Service multiplier - ProAdmin 320

Service multiplier (e.g.: part-time adjustment) is used with elapsed time calculations. It gives “weight” to periods of time. In most cases, when not using events, the service multiplier is one and is not otherwise relevant. But there may be occasions when you may want it to be different. When using events, it becomes clear why service multipliers could be important. If a plan treats full-timers and part-timers differently, where part-timers earn a portion of the service a full-time employee would earn, the multiplier for part-timers would be less than one.

If events are not used:

Annual service is assumed to accrue at: ProAdmin visually presents measurement periods by using a horizontal row of boxes. Each box represents a measurement period. The affected measurement periods are designated with an asterisk (*). You have control of the multiplier over two periods of time: 1. The period of time during employment (or participation, etc.) and 2. the period of time after employment ceases. The first box (or the measurement period before hire (or participation, etc.)) has no multiplier. The multiplier is shown to commence in the measurement period that contains date of hire and continue during employment to decrement and beyond.

Constant provides a field that defaults to one, but allows you to change it to use a different multiplier.

Field provides a dropdown of numerical fields (including arrays) that can be used if the multiplier is not a constant value for each member or changes periodically. The Transform multiplier (expression) check box allows you to transform the values in the field selected using Data Dictionary variables with arithmetic (+, -, *, /, etc.), relational (=, <, >, <>, etc.), logical (#and, #or) operators along with if-then-else type statements and other ProAdmin functions to determine the service multiplier. When you have checked the box and placed the cursor within the box, you can press F1 for a list of available fields, operators and other useful information. Tip: for example, #THIS>1950 is an example of using an expression to transform the value, #THIS, into a zero or one.

Use a different multiplier for decrement (and beyond) is a check box where if checked the asterisks beginning with the measurement period containing decrement in the horizontal line of boxes are removed and the second line of boxes is populated with asterisks beginning at that point. If you want service to accrue beyond decrement, you can use a different multiplier for the period from decrement and beyond. (To have service accrue beyond decrement you’ll need to check the appropriate items on the Service stop adjustment screen.)

Constant is a radio button with a field that defaults to one, but allows you to change it to use a different multiplier.

Field radio button provides a dropdown of numerical fields (including arrays) that can be used if the multiplier is not a constant value for each member or changes periodically. Transform multiplier (expression) allows you to transform the value(s) using a numerical expression as in the Transform multiplier (expression) above.

If events are being used:

Periods between successive pairs of chronological event dates can be considered for different multipliers. These periods are determined by the start and stop events as defined in the event definition. Each period commencing with a specific start event can have a different multiplier as well as each period commencing with a specific stop event. For example, a plan may grant benefit service at ½ the rate as regular benefit service to periods of paternity leave of absence.

Annual service is assumed to accrue at provides two radio buttons. The entries here are considered the general annual service multiplier for this service definition.

Constant is a field that defaults to one, but allows you to change it to use a different annual multiplier.

Field provides a dropdown of numerical fields (including arrays) that can be used if the multiplier is not a constant value for each member or changes annually. Transform multiplier (expression) check box allows you to transform the values in the field selected using Data Dictionary variables with arithmetic (+, -, *, /, etc.), relational (=, <, >, <>, etc.), logical (#and, #or) operators along with if-then-else type statements and other ProAdmin functions to determine the service multiplier. When you have checked the box and placed the cursor within the box, you can press F1 for a list of available fields, operators and other useful information. Tip: for example, #THIS>1950) is an example of using an expression to transform the value, #THIS, into a zero or one.

Overrides by Event(s) box permits you to setup and assign different multipliers to periods of time differentiated by events. If there are existing entries, you can click to edit. An asterisk beside an entry means that a rule has been set up, but it will not be used. Clicking on the New button brings up the Override service multiplier (e.g., part-time adjustment) screen where you to create a new override:

Description - is any descriptive phrase that identifies the override to you. It can be of any length and may use any character or spaces.

Annual service is assumed to accrue at:

Constant is a radio button with a field that defaults to one, but allows you to change it to use a different multiplier.

Field provides a dropdown of numerical fields (including arrays) that can be used if the multiplier is not a constant value for each member or changes annually. Transform multiplier (expression) allows you to transform the value(s) from the field selected using a numerical expression as in the Transform multiplier (expression) above.

Apply to event(s): is where you select the events by checking the box or boxes to which this new multiplier will apply. The $image\checked_on_top_button.gif$ button brings the selected events to the top of the list. The $image\alphabetize_button.gif$ button puts the list in alphabetical order where the top entries are start events and the bottom entries are stop events as set up in the event definition. (*) used in a different service multiplier informs us which events have been selected in a different override. Should you select (check) an event with an asterisk (*), the event will no longer use the rules previously associated with the event, but will use the current override. Note: Events will not have more than one rule applied to it. List is a dropdown with three options for your convenience. Start & Stop Events show all events; Start Events shows only start event and Stop Events shows only stop events.