- Overview
- Two ways to use the program
- Forms and instructions
- Where/how to send payment
- If you have questions
Overview
This web page provides information for defined contribution plans that choose to use PBGC’s Missing Participants Program. Information about PBGC’s Missing Participants Program works with respect to other types of retirement plans can be found on PBGC’s Missing Participants Program webpage.
The goal of PBGC’s Missing Participants Program is to connect missing participants with their benefits from terminated plans that are closing out. PBGC does this by locating participants and beneficiaries who were missing when their plans ended. When found, depending on arrangements made by the plan when it closed out, PBGC either provides the benefit or information about where the participant’s account is being held.
Although use of this program is optional for defined contribution plans, PBGC encourages sponsors to participate. Doing so is easy. It’s also beneficial to both plan sponsors and missing participants. For example, with PBGC’s program:
- Benefits of any size can be transferred to PBGC.
- The likelihood of connecting missing participants with their benefits increases.
- Accounts are not diminished by ongoing maintenance fees or distribution charges.
- A centralized online searchable directory of missing defined contribution plan participants will make it easier for participants to find a lost benefit.
- Transferred amounts grow with interest (at the Federal mid-term rate).
- Lifetime income options are available for balance transfers over $5,000.
Two ways to use the program
With respect to missing participants, terminating defined contribution plans that participate in this program may either:
- Transfer account balances directly to PBGC, or
- Provide PBGC with information about where the account balances were transferred.
PBGC charges a modest one-time administrative fee of $35 for transferred accounts more than $250. There are no annual or transaction-based fees, e.g., no ongoing maintenance or search fees and no distribution charges.
Forms and instructions
You may enter data directly into a PDF fillable/printable version of the form, or print a blank pdf version of the form and applicable schedule(s) and enter the data manually. Besides these two option, when it comes to filling out the applicable schedule, there is a third option that PBGC believes will simplify the process for most filers — entering data into a PBGC-provided spreadsheet and submitting the spreadsheet as an attachment to an email (see “Excel template” above).
We encourage you to read the Form MP-200 instructions carefully. They contain a lot of useful information such as:
- Who counts as missing
- What, how, and when to file (including where to send a filing)
- Diligent search requirements
Before filing - You must request a PBGC case number before submitting your filing because the case number needs to be reported in the filing, and, for transferring plans, with the payment.
To request a case number, send an email to Missingparticipants@pbgc.gov with “Requesting case number” in the subject line. In the body of the email, include the plan sponsor’s name, the employer identification number (EIN), and the 3-digit plan number. In addition, please report the date you anticipate submitting the filing. PBGC will send you a PBGC case number for your plan by email within three business days.
Where/how to send payment
Regardless of the type of plan that’s terminating, the same options apply with respect to sending money to PBGC. Payments may be made online via Pay.gov (a free, secure federal website), electronic funds transfer (ACH or Fedwire), or paper check.
See Missing Participant Program Payment Instructions for detailed information about payment options and where to send payment.
If you have questions
If you have questions about PBGC’s Missing Participants Program as it pertains to defined contribution plans, contact us by:
- Calling (800) 453-9584. (TTY/ASCII users may call 711).
- Sending an email to MissingParticipants@pbgc.gov.