Minimum funding standards
Requirement to meet minimum funding standard
In general
Minimum funding standard
For purposes of paragraph (1), a plan shall be treated as satisfying the minimum funding standard for a plan year if—
in the case of a defined benefit plan which is not a multiemployer plan or a CSEC plan, the employer makes contributions to or under the plan for the plan year which, in the aggregate, are not less than the minimum required contribution determined under section 430 for the plan for the plan year,
in the case of a money purchase plan which is not a multiemployer plan, the employer makes contributions to or under the plan for the plan year which are required under the terms of the plan,
in the case of a multiemployer plan, the employers make contributions to or under the plan for any plan year which, in the aggregate, are sufficient to ensure that the plan does not have an accumulated funding deficiency under section 431 as of the end of the plan year, and
in the case of a CSEC plan, the employers make contributions to or under the plan for any plan year which, in the aggregate, are sufficient to ensure that the plan does not have an accumulated funding deficiency under section 433 as of the end of the plan year.
Liability for contributions
In general
Joint and several liability where employer member of controlled group
Multiemployer plans in critical status
Variance from minimum funding standards
Waiver in case of business hardship
In general
If—
an employer is (or in the case of a multiemployer plan or a CSEC plan, 10 percent or more of the number of employers contributing to or under the plan are) unable to satisfy the minimum funding standard for a plan year without temporary substantial business hardship (substantial business hardship in the case of a multiemployer plan), and
application of the standard would be adverse to the interests of plan participants in the aggregate,
the Secretary may, subject to subparagraph (C), waive the requirements of subsection (a) for such year with respect to all or any portion of the minimum funding standard. The Secretary shall not waive the minimum funding standard with respect to a plan for more than 3 of any 15 (5 of any 15 in the case of a multiemployer plan) consecutive plan years 1
Effects of waiver
If a waiver is granted under subparagraph (A) for any plan year—
in the case of a defined benefit plan which is not a multiemployer plan or a CSEC plan, the minimum required contribution under section 430 for the plan year shall be reduced by the amount of the waived funding deficiency and such amount shall be amortized as required under section 430(e),
in the case of a multiemployer plan, the funding standard account shall be credited under section 431(b)(3)(C) with the amount of the waived funding deficiency and such amount shall be amortized as required under section 431(b)(2)(C), and
in the case of a CSEC plan, the funding standard account shall be credited under section 433(b)(3)(C) with the amount of the waived funding deficiency and such amount shall be amortized as required under section 433(b)(2)(C).
Waiver of amortized portion not allowed
Determination of business hardship
For purposes of this subsection, the factors taken into account in determining temporary substantial business hardship (substantial business hardship in the case of a multiemployer plan) shall include (but shall not be limited to) whether or not—
the employer is operating at an economic loss,
there is substantial unemployment or underemployment in the trade or business and in the industry concerned,
the sales and profits of the industry concerned are depressed or declining, and
it is reasonable to expect that the plan will be continued only if the waiver is granted.
Waived funding deficiency
Security for waivers for single-employer plans, consultations
Security may be required
In general
Special rules
Consultation with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
Except as provided in subparagraph (C), the Secretary shall, before granting or modifying a waiver under this subsection or an extension under 433(d) 2
provide the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation with—
notice of the completed application for any waiver, modification, or extension, and
an opportunity to comment on such application within 30 days after receipt of such notice, and
consider—
any comments of the Corporation under clause (i)(II), and
any views of any employee organization (within the meaning of section 3(4) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) representing participants in the plan which are submitted in writing to the Secretary in connection with such application.
Information provided to the Corporation under this subparagraph shall be considered tax return information and subject to the safeguarding and reporting requirements of section 6103(p).
Exception for certain waivers or extensions
In general
The preceding provisions of this paragraph shall not apply to any plan with respect to which the sum of—
the aggregate unpaid minimum required contributions (within the meaning of section 4971(c)(4)) for the plan year and all preceding plan years, or the accumulated funding deficiency under section 433, whichever is applicable,
the present value of all waiver amortization installments determined for the plan year and succeeding plan years under section 430(e)(2) or 433(b)(2)(C), whichever is applicable, and
the total amounts not paid by reason of an extension in effect under section 433(d),
is less than $1,000,000.
Treatment of waivers or extensions for which applications are pending
Special rules for single-employer plans
Application must be submitted before date 2½ months after close of year
Special rule if employer is member of controlled group
In the case of a defined benefit plan which is not a multiemployer plan, if an employer is a member of a controlled group, the temporary substantial business hardship requirements of paragraph (1) shall be treated as met only if such requirements are met—
with respect to such employer, and
with respect to the controlled group of which such employer is a member (determined by treating all members of such group as a single employer).
The Secretary may provide that an analysis of a trade or business or industry of a member need not be conducted if the Secretary determines such analysis is not necessary because the taking into account of such member would not significantly affect the determination under this paragraph.
Advance notice
In general
Consideration of relevant information
Restriction on plan amendments
In general
Exception
Subparagraph (A) shall not apply to any plan amendment which—
the Secretary determines to be reasonable and which provides for only de minimis increases in the liabilities of the plan,
only repeals an amendment described in subsection (d)(2), or
is required as a condition of qualification under part I of subchapter D,3
Miscellaneous rules
Change in method or year
Certain retroactive plan amendments
For purposes of this section, any amendment applying to a plan year which—
is adopted after the close of such plan year but no later than 2½ months after the close of the plan year (or, in the case of a multiemployer plan, no later than 2 years after the close of such plan year),
does not reduce the accrued benefit of any participant determined as of the beginning of the first plan year to which the amendment applies, and
does not reduce the accrued benefit of any participant determined as of the time of adoption except to the extent required by the circumstances,
shall, at the election of the plan administrator, be deemed to have been made on the first day of such plan year. No amendment described in this paragraph which reduces the accrued benefits of any participant shall take effect unless the plan administrator files a notice with the Secretary notifying him of such amendment and the Secretary has approved such amendment, or within 90 days after the date on which such notice was filed, failed to disapprove such amendment. No amendment described in this subsection shall be approved by the Secretary unless the Secretary determines that such amendment is necessary because of a temporary substantial business hardship (as determined under subsection (c)(2)) or a substantial business hardship (as so determined) in the case of a multiemployer plan and that a waiver under subsection (c) (or, in the case of a multiemployer plan or a CSEC plan, any extension of the amortization period under section 431(d) or section 433(d)) is unavailable or inadequate.
Controlled group
Plans to which section applies
In general
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (4), this section applies to a plan if, for any plan year beginning on or after the effective date of this section for such plan under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974—
such plan included a trust which qualified (or was determined by the Secretary to have qualified) under section 401(a), or
such plan satisfied (or was determined by the Secretary to have satisfied) the requirements of section 403(a).
Exceptions
This section shall not apply to—
any profit-sharing or stock bonus plan,
any insurance contract plan described in paragraph (3),
any governmental plan (within the meaning of section 414(d)),
any church plan (within the meaning of section 414(e)) with respect to which the election provided by section 410(d) has not been made,
any plan which has not, at any time after
any plan established and maintained by a society, order, or association described in section 501(c)(8) or (9), if no part of the contributions to or under such plan are made by employers of participants in such plan.
No plan described in subparagraph (C), (D), or (F) shall be treated as a qualified plan for purposes of section 401(a) unless such plan meets the requirements of section 401(a)(7) as in effect on
Certain insurance contract plans
A plan is described in this paragraph if—
the plan is funded exclusively by the purchase of individual insurance contracts,
such contracts provide for level annual premium payments to be paid extending not later than the retirement age for each individual participating in the plan, and commencing with the date the individual became a participant in the plan (or, in the case of an increase in benefits, commencing at the time such increase becomes effective),
benefits provided by the plan are equal to the benefits provided under each contract at normal retirement age under the plan and are guaranteed by an insurance carrier (licensed under the laws of a State to do business with the plan) to the extent premiums have been paid,
premiums payable for the plan year, and all prior plan years, under such contracts have been paid before lapse or there is reinstatement of the policy,
no rights under such contracts have been subject to a security interest at any time during the plan year, and
no policy loans are outstanding at any time during the plan year.
A plan funded exclusively by the purchase of group insurance contracts which is determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary to have the same characteristics as contracts described in the preceding sentence shall be treated as a plan described in this paragraph.
Certain terminated multiemployer plans
Source
(Added Pub. L. 93–406, title II, § 1013(a),Notes
References in Text
Amendments
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Effective Date of 2008 Amendment
Effective Date of 2006 Amendment
In general.—
The amendments made by this section [enacting section 432 of this title and amending this section and section 4971 of this title] shall apply with respect to plan years beginning after 2007, except that the amendments made by subsection (b) [amending section 4971 of this title] shall apply to taxable years beginning after 2007, but only with respect to plan years beginning after 2007 which end with or within any such taxable year.
Special rule for certain notices.—
In any case in which a plan’s actuary certifies that it is reasonably expected that a multiemployer plan will be in critical status under section 432(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as added by this section, with respect to the first plan year beginning after 2007, the notice required under subparagraph (D) of such section may be provided at any time after the date of enactment [
Special rule for certain restored benefits.—
In the case of a multiemployer plan—
with respect to which benefits were reduced pursuant to a plan amendment adopted on or after
which, pursuant to the plan document, the trust agreement, or a formal written communication from the plan sponsor to participants provided before
the amendments made by this section shall not apply to such benefit restorations to the extent that any restriction on the providing or accrual of such benefits would otherwise apply by reason of such amendments.”
Effective Date of 2004 Amendment
Effective Date of 2002 Amendment
Effective Date of 2001 Amendment
Effective Date of 1997 Amendment
Effective Date of 1994 Amendment
In general.—
The amendment made by this section [amending this section] shall apply to changes in assumptions for plan years beginning after
Certain changes cease to be effective.—
In the case of changes in assumptions for plan years beginning after
such change would have required the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury had such amendment applied to such change, and
such change is not so approved.”
Effective Date of 1989 Amendment
Effective Date of 1988 Amendment
Effective Date of 1987 Amendment
In general.—
The amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1082 of Title 29, Labor] shall apply to years beginning after
Regulations.—
The Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to carry out the amendments made by this section no later than
In general.—
Except as provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 1082 of Title 29, Labor] shall apply with respect to plan years beginning after
Subsections (c) and (d).—
The amendments made by subsections (c) [set out below] and (d) [amending this section and section 1082 of Title 29] shall apply with respect to years beginning after
Special rule for steel companies.—
In general.—
For any plan year beginning before
the required percentage of the current liability under such plan, plus
the amount determined under subparagraph (C)(i) for such plan year.
Required percentage.—
For purposes of subparagraph (A), the term ‘required percentage’ means, with respect to any plan year, the excess (if any) of—
the sum of—
the funded current liability percentage as of the beginning of the 1st plan year beginning after
1 percentage point for the plan year for which the determination under this paragraph is being made and for each prior plan year beginning after
the funded current liability percentage as of the beginning of the plan year for which such determination is being made.
Special rules for contingent events.—
In the case of any unpredictable contingent event benefit with respect to which the event on which such benefits are contingent occurs after
Amortization amount.—
For purposes of subparagraph (A)(ii), the amount determined under this clause for any plan year is the amount which would be determined if the unpredictable contingent event benefit liability were amortized in equal annual installments over 10 plan years (beginning with the plan year in which such event occurs).
Benefit and contributions not taken into account.—
For purposes of subparagraph (B), in determining the funded current liability percentage for any plan year, there shall not be taken into account—
the unpredictable contingent event benefit liability, or
any amount contributed to the plan which is attributable to clause (i) (and any income allocable to such amount).
Steel employee plan.—
For purposes of this paragraph, the term ‘steel employee plan’ means any plan if—
such plan is maintained by a steel company, and
substantially all of the employees covered by such plan are employees of such company.
Other definitions.—
For purposes of this paragraph—
Steel company.—
The term ‘steel company’ means any corporation described in section 806(b) of the Steel Import Stabilization Act [section 806(b) of Pub. L. 98–573, 19 U.S.C. 2253 note].
Other definitions.—
The terms ‘current liability’, ‘funded current liability percentage’, and ‘unpredictable contingent event benefit’ have the meanings given such terms by [former] section 412(l) of the 1986 Code (as added by this section).
Special rule.—
The provisions of this paragraph shall apply in the case of a company which was originally incorporated on
In general.—
Except as provided in this subsection, the amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections 1083, 1084, and 1085a of Title 29, Labor] shall apply in the case of—
any application submitted after
any waiver granted pursuant to such an application.
Special rule for application requirement.—
In general.—
The amendments made by subsections (a)(1)(A) and (a)(2)(A) [amending this section and section 1083 of Title 29] shall apply to plan years beginning after
Transitional rule for years beginning in 1988.—
In the case of any plan year beginning during calendar 1988, [former] section 412(d)(4) of the 1986 Code and section 303(d)(1) of ERISA [29 U.S.C. 1083(d)(1)] (as added by subsection (a)(1) [and (2)]) shall be applied by substituting ‘6th month’ for ‘3rd month’.
Subsection (b).—
The amendments made by subsection (b) [amending this section and section 1083 of Title 29] shall apply to waivers for plan years beginning after
Subsection (d).—
The amendments made by subsection (d) [amending this section and section 1083 of Title 29] shall apply to applications submitted more than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [
Effective Date of 1986 Amendment
Effective Date of 1984 Amendment
Effective Date of 1980 Amendment
Effective Date of 1976 Amendment
Effective Date
Regulations
Funding Rules Not To Apply to Certain Plans.—
Any changes made by this Act [Pub. L. 103–465] to section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or to part 3 of subtitle B of title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C. 1081 et seq.] shall not apply to—
a plan which is, on the date of enactment of this Act [
a plan established by an affected air carrier (as defined under section 4001(a)(14)(C)(ii)(I) of such Act [29 U.S.C. 1301(a)(14)(C)(ii)(I)]) and assumed by a new plan sponsor pursuant to the terms of a written agreement with the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation dated
Change in Actuarial Method.—
Any amortization installments for bases established under [former] section 412(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and section 302(b) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C. 1082(b)] for plan years beginning after
Applicability of Amendments by Subtitles A and B of Title I of Pub. L. 109–280
Special Rule for Certain Benefits Funded Under an Agreement Approved by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
“In the case of a multiemployer plan that is a party to an agreement that was approved by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation prior to
increases benefits, and
provides for special withdrawal liability rules under section 4203(f) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (29 U.S.C. 1383[(f)]),
the amendments made by sections 201, 202, 211, and 212 of this Act [enacting sections 431 and 432 of this title and sections 1084 and 1085 of Title 29, Labor, and amending this section, section 4971 of this title, and sections 1081, 1082, and 1132 of Title 29] shall not apply to the benefit increases under any plan amendment adopted prior to
Applicability of Section to Certain Plans Maintained by Commercial Airlines
Effect of Election
Special Rule for Unamortized Balances Under Existing Law
20 years, over
the number of years since the amortization base was established.”
Alternative Amortization Method for Certain Multiemployer Plans
General rule.—
In the case of any multiemployer plan (as defined in section 414(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [formerly I.R.C. 1954]) to which section 412 of such Code applies, if—
on
the actuarial assumptions with respect to pay are reasonably related to past and projected experience, and
the rates of interest under the plan are determined on the basis of reasonable actuarial assumptions,
the plan may elect (in such manner and at such time as may be provided under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate) to fund the unfunded past service liability under the plan existing as of the date 12 months following the first date on which such section 412 first applies to the plan by charging the funding standard account with an equal annual percentage of the aggregate pay of all participants in the plan in lieu of the level dollar charges to such account required under clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of [former] section 412(b)(2)(B) of such Code and section 302(b)(2)(B)(i), (ii), and (iii) of this Act [section 1082(b)(2)(B)(i), (ii), and (iii) of Title 29, Labor].
Limitation.—
In the case of a plan which makes an election under paragraph (1), the aggregate of the charges required under such paragraph for a plan year shall not be less than the interest on the unfunded past service liabilities described in clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of [former] section 412(b)(2)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.”