Early Warning

The following questions and answers provide guidance related to plan sponsor obligations and PBGC operations in light of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reportable Events – Missed Contributions

As a result of the CARES Act,¹ required contributions (including quarterly contributions) that would otherwise be due in 2020 are now due January 1, 2021.

As part of posting our updated Risk Mitigation & Early Warning Program information, we asked stakeholders for feedback. Below are some Questions and Answers for the most common questions and comments we received. 

1. Did PBGC’s December 2016 updated content signify an expansion of the Early Warning Program to include credit deterioration?

   A: No. PBGC has not expanded the program or changed the monitoring criteria or the processes involved. 

Overview:

The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) was created in 1974 to protect the pensions of working Americans and provide benefits to participants when pension plans fail. PBGC now insures over 34 million American workers, retirees, and their families in private sector defined benefit pension plans.

Congress gave PBGC a mission to:

• Encourage the continuation of plans for the benefit of their participants; and
• Maintain premiums at the lowest level consistent with carrying out our obligations.