Note 17 - Benefit Plans

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

Benefit Plans

The Radian Group Inc. Savings Incentive Plan (“Savings Plan”) covers substantially all of our full-time and our part-time employees. Participants can contribute up to 100% of their base earnings as pretax and/or after-tax (Roth IRA) contributions up to a maximum amount of $18,500 for 2018. The Savings Plan also includes a catch-up contribution provision whereby participants who are or will be age 50 and above during the Savings Plan year may contribute an additional contribution. The maximum catch-up contribution for the Savings Plan in 2018 was $6,000. Effective January 1, 2018, we match up to 100% of the first 6.0% of base earnings contributed in any given year. Previously, in 2016 and 2017 the match was up to 100% of the first 4.5% of annual base earnings. Our expense for matching funds for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $6.1 million, $4.8 million and $4.9 million, respectively.

Certain of the benefits of this plan are as follows:


•	allows for the immediate eligibility of new hire participation and provides for the automatic enrollment of eligible employees;


•	provides for the immediate vesting of matching contributions (including existing unvested matching contributions attributable to prior periods) and the elimination of all restrictions (other than Radian Group’s Insider Trading Policy) on a participant’s ability to diversify his/her position in matching contributions; and


•	permits Radian Group to make discretionary, pro rata (based on eligible pay) cash allocations to each eligible participant’s account, with vesting upon completion of three years of service with us.

Other Contributions

We contributed immaterial amounts to other postretirement benefit plans in 2018.