Part III --- Administrative, Miscellaneous, and Procedural Update for Weighted Average Interest Rates, Yield Curves, and Segment Rates
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Internal Revenue Bulletin › IRB 2021 › Notice › Notice 2021-9
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Part III --- Administrative, Miscellaneous, and Procedural
Update for Weighted Average Interest Rates, Yield Curves, and Segment Rates
Notice 2021-9
This notice provides guidance on the corporate bond monthly yield curve, the
corresponding spot segment rates used under § 417(e)(3), and the 24-month average segment
rates under § 430(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code. In addition, this notice provides guidance
as to the interest rate on 30-year Treasury securities under § 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) as in effect for
plan years beginning before 2008 and the 30-year Treasury weighted average rate under
§ 431(c)(6)(E)(ii)(I).
YIELD CURVE AND SEGMENT RATES
Section 430 specifies the minimum funding requirements that apply to single-employer
plans (except for CSEC plans under § 414(y)) pursuant to § 412. Section 430(h)(2) specifies
the interest rates that must be used to determine a plan’s target normal cost and funding target.
Under this provision, present value is generally determined using three 24-month average
interest rates (“segment rates”), each of which applies to cash flows during specified periods. To
the extent provided under § 430(h)(2)(C)(iv), these segment rates are adjusted by the applicable
percentage of the 25-year average segment rates for the period ending September 30 of the
year preceding the calendar year in which the plan year begins.1 However, an election may be
made under § 430(h)(2)(D)(ii) to use the monthly yield curve in place of the segment rates.
Notice 2007-81, 2007-44 I.R.B. 899, provides guidelines for determining the monthly
corporate bond yield curve, and the 24-month average corporate bond segment rates used to
compute the target normal cost and the funding target. Consistent with the methodology
specified in Notice 2007-81, the monthly corporate bond yield curve derived from December
2020 data is in Table 2020-12 at the end of this notice
-81, 2007-44 I.R.B. 899, provides guidelines for determining the monthly
corporate bond yield curve, and the 24-month average corporate bond segment rates used to
compute the target normal cost and the funding target. Consistent with the methodology
specified in Notice 2007-81, the monthly corporate bond yield curve derived from December
2020 data is in Table 2020-12 at the end of this notice. The spot first, second, and third
segment rates for the month of December 2020 are, respectively, 0.51, 2.26, and 3.01.
The 24-month average segment rates determined under § 430(h)(2)(C)(i) through (iii)
must be adjusted pursuant to § 430(h)(2)(C)(iv) to be within the applicable minimum and
maximum percentages of the corresponding 25-year average segment rates. For plan years
beginning before 2021, the applicable minimum percentage is 90% and the applicable
maximum percentage is 110%. For plan years beginning in 2021, the applicable minimum
percentage is 85% and the applicable maximum percentage is 115%. The 25-year average
segment rates for plan years beginning in 2019, 2020, and 2021 were published in Notice 2018-
73, 2018-40 I.R.B. 526, Notice 2019-51, 2019-41 I.R.B. 866, and Notice 2020-72, 2020-40
I.R.B. 789, respectively.
1 Pursuant to § 433(h)(3)(A), the 3rd segment rate determined under § 430(h)(2)(C) is used to determine
the current liability of a CSEC plan (which is used to calculate the minimum amount of the full funding
limitation under § 433(c)(7)(C))
21 were published in Notice 2018-
73, 2018-40 I.R.B. 526, Notice 2019-51, 2019-41 I.R.B. 866, and Notice 2020-72, 2020-40
I.R.B. 789, respectively.
1 Pursuant to § 433(h)(3)(A), the 3rd segment rate determined under § 430(h)(2)(C) is used to determine
the current liability of a CSEC plan (which is used to calculate the minimum amount of the full funding
limitation under § 433(c)(7)(C)).
2
24-MONTH AVERAGE CORPORATE BOND SEGMENT RATES
The three 24-month average corporate bond segment rates applicable for January 2021
without adjustment for the 25-year average segment rate limits are as follows:
Based on § 430(h)(2)(C)(iv), the 24-month averages applicable for January 2021,
adjusted to be within the applicable minimum and maximum percentages of the corresponding
25-year average segment rates, are as follows:
30-YEAR TREASURY SECURITIES INTEREST RATES
Section 431 specifies the minimum funding requirements that apply to multiemployer
plans pursuant to § 412. Section 431(c)(6)(B) specifies a minimum amount for the full-funding
limitation described in § 431(c)(6)(A), based on the plan’s current liability. Section
431(c)(6)(E)(ii)(I) provides that the interest rate used to calculate current liability for this purpose
must be no more than 5 percent above and no more than 10 percent below the weighted
average of the rates of interest on 30-year Treasury securities during the four-year period
ending on the last day before the beginning of the plan year. Notice 88-73, 1988-2 C.B. 383,
provides guidelines for determining the weighted average interest rate. The rate of interest on
30-year Treasury securities for December 2020 is 1.67 percent. The Service determined this
rate as the average of the daily determinations of yield on the 30-year Treasury bond maturing
in November 2050
d
ending on the last day before the beginning of the plan year. Notice 88-73, 1988-2 C.B. 383,
provides guidelines for determining the weighted average interest rate. The rate of interest on
30-year Treasury securities for December 2020 is 1.67 percent. The Service determined this
rate as the average of the daily determinations of yield on the 30-year Treasury bond maturing
in November 2050. For plan years beginning in January 2021, the weighted average of the
rates of interest on 30-year Treasury securities and the permissible range of rates used to
calculate current liability are as follows:
24-Month Average Segment Rates Without 25-Year Average Adjustment
Applicable Month
First Segment
Second Segment
Third Segment
January 2021
1.75
3.04
3.65
Adjusted 24-Month Average Segment Rates
For Plan Years
First
Second
Third
Beginning In
Applicable Month
Segment
Segment
Segment
2019
January 2021
3.74
5.35
6.11
2020
January 2021
3.64
5.21
5.94
2021
January 2021
3.32
4.79
5.47
Treasury Weighted Average Rates
For Plan Years
30-Year Treasury
Permissible Range
Beginning In
Weighted Average
90% to 105%
January 2021
2.31
2.08 to 2.43
3
MINIMUM PRESENT VALUE SEGMENT RATES
In general, the applicable interest rates under § 417(e)(3)(D) are segment rates
computed without regard to a 24-month average. Notice 2007-81 provides guidelines for
determining the minimum present value segment rates. Pursuant to that notice, the minimum
present value segment rates determined for December 2020 are as follows:
2019 are as follows:
DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this notice is Tom Morgan of the Office of the Associate Chief
Counsel (Employee Benefits, Exempt Organizations, and Employment Taxes). However, other
personnel from the IRS participated in the development of this guidance. For further information
regarding this notice, contact Mr
December 2020 are as follows:
2019 are as follows:
DRAFTING INFORMATION
The principal author of this notice is Tom Morgan of the Office of the Associate Chief
Counsel (Employee Benefits, Exempt Organizations, and Employment Taxes). However, other
personnel from the IRS participated in the development of this guidance. For further information
regarding this notice, contact Mr. Morgan at 202-317-6700 or Paul Stern at 202-317-8702 (not
toll-free calls).
Minimum Present Value Segment Rates
Month
First Segment
Second Segment
Third Segment
December 2020
0.51
2.26
3.01
4
Table 2020-12
Monthly Yield Curve for December 2020
Derived from December 2020 Data
Maturity
Yield
Maturity
Yield
Maturity
Yield
Maturity
Yield
Maturity
Yield
0.5
0.16
20.5
2.85
40.5
3.03
60.5
3.09
80.5
3.13
1.0
0.26
21.0
2.86
41.0
3.03
61.0
3.09
81.0
3.13
1.5
0.35
21.5
2.87
41.5
3.03
61.5
3.09
81.5
3.13
2.0
0.42
22.0
2.87
42.0
3.03
62.0
3.10
82.0
3.13
2.5
0.48
22.5
2.88
42.5
3.03
62.5
3.10
82.5
3.13
3.0
0.53
23.0
2.88
43.0
3.04
63.0
3.10
83.0
3.13
3.5
0.59
23.5
2.89
43.5
3.04
63.5
3.10
83.5
3.13
4.0
0.66
24.0
2.89
44.0
3.04
64.0
3.10
84.0
3.13
4.5
0.75
24.5
2.90
44.5
3.04
64.5
3.10
84.5
3.13
5.0
0.85
25.0
2.90
45.0
3.05
65.0
3.10
85.0
3.13
5.5
0.96
25.5
2.91
45.5
3.05
65.5
3.10
85.5
3.13
6.0
1.08
26.0
2.91
46.0
3.05
66.0
3.10
86.0
3.13
6.5
1.21
26.5
2.92
46.5
3.05
66.5
3.10
86.5
3.13
7.0
1.34
27.0
2.92
47.0
3.05
67.0
3.11
87.0
3.13
7.5
1.47
27.5
2.93
47.5
3.06
67.5
3.11
87.5
3.13
8.0
1.60
28.0
2.93
48.0
3.06
68.0
3.11
88.0
3.14
8.5
1.73
28.5
2.94
48.5
3.06
68.5
3.11
88.5
3.14
9.0
1.85
29.0
2.94
49.0
3.06
69.0
3.11
89.0
3.14
9.5
1.96
29.5
2.95
49.5
3.06
69.5
3.11
89.5
3.14
10.0
2.06
30.0
2.95
50.0
3.06
70.0
3.11
90.0
3.14
10.5
2.16
30.5
2.96
50.5
3.07
70.5
3.11
90.5
3.14
11.0
47.5
3.06
67.5
3.11
87.5
3.13
8.0
1.60
28.0
2.93
48.0
3.06
68.0
3.11
88.0
3.14
8.5
1.73
28.5
2.94
48.5
3.06
68.5
3.11
88.5
3.14
9.0
1.85
29.0
2.94
49.0
3.06
69.0
3.11
89.0
3.14
9.5
1.96
29.5
2.95
49.5
3.06
69.5
3.11
89.5
3.14
10.0
2.06
30.0
2.95
50.0
3.06
70.0
3.11
90.0
3.14
10.5
2.16
30.5
2.96
50.5
3.07
70.5
3.11
90.5
3.14
11.0
2.25
31.0
2.96
51.0
3.07
71.0
3.11
91.0
3.14
11.5
2.33
31.5
2.97
51.5
3.07
71.5
3.11
91.5
3.14
12.0
2.40
32.0
2.97
52.0
3.07
72.0
3.11
92.0
3.14
12.5
2.46
32.5
2.98
52.5
3.07
72.5
3.12
92.5
3.14
13.0
2.52
33.0
2.98
53.0
3.07
73.0
3.12
93.0
3.14
13.5
2.57
33.5
2.98
53.5
3.07
73.5
3.12
93.5
3.14
14.0
2.61
34.0
2.99
54.0
3.08
74.0
3.12
94.0
3.14
14.5
2.65
34.5
2.99
54.5
3.08
74.5
3.12
94.5
3.14
15.0
2.68
35.0
2.99
55.0
3.08
75.0
3.12
95.0
3.14
15.5
2.71
35.5
3.00
55.5
3.08
75.5
3.12
95.5
3.14
16.0
2.73
36.0
3.00
56.0
3.08
76.0
3.12
96.0
3.14
16.5
2.75
36.5
3.00
56.5
3.08
76.5
3.12
96.5
3.14
17.0
2.77
37.0
3.01
57.0
3.08
77.0
3.12
97.0
3.14
17.5
2.79
37.5
3.01
57.5
3.09
77.5
3.12
97.5
3.14
18.0
2.80
38.0
3.01
58.0
3.09
78.0
3.12
98.0
3.14
18.5
2.81
38.5
3.01
58.5
3.09
78.5
3.12
98.5
3.15
19.0
2.83
39.0
3.02
59.0
3.09
79.0
3.12
99.0
3.15
19.5
2.83
39.5
3.02
59.5
3.09
79.5
3.13
99.5
3.15
20.0
2.84
40.0
3.02
60.0
3.09
80.0
3.13
100.0
3.15
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