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NOTE 7 — DEFINED BENEFIT PENSION PLAN — STATE-WIDE (CONTINUED) F. Actuarial Methods and Assumptions The total pension liability in the June 30, 2023, actuarial valuation was determined using an individual entry -age normal actuarial cost method. The long-term rate of return on pension plan investments used in the determination of the total liability is 7.00 percent. This assumption is based on a review of inflation and investments return assumptions from a number of national investment consulting firms. The review provided a range of return investment return rates deemed to be reasonable by the actuary. An investment return of 7.00 percent was deemed to be within that range of reasonableness for financial reporting purposes. Inflation is assumed to be 2.25 percent for the General Employees Plan. Benefit increases after retirement are assumed to be 1.25 percent for the General Employees Plan. Salary growth assumptions in the General Employees Plan range in annual increments from 10.25 percent after one year of service to 3.00 percent after 27 years of service. Mortality rates for the General Employees Plan are based on the Pub-2010 General Employee Mortality Table. The tables are adjusted slightly to fit the PERA's experience. Actuarial assumptions for the General Employees Plan are reviewed every four years. The most recent four-year experience study for the General Employees Plan was completed in 2022. The assumption changes were adopted by the Board and became effective with the July 1, 2023 actuarial valuation. The following change in actuarial assumptions and plan provisions occurred in 2023: GERF CHANGES IN ACTUARIAL ASSUMPTIONS • The investment return assumption and single discount rate were changed from 6.50 percent to 7.00 percent. CHANGES IN PLAN PROVISIONS • An additional one-time direct state aid contribution of $170.1 million will be contributed to the Plan on October 1, 2023. • The vesting period of those hired after June 30, 2010, was changed from five years of allowable service to three years of allowable service. • The benefit increase delay for early retirements on or after January 1, 2024, was eliminated. • A one-time, noncompounding benefit increase of 2.50 percent minus the actual 2024 adjustment will be payable in a lump sum for calendar year 2024 by March 31, 2024. G. Discount Rate The discount rate used to measure the total pension liability in 2023 was 7.00 percent. The projection of cash flows used to determine the discount rate assumed that contributions from plan members and employers will be made at rates set in Minnesota Statutes. Based on these assumptions, the fiduciary net position of the General Employees Fund was projected to be available to make all projected future benefit payments of current plan members. Therefore, the long-term expected rate of return on pension plan investments was applied to all periods of projected benefit payments to determine the total pension liability. -41-