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.
- How does this delay impact the requirement to report a failure to make a minimum required contribution provided in section 4043.25 of PBGC’s Reportable Events regulation (29 CFR part 4043)?
Because the due date for contributions that would otherwise have been due in 2020 has been extended until January 1, 2021, the event cannot be triggered before then. If required contributions are made by that date, there is no event and no need to notify PBGC.
Note re: impact of IRS Notice 2020-82. On November 16, 2020, IRS announced that contributions subject to the CARES Act extended due date of January 1, 2021 are considered timely if made by January 4, 2021. As a result, whether the event is triggered on January 1 is dependent on whether the required contribution (including the interest adjustment specified in IRS Notice 2020-82) is made by January 4th.
- If a required contribution that would otherwise have been due during 2020 is not made by January 4, 2021, when is reporting due and which form should be used?
If the accumulated value of missed contributions exceeds $1 million, a Form 200 is due on January 11, 2021 (i.e., 10 days after the January 1st due date, not 10 days after January 4th). Otherwise, unless one of the waivers provided in section 4043.25(c) of PBGC’s Reportable Events regulation (29 CFR part 4043) applies, a Form 10 must be submitted. In general, the Form 10 is due 30 days after the due date for the missed contribution, but because January 31 is a Sunday, the due date moves to the next business day, February 1, 2021. As always, PBGC encourages filers to use the e-filing portal to prepare and submit all reportable event filings.
Premiums
PBGC’s premium regulation provides that the assets used to determine the variable rate premium (VRP) include the discounted value of prior year contributions receivable to the extent received by the plan by the date the premium is filed (29 CFR 4006.4(c)). As a result of the CARES Act, required contributions that would otherwise be due before the premium due date are now due after such date.
- May contributions made after the premium is filed and on or before the end of the CARES Act delay period be included in the asset value used to determine the VRP?
PBGC Single-Employer Program Operations
- During the COVID-19 pandemic, will PBGC continue to review Distress Termination applications, and can a notice be filed with financial projections that may be subject to change in the next few weeks/months?
PBGC continues to process Distress Termination applications. All plan sponsors considering filing a distress termination notice are encouraged to schedule a pre-filing consultation with PBGC. During this consultation, PBGC can provide information on the criteria and process for a distress termination to aid in determining the appropriateness of a distress termination based on the facts and circumstances of each case. PBGC recognizes that the impact of COVID-19 on plan sponsors is not fully known and financial projections may change as a result. Specific facts impacting a plan sponsor’s financial projections can be discussed during the pre-filing consultation. A distress termination pre-filing consultation can be scheduled by sending an email to distress@pbgc.gov or calling 202-229-4070.
- Will PBGC initiate termination of pension plans during the COVID-19 pandemic?
PBGC has the discretion to initiate termination of a pension plan when the statutory criteria are met. PBGC exercises this discretion based on the facts and circumstances of the specific case. This most often occurs when a plan sponsor goes out of business and protection of the participants’ benefits is necessary (including ensuring participants receiving benefits are paid). PBGC will continue to review cases to determine whether initiating a termination is appropriate.
- Will PBGC suspend efforts to collect termination liabilities until 2021?
When a pension plan terminates, PBGC works with plan sponsors to resolve the termination liability owed. PBGC will continue to work with plan sponsors to resolve the termination liability, considering their financial ability to pay based on the facts and circumstances of each case.
- Will Early Warning Program inquiries be suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Under the Early Warning Program, PBGC regularly monitors corporate transactions or events that could affect a plan sponsor’s ability to continue to support its pension plan. During the COVID-19 pandemic, PBGC will continue to review transactions or events that may pose an increased risk to plans and the pension insurance system, and where necessary, contact the plan sponsor to get more information.
Disclaimer
The questions and answers do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way. They are intended only to provide clarity to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or PBGC policies.
1 section 3608(a) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”)(Public Law 116-136)
(Issued July 20, 2020 - PBGC Web 016)