US Code

Public Law 119-73 (01/23/2026)

29 U.S.C. § 1461

Effective date; special rules

(a)
The provisions of this subchapter take effect on .
(b)
Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a), the corporation shall pay benefits guaranteed under this subchapter with respect to any plan—
(1)
which is not a multiemployer plan,
(2)
which terminates after , and before ,
(3)
section 1321 of this title to which would apply if that section were effective beginning on , and
(4)
with respect to which a notice is filed with the Secretary of Labor and received by him not later than 10 days after , except that, for reasonable cause shown, such notice may be filed with the Secretary of Labor and received by him not later than , stating that the plan is a plan described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3).
section 1348 of this titleThe corporation shall not pay benefits guaranteed under this subchapter with respect to a plan described in the preceding sentence unless the corporation finds substantial evidence that the plan was terminated for a reasonable business purpose and not for the purpose of obtaining the payment of benefits by the corporation under this subchapter or for the purpose of avoiding the liability which might be imposed under subtitle D if the plan terminated on or after . The provisions of subtitle D do not apply in the case of such a plan which terminates before . For purposes of determining whether a plan is a plan described in paragraph (2), the provisions of shall not apply, but the corporation shall make the determination on the basis of the date on which benefits ceased to accrue or on any other reasonable basis consistent with the purposes of this subsection.
(c)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the corporation shall not pay benefits guaranteed under this subchapter with respect to a multiemployer plan which terminates before . Whenever the corporation exercises the authority granted under paragraph (2) or (3), the corporation shall notify the Committee on Education and Labor and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Labor and Public Welfare and the Committee on Finance of the Senate.
(2)
The corporation may, in its discretion, pay benefits guaranteed under this subchapter with respect to a multiemployer plan which terminates after and before , if—
(A)
the plan was maintained during the 60 months immediately preceding the date on which the plan terminates, and
(B)
the corporation determines that the payment by the corporation of benefits guaranteed under this subchapter with respect to that plan will not jeopardize the payments the corporation anticipates it may be required to make in connection with benefits guaranteed under this subchapter with respect to multiemployer plans which terminate after .
(3)
Notwithstanding any provision of section 1321 or 1322 of this title which would prevent such payments, the corporation, in carrying out its authority under paragraph (2), may pay benefits guaranteed under this subchapter with respect to a multiemployer plan described in paragraph (2) in any case in which those benefits would otherwise not be payable if—
(A)
the plan has been in effect for at least 5 years,
(B)
the plan has been in substantial compliance with the funding requirements for a qualified plan with respect to the employees and former employees in those employment units on the basis of which the participating employers have contributed to the plan for the preceding 5 years, and
(C)
the participating employers and employee organization or organizations had no reasonable recourse other than termination.
(4)
If the corporation determines, under paragraph (2) or (3), that it will pay benefits guaranteed under this subchapter with respect to a multiemployer plan which terminates before , the corporation—
(A)
may establish requirements for the continuation of payments which commenced before , with respect to retired participants under the plan,
(B)
may not, notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, make payments with respect to any participant under such a plan who, on , was receiving payment of retirement benefits, in excess of the amounts and rates payable with respect to such participant on that date,
(C)
shall review from time to time payments made under the authority granted to it by paragraphs (2) and (3), and reduce or terminate such payments to the extent necessary to avoid jeopardizing the ability of the corporation to make payments of benefits guaranteed under this subchapter in connection with multiemployer plans which terminate after , without increasing premium rates for such plans.
(d)
section 1322 of this title Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, guaranteed benefits payable by the corporation pursuant to its discretionary authority under this section shall continue to be paid at the level guaranteed under , without regard to any limitation on payment under subparagraph (C) of subsection (c)(4).
(e)
(1)
Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the amendments to this chapter made by the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980 shall take effect on .
(2)
(A)
Except as provided in this paragraph, part 1 of subtitle E, relating to withdrawal liability, takes effect on .
(B)
section 1301(a)(3) of this title For purposes of determining withdrawal liability under part 1 of subtitle E, an employer who has withdrawn from a plan shall be considered to have withdrawn from a multiemployer plan if, at the time of the withdrawal, the plan was a multiemployer plan as defined in as in effect at the time of the withdrawal.
(3)
1
1 See References in Text note below.
Sections 1421 through 1426  of this title, relating to multiemployer plan reorganization, shall take effect, with respect to each plan, on the first day of the first plan year beginning on or after the earlier of—
(A)
the date on which the last collective bargaining agreement providing for employer contributions under the plan, which was in effect on , expires, without regard to extensions agreed to on or after , or
(B)
3 years after .
(4)
Section 1415 of this title shall take effect on .
(f)
(1)
In the event that before , the corporation has determined that—
(A)
section 1363 of this title an employer has withdrawn from a multiemployer plan under , and
(B)
the employer is liable to the corporation under such section,
section 1341a(a)(2) of this titlethe corporation shall retain the amount of liability paid to it or furnished in the form of a bond and shall pay such liability to the plan in the event the plan terminates in accordance with before the earlier of , or the day after the 5-year period commencing on the date of such withdrawal.
(2)
In any case in which the plan is not so terminated within the period described in paragraph (1), the liability of the employer is abated and any payment held in escrow shall be refunded without interest to the employer or the employer’s bond shall be cancelled.
(g)
(1)
In any case in which an employer or employers withdrew from a multiemployer plan before the effective date of part 1 of subtitle E, the corporation may—
(A)
section 1363(d) of this title apply , as in effect before the amendments made by the Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980, to such plan,
(B)
assess liability against the withdrawn employer with respect to the resulting terminated plan,
(C)
section 1322 of this title guarantee benefits under the terminated plan under , as in effect before such amendments, and
(D)
section 1303 of this title if necessary, enforce such action through suit brought under .
(2)
section 1322a of this title The corporation shall use the revolving fund used by the corporation with respect to basic benefits guaranteed under in guaranteeing benefits under a terminated plan described in this subsection.
(h)
(1)
In the case of an employer who entered into a collective bargaining agreement—
(A)
which was effective on , and which remained in effect through , and
(B)
under which contributions to a multiemployer plan were to cease on ,
any withdrawal liability incurred by the employer pursuant to part 1 of subtitle E as a result of the complete or partial withdrawal of the employer from the multiemployer plan before , shall be void.
(2)
In any case in which—
(A)
an employer engaged in the grocery wholesaling business—
(i)
had ceased all covered operations under a multiemployer plan before , and had relocated its operations to a new facility in another State, and
(ii)
had notified a local union representative on , that the employer had tentatively decided to discontinue operations and relocate to a new facility in another State, and
(B)
all State and local approvals with respect to construction of and commencement of operations at the new facility had been obtained, a contract for construction had been entered into, and construction of the new facility had begun before ,
any withdrawal liability incurred by the employer pursuant to part 1 of subtitle E as a result of the complete or partial withdrawal of the employer from the multiemployer plan before , shall be void.
(i)
The preceding provisions of this section shall not apply with respect to amendments made to this subchapter in provisions enacted after .

Pub. L. 93–406, title IV, § 440288 Stat. 1034Pub. L. 95–214, § 191 Stat. 1501Pub. L. 96–2493 Stat. 70Pub. L. 96–23994 Stat. 341Pub. L. 96–293, § 194 Stat. 610Pub. L. 96–364, title I, § 108(a)94 Stat. 1267Pub. L. 98–369, div. A, title V, § 558(b)(1)(B)98 Stat. 899Pub. L. 99–514, title XVIII, § 1852(i)100 Stat. 2869Pub. L. 101–239, title VII103 Stat. 2431Pub. L. 112–141, div. D, title II, § 40234(b)(2)126 Stat. 858(, formerly § 4082, , ; S. Res. 4, ; , , ; S. Res. 30, ; , , ; , , ; , , ; renumbered and amended –(c)(1), , ; , (C), , ; , , ; , §§ 7862(a), 7894(h)(5)(A), , , 2451; , , .)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Pub. L. 93–406section 1001 of this titleThis chapter, referred to in subsec. (e)(1), was in the original “this Act”, meaning , known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Titles I, III, and IV of such Act are classified principally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under and Tables.

Pub. L. 96–36494 Stat. 1208section 1001 of this titleThe Multiemployer Pension Plan Amendments Act of 1980, referred to in subsecs. (e)(1) and (g)(1)(A), is , , . For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title of 1980 Amendment note set out under and Tables.

Pub. L. 113–235, div. O, title I, § 108(a)(1)128 Stat. 2786Sections 1421 through 1425 of this title, referred to in subsec. (e)(3), were repealed by , , .

For the effective date of part 1 of subtitle E, referred to in subsec. (g)(1), see subsec. (e)(2) of this section.

Codification

section 1381 of this titleSection was formerly classified to .

Amendments

Pub. L. 112–141, § 40234(b)(2)(A)section 1305(c) of this title2012—Subsec. (c)(4)(C), (D). , redesignated subpar. (D) as (C) and struck out former subpar. (C) which read as follows: “may not make any payments with respect to benefits guaranteed under this subchapter in connection with such a plan which are derived, directly or indirectly, from amounts borrowed under , and”.

Pub. L. 112–141, § 40234(b)(2)(B)Subsec. (d). , struck out “or (D)” after “subparagraph (C)”.

Pub. L. 101–239, § 7862(a)1989—Subsec. (h)(1). , substituted “before ” for “before ” in concluding provisions.

Pub. L. 101–239, § 7894(h)(5)(A)Subsec. (i). , added subsec. (i).

Pub. L. 99–5141986—Subsec. (h). added subsec. (h).

Pub. L. 98–369, § 558(b)(1)(B)1984—Subsec. (e)(2)(A), (4). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 98–369, § 558(b)(1)(C)Subsec. (f)(1). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 96–293, § 1(1)1980—Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 96–239, § 1(1), substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 96–293, § 1(1)Subsec. (c)(2). , (2), substituted “” for “” in provisions preceding subpar. (A) and “” for “” in subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 96–239, § 1(1), (2), substituted “” for “” in provisions preceding subpar. (A) and “” for “” in subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 96–293, § 1(1)Subsec. (c)(4). , (2), substituted “” for “” in provisions preceding subpar. (A) and “” for “” in subpar. (D).

Pub. L. 96–239, § 1(1), (2), substituted “” for “” in provisions preceding subpar. (A) and “” for “” in subpar. (D).

Pub. L. 96–364, § 108(b)Subsec. (d). , added subsec. (d). Former subsec. (d), which related to report to Congressional committees respecting anticipated financial condition of program for mandatory coverage of multiemployer plans, was struck out.

Pub. L. 96–364, § 108(c)(1)Subsec. (e). , added subsec. (e). Former subsec. (e), which related to annual insurance premium payable to Corporation for coverage of guaranteed basic benefits, was struck out.

Pub. L. 96–364, § 108(c)(1)Subsecs. (f), (g). , added subsecs. (f) and (g).

Pub. L. 96–24, § 1(1)1979—Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 96–24, § 1(1)Subsec. (c)(2). , (2), substituted “” for “” in provisions preceding subpar. (A) and “” for “” in subpar. (B).

Pub. L. 96–24, § 1(1)Subsec. (c)(4). , (2), substituted “” for “” in provisions preceding subpar. (A) and “” for “” in subpar. (D).

Pub. L. 95–214, § 1(a)(1)1977—Subsec. (c)(1). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 95–214, § 1(a)(2)Subsec. (c)(2). , substituted “” for “” in provisions preceding subpar. (A).

Pub. L. 95–214, § 1(a)(3)Subsec. (c)(2)(B). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 95–214, § 1(a)(4)Subsec. (c)(4). , substituted “” for “” in provisions preceding subpar. (A).

Pub. L. 95–214, § 1(a)(5)Subsec. (c)(4)(D). , substituted “” for “”.

Pub. L. 95–214, § 1(b)Subsecs. (d), (e). , added subsecs. (d) and (e).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Education and Labor of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Education and the Workforce of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Eighteenth Congress, .

Committee on Labor and Public Welfare of Senate abolished and replaced by Committee on Human Resources of Senate, effective . See Rule XXV of Standing Rules of Senate, as amended by Senate Resolution No. 4 (popularly cited as the “Committee System Reorganization Amendments of 1977”), approved . Committee on Human Resources of Senate changed to Committee on Labor and Human Resources of Senate, effective , by Senate Resolution No. 30, 96th Congress. See, also, Rule XXV of Standing Rules of Senate adopted . Committee on Labor and Human Resources of Senate changed to Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of Senate by Senate Resolution No. 20, One Hundred Sixth Congress, .

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

section 7862(a) of Pub. L. 101–239Pub. L. 99–514section 7863 of Pub. L. 101–239section 106 of Title 26Amendment by effective as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under , Internal Revenue Code.

Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, § 7894(h)(5)(B)103 Stat. 2451

Pub. L. 99–514“The amendment made by subparagraph (A) [amending this section] shall take effect as if originally included in the Reform Act [].”
, , , provided that:

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Pub. L. 99–514Pub. L. 98–369, div. Asection 1881 of Pub. L. 99–514section 48 of Title 26Amendment by effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, , to which such amendment relates, see , set out as a note under , Internal Revenue Code.

Plan Amendments Not Required Until January 1, 1989

Pub. L. 99–514section 1140 of Pub. L. 99–514section 401 of Title 26For provisions directing that if any amendments made by subtitle A or subtitle C of title XI [§§ 1101–1147 and 1171–1177] or title XVIII [§§ 1800–1899A] of require an amendment to any plan, such plan amendment shall not be required to be made before the first plan year beginning on or after , see , as amended, set out as a note under , Internal Revenue Code.

Actions Taken Before Regulations Are Prescribed

Pub. L. 96–364, title IV, § 40594 Stat. 1303

“(a)
section 1001 of this title Except as otherwise provided in the amendments made by this Act [see Short Title of 1980 Amendment note set out under ] and in subsection (b), if the way in which any such amendment will apply to a particular circumstance is to be set forth in regulations, any reasonable action during the period before such regulations take effect shall be treated as complying with such regulations for such period.
“(b)
Subsection (a) shall not apply to any action which violates any instruction issued, or temporary rule prescribed, by the agency having jurisdiction but only if such instruction or rule was published, or furnished to the party taking the action, before such action was taken.”
, , , provided that: