News Release
US Department of Labor expands self-correction program to encourage compliance with Form M-1 annual reporting rules
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced that its Employee Benefits Security Administration has expanded the Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program to cover Multiple Employer Welfare Arrangements that missed their Form M-1 filing requirements.
This change makes it easier for MEWA administrators to catch up on overdue benefit plan filings, avoid significant civil penalties, and ensure plan participants receive the protections and benefits they are entitled to under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
“The Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program has helped foster a culture of compliance and trust by giving plan officials the opportunity to proactively comply with the law,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “Expanding access to this program just makes sense – it supports responsible efforts to correct violations and helps us fulfill our mission to put both workers and employers first.”
The Form M-1 must be filled annually by MEWAs and certain other entities that provide health and welfare benefits to employees of more than one employer. The form includes important information about the MEWA and its operations to help employers evaluate whether to do business with a MEWA and can lead to significant penalties if not timely filed. But until now, MEWA plan administrators had no real opportunity to correct these violations voluntarily and avoid penalties.
The DFVC Program is available to a range of plan administrators and officials seeking to correct other eligible violations and reduce penalties.
