Conts Calculator
Input Data File
Specify the input data file (or files, if appropriate). It must be located in the Scheme Folder.
Double Clicking will activate the standard Windows Open File Dialog box for selection of a file.
Data Format
Double click to select the Format File for the current Data File. The Format File contains the saved parameters specifying the column specification of each of the data items contained in the data file. Data format descriptions are prefixed by an indication of the type of format e.g. <Act> for Actives, <Def> for Deferreds, <Pen> for Pensioners.
If you intend to use the GMP Calculators to calculate GMPs after creating your data, ensure that columns are created in your data file for these fields. (In addition, enter dummy data into the data file for the first member that is at least as large as the largest expected GMP for all members. This will ensure that the Format created leaves sufficient space for the GMPs calculated.)
Data>Build
If you have created data using Data>Build then the format name will be the same as the original source (CSV) file.
BasisModule>Migrate
If you have migrated your data files from earlier versions the name will be unchanged.
Output Data File
Specify a name for the data file. The filename specified must not already exist as it will not overwrite an existing file. It will be created in the Scheme Folder.
Double Clicking will activate the standard Windows Open File Dialog
box for selection of a file (which can be used as a starting point for
the name of the file).
Contributions Adjustment
Select from the drop-down list the method to use for adjusting contributions. The options are:
- Contributions without Interest to Contributions with Interest.
- Contributions with Interest to Contributions without Interest.
Input Contributions Field
You can specify up to three numeric data fields to be used in the calculation of the new numeric or date input data field.
For each of these numeric input data fields, it is necessary to specify the start and end columns of where the numeric data item is located in the input data file.
A Right Click allows you to select a numeric data field defined in the data format specified.
Service Date Field
Format
Exit Date Field
You can specify up to two date data fields to be used in the calculation of the new numeric or date input data field.
For each of these date input data fields, it is necessary to specify the start and end columns of where the date data item is located in the input data file.
Date fields may be in any format which must be specified as a combination of 2 or 4 Ys, 2 Ms and 2 Ds with either - or / as a delimiter.
A right click allows you to select a date data field defined in the data format specified.
Calculation Date
Specify the effective Date of Calculation for in-force members.
Service Calculation - Period
Rounding
Specify the calculation of the service period to be used in the calculation.
Service can be calculated in either Days, Months or Years which can be rounded either Down, Nearer or Up.
Simple Interest Rate
Specify the Simple Interest Rate to be used in the calculation. If a compound rate of interest is to be applied, an approximation can be made by assuming an applicable rate of Simple Interest.
Output Field
to
You must specify the start and end columns (both inclusive) of the output data field where the calculated result is to be inserted in the data records.
This field can overwrite an existing data field in the records (including one of the input data fields from which the result is being calculated).
If necessary, the output data field may be beyond the end of the member record and the member data records will be lengthened to accommodate the field (including moving the last column which fixes the length of the records). Note that it will be necessary to modify the data format if this is done.
Ensure you specify sufficient columns to fit the largest possible result (including the decimal point, if any) as an error will be reported if all results do not fit.
Decimal Places
If the calculated result is numeric, the number of decimal places to be displayed in the calculated data field must be specified. Note that this must be at least two positions less than the length of the output data field.
Display
Using the Display button while looking at Rate Tables will display the
changes made to the currently specified rate table.
Pressing the Display button elsewhere pop-ups a window which allows you
to display a member record with a ruler to determine column
specifications. On the Display window, you can specify the name of the
data file (.dat file) and record number from that file.
Run
Click the Run button to run the calculations.
SaveAs
Click the Save As button to save with a new file name.
Save
Clicking on the Save button allows you to save the entries.
Quit
Clicking on the Quit button allows you to exit without saving any of your changes.
In some of the screens you will be asked to confirm if you want to exit Ignoring all changes. If you click Yes, the file will be closed without saving any changes. If you click No you will be returned to your original screen.
From the Browser, the Quit button will take you to a graphical display of the results.