!!!UBEF - ALBERTA PENSION ADMINISTRATION (APA) SYSTEM

The Generate Benefit/Payroll Interface (UBEF) screen may be used to generate a pension interface file for the province of Alberta. The following describes the necessary set up required in order to create this type of interface.

!!Step 1 - Define Plan Type in [IBPT]
A plan type must be set up for the Alberta Pension Administration (APA) system. The plan type may be defined by the user, but all pension plans associated with APA must be identified as being in this plan type. An example would be 'PENSION'.
!!Step 2- Define Plan Definitions in [IBPN]
Each APA pension plan must be set up and identified with a 'PENSION' plan type. The plan code can be defined by the users, but keep in mind that the 4th-7th characters of the plan name will be used to report to the Alberta Pension Administration.

There are currently three pension plans being supported, they are PSPP, MEPP, and MSRP plans. Since this system passes only the 4-7th characters of the plan code to the Alberta Pension Board, therefore it is mandatory that those positions of the Plan code includes either PSPP, MEPP, or MSRP as appropriate.

Please note that it is possible to define the plan code in other ways, in this case, the [IDIF] file definition must be changed accordingly or it will not produce the desired result.

Due to different contribution rules which apply to different employment statuses, each of these pension plans should have four coverage codes. The currently supported coverage codes are 'Active', 'LTD', 'Leave', and 'Leave No-cont'. 

Only record types 18-4, 18-A, 18-L, 18-M, and 18-W as defined by APA is supported at this time.

!!Step 3 - Define User Fields in [IMUF]
A new 'PN-EMPLOYER NUMBER' user-defined field must be set up for each APA pension plans. This employer number is assigned by the Alberta Pension Administration.

The 'PN-EMPLOYER NUMBER' UDF must be defined in [IMUF] for the table [P2K_BE_PLAN_DEFINITIONS] with the following fields:
;[User Field|USER_FIELD_NAME]:PN-EMPLOYER NUMBER
;[Prompt|FIELD_PROMPT]:PN Employer Number 
;[Type|FIELD_TYPE]:Char
;[Format|FORMAT_MASK]:999


Once this UDF is correctly set up, it can then be access through the [IBPN] screen using the 'Edit User Fields' button in the tool bar.

!!Step 4 - Define Pay Elements in [IPPE]
A number of [pay elements|PAY ELEMENTS] must be set up for the APA pension system. These [pay elements|PAY ELEMENTS] will be used in the [IDIF] definition in order to obtain the correct Pensionable Salary and Contributions. (This list contains suggested [Pay Element|PAY ELEMENTS] names that are used in the standard supplied [IDIF] definitions. These [Pay Element|PAY ELEMENTS] names can be modified, and new ones added, as long as the corresponding [IDIF] definition is also modified accordingly).

The [APA Elements|APA ELEMENTS] page displays the list of necessary [pay elements|PAY ELEMENTS] required. 

!!Step 5 - Define Usercalcs in [IMUC]
A number of [UserCalcs|USERCALC] may be required to process any exceptions to the standard function. You are responsible for writing and maintaining your own [UserCalcs|USERCALC].

!!Step 6 - Define Interface Format in [IDIF]
HL$ABPERS-184 is provided in the [IDIF] screen as an example of a Pipe Delimited interface file for generating Record Type 18-4 for the Alberta Pension Administration.

HL$ABPERS-184C is also provided in [IDIF] as an example of a Comma Delimited file for generating an audit report of Record Type 18-4.

Standard [IDIF] definitions are provided for the other supported record types (HL$ABPERS-18A and HL$ABPERS-18AC for record type 18-A; HL$ABPERS-18L and HL$ABPERS-18LC for record type 18-L; HL$ABPERS-18M and HL$ABPERS-18MC for record type 18-M; HL$ABPERS-18W and HL$ABPERS-18WC for record type 18-W).

You should copy (use Copy Definition) definitions into a different Interface code and then enter your own company data.

[IDIF FIELD DEFINITIONS|UBEF APA IDIF DEFINITIONS]

!!Interface File Layout for the Alberta Pension Administration
The file is pipe delimited

Each file contains one header record and multiple detail records. The Transaction code and Detail type for the header record is always '94-1' for all files, while the Transaction code and Detail type for the detail records can be either '18-4', '18-A', '18-L', '18-M', or '18-W'.

[UBEF APA Interface File Layout|UBEF APA INTERFACE FILE LAYOUT]

!Supported Transaction Types for the Province of Alberta
||Transaction\\Type|| Description
|94-1 |Batch Header Record, a record of this type will be created \\together with all other transaction types in the file.
|18-4| Annual Year End Detail Record
|18-A |Reports Leave without Salary: earnings and service
|18-L| Reports the Leave of Absence detail, or adjustments to this \\detail, where the member has continued to contribute\\ while on leave
|18-M |Reports Parenting Leave without Salary: earning and service
|18-W| Reports the Parenting Leave of Absence detail, or adjustment\\ to this detail, where the member has continued to contribute \\while on leave.

!!Step 7 - Run UBEF To Create APA Interface File

!!Processing Information
One file will be created each time the UBEF function is executed; each execution will be for one plan and for one transaction type only. One file will be generated for each pension plan and transaction type combination.

For the three supported plans and the five supported transaction types, a total of 15 interface files will be generated (i.e. one interface file for the PSPP plan for transaction type 18-4, one interface file for the MEPP plan for transaction type 18-4, one interface file for the MSRP plan for transaction type 18-4, one interface file for the PSPP plan for transaction type 18-A, one interface file for the MEPP plan for transaction type 18-A, one interface file for the MSRP plan for transaction type 18-A, one file for the PSPP plan for transaction type 18-L, etc.…).

To generate an audit report, the UBEF function must be executed a second time, using a 'Comma Delimited' Interface File format to create a file with a file extension of '.csv'. This file can then be viewed through an Excel spreadsheet.

!UBEF Calculations
----
__UBEF - Pension Interface Calculation (Example Only)__

__PSPP-PLAN__

This example shows some example [UserCalcs|USERCALC] that are required to be written and maintained by user.

This PN-PSPP plan example will have three example coverage codes: CONTRIBUTION, LTD and NO-CONTRIBUTION. The [PC codes|PAY COMPONENTS], [Pay Element|PAY ELEMENTS] names, and [UserCalc|USERCALC] names used in this example are for illustration purpose only and should be modified as required.

;PN-PSPP - CONTRIBUTION Coverage
*For Pension calculation earnings will be derived from the following [element|PAY ELEMENTS]:
**PEN EARN TOTAL - this [element|PAY ELEMENTS] is a complex element that contains [elements|PAY ELEMENTS] PEN-PD-EARNS and PEN-UNPD-EARNS
**Each of these [elements|PAY ELEMENTS] has a corresponding Hours Element which is required for reporting
*Not included in calculation but needed for report are the following [elements|PAY ELEMENTS]: PEN NC EARN and PEN NC HOURS
*Coverage was calculated as follows:
**Coverage = Factor * Eligible Earnings
**Factor = 1
**Therefore, the coverage is always the eligible earnings
* Two premium rates were used to define the premium
* The premium amount for coverage up to and including 1580.77 was calculated at a premium rate of 0.0617
* The premium amount for coverage beyond 1580.77 up to 4320.00 was calculated at a premium rate of 0.0881
* A [UserCalc|USERCALC] (suggested name BE-PENS-CAP) will have to be written to cap the employee's earnings at 4320.00
*When the employee has reached 35 years of service, they must be expired from the CONTRIBUTION in coverage and placed in the NO-CONTRIBUTION coverage.
* When electing them into the new plan, the effective date used will be the start date of the next pay period
* They must still be reported as being enrolled in the PSPP plan but are no longer making any contributions
*The effective date will be set to the employee's hire date
* A [UserCalc|USERCALC] will be written to automatically set the expire date to be:
** Expire Date = Hire Date + 35 Years - 1Day
* Need to be able to report total pensionable hours and earnings. The following PC's will be defined:
** PC 980 (PSPP-Con-Hours) - this is calculated via a [UserCalc|USERCALC] PR-PENCONT-HRS and is based on the amount in PC 1980 being greater than 0
** PC 1980 (PSPP-Con-Earns)
** This plan is matched 100% by the ER
** The Employer amount is stored in a [Pay Component|PAY COMPONENTS]
** The Member (EE) amount is stored in a [Pay Component|PAY COMPONENTS]
** PC's 1980 and 980 are used for reporting and verification purposes only

;:''Example 1:''
;:''Maximum Biweekly Cap 1 = 1580.77''
;:''Maximum Biweekly Cap 2 = 4320.38''
;:''Premium rate up to Cap 1= 0.0617''
;:''Premium Rate up to Cap 2 = 0.0881''
;:''Employee's Biweekly Earnings = 1200.00''
;:''Premium = (1200.00 * 0.0617) = 74.04''
;:''Employer pays 74.04''
;:''Member (EE) pays 74.04''
\\
;:''Example 2:''
;:''Maximum Biweekly Cap 1 = 1580.77''
;:''Maximum Biweekly Cap 2 = 4320.38''
;:''Premium rate up to Cap 1= 0.0617''
;:''Premium Rate up to Cap 2 = 0.0881''
;:''Employee's Biweekly Earnings = 2000.00''
;:''Premium 1 = (1580.77 * 0.0617) = 97.53''
;:''Premium 2 = (419.23 *0.0881) = 36.93''
;:''Total Premium = 97.53 + 36.93 = 134.46''
;:''Employer Pays = 134.46''
;:''Member (EE) Pays = 134.46''
\\
;:''Example 3:''
;:''Maximum Biweekly Cap 1 = 1580.77''
;:''Maximum Biweekly Cap 2 = 4320.38''
;:''Premium rate up to Cap 1= 0.0617''
;:''Premium Rate up to Cap 2 = 0.0881''
;:''Employee's Biweekly Earnings = 5000.00''
;:''Premium 1 = (1580.77 * 0.0617) = 97.53''
;:''Premium 2 = (2739.61 *0.0881) = 241.36''
;:''The amount of 2739.61 was derived from the following: Maximum Biweekly Cap 2 -Maximum Biweekly Cap 1 = 4320.38-1580.77 = 2739.61''
;:''Total Premium = 338.89''
;:''Employer Pays = 338.89''
;:''Member (EE) Pays = 338.89''
\\
;PN-PSPP - LTD Coverage
*Separate coverage code is used in order to calculate the employer portion at 200% (which includes the value of employer and employee contributions combined and is required for payroll processing) and ensure that it is divisible by 2.
*The report should split this amount into two to be displayed separately (as this is required for year end reporting)
* When an employee goes on LTD, the effective date to be used on the election record will be their actual date of leave
* PC's 982 and 1982 are for reporting and verification purposes only
* PC 982 (PSPP-LTD-Hours) - this is calculated via a [UserCalc|USERCALC] PR-PEN-CONTHRS and is based on the amount in PC 1982 being greater than 0
* PC 4150 contains the Employer amount
\\
;PN-PSPP - NO-CONTRIBUTION Coverage
* When an employee goes on a specific type of leave or their 35 years of service is up, they will need to be enrolled into this coverage
* There are no premium, employer or employee amounts calculated
* The employee must still be reported on the pension report
* Hours and earnings PC's (listed above) will be created to report on
* An [element|PAY ELEMENTS] called 'PEN NC EARN' is used to determine the eligible earnings amount
* PC 981 and PC 1981 are used for reporting and verification purposes only
* PC 981 is populated via a [UserCalc|USERCALC] PR-PEN-CONT-HRS and is based on the amount in PC 1981

!UBEF Sample Report
A spreadsheet will be provided which includes all data columns that were recorded in the interface file.

To generate this report, you must run UBEF a second time, using a 'Comma Delimited' Interface file format, and create a file with a file extension of '.csv'. Once the.csv file is created, you can then view this file through an Excel spreadsheet, and
delete those data columns that are of no use.
----
!!Report Parameters
||Report Parameters||
|Entity| You must enter an entity \\Mandatory
|From Date| Enter a Pay Period Begin Date
|To Date| Enter a Pay Period End Date
|Interface Code| Enter the Interface code from the IDIF screen\\Mandatory
|Interface Level |Specify the level for the Interface file to be produced; \\this must be '10'. \\Mandatory \\Lexicon [X_INTERFACE_LEVEL] values are:\\01 - EEM + EASD (not applicable for UBEF processing) \\02 - EEM + EASD + Contacts (not applicable for UBEF processing) \\10 - BE Plans \\11 - BE + Contacts (not applicable for UBEF processing)
|ER Addr Location| This allows you to enter an overridden location to retrieve the employer’s address.\\If this is not specified, the entity's location address is used. \\Optional
|Sort by Active/Inactive| Check this toggle to sort inactive employees first. 
|Sort Employees By| You should sort employees by Last Name/First Name, however, you may sort by the\\ employee's pay destination or sort by Person code
|Create File |This field provides an option to create the file
|Directory Name |Enter a valid directory name
|File Name| Enter a file name or use the default file name from [IDIF] screen
|Exception Level |You should always run with the Exception level unless for tracing\\In Trace Level 1, the employee header with Person Code and Employee Name are\\displayed with performance time, this can be used for Progress bar or to locate\\employee with problem\\In Trace Level 2, the BE plans are displayed after employee header information\\People List Code Please specify if People list is to be used (Optional)
|Person Code| Enter one or more Person Codes (Optional)
|Location| Enter one or more Location codes(Optional)
|Authorization| Enter one or more Authorization Areas (Optional)
|Department| Enter one or more Department Codes (Optional)
|Org Level Type| Enter one or more Org Level Types (Optional)
|Org Level |Enter one or more Org Level within Org Level Types (Optional)
|Unit| Enter one or more Unit codes (Optional)
|Group |Enter one or more Group codes (Optional)
|Payroll| Enter one or more Payroll Codes (Optional)
|Employment Status| Enter one or more Employment Statuses (Optional)
|Termination Reason| Enter one or more Termination Reasons (Optional)
|Plan Type| This field is applicable if Interface Level = 'BE plans' (Optional)
|Plan| This field is applicable if Interface Level = 'BE plans' (Optional)