Understanding Function Result Aliases
Certain function results can produce multiple results. Because the function result name always references the primary result, you need a way to reference any secondary results.
The final average earnings and cash balance accounts functions both enable you to specify whether to apply limits. If you apply limits, as you will in all of your qualified plans, the function produces limited and unlimited results. The function result name references the result according to how you configure your definition: limited if the definition uses limits, unlimited if it does not. If the function result is limited, the secondary result is the unlimited equivalent. If the function result is unlimited, the secondary result is identical to the primary result.
The participation function produces a participation status and a participation date. The function result name references the status only. The secondary result is the date.
To reference any of the secondary values produced by these function results, you have to set up a special kind of alias: a function result alias.
Three functions, participation, final average earnings, and cash balance accounts, always produce results beyond those referenced by the function result name. These are the results you reference with function result aliases.
Typically, you reference function result aliases for final average earnings and cash balance accounts within the benefit formula.
You might use the participation date when you set up a service definition if you want to exclude service before the participation date.