DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 08-99
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	GRACE A. KILBANE Director Unemployment Insurance Service
SUBJECT	:	Unemployment Insurance Financial Data for Calendar Year (CY) 1997

1. Purpose. To transmit the CY 1997 Supplement to ET Handbook 394, Unemployment Insurance Financial Data.

2. Reference. ET Handbook 394, Unemployment Insurance Financial Data 1938-1993.

3. Background. The attached tables contain selected unemployment insurance financial information for calendar year 1997. These tables are a supplement and therefore comparable to those tables contained in the referenced handbook and described in its glossary.

   All employment and wage data used in these tables were furnished by State Employment Security Agencies (SESAs) and may include estimates for some States. Columns 02-22d are for taxable employment only; columns 23-33 reflect combined taxable and reimbursable claims and benefit activity; columns 34-43 are for reimbursable employment only; and columns 44-52 contain Federal-State extended benefits information.

   Note that columns 22a-22d are previously unpublished data which detail the computation of the average high cost multiple (AHCM), a solvency measure reflecting the state reserve ratio (column 19) divided by the average high cost rate (column 22c - the average of the 3 highest benefit cost rates during the last 20 years).

4. Action Required. SESAs are requested to review the attached tables and report any corrections to the National Office by December 31, 1998 (Attention: Tom Stengle, TEUFA).

5. Inquiries. Questions should be directed to the appropriate Regional Office.

6. Attachment. CY 1997 Supplement to ET Handbook 394.