annual benefit
(2) Annual benefit (A) In general For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “annual benefit” means a benefit payable annually in the form of a straight life annuity (with no ancillary benefits) under a plan to which employees do not contribute and under which no rollover contributions (as defined in sections 402(c) , 403(a)(4) , 403(b)(8) , 408(d)(3) , and 457(e)(16) ) are made. (B) Adjustment for certain other forms of benefit If the benefit under the plan is payable in any form other than the form described in subparagraph (A), or if the employees contribute to the plan or make rollover contributions (as defined in sections 402(c) , 403(a)(4) , 403(b)(8) , 408(d)(3) , and 457(e)(16) ), the determinations as to whether the limitation described in paragraph (1) has been satisfied shall be made, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary by adjusting such benefit so that it is equivalent to the benefit described in subparagraph (A). For purposes of this subparagraph, any ancillary benefit which is not directly related to retirement income benefits shall not be taken into account; and that portion of any joint and survivor annuity which constitutes a qualified joint and survivor annuity (as defined in section 417) shall not be taken into account. (C) Adjustment to $160,000 limit where benefit begins before age 62 If the retirement income benefit under the plan begins before age 62, the determination as to whether the $160,000 limitation set forth in paragraph (1)(A) has been satisfied shall be made, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, by reducing the limitation of paragraph (1)(A) so that such limitation (as so reduced) equals an annual benefit (beginning when such retirement income benefit begins) which is equivalent to a $160,000 annual benefit beginning at age 62. (D) Adjustment to $160,000 limit where benefit begins after age 65 If the retirement income benefit under the plan begins after age 65, the determination as to whether the $160,000 limitation set forth in paragraph (1)(A) has been satisfied shall be made, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary, by increasing the limitation of paragraph (1)(A) so that such limitation (as so increased) equals an annual benefit (beginning when such retirement income benefit begins) which is equivalent to a $160,000 annual benefit beginning at age 65. (E) Limitation on certain assumptions (i) For purposes of adjusting any limitation under subparagraph (C) and, except as provided in clause (ii), for purposes of adjusting any benefit under subparagraph (B), the interest rate assumption shall not be less than the greater of 5 percent or the rate specified in the plan. (ii) For purposes of adjusting any benefit under subparagraph (B) for any form of benefit subject to section 417(e)(3), the interest rate assumption shall not be less than the greatest of— (I) 5.5 percent, (II) the rate that provides a benefit of not more than 105 percent of the benefit that would be provided if the applicable interest rate (as defined in section 417(e)(3) ) were the interest rate assumption, or (III) the rate specified under the plan. (iii) For purposes of adjusting any limitation under subparagraph (D), the interest rate assumption shall not be greater than the lesser of 5 percent or the rate specified in the plan. (iv) For purposes of this subsection, no adjustments under subsection (d)(1) shall be taken into account before the year for which such adjustment first takes effect. (v) For purposes of adjusting any benefit or limitation under subparagraph (B), (C), or (D), the mortality table used shall be the applicable mortality table (within the meaning of section 417(e)(3)(B) ). (vi) In the case of a plan maintained by an eligible employer (as defined in section 408(p)(2)(C)(i) ), clause (ii) shall be applied without regard to subclause (II) thereof. [(F) Repealed. Pub. L. 107–16, title VI, § 611(a)(5)(A) , June 7, 2001 , 115 Stat. 97 ] (G) Special limitation for qualified police or firefighters In the case of a qualified participant, subparagraph (C) of this paragraph shall not apply. (H) Qualified participant defined For purposes of subparagraph (G), the term “qualified participant” means a participant— (i) in a defined benefit plan which is maintained by a State, Indian tribal government (as defined in section 7701(a)(40) ), or any political subdivision thereof, (ii) with respect to whom the period of service taken into account in determining the amount of the benefit under such defined benefit plan includes at least 15 years of service of the participant— (I) as a full-time employee of any police department or fire department which is organized and operated by the State, Indian tribal government (as so defined), or any political subdivision maintaining such defined benefit plan to provide police protection, firefighting services, or emergency medical services for any area within the jurisdiction of such State, Indian tribal government (as so defined), or any political subdivision, or (II) as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States. (I) Exemption for survivor and disability benefits provided under governmental plans Subparagraph (C) of this paragraph and paragraph (5) shall not apply to— (i) income received from a governmental plan (as defined in section 414(d)) as a pension, annuity, or similar allowance as the result of the recipient becoming disabled by reason of personal injuries or sickness, or (ii) amounts received from a governmental plan by the beneficiaries, survivors, or the estate of an employee as the result of the death of the employee.