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Discount Rate. Calculation of the Single Discount Rate. GASB Statement No. 74 includes a specific requirement for the discount rate that is used for the purpose of the measurement of the Total OPEB Liability. This rate considers the ability of the fund to meet benefit obligations in the future. To make this determination, employer contributions, employee contributions, benefit payments, expenses and investment returns are projected into the future. The Plan Net Position (assets) in future years can then be determined and compared to its obligation to make benefit payments in those years. As long as assets are projected to be on hand in a future year, the assumed valuation discount rate is used. In years where assets are not projected to be sufficient to meet benefit payments, the use of a municipal bond rate is required, as described in the following paragraph. The Single Discount Rate ("SDR") is equivalent to applying these two rates to the benefits that are projected to be paid during the different time periods. The SDR reflects (1) the long-term expected rate of return on OPEB Plan investments (during the period in which the fiduciary net position is projected to be sufficient to pay benefits) and (2) tax- exempt municipal bond rate based on an index of 20 -year general obligation bonds with an average AA credit rating as of the measurement date (to the extent that the contributions for use with the long-term expected rate of return are not met). For the purpose of this valuation the expected rate of return on OPEB Plan investments is 6.00%, the municipal bond rate is 4.63%; and the resulting SDR is 6.00%. The County has adopted a broadly diversified investment portfolio composition consisting of equity, debt, and cash. Asset allocations are divided between short-term and long-term investments. Short-term asset allocations include cash and investments with maturities of 180 days or less. Long-term asset allocations range from 0-60% for equities, 0-60% for fixed income securities, and 0-100% for cash. The County has a policy and a track record of depositing the full amount of the Actuarially Determined Contribution developed under the Entry Age Method. Consequently, the plan's fiduciary net position is projected to be sufficient to pay benefits and the resulting SDR is 6.00%. Sensitivity of Net OPEB Liability. Regarding the sensitivity of the net OPEB liability to changes in the SDR, the following presents the plan's net OPEB liability, calculated using a SDR of 6.00%, as well as what the plan's net OPEB liability would be if it were calculated using a SDR that is 1 % lower or I% higher: M. 153