1. Doc.A6465/14/03
Doc.A6465/14/26
Ag.15 A65 Method Manual
Working Group on Article 64 and Article 65 of the Staff Regulations
Meeting in Luxembourg 24th & 25th March 2014

2. Current manual adopted 2008 and 2011
March 2008 A65WG :
Main text
Appendices 1-4 (SRQ, calculation example, guidelines on interpretation of remuneration, clarification of definitions)
March 2011 A65WG:
Appendix 5 (control indicators)

3. Why update in 2014? Some reasons…
Event
Reference
Sept. 2011
A65WG methodology discussion (summary of simulations)
A65/11-B/03
Mar. 2012
Follow-up discussions at A65WG
A65/12/10
European Statistics Code of Practice
KS EN
Mar. 2013
Lessons from 2012 A65 exercise
A65/13/08
Jun. 2013
OJ publication of ESA2010
Reg.549/2013
Oct. 2013
Amendment to Staff Regulations
reg.1023/2013
Mar. 2014
Lessons from 2013 A65 exercise
A6465/14/05

4. Sample and closing date
Increase from EU8 to EU11, to reflect new approach 1023/2013, but continue to collect comparative information from remaining Member States.
Same closing date for all countries (EU28)

5. Updates and reference population
Central government: from ESA95 to ESA2010.
Public administration: from NACE rev.1 ("L") to rev.2 ("O").
Excluded occupations: from ISCO88 to ISCO2008.
Clarify "permanent".
SRQ to include central government staff number if ESA2010 transmission does not, to improve calculation of control indicator.

6. New function group and Joint Index
3. Remuneration data
Collect information for new AST/SC grade.
Clarify income situation of spouse and dependent children.
Include requirement for worked example calculation.
Update example SRQ in appendix.
4. Inflation in headquarters duty stations
Replace BII with hybrid of BE HICP and LU CPI weighted by EU staff numbers in BXL and LUX ("Joint Index"). Reflects new approach 1023/2013.
See separate (A64) manual.

7. Calculation method, automatic application and publication
5. Calculation of specific indicator
Update content of example tables.
Clarify rounding policy.
Add example of annual adjustment calculation.
6. Automatic application
Replaces ordinary legislative procedure. Publication within 20 days of Commission report. Reflects new approach 1023/2013.
Publication on Eurostat website  Question to WG

8. Moderation clause 7. Moderation clause
Describe data source and evaluation process, in order to reflect new approach 1023/2013.
GSI capped by ± 2%
Remainder of GSI applied as of April of the following year
Not applicable if exception clause applies

9. Exception clause (1) 8. Exception clause
Decrease in real Union GDP and GSI is positive  deferred and split update, subject to formula
If gap between forecast of GDP and final data of GDP  retroactive adjustments
Union GDP
GSI
Second payment
-0.1% to -1%
33%; 67%;
1 April of year t+1
-1% to -3%
0%; 100%;
Below -3% 0% -

10. Exception clause (2)
Recovery of remaining amount if GDP becomes positive again
Eurostat to measure Union GDP for this purpose

11. Intermediate adjustment, duration
Add appendix with proforma reply sheet.
Threshold for intermediate adjustment: 3%
10. Unlimited duration
From to and beyond.
Technical review report before modification.

12. Questions to WG In accordance with Code of Practice
Planned publication of data on Eurostat website
Joint Index
Global Specific Indicator
Specific indicator for each country
Also ancillary data