Annual Survey of Public Pensions: State Data

Data Processing: 2011

Editing

Editing is a process that ensures survey data are accurate, complete, and consistent. Efforts are made at all phases of collection, processing, and tabulation to minimize errors. Although some edits are built into the Internet data collection instrument and the data entry programs, the majority of the edits are performed after the case has been loaded into the Census Bureau's database.

Edits consist primarily of two types: consistency and a ratio of the current year's reported value to the prior year's value. The consistency edits check the logical relationships of data items reported on the form. For example, if a value exists for the number of retirees receiving benefits because of age or length of service then there must be a value reported for the amount paid. The current year/prior year edits compare by item code the data reported for the current year with data reported for the prior year. If data fall out of acceptable tolerance levels, the item is flagged for review.

For both types of edits, the edit results are reviewed by analysts and adjusted when needed. When the analyst is unable to resolve or accept the edit failure, contact is made with the respondent to verify or correct the reported data.

Tabulations

After the data were edited, the survey data was aggregated to yield the viewable and downloadable files that are available on the website.

Revisions

The Annual Survey of Public Pensions: State-Administered Defined Benefit Data released data for Fiscal Year 2011 on August 9, 2012. Users should note that this release also includes revisions to Fiscal Years 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. The revised data are accessible through all viewable and downloadable data files on the survey's website

Sampling Error

These data are not subject to sampling error or any sampling variability because this is a complete enumeration of all 222 state government pension system.