FAQ 2140: Error #5 Calculations Terminated in DB Plans

Problem: Why am I getting an Error #5 when I run Calculations in my DB plan? The error has caused my calculations to terminate.

Solution: When you run calculations in the system, the Calculations window may show an Error #5. Typically, an Error #5 terminates all calculations and must be resolved before Calculations can be completed successfully. In the bottom left of the Calculation window that shows the error message you can often find the name of the participant that is triggering the error. Begin by reviewing that participant's record. A good starting point for identifying issues before running calculations is to run Utilities > Data Checks > Plan Specs and Utilities > Data Checks > Employee Data to identify additional issues that can be resolved. If you are getting Error #5 and the below suggestions do not resolve the error, submit a support request with your portable copy (making sure to select SSN - Masked option). Below are common examples of when Error #5 occurs during Calculations > Valuation: A) Plan Specification Issues 1) When Calculations > Valuation is run, Error #5 may occur if a Mortality Projection field is set to 1 - Generational but no Generational Mortality Projection Scales have been entered. To correct the error, either change the Mortality Projection field to 0 - Static or enter the Projection Scales in the required fields. There are a number of screens where this change may be needed, so we recommend reviewing all screens in the Plan Specifications \ Funding and Assumptions screens. 2) When Calculations > Valuation is run, Error #5 may occur if the Cash Balance plan field is set to Yes on the Plan Specifications \ General \ Identification screen, but no cash balance related employee fields are entered for terminated participants. This may happen if the plan is intended to be run as a traditional DB plan. To correct the error if the plan is intended to be valued as a traditional DB plan, change the Cash Balance plan field to No. To correct the error if the plan is intended to be valued as a cash balance plan, enter the cash balance data for terminated participants in the Costs \ CASHBAL screen. B) Participant Data Issues In most cases, the Calculation Window will indicate the name of the participant causing Error #5on the bottom left of the Calculation Window. Use this information to identify the participant that requires an edit. 1) When Calculations > Valuation is run, Error #5 may occur if a participant's Normal Retirement Date on the Basic Data \ DATE screen is prior to the plan's Valuation Date. To correct Error #5 in this case, change the participant's Normal Retirement Date to the day after the Valuation Date and ensure that the participant's Status on the Basic Data \ DATE screen is set to A to ensure the system does not recalculate the Normal Retirement Date. 2) When Calculations > Valuation is run, Error #5 may occur if a participant's Status on the Basic Data \ DATE screen is set to T when P may be more appropriate (for example, if the participant does not have an accrued benefit entered). To correct Error #5 in this case, change the participant's Status to P.