining current liability for partcipants who are not entitled to 
disability benefits.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ Section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(I) requires the present value of 
certain distributions to be determined using a table prescribed by 
the Secretary based on the prevailing commissioners' standard table 
(described in section 807(d)(5)(A)) used to determine reserves for 
group annuity contracts issued on the date as of which present value 
is being determined. Thus, in contrast to the mortality table 
initially prescribed for determining current liability under section 
412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(I), the mortality table used to determine present 
value under section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(I) is not fixed as of a 
specified date but, rather, must be updated when the prevailing 
commissioner's standard table changes. Rev. Rul. 95-6 (1995-1 C.B. 
80) set forth tables under section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(I) based on 1983 
GAM, which was the prevailing commissioner's standard table at that 
time. The 1994 Group Annuity Reserving Table became the prevailing 
commissioners' standard table under section 807(d)(5)(A) for 
annuities issued on or after January 1, 1999. See Rev. Rul. 2001-38 
(2001-2 C.B. 124). Accordingly, Rev. Rul. 2001-62 (2001-2 C.B. 632) 
required plans to adopt a new mortality table (based on the 1994 
Group Annuity Reserving Table) for calculating the minimum present 
value of distributions pursuant to section 417(e).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Section 412(l)(7)(C)(iii)(I) specifies that the Secretary is to 
establish different mortality tables to be used to determine current 
liability for individuals who are entitled to benefits under the plan 
on account of disability. One such set of tables is to apply to 
individuals whose disabilities occur in plan years beginning before 
January 1, 1995, and a second set of tables for individuals whose 
disabilities occur in plan years beginning on or after such date. Under 
section 412(l)(7)(C)(iii)(II), the separate tables for disabilities 
that occur in plan years beginning after December 31, 1994 apply only 
with respect to individuals who are disabled within the meaning of 
title II of the Social Security Act and the regulations thereunder. 
Rev. Rul. 96-7 (1996-1 C.B. 59) sets forth the mortality tables 
established under section 412(l)(7)(C)(iii).
    Under section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(III), the Secretary of the Treasury 
is required to periodically (at least every 5 years) review any tables 
in effect under that subsection and, to the extent necessary, by 
regulation update the tables to reflect the actual experience of 
pension plans and projected trends in such experience. Section 
412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(II) provides that the updated tables are to take into 
account the results of available independent studies of mortality of 
individuals covered by pension plans. Pursuant to section 
412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(II), any new mortality tables prescribed by regulation 
can be effective no earlier than the first plan year beginning after 
December 31, 1999. Under section 412(l)(10), increases in current 
liability arising from the adoption of such a new mortality table 
generally are required to be amortized over a 10-year period.
    In order to facilitate the review of the applicable mortality 
tables pursuant to section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii)(III), Rev. Rul. 95-28 
requested comments concerning the mortality table to be used for 
determining current liability for plan years beginning after December 
31, 1999, and information on existing or upcoming independent studies 
of mortality of individuals covered by pension plans. In Announcement 
2000-7 (2000-1 C.B. 586), the IRS and the Treasury Department also 
requested comments regarding mortality tables to be used for 
determining current liability for plan years beginning after December 
31, 1999, but indicated that it was anticipated that in no event would 
there be any change in the mortality tables for plan years beginning 
before January 1, 2001.
    Notice 2003-62 (2003-2 C.B. 576) was issued as part of the periodic 
review by the IRS and the Treasury Department of the mortality tables 
used in determining current liability under section 412(l)(7). At the 
time the Notice 2003-62 was issued, the IRS and the Treasury Department 
were aware of two reviews of mortality experience for retirement plan 
participants undertaken by the Retirement Plans Experience Committee of 
the Society of Actuaries (the UP-94 Study and the RP-2000 Mortality 
Tables Report),\3\ and commentators were invited to submit any other 
independent studies of pension plan mortality experience. Notice 2003-
62 also requested the submission of studies regarding projected trends 
in mortality experience. With respect to projecting mortality 
improvements, the IRS and the Treasury Department requested comments 
regarding the advantages and disadvantages of reflecting these trends 
on an ongoing basis through the use of generational, modified 
generational, or sequentially static mortality tables.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ The UP-94 Study, prepared by the UP-84 Task Force of the 
Society of Actuaries, was published in the Transactions of the 
Society of Actuaries, Vol. XLVII (1995), p. 819. The RP-2000 
Mortality Table Report was released in July, 2000. Society of 
Actuaries, RP-2000 Mortaality Tables Report, at http://www.soa.org/ccm/content/research-publications/experience-studies-tools/the-rp-2000-mortality-tables/
.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    In addition, Notice 2003-62 requested comments on whether certain 
risk factors should be taken into account in predicting an individual's 
mortality. Comments were requested as to the extent that separate 
mortality tables should be prescribed that take into account these 
factors, with particular attention paid to the administrative issues in 
applying such distinctions. In this regard, comments were specifically 
requested as to how it would be determined which category an individual 
fits into, the extent to which an individual, once categorized, remains 
in that same category, the classification of individuals for whom 
adequate information is unavailable, whether distinctions are 
applicable to beneficiaries, and the extent to which distinctions may 
overlap or work at cross purposes. Some examples of factors that were 
listed in Notice 2003-62 are the following: gender, tobacco use, job 
classification, annuity size, and income. Comments were also requested 
as to whether classification systems, if permitted, should be mandatory 
or optional. A number of comments were submitted regarding the issues 
identified in Notice 2003-62.
    The IRS and the Treasury Department have reviewed the mortality 
tables that are used for purposes of determining current liability for 
participants and beneficiaries (other than disabled participants). The 
existing mortality table for determining current liability (1983 GAM) 
was compared to independent studies of mortality of individuals covered 
by pension plans, after reflecting projected trends for mortality 
improvement through 2007. The comparison indicates that the 1983

[[Page 72262]]

GAM is no longer appropriate for determining current liability. For 
example, comparing the RP-2000 Combined Healthy Mortality Table for 
males projected to 2007 (when this proposed regulation would take 
effect) with the 1983 GAM shows that a current mortality table reflects 
a 52% decrease in the number of expected deaths at age 50, a 26% 
decrease at 65, and an 19% decrease at age 80. Comparing annuity values 
derived under these updated mortality rates with annuity values 
determined under the 1983 GAM shows an increase in present value of 12% 
for a 35-year-old male with a deferred annuity payable at age 65, a 5% 
increase for a 55-year-old male with an immediate annuity, and a 7% 
increase for a 75-year-old male with an immediate annuity (all 
calculated at a 6% interest rate). Female mortality rates also changed, 
although with a different pattern. For females, the number of expected 
deaths decreased by 10% at age 50, but increased by 33% at age 65 and 
increased by 2% at age 80.\4\ Comparing annuity values derived under 
these updated mortality rates with annuity values determined under the 
1983 GAM shows a decrease in present value of 3% for a 35-year-old 
female with a deferred annuity payable at age 65, a 2% decrease for a 
55-year-old female with an immediate annuity, and a 2% decrease for a 
75-year-old female with an immediate annuity (all calculated at a 6% 
interest rate).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ The developers of the 1983 GAM table acknowledged that the 
number of female lives used to develop the table had been relatively 
small and they recommended an age setback to the male table be used 
rather than a separate female table. See Development of the 1983 
Group Annuity Mortality Table, Transaction of the Society of 
Actuaries, Vol. XXXV (1983), pp. 859, 883-84.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Based on this review of the 1983 GAM compared to more recent 
mortality experience, the IRS and Treasury Department have determined 
that updated mortality tables should be used to determine current 
liability for participants and beneficiaries (other than disabled 
participants).\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ The IRS and Treasury are in the process of reviewing recent 
mortality experience and expected trends for disabled participants 
to determine whether updated mortality tables under section 
412(l)(7)(C)(iii) are needed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Explanation of Provisions

    The proposed regulations would set forth the methodology the IRS 
and Treasury would use to establish mortality tables to be used under 
section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii) to determine current liability for 
participants and beneficiaries (other than disabled participants). The 
mortality tables that would apply for the 2007 plan year are set forth 
in the proposed regulations. The mortality tables that would be used 
for subsequent plan years would be published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin. Comments are requested regarding whether it would be 
desirable to publish a series of tables for each of a number of years 
(such as five years) along with final regulations, with tables for 
subsequent years to be published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.
    These new mortality tables would be based on the tables contained 
in the RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report. Commentators generally 
recommended that the RP-2000 mortality tables be the basis for the 
mortality tables used under section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii) (although one 
commentator urged that large employers be permitted to use mortality 
tables tailored to their actual mortality experience). The IRS and the 
Treasury Department have reviewed the RP-2000 mortality tables and the 
accompanying report published by the Society of Actuaries, and have 
determined that the RP-2000 mortality tables form the best available 
basis for predicting mortality of pension plan participants and 
beneficiaries (other than disabled participants) based on pension plan 
experience and expected trends. Accordingly, the proposed regulations 
would change the mortality tables used to determine current liability 
from tables based on 1983 GAM to updated tables based on the RP-2000 
mortality tables. As under the currently applicable mortality tables, 
the mortality tables set forth in these proposed regulations are 
gender-distinct because of significant differences between expected 
male mortality and expected female mortality.
    The proposed regulations would provide for separate sets of tables 
for annuitants and nonannuitants. This distinction has been made 
because the RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report indicates that these two 
groups have significantly different mortality experience. This is 
particularly true at typical ages for early retirees, where the number 
of health-induced early retirements results in a population that has 
higher mortality rates than the population of currently employed 
individuals. Under the proposed regulations, the annuitant mortality 
table would be applied to determine the present value of benefits for 
each annuitant. The annuitant mortality table is also used for each 
nonannuitant (i.e., an active employee or a terminated vested 
participant) for the period after which the nonannuitant is projected 
to commence receiving benefits, while the nonannuitant mortality table 
is applied for the period before the nonannuitant is projected to 
commence receiving benefits. Thus, for example, with respect to a 45-
year-old active participant who is projected to commence receiving an 
annuity at age 55, current liability would be determined using the 
nonannuitant mortality table for the period before the participant 
attains age 55 (i.e., so that the probability of an active male 
participant living from age 45 to the age of 55 using the mortality 
table that would apply in 2007 is 98.59%) and the annuitant mortality 
table after the participant attains age 55. Similarly, if a 45-year-old 
terminated vested participant is projected to commence an annuity at 
age 65, current liability would be determined using the nonannuitant 
mortality table for the period before the participant attains age 65 
and the annuitant mortality table for ages 65 and above.
    The mortality tables that would be established pursuant to this 
regulation would be based on mortality improvements through the year of 
the actuarial valuation and would reflect the impact of further 
expected improvements in mortality. Commentators generally stated that 
the projection of mortality improvement is desirable because it 
reflects expected mortality more accurately than using mortality tables 
that do not reflect such projection. The IRS and Treasury agree with 
these comments, and believe that failing to project mortality 
improvement in determining current liability would tend to leave plans 
underfunded. The regulations would specify the projection factors that 
are to be used to calculate expected mortality improvement. These 
projection factors are from Mortality Projection Scale AA, which was 
also recommended for use in the UP-94 Study and RP-2000 Mortality 
Tables Report. The mortality tables for annuitants are generally based 
on a future projection period of 7 years, and the mortality tables for 
nonannuitants are generally based on a future projection period of 15 
years. These projection periods were selected as the expected average 
duration of liabilities and are consistent with projection periods 
suggested by commentators.
    The RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report did not develop mortality rates 
for annuitants younger than 50 years of age or for nonannuitants older 
than 70 years of age. The mortality tables for annuitants use the 
values that apply for the nonannuitant mortality tables at younger 
ages, with a smoothed transition to the annuitant mortality tables by 
age 50. Similarly, the mortality tables for both male and female 
nonannuitants use the values that apply

[[Page 72263]]

for the annuitant mortality tables at older ages (i.e., ages above 70), 
with a smoothed transition to the nonannuitant mortality tables by age 
70.
    The mortality tables for annuitants applicable for the 2007 plan 
year would use the values that apply for the nonannuitant mortality 
tables at ages 40 and younger for males and at ages 44 and younger for 
females with a smoothed transition to the annuitant mortality tables 
between the ages of 41 and 49 for males and between 45 and 49 for 
females. Similarly, the mortality tables for both male and female 
nonannuitants applicable for the 2007 plan year use the values that 
apply for the annuitant mortality tables at ages 80 and older, with a 
smoothed transition to the nonannuitant mortality tables between the 
ages of 71 and 79.
    The proposed regulations would provide an option for smaller plans 
(i.e., plans where the total of active and inactive participants is 
less than 500) to use a single blended table for all healthy 
participants--in lieu of the separate tables for annuitants and 
nonannuitants--in order to simplify the actuarial valuation for these 
plans. This blended table would be constructed from the separate 
nonannuitant and annuitant tables using the nonannuitant/annuitant 
weighting factors published in the RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report. 
However, because the RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report does not provide 
weighting factors before age 50 or after age 70, the IRS and the 
Treasury Department would extend the table of weighting factors for 
ages 41 through 50 (ages 45-50 for females) and for ages 70 through 79 
in order to develop the blended table.
    The proposed regulations do not provide for the use of generational 
mortality tables to compute a plan's current liability. Although 
commentators generally stated that the use of generational mortality 
tables provides a more accurate prediction of participant mortality, 
they urged against requiring the use of generational mortality tables, 
arguing that many actuarial valuation systems are not currently capable 
of using a generational approach to mortality improvement. However, 
several commentators requested that the use of generational mortality 
tables be permitted on an optional basis. The IRS and the Treasury 
Department agree that the use of generational mortality tables would be 
preferable, but believe that the approach taken in the proposed 
regulations (i.e., projecting liabilities for annuitants and 
nonannuitants to average expected duration) is appropriate because it 
reasonably approximates the use of generational tables without being 
overly complex to apply. In light of several comments requesting that 
the use of generational tables be optional, the IRS and the Treasury 
Department are considering adopting such a rule and request comments 
regarding any issues that might arise in implementing an optional use 
of a generational table. In addition, comments are requested regarding 
how much lead time would be appropriate if generational mortality 
tables were to be required in the future.
    The RP-2000 mortality tables and the accompanying report analyze 
differences in expected mortality based on a number of factors, 
including job classification, annuity size, employment status (i.e., 
active or retired), and industry. The IRS and the Treasury Department 
have considered whether separate mortality tables should be provided 
based on any of these distinctions, or on other distinctions cited in 
Notice 2003-62, such as tobacco use or income level. The IRS and the 
Treasury Department have concluded that it is inappropriate to apply 
distinctions other than the annuitant and nonannuitant distinction 
described above. In general, these other distinctions were not made 
because of the complexity involved in the process. For example, no 
distinction was made for tobacco use because of the difficulty in 
obtaining, maintaining, and documenting accurate data on the extent of 
tobacco use.
    Although several commentators recommended that separate mortality 
tables apply to plans that are determined to be ``white collar'' or 
``blue collar'' in nature, the IRS and Treasury have not adopted this 
recommendation because of serious administrability concerns. 
Commentators recognized that it may be difficult to identify whether a 
specific individual falls into the category of blue collar or white 
collar (especially if an individual has shifted job classifications 
during his or her career), and suggested that the classification be 
based on whether the plan is primarily composed of blue collar 
employees or white collar employees or whether a plan covers a mixed 
population of blue collar and white collar employees. While the plan-
wide classification may avoid the difficulties of categorizing those 
individuals who are hard to classify as either blue collar or white 
collar, it would create additional problems if a plan shifted between 
these categories.
    More importantly, the RP-2000 Mortality Tables Report indicates 
that plans that are primarily blue collar in nature, but that provide 
large annuities, tend to have significantly better mortality experience 
than the average mortality for individuals in the RP-2000 Mortality 
Tables Report. As a result, classifying such a plan as blue collar and 
allowing the plan to use a weaker mortality table will lead to 
systematic underfunding of the plan.\6\ Other concerns weighing against 
the use of separate tables for blue collar and white collar plans 
include the risk of anti-selection by plans in the absence of mandatory 
adjustments and the lack of research showing the extent to which any 
mortality differences attributable to blue collar or white collar 
status extend to beneficiaries of the plan.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ Although some commentators suggested addressing this problem 
by treating some highly compensated union employees as if they were 
white collar workers, the developers of the RP-2000 Mortality Tables 
Report (and the researchers they hired to apply a multivariate 
analysis of the data) were unable to find a practical model to apply 
the combined effect of collar and annuity amount on mortality.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As noted above, the mortality experience is significantly different 
for annuitants and nonannuitants. While the use of separate mortality 
rates for these groups of individuals will likely entail changes in 
programming of actuarial software, the IRS and Treasury believe that 
the improvement in accuracy resulting from the the use of separate 
mortality tables for annuitants and nonannuitants more than offsets the 
added complexity. Furthermore, the annutant/nonannuitant distinction 
does not have the same difficult administrative issues as separate 
tables based on collar type, annuity size, or tobacco. This is because 
it is usually a straightforward process to categorize an individual as 
an annuitant or a nonannuitant, and once an indvidual is categorized as 
an annuitant, the individual's status usually does not change again.

Proposed Effective Date

    These regulations are proposed to apply to plan years beginning on 
or after January 1, 2007.

Special Analyses

    It has been determined that this notice of proposed rulemaking is 
not a significant regulatory action as defined in Executive Order 
12866. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not required. It is hereby 
certified that these regulations will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. This certification is 
based upon the fact that these regulations provide for special rules to 
simplify the application of these regulations by actuaries who provide 
services for small entities. Therefore, a Regulatory Flexibility 
Analysis under the

[[Page 72264]]

Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) is not required. 
Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code, this notice of proposed 
rulemaking will be submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the 
Small Business Administration for comment on its impact on small 
business.

Comments and Public Hearing

    Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, 
consideration will be given to any written (a signed original and eight 
(8) copies) or electronic comments that are submitted timely to the 
IRS. The IRS and Treasury Department specifically request comments on 
the clarity of the proposed regulations and how they may be made easier 
to understand. All comments will be available for public inspection and 
copying.
    A public hearing has been scheduled for April 19, 2006, at 10 a.m. 
in the auditorium, Internal Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue, 
NW., Washington, DC. Due to building security procedures, visitors must 
use the main building entrance on Constitution Avenue. In addition, all 
visitors must present photo identification to enter the building. 
Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted beyond 
the immediate entrance area more than 30 minutes before the hearing 
starts. For more information about having your name placed on the list 
to attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section 
of this preamble.
    The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) apply to the hearing. Persons who 
wish to present oral comments at the hearing must submit written 
(signed original and eight (8) copies) or electronic comments and an 
outline of the topics to be discussed and the time to be devoted to 
each topic by March 29, 2006. A period of 10 minutes will be allotted 
to each person for making comments. An agenda showing the scheduling of 
the speakers will be prepared after the deadline for receiving outlines 
has passed. Copies of the agenda will be available free of charge at 
the hearing.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are Bruce Perlin and 
Linda S.F. Marshall, Office of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel 
(Tax Exempt and Government Entities). However, other personnel from the 
IRS and Treasury participated in the development of these regulations.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

    Paragraph 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read, 
in part, as follows:

    Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

    Par. 2. Section 1.412(l)(7)-1 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  1.412(l)(7)-1  Mortality tables used to determine current 
liability.

    (a) General rules. This section sets forth the basis used to 
generate mortality tables to be used in connection with computations 
under section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii) for determining current liability for 
participants and beneficiaries (other than disabled participants). The 
mortality tables, which reflect the probability of death at each age, 
that are to be used for plan years beginning during 2007, are provided 
in paragraph (e) of this section. The mortality tables to be used for 
later plan years are to be provided in guidance published in the 
Internal Revenue Bulletin. See Sec.  601.601(d) of this chapter.
    (b) Use of the tables--(1) Separate tables for annuitants and 
nonannuitants. Separate tables are provided for use by annuitants and 
nonannuitants. The annuitant mortality table is applied to determine 
the present value of benefits for each annuitant, and to each 
nonannuitant for the period after which the nonannuitant is projected 
to commence receiving benefits. For purposes of this section, an 
annuitant means a plan participant who is currently receiving benefits 
and a nonannuitant means a plan participant who is not currently 
receiving benefits (e.g., an active employee or a terminated vested 
participant). A participant whose benefit has partially commenced is 
treated as an annuitant with respect to the portion of the benefit 
which has commenced and a nonannuitant with respect to the balance of 
the benefit. The nonannuitant mortality table is applied to each 
nonannuitant for the period before the nonannuitant is projected to 
commence receiving benefits. Thus, for example, with respect to a 45-
year-old active participant who is projected to commence receiving an 
annuity at age 55, current liability would be determined using the 
nonannuitant mortality table for the period before the participant 
attains age 55 (i.e., so that the probability of an active male 
participant living from age 45 to the age of 55 for the table that 
applies in plan years beginning in 2007 is 98.59%) and the annuitant 
mortality table for the period ages 55 and above. Similarly, if a 45-
year-old terminated vested participant is projected to commence an 
annuity at age 65, current liability would be determined using the 
nonannuitant mortality table for the period before the participant 
attains age 65 and the annuitant mortality table for ages 65 and above.
    (2) Small plan tables. As an alternative to the separate tables 
specified for annuitants and nonannuitants, a small plan can use a 
combined table that applies the same mortality rates to both annuitants 
and nonannuitants. For this purpose, a small plan is defined as a plan 
with fewer than 500 participants (including both active and inactive 
participants).
    (c) Construction of the tables--(1) Source of basic data. The 
mortality tables are based on the separate mortality tables for 
employees and healthy annuitants under the RP-2000 Mortality Tables 
Report (http://www.soa.org/ccm/content/research-publications/experience-studies-tools/the-rp-2000-mortality-tables/
), as set forth 

in paragraph (d) of this section.
    (2) Projected mortality improvements. The mortality rates under the 
basic mortality tables are projected to improve using Projection Scale 
AA, as set forth in paragraph (d) of this section. The annuitant 
mortality rates for a plan year are based on applying the improvement 
factors from 2000 until 7 years after the plan year. The nonannuitant 
mortality rates for a plan year are based on applying the improvement 
factors from 2000 until 15 years after the plan year. The projection 
scale is applied using the following equation: Projected mortality rate 
= base mortality rate * [(1-projection factor)[caret](number of years 
projected)].
    (3) Treatment of young annuitants and older nonannuitants. The 
mortality tables for annuitants use the values that apply for the 
nonannuitant mortality tables at younger ages, with a smoothed 
transition to the annuitant mortality tables by age 50. Similarly, the 
mortality tables for both male and female nonannuitants use the values 
that apply for the annuitant mortality tables at older ages (i.e., ages 
above 70), with a smoothed transition to the nonannuitant mortality 
tables by age 70.
    (4) Construction of the combined table for small plans. The 
combined table for small plans is constructed from the separate 
nonannuitant and annuitant tables using the nonannuitant weighting

[[Page 72265]]

factors as set forth in paragraph (d) of this section. The weighting 
factors are applied to develop this table using the following equation: 
Combined mortality rate = [non-annuitant rate * (1 - weighting factor)] 
+ [annuitant rate * weighting factor].
    (d) Tables. As set forth in paragraph (c) of this section, the 
following values are used to develop the mortality tables that are used 
for determining current liability under section 412(l)(7)(C)(ii) and 
this section.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                         Male                                               Female
                                                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     Non-                                 Weighting       Non-
                      Age                         annuitant    Annuitant    Projection   factors for   annuitant    Annuitant    Projection   Weighting
                                                    table        table       scale AA    small plans     table        table       scale AA   factors for
                                                 (year 2000)  (year 2000)      \7\           \8\      (year 2000)  (year 2000)               small plans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..............................................     0.000637  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000571  ...........        0.020  ...........
2..............................................     0.000430  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000372  ...........        0.020  ...........
3..............................................     0.000357  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000278  ...........        0.020  ...........
4..............................................     0.000278  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000208  ...........        0.020  ...........
5..............................................     0.000255  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000188  ...........        0.020  ...........
6..............................................     0.000244  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000176  ...........        0.020  ...........
7..............................................     0.000234  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000165  ...........        0.020  ...........
8..............................................     0.000216  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000147  ...........        0.020  ...........
9..............................................     0.000209  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000140  ...........        0.020  ...........
10.............................................     0.000212  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000141  ...........        0.020  ...........
11.............................................     0.000219  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000143  ...........        0.020  ...........
12.............................................     0.000228  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000148  ...........        0.020  ...........
13.............................................     0.000240  ...........        0.020  ............     0.000155  ...........        0.020  ...........
14.............................................     0.000254  ...........        0.019  ............     0.000162  ...........        0.018  ...........
15.............................................     0.000269  ...........        0.019  ............     0.000170  ...........        0.016  ...........
16.............................................     0.000284  ...........        0.019  ............     0.000177  ...........        0.015  ...........
17.............................................     0.000301  ...........        0.019  ............     0.000184  ...........        0.014  ...........
18.............................................     0.000316  ...........        0.019  ............     0.000188  ...........        0.014  ...........
19.............................................     0.000331  ...........        0.019  ............     0.000190  ...........        0.015  ...........
20.............................................     0.000345  ...........        0.019  ............     0.000191  ...........        0.016  ...........
21.............................................     0.000357  ...........        0.018  ............     0.000192  ...........        0.017  ...........
22.............................................     0.000366  ...........        0.017  ............     0.000194  ...........        0.017  ...........
23.............................................     0.000373  ...........        0.015  ............     0.000197  ...........        0.016  ...........
24.............................................     0.000376  ...........        0.013  ............     0.000201  ...........        0.015  ...........
25.............................................     0.000376  ...........        0.010  ............     0.000207  ...........        0.014  ...........
26.............................................     0.000378  ...........        0.006  ............     0.000214  ...........        0.012  ...........
27.............................................     0.000382  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000223  ...........        0.012  ...........
28.............................................     0.000393  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000235  ...........        0.012  ...........
29.............................................     0.000412  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000248  ...........        0.012  ...........
30.............................................     0.000444  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000264  ...........        0.010  ...........
31.............................................     0.000499  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000307  ...........        0.008  ...........
32.............................................     0.000562  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000350  ...........        0.008  ...........
33.............................................     0.000631  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000394  ...........        0.009  ...........
34.............................................     0.000702  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000435  ...........        0.010  ...........
35.............................................     0.000773  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000475  ...........        0.011  ...........
36.............................................     0.000841  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000514  ...........        0.012  ...........
37.............................................     0.000904  ...........        0.005  ............     0.000554  ...........        0.013  ...........
38.............................................     0.000964  ...........        0.006  ............     0.000598  ...........        0.014  ...........
39.............................................     0.001021  ...........        0.007  ............     0.000648  ...........        0.015  ...........
40.............................................     0.001079  ...........        0.008  ............     0.000706  ...........        0.015  ...........
41.............................................     0.001142  ...........        0.009       0.0045      0.000774  ...........        0.015  ...........
42.............................................     0.001215  ...........        0.010       0.0091      0.000852  ...........        0.015  ...........
43.............................................     0.001299  ...........        0.011       0.0136      0.000937  ...........        0.015  ...........
44.............................................     0.001397  ...........        0.012       0.0181      0.001029  ...........        0.015  ...........
45.............................................     0.001508  ...........        0.013       0.0226      0.001124  ...........        0.016       0.0084
46.............................................     0.001616  ...........        0.014       0.0272      0.001223  ...........        0.017       0.0167
47.............................................     0.001734  ...........        0.015       0.0317      0.001326  ...........        0.018       0.0251
48.............................................     0.001860  ...........        0.016       0.0362      0.001434  ...........        0.018       0.0335
49.............................................     0.001995  ...........        0.017       0.0407      0.001550  ...........        0.018       0.0419
50.............................................     0.002138     0.005347        0.018       0.0453      0.001676     0.002344        0.017       0.0502
51.............................................     0.002288     0.005528        0.019       0.0498      0.001814     0.002459        0.016       0.0586
52.............................................     0.002448     0.005644        0.020       0.0686      0.001967     0.002647        0.014       0.0744
53.............................................     0.002621     0.005722        0.020       0.0953      0.002135     0.002895        0.012       0.0947
54.............................................     0.002812     0.005797        0.020       0.1288      0.002321     0.003190        0.010       0.1189
55.............................................     0.003029     0.005905        0.019       0.2066      0.002526     0.003531        0.008       0.1897
56.............................................     0.003306     0.006124        0.018       0.3173      0.002756     0.003925        0.006       0.2857
57.............................................     0.003628     0.006444        0.017       0.3780      0.003010     0.004385        0.005       0.3403
58.............................................     0.003997     0.006895        0.016       0.4401      0.003291     0.004921        0.005       0.3878
59.............................................     0.004414     0.007485        0.016       0.4986      0.003599     0.005531        0.005       0.4360
60.............................................     0.004878     0.008196        0.016       0.5633      0.003931     0.006200        0.005       0.4954
61.............................................     0.005382     0.009001        0.015       0.6338      0.004285     0.006919        0.005       0.5805
62.............................................     0.005918     0.009915        0.015       0.7103      0.004656     0.007689        0.005       0.6598
63.............................................     0.006472     0.010951        0.014       0.7902      0.005039     0.008509        0.005       0.7520

[[Page 72266]]


64.............................................     0.007028     0.012117        0.014       0.8355      0.005429     0.009395        0.005       0.8043
65.............................................     0.007573     0.013419        0.014       0.8832      0.005821     0.010364        0.005       0.8552
66.............................................     0.008099     0.014868        0.013       0.9321      0.006207     0.011413        0.005       0.9118
67.............................................     0.008598     0.016460        0.013       0.9510      0.006583     0.012540        0.005       0.9367
68.............................................     0.009069     0.018200        0.014       0.9639      0.006945     0.013771        0.005       0.9523
69.............................................     0.009510     0.020105        0.014       0.9714      0.007289     0.015153        0.005       0.9627
70.............................................     0.009922     0.022206        0.015       0.9740      0.007613     0.016742        0.005       0.9661
71.............................................  ...........     0.024570        0.015       0.9766   ...........     0.018579        0.006       0.9695
72.............................................  ...........     0.027281        0.015       0.9792   ...........     0.020665        0.006       0.9729
73.............................................  ...........     0.030387        0.015       0.9818   ...........     0.022970        0.007       0.9763
74.............................................  ...........     0.033900        0.015       0.9844   ...........     0.025458        0.007       0.9797
75.............................................  ...........     0.037834        0.014       0.9870   ...........     0.028106        0.008       0.9830
76.............................................  ...........     0.042169        0.014       0.9896   ...........     0.030966        0.008       0.9864
77.............................................  ...........     0.046906        0.013       0.9922   ...........     0.034105        0.007       0.9898
78.............................................  ...........     0.052123        0.012       0.9948   ...........     0.037595        0.007       0.9932
79.............................................  ...........     0.057927        0.011       0.9974   ...........     0.041506        0.007       0.9966
80.............................................  ...........     0.064368        0.010       1.0000   ...........     0.045879        0.007       1.0000
81.............................................  ...........     0.072041        0.009       1.0000   ...........     0.050780        0.007       1.0000
82.............................................  ...........     0.080486        0.008       1.0000   ...........     0.056294        0.007       1.0000
83.............................................  ...........     0.089718        0.008       1.0000   ...........     0.062506        0.007       1.0000
84.............................................  ...........     0.099779        0.007       1.0000   ...........     0.069517        0.007       1.0000
85.............................................  ...........     0.110757        0.007       1.0000   ...........     0.077446        0.006       1.0000
86.............................................  ...........     0.122797        0.007       1.0000   ...........     0.086376        0.005       1.0000
87.............................................  ...........     0.136043        0.006       1.0000   ...........     0.096337        0.004       1.0000
88.............................................  ...........     0.150590        0.005       1.0000   ...........     0.107303        0.004       1.0000
89.............................................  ...........     0.166420        0.005       1.0000   ...........     0.119154        0.003       1.0000
90.............................................  ...........     0.183408        0.004       1.0000   ...........     0.131682        0.003       1.0000
91.............................................  ...........     0.199769        0.004       1.0000   ...........     0.144604        0.003       1.0000
92.............................................  ...........     0.216605        0.003       1.0000   ...........     0.157618        0.003       1.0000
93.............................................  ...........     0.233662        0.003       1.0000   ...........     0.170433        0.002       1.0000
94.............................................  ...........     0.250693        0.003       1.0000   ...........     0.182799        0.002       1.0000
95.............................................  ...........     0.267491        0.002       1.0000   ...........     0.194509        0.002       1.0000
96.............................................  ...........     0.283905        0.002       1.0000   ...........     0.205379        0.002       1.0000
97.............................................  ...........     0.299852        0.002       1.0000   ...........     0.215240        0.001       1.0000
98.............................................  ...........     0.315296        0.001       1.0000   ...........     0.223947        0.001       1.0000
99.............................................  ...........     0.330207        0.001       1.0000   ...........     0.231387        0.001       1.0000
100............................................  ...........     0.344556        0.001       1.0000   ...........     0.237467        0.001       1.0000
101............................................  ...........     0.358628        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.244834        0.000       1.0000
102............................................  ...........     0.371685        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.254498        0.000       1.0000
103............................................  ...........     0.383040        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.266044        0.000       1.0000
104............................................  ...........     0.392003        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.279055        0.000       1.0000
105............................................  ...........     0.397886        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.293116        0.000       1.0000
106............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.307811        0.000       1.0000
107............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.322725        0.000       1.0000
108............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.337441        0.000       1.0000
109............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.351544        0.000       1.0000
110............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.364617        0.000       1.0000
111............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.376246        0.000       1.0000
112............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.386015        0.000       1.0000
113............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.393507        0.000       1.0000
114............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.398308        0.000       1.0000
115............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000
116............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000
117............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000
118............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000
119............................................  ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     0.400000        0.000       1.0000
120............................................  ...........     1.000000        0.000       1.0000   ...........     1.000000        0.000       1.0000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (e) Tables for plan years beginning during 2007. The following 
tables are to be used for determining current liability under section 
412(l)(7)(C)(ii) for plan years beginning during 2007.

[[Page 72267]]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                               Male                                           Female
                                                        ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                             Optional
                          Age                             Non-annuitant     Annuitant        Optional      Non-annuitant     Annuitant    combined table
                                                              table           table       combined table       table           table         for small
                                                                                         for small plans                                       plans
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1......................................................        0.000408        0.000408        0.000408         0.000366        0.000366        0.000366
2......................................................        0.000276        0.000276        0.000276         0.000239        0.000239        0.000239
3......................................................        0.000229        0.000229        0.000229         0.000178        0.000178        0.000178
4......................................................        0.000178        0.000178        0.000178         0.000133        0.000133        0.000133
5......................................................        0.000163        0.000163        0.000163         0.000121        0.000121        0.000121
6......................................................        0.000156        0.000156        0.000156         0.000113        0.000113        0.000113
7......................................................        0.000150        0.000150        0.000150         0.000106        0.000106        0.000106
8......................................................        0.000138        0.000138        0.000138         0.000094        0.000094        0.000094
9......................................................        0.000134        0.000134        0.000134         0.000090        0.000090        0.000090
10.....................................................        0.000136        0.000136        0.000136         0.000090        0.000090        0.000090
11.....................................................        0.000140        0.000140        0.000140         0.000092        0.000092        0.000092
12.....................................................        0.000146        0.000146        0.000146         0.000095        0.000095        0.000095
13.....................................................        0.000154        0.000154        0.000154         0.000099        0.000099        0.000099
14.....................................................        0.000167        0.000167        0.000167         0.000109        0.000109        0.000109
15.....................................................        0.000176        0.000176        0.000176         0.000119        0.000119        0.000119
16.....................................................        0.000186        0.000186        0.000186         0.000127        0.000127        0.000127
17.....................................................        0.000197        0.000197        0.000197         0.000135        0.000135        0.000135
18.....................................................        0.000207        0.000207        0.000207         0.000138        0.000138        0.000138
19.....................................................        0.000217        0.000217        0.000217         0.000136        0.000136        0.000136
20.....................................................        0.000226        0.000226        0.000226         0.000134        0.000134        0.000134
21.....................................................        0.000239        0.000239        0.000239         0.000132        0.000132        0.000132
22.....................................................        0.000251        0.000251        0.000251         0.000133        0.000133        0.000133
23.....................................................        0.000267        0.000267        0.000267         0.000138        0.000138        0.000138
24.....................................................        0.000282        0.000282        0.000282         0.000144        0.000144        0.000144
25.....................................................        0.000301        0.000301        0.000301         0.000152        0.000152        0.000152
26.....................................................        0.000331        0.000331        0.000331         0.000164        0.000164        0.000164
27.....................................................        0.000342        0.000342        0.000342         0.000171        0.000171        0.000171
28.....................................................        0.000352        0.000352        0.000352         0.000180        0.000180        0.000180
29.....................................................        0.000369        0.000369        0.000369         0.000190        0.000190        0.000190
30.....................................................        0.000398        0.000398        0.000398         0.000212        0.000212        0.000212
31.....................................................        0.000447        0.000447        0.000447         0.000257        0.000257        0.000257
32.....................................................        0.000503        0.000503        0.000503         0.000293        0.000293        0.000293
33.....................................................        0.000565        0.000565        0.000565         0.000323        0.000323        0.000323
34.....................................................        0.000629        0.000629        0.000629         0.000349        0.000349        0.000349
35.....................................................        0.000692        0.000692        0.000692         0.000372        0.000372        0.000372
36.....................................................        0.000753        0.000753        0.000753         0.000394        0.000394        0.000394
37.....................................................        0.000810        0.000810        0.000810         0.000415        0.000415        0.000415
38.....................................................        0.000844        0.000844        0.000844         0.000439        0.000439        0.000439
39.....................................................        0.000875        0.000875        0.000875         0.000465        0.000465        0.000465
40.....................................................        0.000904        0.000904        0.000904         0.000506        0.000506        0.000506
41.....................................................        0.000936        0.000963        0.000936         0.000555        0.000555        0.000555
42.....................................................        0.000974        0.001081        0.000975         0.000611        0.000611        0.000611
43.....................................................        0.001018        0.001258        0.001021         0.000672        0.000672        0.000672
44.....................................................        0.001071        0.001493        0.001079         0.000738        0.000738        0.000738
45.....................................................        0.001131        0.001788        0.001146         0.000788        0.000791        0.000788
46.....................................................        0.001185        0.002142        0.001211         0.000839        0.000896        0.000840
47.....................................................        0.001244        0.002554        0.001286         0.000889        0.001054        0.000893
48.....................................................        0.001304        0.003026        0.001366         0.000962        0.001265        0.000972
49.....................................................        0.001368        0.003557        0.001457         0.001039        0.001528        0.001059
50.....................................................        0.001434        0.004146        0.001557         0.001149        0.001844        0.001184
51.....................................................        0.001500        0.004226        0.001636         0.001272        0.001962        0.001312
52.....................................................        0.001570        0.004254        0.001754         0.001442        0.002173        0.001496
53.....................................................        0.001681        0.004312        0.001932         0.001637        0.002445        0.001714
54.....................................................        0.001803        0.004369        0.002134         0.001861        0.002771        0.001969
55.....................................................        0.001986        0.004514        0.002508         0.002117        0.003155        0.002314
56.....................................................        0.002217        0.004749        0.003020         0.002414        0.003608        0.002755
57.....................................................        0.002488        0.005069        0.003464         0.002696        0.004088        0.003170
58.....................................................        0.002803        0.005501        0.003990         0.002947        0.004588        0.003583
59.....................................................        0.003095        0.005972        0.004529         0.003223        0.005156        0.004066
60.....................................................        0.003421        0.006539        0.005177         0.003521        0.005780        0.004640
61.....................................................        0.003860        0.007284        0.006030         0.003838        0.006450        0.005354
62.....................................................        0.004244        0.008024        0.006929         0.004170        0.007168        0.006148
63.....................................................        0.004746        0.008989        0.008099         0.004513        0.007932        0.007084
64.....................................................        0.005154        0.009947        0.009159         0.004862        0.008758        0.007996
65.....................................................        0.005553        0.011015        0.010377         0.005213        0.009662        0.009018
66.....................................................        0.006073        0.012379        0.011951         0.005559        0.010640        0.010192
67.....................................................        0.006447        0.013705        0.013349         0.005896        0.011690        0.011323
68.....................................................        0.006650        0.014940        0.014641         0.006220        0.012838        0.012522
69.....................................................        0.006974        0.016504        0.016231         0.006528        0.014126        0.013843
70.....................................................        0.007115        0.017971        0.017689         0.006818        0.015607        0.015309

[[Page 72268]]


71.....................................................        0.008002        0.019884        0.019606         0.007450        0.017078        0.016784
72.....................................................        0.009777        0.022078        0.021822         0.008714        0.018995        0.018716
73.....................................................        0.012439        0.024592        0.024371         0.010610        0.020819        0.020577
74.....................................................        0.015988        0.027435        0.027256         0.013139        0.023074        0.022872
75.....................................................        0.020425        0.031057        0.030919         0.016299        0.025117        0.024967
76.....................................................        0.025749        0.034615        0.034523         0.020092        0.027673        0.027570
77.....................................................        0.031961        0.039054        0.038999         0.024516        0.030911        0.030846
78.....................................................        0.039059        0.044018        0.043992         0.029573        0.034074        0.034043
79.....................................................        0.047046        0.049617        0.049610         0.035261        0.037618        0.037610
80.....................................................        0.055919        0.055919        0.055919         0.041582        0.041582        0.041582
81.....................................................        0.063476        0.063476        0.063476         0.046024        0.046024        0.046024
82.....................................................        0.071926        0.071926        0.071926         0.051021        0.051021        0.051021
83.....................................................        0.080176        0.080176        0.080176         0.056651        0.056651        0.056651
84.....................................................        0.090433        0.090433        0.090433         0.063006        0.063006        0.063006
85.....................................................        0.100383        0.100383        0.100383         0.071188        0.071188        0.071188
86.....................................................        0.111295        0.111295        0.111295         0.080522        0.080522        0.080522
87.....................................................        0.125051        0.125051        0.125051         0.091080        0.091080        0.091080
88.....................................................        0.140385        0.140385        0.140385         0.101448        0.101448        0.101448
89.....................................................        0.155142        0.155142        0.155142         0.114246        0.114246        0.114246
90.....................................................        0.173400        0.173400        0.173400         0.126258        0.126258        0.126258
91.....................................................        0.188868        0.188868        0.188868         0.138648        0.138648        0.138648
92.....................................................        0.207683        0.207683        0.207683         0.151126        0.151126        0.151126
93.....................................................        0.224037        0.224037        0.224037         0.165722        0.165722        0.165722
94.....................................................        0.240367        0.240367        0.240367         0.177747        0.177747        0.177747
95.....................................................        0.260098        0.260098        0.260098         0.189133        0.189133        0.189133
96.....................................................        0.276058        0.276058        0.276058         0.199703        0.199703        0.199703
97.....................................................        0.291564        0.291564        0.291564         0.212246        0.212246        0.212246
98.....................................................        0.310910        0.310910        0.310910         0.220832        0.220832        0.220832
99.....................................................        0.325614        0.325614        0.325614         0.228169        0.228169        0.228169
100....................................................        0.339763        0.339763        0.339763         0.234164        0.234164        0.234164
101....................................................        0.358628        0.358628        0.358628         0.244834        0.244834        0.244834
102....................................................        0.371685        0.371685        0.371685         0.254498        0.254498        0.254498
103....................................................        0.383040        0.383040        0.383040         0.266044        0.266044        0.266044
104....................................................        0.392003        0.392003        0.392003         0.279055        0.279055        0.279055
105....................................................        0.397886        0.397886        0.397886         0.293116        0.293116        0.293116
106....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.307811        0.307811        0.307811
107....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.322725        0.322725        0.322725
108....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.337441        0.337441        0.337441
109....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.351544        0.351544        0.351544
110....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.364617        0.364617        0.364617
111....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.376246        0.376246        0.376246
112....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.386015        0.386015        0.386015
113....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.393507        0.393507        0.393507
114....................................................        0.400000        0.400000        0.400000         0.398308        0.398308        0.398308
115....................................................        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
117....................................................        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
119....................................................        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
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (f) Effective date. The mortality tables described in this section 
apply for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2007.

Mark E. Matthews,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
 [FR Doc. E5-6742 Filed 12-1-05; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4830-01-P