Recurring Field in Benefit plans

[maramnithin]

Hi,
In SPM Benefit Plans, I observed that the Recurring checkbox does not function when both the Start Fiscal Period and End Fiscal Period are in the past. However, it works as expected when at least one of the fiscal periods is in the current or a future month.

Interestingly, this behavior is different for Cost Plans, where recurring calculations work correctly regardless of whether the fiscal periods are in the past.

Could someone please help me understand the business logic or OOB design behind this difference in behavior between Benefit Plans and Cost Plans?

#SPM
#benefitplan

[Matthew_13 · Accepted solution]

Hi Buddy,

This is normal forOOB behavior from what you described.

In SPM, Benefit Plans are treated as forward-looking value, while Cost Plans are treated as financials.

For Benefit Plans, ServiceNow assumes benefits are something you realize going forward. If both the Start and End Fiscal Periods are already in the past, the system considers that benefit window “closed,” so it disables recurring logic. In other words, ServiceNow doesn’t allow you to generate or re-forecast benefits entirely in the past.

Cost Plans are different. Costs can exist as actuals or retroactive financial entries, so recurring calculations are still allowed even when all fiscal periods are in the past.

So the difference is by design:

• Benefit Plans → future value realization → recurring only when there’s a current or future period

• Cost Plans → financial accounting → recurring allowed for past, present, or future periods

If you need Benefit Plans to recur fully in the past, that would require customization and may affect SPM reporting assumptions.

@maramnithin - Please mark Accepted Solution and Thumbs Up if you found Helpful

[Matthew_13]

Hi Buddy if this answer you please mark Accepted Solution kindly. 🙂 @maramnithin 

[maramnithin]

Thanks Mathew!!

[Tehreemm]

The difference you’re seeing is intentional: ServiceNow’s out‑of‑the‑box (OOB) design treats recurring logic differently for Benefit Plans versus Cost Plans. Benefit Plans are forward‑looking by design, so recurring calculations are only triggered when at least one fiscal period is current or future. Cost Plans, however, are historical as well as forward‑looking, so recurring logic applies even if all fiscal periods are in the past.
Cost Management • Zurich Strategic Portfolio Management • Docs | ServiceNow

Comparison on both:
Benefit Plans Cost Plans
Purpose: Forecasted/expected value (future‑oriented)
Recurring in past: Disabled (no recurrence if all periods are past)
Reasoning: Avoids retroactive benefit forecasting
OOB Design Goal: Forward‑looking portfolio benefits

Cost Plans:
Purpose :Actual + forecasted expenses (historical + future)
Recurring in past :Enabled (recurrence applies even if periods are past)

Key summary:
Benefit Plans = forward‑looking only. Recurrence stops once all fiscal periods are past.

Cost Plans = forward + backward. Recurrence applies across all periods, past or future.

This distinction is part of ServiceNow’s OOB design to align with portfolio management best practices: benefits are projections, costs are both projections and actuals.
Reasoning : Ensures complete historical cost tracking
OOB Design Goal: Accurate financial reconciliation

Mark Helpful if this helps you:)