In general
For purposes of section 412, the accumulated funding deficiency of a multiemployer plan for any plan year is the amount, determined as of the end of the plan year, equal to the excess (if any) of the total charges to the funding standard account of the plan for all plan years (beginning with the first plan year for which this part applies to the plan) over the total credits to such account for such years.
Funding standard account
Account required
Each multiemployer plan to which this part applies shall establish and maintain a funding standard account. Such account shall be credited and charged solely as provided in this section.
Charges to account
Credits to account
Special rule for amounts first amortized in plan years before 2008
In the case of any amount amortized under section 412(b) (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Pension Protection Act of 2006) over any period beginning with a plan year beginning before 2008 in lieu of the amortization described in paragraphs (2)(B) and (3)(B), such amount shall continue to be amortized under such section as so in effect.
Combining and offsetting amounts to be amortized
Interest
The funding standard account (and items therein) shall be charged or credited (as determined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury) with interest at the appropriate rate consistent with the rate or rates of interest used under the plan to determine costs.
Special rules relating to charges and credits to funding standard account
Withdrawal liability
Any amount received by a multiemployer plan in payment of all or part of an employer’s withdrawal liability under part 1 of subtitle E of title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 shall be considered an amount contributed by the employer to or under the plan. The Secretary may prescribe by regulation additional charges and credits to a multiemployer plan’s funding standard account to the extent necessary to prevent withdrawal liability payments from being unduly reflected as advance funding for plan liabilities.
Adjustments when a multiemployer plan leaves reorganization
Plan payments to supplemental program or withdrawal liability payment fund
Any amount paid by a plan during a plan year to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation pursuant to section 4222 of such Act or to a fund exempt under section 501(c)(22) pursuant to section 4223 of such Act shall reduce the amount of contributions considered received by the plan for the plan year.
Interim withdrawal liability payments
Any amount paid by an employer pending a final determination of the employer’s withdrawal liability under part 1 of subtitle E of title IV of such Act and subsequently refunded to the employer by the plan shall be charged to the funding standard account in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Election for deferral of charge for portion of net experience loss
If an election is in effect under section 412(b)(7)(F) (as in effect on the day before the date of the enactment of the Pension Protection Act of 2006) for any plan year, the funding standard account shall be charged in the plan year to which the portion of the net experience loss deferred by such election was deferred with the amount so deferred (and paragraph (2)(B)(iii) shall not apply to the amount so charged).
Financial assistance
Any amount of any financial assistance from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation to any plan, and any repayment of such amount, shall be taken into account under this section and section 412 in such manner as is determined by the Secretary.
Short-term benefits
To the extent that any plan amendment increases the unfunded past service liability under the plan by reason of an increase in benefits which are not payable as a life annuity but are payable under the terms of the plan for a period that does not exceed 14 years from the effective date of the amendment, paragraph (2)(B)(ii) shall be applied separately with respect to such increase in unfunded past service liability by substituting the number of years of the period during which such benefits are payable for “15”.
Special relief rules
Amortization of net investment losses
In general
Coordination with extensions
Net investment losses
In general
Net investment losses shall be determined in the manner prescribed by the Secretary on the basis of the difference between actual and expected returns (including any difference attributable to any criminally fraudulent investment arrangement).
Criminally fraudulent investment arrangements
The determination as to whether an arrangement is a criminally fraudulent investment arrangement shall be made under rules substantially similar to the rules prescribed by the Secretary for purposes of section 165.
Expanded smoothing period
In general
Asset valuation methods
Amortization of reduction in unfunded accrued liability
If this subparagraph and subparagraph (A) both apply for any plan year, the plan shall treat any reduction in unfunded accrued liability resulting from the application of this subparagraph as a separate experience amortization base, to be amortized in equal annual installments (until fully amortized) over a period of 30 plan years rather than the period such liability would otherwise be amortized over.
Solvency test
The solvency test under this paragraph is met only if the plan actuary certifies that the plan is projected to have sufficient assets to timely pay expected benefits and anticipated expenditures over the amortization period, taking into account the changes in the funding standard account under this paragraph.
Restriction on benefit increases
Reporting
Relief for 2020 and 2021
Additional rules
Determinations to be made under funding method
For purposes of this part, normal costs, accrued liability, past service liabilities, and experience gains and losses shall be determined under the funding method used to determine costs under the plan.
Valuation of assets
In general
For purposes of this part, the value of the plan’s assets shall be determined on the basis of any reasonable actuarial method of valuation which takes into account fair market value and which is permitted under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Election with respect to bonds
The value of a bond or other evidence of indebtedness which is not in default as to principal or interest may, at the election of the plan administrator, be determined on an amortized basis running from initial cost at purchase to par value at maturity or earliest call date. Any election under this subparagraph shall be made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary shall by regulations provide, shall apply to all such evidences of indebtedness, and may be revoked only with the consent of the Secretary.
Actuarial assumptions must be reasonable
Treatment of certain changes as experience gain or loss
Full funding
Full-funding limitation
In general
Minimum amount
In general
Assets
For purposes of clause (i), assets shall not be reduced by any credit balance in the funding standard account.
Full funding limitation
For purposes of this paragraph, unless otherwise provided by the plan, the accrued liability under a multiemployer plan shall not include benefits which are not nonforfeitable under the plan after the termination of the plan (taking into consideration section 411(d)(3)).
Current liability
In general
The term “current liability” means all liabilities to employees and their beneficiaries under the plan.
Treatment of unpredictable contingent event benefits
Interest rate used
The rate of interest used to determine current liability under this paragraph shall be the rate of interest determined under subparagraph (E).
Mortality tables
Commissioners’ standard table
1
Secretarial authority
The Secretary may by regulation prescribe for plan years beginning after , mortality tables to be used in determining current liability under this subsection. Such tables shall be based upon the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in such experience. In prescribing such tables, the Secretary shall take into account results of available independent studies of mortality of individuals covered by pension plans.
Separate mortality tables for the disabled
In general
The Secretary shall establish mortality tables which may be used (in lieu of the tables under clause (iv)) to determine current liability under this subsection for individuals who are entitled to benefits under the plan on account of disability. The Secretary shall establish separate tables for individuals whose disabilities occur in plan years beginning before , and for individuals whose disabilities occur in plan years beginning on or after such date.
Special rule for disabilities occurring after 1994
In the case of disabilities occurring in plan years beginning after , the tables under subclause (I) shall apply only with respect to individuals described in such subclause who are disabled within the meaning of title II of the Social Security Act and the regulations thereunder.
Periodic review
The Secretary shall periodically (at least every 5 years) review any tables in effect under this subparagraph and shall, to the extent such Secretary determines necessary, by regulation update the tables to reflect the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in such experience.
Required change of interest rate
In general
If any rate of interest used under the plan under subsection (b)(6) to determine cost is not within the permissible range, the plan shall establish a new rate of interest within the permissible range.
Permissible range
In general
Except as provided in subclause (II), the term “permissible range” means a rate of interest which is not more than 5 percent above, and not more than 10 percent below, the weighted average of the rates of interest on 30-year Treasury securities during the 4-year period ending on the last day before the beginning of the plan year.
Secretarial authority
If the Secretary finds that the lowest rate of interest permissible under subclause (I) is unreasonably high, the Secretary may prescribe a lower rate of interest, except that such rate may not be less than 80 percent of the average rate determined under such subclause.
Assumptions
Annual valuation
In general
For purposes of this section, a determination of experience gains and losses and a valuation of the plan’s liability shall be made not less frequently than once every year, except that such determination shall be made more frequently to the extent required in particular cases under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Valuation date
Current year
Except as provided in clause (ii), the valuation referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be made as of a date within the plan year to which the valuation refers or within one month prior to the beginning of such year.
Use of prior year valuation
The valuation referred to in subparagraph (A) may be made as of a date within the plan year prior to the year to which the valuation refers if, as of such date, the value of the assets of the plan are not less than 100 percent of the plan’s current liability (as defined in paragraph (6)(D) without regard to clause (iv) thereof).
Adjustments
Information under clause (ii) shall, in accordance with regulations, be actuarially adjusted to reflect significant differences in participants.
Limitation
A change in funding method to use a prior year valuation, as provided in clause (ii), may not be made unless as of the valuation date within the prior plan year, the value of the assets of the plan are not less than 125 percent of the plan’s current liability (as defined in paragraph (6)(D) without regard to clause (iv) thereof).
Time when certain contributions deemed made
For purposes of this section, any contributions for a plan year made by an employer after the last day of such plan year, but not later than two and one-half months after such day, shall be deemed to have been made on such last day. For purposes of this subparagraph, such two and one-half month period may be extended for not more than six months under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
Extension of amortization periods for multiemployer plans
Automatic extension upon application by certain plans
In general
Criteria
Alternative extension
In general
If the plan sponsor of a multiemployer plan submits to the Secretary an application for an extension of the period of years required to amortize any unfunded liability described in any clause of subsection (b)(2)(B) or described in subsection (b)(4), the Secretary may extend the amortization period for a period of time (not in excess of 10 years reduced by the number of years of any extension under paragraph (1) with respect to such unfunded liability) if the Secretary makes the determination described in subparagraph (B). Such extension shall be in addition to any extension under paragraph (1).
Determination
Action by Secretary
The Secretary shall act upon any application for an extension under this paragraph within 180 days of the submission of such application. If the Secretary rejects the application for an extension under this paragraph, the Secretary shall provide notice to the plan detailing the specific reasons for the rejection, including references to the criteria set forth above.
Advance notice
In general
The Secretary shall, before granting an extension under this subsection, require each applicant to provide evidence satisfactory to such Secretary that the applicant has provided notice of the filing of the application for such extension to each affected party (as defined in section 4001(a)(21) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974) with respect to the affected plan. Such notice shall include a description of the extent to which the plan is funded for benefits which are guaranteed under title IV of such Act and for benefit liabilities.
Consideration of relevant information
The Secretary shall consider any relevant information provided by a person to whom notice was given under paragraph (1).
Pub. L. 109–280, title II, § 211(a)120 Stat. 890Pub. L. 111–192, title II, § 211(a)(2)124 Stat. 1304Pub. L. 113–235, div. O, title I128 Stat. 2774Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title I, § 171(a)128 Stat. 4023Pub. L. 115–141, div. U, title IV, § 401(a)(101)132 Stat. 1189Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9703(a)(2)135 Stat. 189(Added , , ; amended , , ; , §§ 101(b)(2), 108(b)(3)(A), , , 2788; , , ; , , ; , , .)
Editorial Notes
References in Text
Pub. L. 93–40688 Stat. 829section 1001 of Title 29The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, referred to in subsecs. (b)(7)(A) to (D), (8)(B)(ii)(II), (F) and (d)(3)(A), is , , . Title IV of the Act is classified principally to subchapter III (§ 1301 et seq.) of chapter 18 of Title 29, Labor. Part 1 of subtitle E of title IV of the Act is classified generally to part 1 (§ 1381 et seq.) of subtitle E of subchapter III of chapter 18 of Title 29. Sections 302, 4001, 4222, 4223, 4243, and 4262 of the Act are classified to sections 1082, 1301, 1402, 1403, 1423, and 1432, respectively, of Title 29. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.
Pub. L. 109–280The date of the enactment of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, referred to in subsec. (b)(2)(D), (E), (3)(D), (4), (7)(E), is the date of enactment of , which was approved .
act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 53149 Stat. 620section 1305 of Title 42The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(4)(A), (6)(D)(v)(II), is , , which is classified generally to chapter 7 (§ 301 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see and Tables.
Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13517(a)(2)(A)131 Stat. 2144Section 807(d)(5), referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(D)(iv)(I), was repealed by , , .
Pub. L. 109–280120 Stat. 780section 1001 of Title 29The Pension Protection Act of 2006, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B)(i), is , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 2006 Amendment note set out under , Labor, and Tables.
Amendments
Pub. L. 117–22021—Subsec. (b)(8)(F). added subpar. (F).
Pub. L. 115–1412018—Subsec. (d)(2)(B)(i). substituted “the Pension Protection Act of 2006” for “this Act”.
Pub. L. 113–235, § 108(b)(3)(A)2014—Subsec. (a). , amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to accumulated funding deficiency of multiemployer plan.
Pub. L. 113–295Pub. L. 113–235, § 101(b)(2)Subsec. (d)(1)(C). , which directed amendment of subpar. (C) by substituting “” for “”, could not be executed because of previous repeal of subpar. (C) by . See below.
Pub. L. 113–235, § 101(b)(2), struck out subpar. (C). Text read as follows: “The preceding provisions of this paragraph shall not apply with respect to any application submitted after .”
Pub. L. 111–1922010—Subsec. (b)(8). added par. (8).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date of 2021 Amendment
Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9703(b)135 Stat. 189
In general .—
Restrictions on benefit increases .—
Effective Date of 2014 Amendment
Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title I, § 171(c)128 Stat. 4023
section 108(b)(3)(A) of Pub. L. 113–235section 108(c) of div. O of Pub. L. 113–235section 418 of this titleAmendment by applicable with respect to plan years beginning after , see , set out as an Effective Date of Repeal note under .
Effective Date of 2010 Amendment
Pub. L. 111–192, title II, § 211(b)124 Stat. 1306
In general .—
Restrictions on benefit increases .—
Effective Date
Pub. L. 109–280, title II, § 211(b)120 Stat. 898
In general .—
Special rule for certain amortization extensions .—
Special Rule for Certain Benefits Funded Under an Agreement Approved by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
section 206 of Pub. L. 109–280section 412 of this titleFor applicability of this section to a multiemployer plan that is a party to an agreement that was approved by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation prior to , and that increases benefits and provides for certain withdrawal liability rules, see , set out as a note under .