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Release Date: 11/20/2003
Release Number: USDL 03-775-NAT
Contact Name: Sharon Morrissey
Phone Number: 202.693.8664
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Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) today issued the Reporting
and Disclosure Guide for Employee Benefit Plans. The guide will assist
employers, plan sponsors, service providers and other plan officials in
meeting their reporting and disclosure obligations under the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). |
“This
guide is designed to help plan officials understand the scope of ERISA’s
basic reporting and disclosure rules,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor
Ann L. Combs. “It is the latest of EBSA’s compliance assistance
efforts to help the benefits community protect workers by giving them the
tools and programs necessary to comply with ERISA.” |
For
the first time, the booklet includes information on group health plan
disclosure requirements under Part 7 of ERISA and the new blackout period
notice, which requires 401(k) and other individual account pension plans
to provide advance notice when participants’ rights are suspended for
direct investments, loans or distributions. |
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Prepared with the assistance of the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), the guide provides information and overview
charts on:
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Basic ERISA disclosures that
retirement, group health and other welfare benefit plans must furnish
to participants and beneficiaries;
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PBGC reporting and disclosure
requirements for single-employer defined benefit pension plans, and
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Annual reporting requirements for
the Form 5500 and Form M-1.
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The guide also contains a list of EBSA and PBGC
resources, including the agencies’ Internet sites that containing laws,
regulations and other guidance relating to ERISA’s reporting and
disclosure requirements. The publication is available by calling
toll-free, 1.866.444.EBSA (3272) or online at www.dol.gov/ebsa under
Publications. |
As
part of its educational and outreach efforts, EBSA routinely issues
publications and guidance to explain the rights and responsibilities
associated with establishing and maintaining a retirement, group health or
other welfare benefit plan under ERISA. |
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U.S. Department of Labor
news releases are accessible on the Internet. The information in this news
release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large
print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the Central Office for Assistive
Services and Technology. Please specify which news release when placing
your request. Call 202.693.7773 or TTY 202.693.7755. |
