[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 182 (Tuesday, September 20, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64700-64726]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22278]



[[Page 64699]]

Vol. 81

Tuesday,

No. 182

September 20, 2016

Part V





Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation





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29 CFR Parts 4000, 4001, 4003, et al.





Missing Participants; Proposed Rules

  Federal Register / Vol. 81 , No. 182 / Tuesday, September 20, 2016 / 
Proposed Rules  

[[Page 64700]]


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PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION

29 CFR Parts 4000, 4001, 4003, 4041, 4041A, and 4050

RIN 1212-AB13


Missing Participants

AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) administers a 
program to hold retirement benefits for missing participants and 
beneficiaries in terminated retirement plans and to help those 
participants and beneficiaries find and receive the benefits being held 
for them. The program is currently limited to single-employer defined 
benefit pension plans covered by the pension insurance system under 
title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(ERISA). PBGC proposes to make changes to its existing program and, as 
authorized by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, to establish similar 
programs for multiemployer plans covered by title IV, certain defined 
benefit plans that are not covered by title IV, and most defined 
contribution plans. PBGC seeks public comment on its proposal.

DATES: Comments must be submitted on or before November 21, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments, identified by Regulation Identifier Number (RIN) 
1212-AB13, may be submitted by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the Web site instructions for submitting comments.
     Email: [email protected].
     Fax: 202-326-4112.
     Mail or Hand Delivery: Regulatory Affairs Group, Office of 
the General Counsel, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K 
Street NW., Washington, DC 20005-4026.
    All submissions must include the Regulation Identifier Number for 
this rulemaking (RIN 1212-AB13). Comments received, including personal 
information provided, will be posted to www.pbgc.gov. Copies of 
comments may also be obtained by writing to Disclosure Division, Office 
of the General Counsel, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K 
Street NW., Washington DC 20005-4026, or calling 202-326-4040 during 
normal business hours. (TTY and TDD users may call the Federal relay 
service toll-free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 202-326-
4040.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Deborah C. Murphy 
([email protected]), Assistant General Counsel for Regulatory 
Affairs, Office of the General Counsel, Pension Benefit Guaranty 
Corporation, 1200 K Street NW., Washington DC 20005-4026; 202-326-4400 
extension 3451; or Stephanie Cibinic ([email protected]), 
Deputy Assistant General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, 202-326-4400 
extension 6352. (TTY and TDD users may call the Federal relay service 
toll-free at 800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 202-326-4400 
extension 3451 or 202-326-4400 extension 6352.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Summary

Purpose of the Regulatory Action

    This proposed rule is needed to implement amendments to section 
4050 of ERISA. Those amendments require PBGC to establish rules to 
handle the benefits of missing participants and beneficiaries under 
terminated multiemployer plans covered by title IV of ERISA similar to 
the rules for covered single-employer plans. They also provide for a 
similar voluntary program for terminated non-covered plans and 
authorize PBGC to prescribe related reporting requirements.
    PBGC's legal authority for this action comes from section 
4002(b)(3) of ERISA, which authorizes PBGC to issue regulations to 
carry out the purposes of title IV of ERISA, and section 4050 of ERISA, 
which gives PBGC authority to prescribe regulations regarding missing 
persons owed benefits under terminated retirement plans, including 
rules on the amounts to be paid to and from the program and how to 
search for missing participants and beneficiaries.

Major Provisions of the Regulatory Action

    The regulatory action would extend the missing participants program 
to terminated multiemployer plans covered by title IV and make it 
available to terminated professional service plans with 25 or fewer 
participants and to most terminated defined contribution plans.
    Under the regulatory action, PBGC anticipates charging fees for 
plans to participate in the missing participants program; the fees 
would not exceed PBGC's costs.
    The regulatory action would also modify the criteria for being 
``missing'' and provide more specificity in the diligent search rules 
for defined benefit plans. It would modify the procedures for 
determining the appropriate sum to send to PBGC for the benefits of a 
missing participant or beneficiary. It proposes to follow key plan 
provisions about the benefits to pay to those who are found. Finally, 
it would eliminate some unnecessary rules.

Background

In General

    PBGC administers the pension plan termination insurance program 
under title IV of ERISA, which applies to most defined benefit (DB) 
plans. In general terms, a DB plan is a retirement plan that provides 
specified benefits and is subject to certain funding requirements. 
Within statutory limits, PBGC guarantees benefits of participants and 
their beneficiaries upon the underfunded termination of a plan covered 
by title IV. PBGC also monitors the termination of covered plans that 
are fully funded for guaranteed benefits, which must follow procedures 
provided under title IV.
    The process of closing out a terminated retirement plan involves 
the disposition of plan assets to satisfy the benefits of plan 
participants and beneficiaries. One difficulty faced by a plan 
administrator in closing out a terminated plan is how to provide for 
the benefits of missing persons. This problem was addressed for single-
employer plans subject to the title IV insurance program by the 
creation, under the Retirement Protection Act of 1994 (RPA '94), of a 
program administered by PBGC to deal with the benefits of missing 
participants and beneficiaries in terminated plans.\1\ Section 4050 of 
ERISA, as added by RPA '94, requires a plan administrator to undertake 
a diligent search (subject to definition in PBGC regulations) for each 
missing participant or beneficiary. It further describes procedures for 
a plan to follow in calculating the amount to be transferred to PBGC 
for a person who cannot be found, and for PBGC to follow in providing 
benefits to the person when the person ultimately appears--also subject 
to PBGC regulations. PBGC implemented the program in part 4050 of its 
regulations in 1995.
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    \1\ Not all terminated plans are included. ERISA section 
4050(a)(1) refers to plans subject to ERISA section 4041(b)(3)(A). 
That includes plans in standard terminations (as stated in section 
4041(b)(3)(A)) and plans in ``sufficient distress terminations'' (as 
provided for in section 4041(c)(3)(B)(i) and (ii)), but not plans 
trusteed by PBGC.
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Authorization of New Programs

    The Pension Protection Act of 2006 amended section 4050 of ERISA to 
expand its scope dramatically--offering the prospect of participation 
in missing participants programs to terminated

[[Page 64701]]

multiemployer plans covered by title IV and several categories of 
terminated non-covered plans, including most defined contribution (DC) 
plans. In general terms, a DC plan is a retirement plan that provides 
for a participant to receive whatever is in the vested portion of the 
participant's retirement account. Program participation for title IV 
multiemployer plans is to be similar to that for title IV single-
employer plans now in the program (although close-out of a 
multiemployer plan may not follow immediately upon plan termination). 
Non-title IV plans would be eligible (but not required) to turn 
benefits of missing participants and beneficiaries over to PBGC, and 
PBGC is further authorized to provide for such plans to report how they 
dealt with missing persons' benefits not placed either with PBGC or 
another retirement plan.
    To develop a better understanding of the DC plan community's needs 
and desires for, and likely responses to, an expanded missing 
participants program, PBGC sought information about the number of 
missing participants in terminated plans, the size of their benefits, 
and how the benefits were handled. PBGC then published in the Federal 
Register (at 78 FR 37598, June 21, 2013) a request for information 
(RFI) about a variety of topics relevant to implementation of the 
expanded missing participants program.\2\ PBGC received 22 responses 
from employer, plan, and participant representatives, pension service 
providers, and financial institutions.\3\ Commenters embraced expansion 
of PBGC's missing participants program to accept accounts from 
terminated DC plans and to include those owed money in a searchable 
database of missing participants and beneficiaries. Opinions were split 
on whether submission of information about the handling of missing 
participant accounts not turned over to PBGC should be voluntary or 
mandatory. There was broad support for coordination among federal 
agencies on issues related to sponsor obligations. Commenters urged the 
need for both flexibility and safe harbors.
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    \2\ See http://www.pbgc.gov/documents/2013-14834.pdf.
    \3\ See http://www.pbgc.gov/documents/Missing-Participants-in-Individual-Account-Plans-Comments.pdf.
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Coordination and Consultation

    The Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans 
(ERISA Advisory Council) issued a 2013 report \4\ on Locating Missing 
and Lost Participants based on hearings at which a PBGC staff member 
testified (among other things) about responses to PBGC's request for 
information. The Advisory Council report recommended development of 
effective methods for and guidance on searching for missing 
participants, including use of web search and commercial locator 
services. It also recommended that, if PBGC implemented a missing 
participants program for terminated DC plans, compliance with the PBGC 
program should be accorded safe harbor status under ERISA. And it urged 
cooperation among federal agencies, in particular to develop and 
implement PBGC's missing participants program.
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    \4\ See http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/publications/2013ACreport3.html.
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    On August 14, 2014, the Employee Benefits Security Administration 
(EBSA) of the Department of Labor (DOL) issued Field Assistance 
Bulletin No. 2014-01 on Fiduciary Duties And Missing Participants In 
Terminated Defined Contribution Plans (the FAB).\5\ The FAB provides 
guidance about required search steps and options for dealing with the 
benefits of missing participants in terminated DC plans.
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    \5\ See http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/regs/fab2014-1.html.
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    As recommended by the ERISA Advisory Council, PBGC staff consulted 
with staff of EBSA and of the Solicitor of Labor's Plan Benefits 
Security Division and with staff of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 
and the Department of the Treasury. Those consultations were very 
helpful in developing this proposed rule. PBGC will continue to work 
closely with these agencies on this rulemaking and other matters 
affecting missing participants.
    In those consultations, the IRS informed PBGC that it anticipates a 
DC plan would not fail to be qualified solely because it transfers 
appropriate amounts to PBGC in accordance with PBGC's missing 
participants program pursuant to section 4050(a)(2) of ERISA.
    The Department of Labor has advised PBGC that it intends to review 
and possibly revise its regulations and guidance to coordinate with 
PBGC's development of a final rule on missing participants. For 
instance, the Department of Labor indicated its intent to review its 
fiduciary safe harbor regulation entitled ``Safe Harbor for 
Distributions from Terminated Individual Account Plans,'' which 
provides for distributions to individual retirement plans in such 
circumstances as when the participant or beneficiary has been furnished 
a notice but fails to elect a form of distribution in a timely 
manner,\6\ and thus would be considered missing under this proposed 
rule.\7\ As part of its review, the Department of Labor said it 
specifically intends to consider transfers to PBGC in lieu of rollovers 
to individual retirement plans in these same circumstances. The 
Department of Labor also indicated its intent to review its ``Abandoned 
Plan Regulations,'' which currently provide for distributions generally 
to individual retirement plans in circumstances identical to those set 
forth in the Safe Harbor for Distributions from Terminated Individual 
Account Plans.\8\
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    \6\ See 29 CFR 2550.404a-3. In certain limited circumstances, 
the Department of Labor's safe harbor permits a fiduciary to 
distribute a missing participant's account balance to a federally 
insured savings account in the missing participant's name or a State 
unclaimed property fund in lieu of a rollover to an individual 
retirement plan.
    \7\ See the discussion of ``missing'' under Terminology below.
    \8\ See 29 CFR 2578.1.
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Overview

    PBGC proposes to completely redesign its existing missing 
participants program for single-employer DB plans and to adopt three 
new missing participants programs. The three new programs would be for 
multiemployer DB plans covered by the title IV insurance program, for 
professional service employer DB plans not covered by title IV, and for 
most DC plans. All four programs would follow the same basic design.
    Among the most prominent changes to the existing program would be:
     Provision for fees to be charged for plans to participate 
in the missing participants program.
     A requirement to treat as ``missing'' non-responsive 
distributees with de minimis benefits subject to mandatory cash-out 
under the plan's terms.
     More robust requirements for diligent searches, using 
sponsor and related plan records, free web-search methods, and (subject 
to waiver) commercial locator services (which would be clearly 
defined).
     Fewer benefit categories and fewer sets of actuarial 
assumptions for determining the amount to transfer to PBGC.
     Changes in the rules for paying benefits to missing 
participants and their beneficiaries.
    In addition, the missing participants forms and instructions would 
require the reporting of the monthly amount of each missing 
participant's accrued benefit in straight-life form assuming 
commencement at each exact age going forward from the later of the 
benefit transfer date or age 55 to the required

[[Page 64702]]

beginning date under Code section 401(a)(9)(C).\9\
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    \9\ PBGC would interpolate where necessary to obtain figures for 
fractional ages.
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    The program for terminated DC plans would be simpler than the 
programs for terminated DB plans in recognition of their different 
structure and regulatory framework. There would be no need for benefit 
valuation rules to determine the amount for a plan to transfer to PBGC; 
plans would simply transfer account balances. The definition of 
``missing'' and the diligent search requirements would reflect guidance 
already established by EBSA and followed by terminated DC plans. 
Abandoned plans and qualified termination administrators winding up 
such plans, as defined under Department of Labor regulations,\10\ would 
be able to participate in the missing participants program if they met 
the same requirements applicable to other DC plans.\11\
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    \10\ See 29 CFR 2578.1.
    \11\ PBGC anticipates providing flexibility in filing 
requirements to enable participation in the missing participants 
program by abandoned plans and other plans that might not have full 
sets of records.
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    The proposed rule is intended to give DC plans, multiemployer 
plans, and small professional service plans a new option for dealing 
with missing participants and beneficiaries when closing out the plan 
and to make it more likely that missing persons will receive their 
benefits.
    An important part of all of the missing participants programs would 
be a new unified pension search database. This database would be 
designed and operated for PBGC according to best practices by a 
private-sector entity with expertise in such enterprises and will be 
implemented in a way that protects individuals' privacy. It would 
include information about missing participants and their benefits and a 
directory through which members of the public could easily query the 
database (using a choice of fields) to determine whether it contained 
information about benefits being held for them. PBGC anticipates that 
its new pension search database would provide a comprehensive, 
nationwide, authoritative, reliable, easy-to-use source of information 
about missing participants and the benefits being held for them.

Terminology

    The proposed rule would introduce some changes from the terminology 
used in the statute and the current regulation.
    The existing regulation, following the statute, uses the phrase 
``missing participant'' to refer to either a beneficiary or a 
participant. To reduce possible confusion from using the word 
``participant'' in a phrase that may refer to a beneficiary, the 
proposed regulation would use the term ``missing distributee'' to refer 
to a missing participant or missing beneficiary.\12\ However, some 
headings in the regulation and some discussion in this preamble refer 
to missing participants, the more familiar phrase.
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    \12\ Where a plan knows a participant is deceased and has no 
known beneficiary, the unknown beneficiary is a distributee.
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    ``Missing'' would be defined more specifically than in the current 
regulation. As explained below, a distributee would be missing if--
    (1) For a DB plan, the plan did not know where the distributee was 
(e.g., a notice from the plan was returned as undeliverable), unless 
the distributee's benefit was subject to mandatory ``cash-out'' under 
the terms of the plan,\13\ or
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    \13\ A qualified plan is permitted to require a mandatory cash-
out of a participant's benefit pursuant to section 203(e) of ERISA 
and section 411(a)(11) of the Code.
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    (2) For a DC plan, or a distributee whose benefit was subject to a 
mandatory cash-out under the terms of a DB plan, the distributee failed 
to elect a form or manner of distribution.
    In most cases,\14\ a distributee who did not make an effective 
election of a form of distribution would be ``missing.'' Department of 
Labor regulations \15\ treat DC plan distributees who cannot be found 
following a diligent search similar to distributees whose whereabouts 
are known but who do not elect a form of distribution.\16\ PBGC has 
observed that some terminating DB plans treat distributees with 
benefits subject to a mandatory ``cash-out,'' but who do not return 
election forms, as not missing and their benefits, therefore, as 
ineligible for transfer to PBGC under its missing participants program. 
The benefits of these non-responsive distributees instead are placed in 
IRAs that may be difficult to find years later. Such distributees 
appear to be just the sort that the missing participants program was 
meant to serve. The new definition of ``missing'' will allow DB plans 
to deliver such non-responsive distributees into PBGC's fold, featuring 
a centralized governmental repository and pension search capability.
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    \14\ PBGC expects that most plans using the missing participants 
program will be terminated DC plans and that most benefits under 
terminated DB plans using the program will have been mandatory cash-
outs pursuant to plan provisions.
    \15\ See 29 CFR 2550.404a-3 and 2578.1.
    \16\ Under the proposal, a missing distributee in a terminated 
DC plan would include a distributee who fails to elect a form of 
distribution in response to a notice meeting the requirements of 29 
CFR 2550.404a-3. If the notice is returned as undeliverable, the DC 
plan administrator must conduct a diligent search that meets the 
requirements of section 404 of ERISA.
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    However, distributees with benefits that are not subject to a 
mandatory cash-out provision under DB plans generally enjoy plan rights 
and features not available to those whose benefits may be cashed-out. 
Unless a distributee chooses to start receiving payment immediately, no 
benefit election is generally expected of the distributee. Absent an 
election, the distributee's benefit would be annuitized, preserving the 
distributee's rights and options under the plan. And for title IV plans 
the identity of the insurer that issued the annuity would have to be 
provided to PBGC if the distributee were missing. Accordingly, 
distributees whose benefits are not subject to a mandatory cash-out 
provision under DB plans would be missing only if the plan did not know 
where they were.
    Regardless of the size of a missing distributee's benefit, a 
diligent search would be required. The kind of diligent search required 
would be more specifically prescribed for DB plans than DC plans, and 
no diligent search would be required if the plan knew where the 
distributee was located. See Diligent search, below.
    The term ``designated benefit,'' which is also used in the statute 
and the existing regulation, does not refer to a benefit but to an 
amount transferred to PBGC by a plan. Under the regulation, the 
designated benefit includes missed payments of pay-status benefits, but 
currently it is not clear how plans are to value missed payments or how 
PBGC is to identify which portion of a designated benefit represents 
missed payments. PBGC is proposing new terminology to clarify these 
matters. The present value of future payments of an annuity would be 
called the ``benefit transfer amount.'' Missed payments would be valued 
by accumulating interest at a specified rate and would be separately 
identified when submitted to PBGC; the amount so submitted would be 
called the ``plan make-up amount.'' (PBGC also plans to charge fees for 
participation in the missing participants programs. Thus, the amount 
that a plan would be required to remit to PBGC with respect to a 
missing distributee could comprise three amounts: the benefit transfer 
amount, the plan make-up amount, and the fee.)
    The ``deemed distribution date'' for a plan (a defined term in the 
current regulation) depends on an election of the plan administrator 
based on the timeline for standard termination of a single-employer 
plan covered by title IV. In the interests of simplicity and

[[Page 64703]]

uniformity for all plan types, the deemed distribution date would be 
replaced by other concepts, notably the ``benefit transfer date,'' 
which would be the date as of which amounts to be transferred from a 
plan to PBGC would be determined and on which they would be paid.
    The ``designated benefit interest rate,'' used by PBGC for 
crediting interest under the current regulation, would be renamed the 
``missing participants interest rate,'' and would be used by plans as 
well as by PBGC.
    The current regulation's ``missing participant lump sum 
assumptions'' would be eliminated, and the ``missing participant 
annuity assumptions'' would be modified and renamed ``PBGC missing 
participant assumptions.'' These changes are discussed below under 
Amounts to be transferred.

Organization

    The new missing participants regulation would describe four 
programs, each of which would be set forth in a separate subpart of the 
regulation:
     A revised version of the existing program for single-
employer plans covered by title IV of ERISA (subpart A),
     A new program for DC plans (subpart B),\17\
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    \17\ These are plans that would be described in section 4021 of 
ERISA but for section 4021(b)(1), (5), (12), and (13) of ERISA and 
that could transfer benefits to PBGC in money (even if stock were 
used for other purposes) including plans described in section 403(b) 
of the Code under which benefits are provided through custodial 
accounts described in section 403(b)(7) of the Code. PBGC's reading 
of section 4050(d)(4) of ERISA as plausibly encompassing certain 
plans described in section 403(b) of the Code applies with respect 
to title IV of ERISA only and should not be read to suggest that the 
Internal Revenue Service would interpret this language similarly 
with respect to the application of sections 401(a) and 403(b) of the 
Code or for any other purpose under the Code.
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     A new program for small professional service DB plans 
(subpart C),\18\ and
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    \18\ These are plans that would be described in section 4021 of 
ERISA but for section 4021(b)(13) of ERISA.
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     A new program for multiemployer plans covered by the title 
IV insurance program (subpart D).
    Each subpart would contain seven sections, dealing with:
     Purpose and scope (section number ending in 1),
     Definitions (section number ending in 2),
     Options and Duties (section number ending in 3),
     Diligent search (section number ending in 4),
     Filing with PBGC (including fees) (section number ending 
in 5),
     Missing participant benefits from PBGC (section number 
ending in 6), and
     PBGC discretion (section number ending in 7).

Options and Duties

    In each subpart, the options and duties (or just duties) section 
under the missing participants program serves as a ``road map'' to the 
more specific provisions that plans would need to know about. In many 
ways, each subpart's section would be similar to the others, but there 
would be differences reflecting the differences in the various missing 
participants programs.

Mandatory vs. Voluntary Functions

    The most prominent difference would lie in the mandatory or 
voluntary nature of the programs. Section 4050(a)(1) requires title IV 
plans to use the missing participants program, but by statute they have 
the choice--for each missing participant--of transferring the benefit 
to PBGC or purchasing an annuity contract and giving PBGC the 
information that the missing participant would need to get access to 
the benefit. For title IV plans, therefore, participation in the 
missing participants program is mandatory, but a plan may choose the 
missing participants for which it will transfer benefits and those for 
which it will report annuitization details.
    New section 4050(d)(1) of ERISA permits but does not require non-
title IV plans to turn missing participants' benefits over to PBGC. New 
section 4050(d)(2) of ERISA, on the other hand, says that (to the 
extent provided in PBGC regulations) non-title IV plans must upon plan 
termination provide information about the disposition of missing 
participants' benefits that are not transferred to another pension 
plan. PBGC's 2013 request for information flagged this reporting 
provision for public comment, and as noted above (in Background), there 
were some differences of opinion on this point. In general, employer 
advocates considered mandatory reporting unnecessarily burdensome, 
while participant advocates considered it an essential part of an 
effective pension search program.
    PBGC has decided not to impose a mandatory reporting requirement 
for non-title IV plans at this time and is thus proposing to begin by 
making participation in the missing participants program voluntary for 
such plans. After PBGC has gained experience with a voluntary reporting 
requirement and the clearinghouse of lost retirement benefits that the 
requirement supports, PBGC will be in a better position to weigh the 
additional costs of mandatory reporting against the additional benefits 
of a more fully supported lost-benefits registry.
    Non-title IV plans that elected to send benefit transfer amounts to 
PBGC would be referred to as ``transferring'' plans; those that made 
other dispositions of the benefits of missing distributees and elected 
to send PBGC information about the dispositions would be called 
``notifying'' plans. A notifying plan would have to identify the 
missing distributee(s) covered by the election.
    Notifying plans could provide information for fewer than all of 
their missing distributees. PBGC is concerned, however, about the 
possibility of ``cherry-picking''--that is, selective use of the 
missing participants program--by transferring plans. For example, a 
plan might turn over all its small accounts to PBGC, while larger 
accounts that can generate larger maintenance fees for commercial 
individual retirement plan providers might be turned over to private-
sector institutions that charge asset-based fees. PBGC is proposing 
that if a non-title IV plan voluntarily participates in the missing 
participants program as a transferring plan, it may not pick and choose 
the missing distributees whose benefits it turns over to PBGC. A 
transferring plan would be required to turn over to PBGC benefits for 
all missing distributees. Transferring benefits for fewer than all 
missing distributees would not be allowed. PBGC invites public comment 
on the validity of its concerns about cherry-picking and on its 
proposal for dealing with those concerns.
    The options and duties sections for non-title IV plans would 
describe these options. Plan elections would have to be made in 
accordance with PBGC's missing participants forms and instructions.

Search and Filing Functions

    In addition to dealing with options for non-title IV plans, the 
options and duties sections would mention the two major duties of plans 
under each subpart of the regulation: Diligently searching for missing 
participants and filing with PBGC. Cross-references would lead the 
reader to the sections where these two duties are described more 
specifically.

Compliance and Audit

    Title IV gives PBGC tools for dealing with non-compliance by 
covered plans. Although the proposed regulation would not delineate any 
authority for PBGC to impose sanctions on non-covered plans, PBGC could 
audit relevant plan and employer records if it reasonably suspected 
substantial non-

[[Page 64704]]

compliance. Audit findings could form the basis for a referral to EBSA 
or IRS for appropriate action.

Diligent Search

    The next section of each subpart of the proposed missing 
participants regulation would deal with diligent searches. Again, there 
would be different provisions for different types of plans, but here 
the distinction would be between DB plans (that is, single-employer and 
multiemployer plans covered by title IV and professional service DB 
plans not covered by title IV) and DC plans. For DC plans, PBGC 
proposes to specify simply that a diligent search is one conducted in 
accordance with DOL guidance (including regulations) under section 404 
of ERISA. This proposed standard is intended to harmonize PBGC's 
missing participants program for terminated DC plans with DOL's 
guidance for terminated DC plans so that compliance with that guidance 
would satisfy PBGC's ``diligent search'' standards.\19\
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    \19\ A distribution generally is permitted under the Department 
of Labor's safe harbor regulation with no additional search beyond 
the notification sent to the last known address of the participant 
or beneficiary in accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 
2520.104b-1(b)(1). If a notice is returned to the plan as 
undeliverable, the plan fiduciary must, consistent with its duties 
under section 404(a)(1) of ERISA, take steps to locate the 
participant or beneficiary and provide notice before making the 
distribution. See the FAB for guidance on search steps.
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    The search standards for DB plans would be based on the 
requirements in the existing regulation with modifications inspired by 
the guidelines in the FAB. PBGC's current diligent search rules for 
single-employer DB plans covered by title IV impose three requirements: 
timeliness, seeking information from beneficiaries of a missing 
participant, and use of a commercial locator service. The timeliness 
requirement is cast in terms of milestones in the standard termination 
process under title IV. In the interest of uniformity for all DB plans 
participating in PBGC's missing participants programs, including DB 
plans not covered by title IV, PBGC proposes to substitute for the 
current timeliness standard a simple requirement that a diligent search 
be made during a six-month period before the plan closes out and the 
benefit transfer amount is paid. This same requirement would apply to 
DC plans. PBGC invites comment on the appropriateness of this standard 
and suggestions for alternatives.
    PBGC proposes to make the other two existing search requirements 
for DB plans more specific. The first of the two currently calls for 
seeking the missing individual through the individual's plan 
beneficiaries. PBGC proposes to replace this with a more detailed and 
specific series of requirements to seek information from records not 
just of the plan that is closing out, but of the employer and other 
plans of the employer as well (including health plans), and to mine 
these sources for information to locate the missing individual as well 
as leads to beneficiaries.\20\ The records search requirements include 
an explicit ``do your best'' rule for situations where employers, 
plans, beneficiaries, or records may not be readily identifiable or 
obtainable (such as where the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act of 1996 prevents the disclosure of information).
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    \20\ The new procedures are consistent with corresponding 
guidance in the FAB.
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    The last of the current search requirements for DB plans is the use 
of a commercial locator service. The existing regulation does not 
expand on the meaning of the term ``commercial locator service.'' PBGC 
proposes to define a commercial locator service as a business that 
holds itself out as a finder of lost persons for compensation using 
information from a database maintained by a consumer reporting agency 
(as defined in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)). This proposed requirement is 
designed to ensure a more robust search, but might not be cost-
effective for distributees with relatively small benefits. PBGC 
proposes to address this issue by reserving to itself the authority to 
place limits in the missing participants forms and instructions on the 
requirement to use a commercial locator service. PBGC invites comment 
on this subject, including commenters' views on whether a waiver should 
be based on the monthly amount of a distributee's benefit or the 
present value of the benefit or on some other criterion and on whether 
the waiver should be codified in the regulation.
    PBGC is also proposing to add a requirement for DB plans to use a 
no-fee internet search engine or method regardless of benefit size. For 
situations where the commercial locator service requirement might be 
waived, this new search provision would round out the records search 
requirement without imposing the cost of a commercial locator service.
    These requirements are designed to support the basic function of a 
diligent search--to demonstrate that an appropriate level of effort has 
gone into finding a person who remains missing. A plan that uses PBGC's 
missing participants program to provide for the benefits of a person 
whose whereabouts are unknown must have followed all of the search 
requirements.\21\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \21\ The unknown beneficiary of a known deceased participant is 
clearly missing, but PBGC will take into account the fact that there 
is no known person to search for in evaluating the plan's 
fulfillment of the diligent search requirement for any such 
distributee.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PBGC's proposal attempts to bring its existing diligent search 
rules for DB plans into closer alignment with the search guidance in 
the FAB. PBGC believes that DB plans will welcome a more explicit and 
concrete ``checklist'' of search steps. PBGC has attempted to strike a 
balance between thoroughness on the one hand and, on the other hand, 
ease of plan compliance and PBGC administration (including PBGC review 
and audit of plans' missing participants submissions). PBGC 
specifically seeks comment on whether DB plans would be better served 
by a different or less prescriptive search standard.

Amounts To Be Transferred

    As explained above (in Terminology), the amount paid to PBGC for a 
missing distributee could be composed of as many as three amounts: A 
fee, a benefit transfer amount, and (for some DB plan missing 
distributees) a plan make-up amount. The latter two amounts would be 
described in the definitions section of each subpart (except that there 
would be no definition of ``plan make-up amount'' for DC plans). These 
``pay-in'' rules would be significantly different from those under the 
current regulation.\22\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \22\ The benefit transfer amount and plan make-up amount (if 
any) for a distributee who is the unknown beneficiary of a known 
deceased participant would be calculated in the same way as for any 
other distributee, but reasonable assumptions about unknown data 
such as age could be used.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Current Rules (DB Plans)

    For single-employer plans covered by title IV insurance, ERISA 
section 4050 prescribes rules to follow in valuing a missing 
distributee's benefits to determine the amount to pay \23\ PBGC for the 
distributee. The rules for valuing benefits under the missing 
participants program are different for different categories of 
benefits. The statute describes three benefit categories: ``de 
minimis'' benefits that a plan could lawfully cash out without consent; 
benefits payable only as annuities; and benefits for which cash-out is 
elective. Under section 4050, a plan is to use its own lump sum 
assumptions to value benefits in the first category; PBGC

[[Page 64705]]

missing participant assumptions for those in the second category; and 
for the third category, whichever of the two sets of assumptions 
produces the greater present value.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \23\ The term ``pay'' in connection with the benefit transfer 
amount or plan make-up amount is not used in a compensatory sense.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Expanding on the statutory requirements, the current missing 
participants regulation describes four categories of benefits and 
prescribes a different valuation method for each category. The four 
benefit categories are arrived at by breaking the first statutory 
category into two: Benefits actually subject to mandatory cash-out 
under plan terms, and benefits that could be involuntarily cashed out 
under the law but not under plan terms. The four valuation methods are 
arrived at by prescribing two sets of PBGC missing participant 
assumptions (rather than one)--``missing participant lump sum 
assumptions'' and ``missing participant annuity assumptions.'' \24\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \24\ Under the current regulation, benefits actually subject to 
mandatory cash-out under plan terms are to be valued using plan 
assumptions. Benefits that could be involuntarily cashed out under 
the law but not under plan terms are to be valued using the 
``missing participant lump sum assumptions.'' Benefits not subject 
to either voluntary cash-out under the plan or mandatory cash-out 
under the statute are to be valued using the ``missing participant 
annuity assumptions.'' Finally, benefits that could not be 
involuntarily cashed out under the law but for which a lump sum 
option is available are to be valued using either the ``missing 
participant annuity assumptions'' or plan assumptions, whichever 
produces the greater value. Among missing participants whose 
benefits are transferred to PBGC under the current program, about 87 
percent have benefits that are de minimis under plan or PBGC 
assumptions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    While the ``missing participant lump sum assumptions'' and 
``missing participant annuity assumptions'' under the current 
regulation differ from each other, they are both based to some degree 
on the plan termination assumptions in PBGC's regulation on Allocation 
of Assets in Single-Employer Plans (29 CFR part 4044), which are 
designed to reflect annuity market conditions and are based on data 
reported by commercial annuity providers. The ``missing participant 
annuity assumptions'' are much closer to matching the ``4044 
assumptions'' in the asset allocation regulation, but both the 
``missing participant lump sum assumptions'' and ``missing participant 
annuity assumptions'' omit the expected retirement age (XRA) 
assumptions that are part of the 4044 assumptions. The ``missing 
participant annuity assumptions,'' which do not include the adjustment 
for expenses under the 4044 assumptions, do include an ``adjustment 
(loading) for expenses'' of $300 for each benefit with a value over 
$5,000.
    Whichever assumptions are used, the current regulation specifies 
that they are to be applied to the most valuable benefit. Thus the plan 
must value each benefit separately for a starting date in each year out 
into the future in order to find the one that is most valuable.

Proposal--DB Plans

    For DB plans, PBGC is proposing to simplify the existing rules. The 
proposal would abandon the four-category approach in the current 
regulation in favor of a three-category approach consistent with that 
of the statute. PBGC is further proposing to abandon the ``missing 
participant lump sum assumptions'' and to modify the ``missing 
participant annuity assumptions,'' which would be called ``PBGC missing 
participant assumptions.''
    The PBGC missing participant assumptions would include no 
adjustment for expenses \25\--neither the adjustment that is part of 
the 4044 assumptions nor the load that is part of the missing 
participant annuity assumptions in the current regulation. Mortality 
and interest under the new assumptions would be the same as under the 
old assumptions, except that the interest assumption in effect for 
valuations in January would be used for the entire calendar year.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \25\ See Fees below for a discussion of fees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Pre-retirement death benefits would be disregarded; the benefit to 
be valued would be a straight life annuity beginning at XRA.\26\ Using 
XRA would replace the requirement to value the benefit at every age to 
determine the most valuable benefit and make the new assumptions more 
like the 4044 assumptions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \26\ Special ``XRA'' rules would apply to pay-status 
distributees and non-participant distributees.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    PBGC plans to create an on-line spreadsheet to enable a plan to 
value a missing participant's benefits with the new ``PBGC missing 
participant assumptions.'' A plan would simply enter data such as 
eligibility for early and unreduced retirement and benefit amounts, and 
the spreadsheet would do the calculations--including XRA calculations--
necessary to determine the present value of benefits, thus making the 
new ``PBGC missing participant assumptions'' easier to use.
    A plan that pays no lump sums (even for de minimis amounts) would 
have no ``plan assumptions'' for lump sums. Under the current 
regulation, such plans use ``missing participant lump sum assumptions'' 
to value all benefits that could lawfully be cashed out. With the 
elimination of the ``missing participant lump sum assumptions'' and the 
associated benefit valuation category, the proposed regulation provides 
that such plans should use assumptions specified under section 
205(g)(3) of ERISA and section 417(e)(3) of the Code (dealing with 
determination of whether the present value of a benefit is de minimis).
    Under the proposal, benefits would be valued as of the date the 
benefit transfer amount is paid to PBGC (the ``benefit transfer 
date'').\27\ PBGC invites comment on this point. Valuing benefits as of 
the benefit transfer date would eliminate the need for the rules in the 
current regulation about interest on transfers to PBGC between the 
valuation date and the payment date, since those two dates would be the 
same.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \27\ PBGC anticipates that a plan will generally have a single 
benefit transfer date for all missing distributees, but in unusual 
circumstances (such as where benefit computation errors are 
corrected), multiple benefit transfer dates may be necessary.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As discussed above (under Terminology), plans would account 
separately for the value of benefits payable in the future (the 
``benefit transfer amount'') and the value of benefit payments missed 
in the past (the ``plan make-up amount''). Under the proposal, the 
value of a missed payment would be the accumulated value of the payment 
(reflecting interest from the date the payment was due to the date of 
the plan's payment to PBGC), without reduction for mortality--that is, 
on the assumption that the annuitant was alive. Interest would be 
calculated in the same way as for underpayments of guaranteed benefits 
by PBGC under PBGC's regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated 
Single-Employer Plans (29 CFR part 4022) using the Federal mid-term 
rate described in section 1274(d) of the Code with monthly 
compounding.\28\ PBGC would use the same interest assumption for 
crediting interest between the date of receipt of a payment from a plan 
and the date of payment of a lump sum by PBGC. This rate, which would 
be called the ``missing participants interest rate,'' is the same rate 
prescribed in the current missing participants regulation as the 
``designated benefit interest rate.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \28\ Interest calculations could be incorporated in the on-line 
spreadsheet discussed above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The plan make-up amount would include not only missed payments to 
distributees who became missing after they had begun to receive benefit 
payments, but also payments not made after the required beginning date 
under Code section 401(a)(9)(C).
    For single-employer DB pension plans that are not covered by the 
existing program, PBGC's missing participants program is optional. Thus 
one concern is whether the new program would find

[[Page 64706]]

favor among DB plans not covered by title IV. If it did not, PBGC 
expects that the impact on the program would be slight because there 
are few such plans. Nonetheless, PBGC invites comment reflecting the 
views of non-covered DB plans on how attractive participation in the 
proposed missing participants program would be for such plans.

Proposal--DC Plans

    For DC plans, the benefit transfer amount would be the amount 
available for distribution to the missing distributee. For a missing 
distributee who was a participant, this would generally be the 
participant's account balance, but might not be if (for example) a 
qualified domestic relations order (QDRO) required distribution of a 
portion of the account to another person.
    PBGC recognizes that the benefit transfer amount--the account 
balance--for a DC plan missing distributee also might (but might not) 
reflect the deduction of expenses. DC plans may (but need not) pay 
administrative expenses from participants' accounts, consistent with 
applicable law and relevant plan provisions. Such administrative 
expenses might include, for example, the cost of conducting a diligent 
search or the cost of paying PBGC fees for participating in the missing 
participants program. PBGC will not inquire into whether an account 
balance has been reduced for administrative expenses before it was 
transferred to PBGC. Whether or not plan termination expenses were 
properly allocated among all plan participants by the plan's fiduciary 
before the transfer is beyond the scope of this proposal.

Fees

    PBGC proposes to charge fees for participation in the missing 
participants programs. Consonant with 31 U.S.C. 9701 (dealing with fees 
and charges for Government services and things of value), fees for 
participation in PBGC's missing participants programs would be fair and 
be based on PBGC's costs, the value of the programs to plans and 
participants, policy considerations (such as the interests of 
participants and beneficiaries, encouraging plan participation in the 
programs, and due regard for private-sector providers' concerns), and 
other relevant concerns. PBGC contemplates that fees would cover the 
costs of essential services such as periodic searches for missing 
distributees, tracking distributees' accounts, and processing benefit 
payments.
    Fees would be set forth in the missing participants forms and 
instructions and thus, like information submission requirements and 
similar matters, would be subject to public notice and comment under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act. PBGC is proposing to charge a one-time $35 
fee per missing distributee, payable when benefit transfer amounts are 
paid to PBGC, without any obligation to pay PBGC continuing 
``maintenance'' fees or a distribution fee. There would be no charge 
for amounts transferred to PBGC of $250 or less. There would be no 
charge for plans that only send information about missing participant 
benefits to PBGC. Setting fees is necessarily a forward-looking 
exercise. Fees set today are collected tomorrow, in tomorrow's 
environment of costs and usage. PBGC therefore would adopt a fee 
structure that would make sense in light of circumstances that would 
exist when the fees were paid. To do this, PBGC would from time to time 
estimate its projected costs and the projected usage of the missing 
participants programs--much as must be done for purposes of the 
Paperwork Reduction Act. Patterns of past experience inform predictions 
of future experience and changes in methodology may be appropriate as 
PBGC's experience and views of the future program change. PBGC intends 
to provide public notice of all proposals to set and adjust fees, in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.
    PBGC's proposed methodology for setting future fees under the 
missing participants program incorporates the following elements and 
principles:
    (1) PBGC will set fees in a manner consistent with the requirements 
of 31 U.S.C. 9701 and relevant guidance of the Office of Management and 
Budget \29\ and the Government Accountability Office.\30\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \29\ See OMB Circular A-25, User Charges, https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/circulars_a025.
    \30\ See GAO reports numbers GAO-12-193, User Fees: Additional 
Guidance and Documentation Could Further Strengthen IRS's Biennial 
Review of Fees, http://www.gao.gov/assets/590/586448.html, and GAO-
08-386SP, Federal User Fees: A Design Guide, http://www.gao.gov/assets/210/203357.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    (2) PBGC will set fees with a view to collecting, on average and 
over time, no more than its out-of-pocket costs for the services of 
private-sector contractors to perform non-governmental functions in 
support of the missing participants program. PBGC will not seek to 
recover through fees the value of in-house performance of governmental 
functions by government employees.
    (3) For purposes of projecting estimated contractor costs, PBGC 
will use cost-smoothing methods and will break such costs down into two 
categories:
    (i) System costs--that is, costs of establishing, maintaining, 
modifying, updating, and replacing hardware, software, and other 
infrastructure items--but only to the extent used in support of the 
missing participants program--will be amortized over five years.
    (ii) Processing costs--that is, costs for labor, office supplies, 
utilities, and other ephemeral items charged PBGC by its contractor--
will be treated as incurred and satisfied currently.
    (4) PBGC will set fees as one-time charges, payable when benefit 
transfer amounts are paid to PBGC, without any obligation to pay PBGC 
continuing ``maintenance'' fees or a distribution fee. Fees will not be 
charged for reporting to PBGC the disposition of benefits where no 
amount is transferred to PBGC.
    Concurrently with publication of this proposed rule, PBGC is 
submitting to the Office of Management and Budget, and posting on its 
Web site (www.pbgc.gov), an initial proposal for forms and instructions 
for the missing participants programs, including fees. The proposal 
includes instructions for submitting public comments on the fee 
schedule and other aspects of the proposal.

Filing With PBGC

    Basic filing rules would be the same under the proposal as under 
the existing regulation.
    The filing deadline for title IV single-employer plans would be 
similar to that under the current regulation: 90 days after the 
distribution deadline in PBGC's regulation on Termination of Single-
Employer Plans (29 CFR part 4041). (For plans undergoing sufficient 
distress terminations, the distribution deadline reflects such plans' 
special circumstances.) For all other plans, the filing deadline would 
be 90 days after completion of all distributions not subject to the 
missing participants program.

Pay-Out Rules

Common Features

    Although (as discussed below) the DB and DC pay-out rules would 
differ significantly, they would share some basic principles. One 
principle that would carry over from the existing regulation is that 
PBGC would receive money for the benefits of some missing distributees 
but only information about the benefits of others. As under the current 
program, therefore, there would be two ways PBGC might connect 
claimants with their benefits. PBGC

[[Page 64707]]

might pay benefits itself (where PBGC has received a benefit transfer 
amount from the claimant's plan) or might provide information to the 
claimant from the plan about how benefits not transferred to PBGC can 
be claimed (for example, where they have been annuitized with an 
insurer or transferred to an IRA or bank account). The proposed 
regulation would modify the language about PBGC's providing information 
to clarify that PBGC's role in such circumstances (which is subject to 
the Privacy Act) does not include resolution of questions about 
entitlement to a benefit held by another entity (such as an insurance 
company). Those questions, and questions about revealing personal 
information about such a missing participant to a different claimant, 
are more properly resolved by the entity (for example, insurer or 
custodian) holding the benefit.
    A second principle the DB and DC programs would share is that the 
pay-out rules are organized based on the circumstances of the missing 
distributee. The current regulation's pay-out rules are grouped 
according to the type of annuity benefit valued by the plan, an 
organizational principle that would not work for DC plans and that PBGC 
has found potentially confusing. Under the new organization, DB and DC 
pay-out rules would begin by describing what would happen if a missing 
participant showed up to claim benefits. The form and amount of the 
participant's benefit would be determined based on the size of the 
benefit and the participant's marital status. The rules then describe 
the form and amount if the missing participant died and a survivor 
claimed benefits (again depending on size of benefit and marital 
status).
    PBGC is not proposing any pay-out rules for situations involving 
participants whose benefits went into pay status under the plan before 
they became missing. Nor is PBGC proposing pay-out rules for 
situations--under either DB or DC plans--involving missing 
beneficiaries (such as situations involving missing alternate payees or 
situations where a plan knows a participant is dead and has a 
beneficiary, but the beneficiary is missing). PBGC considers such 
circumstances sufficiently uncommon that the new regulation need not 
address them. PBGC invites public comment about whether the regulation 
should address such circumstances and if so, how.
    Another new concept common to both DB and DC plans would be that of 
``qualified survivors,'' who would be entitled to benefits with respect 
to a missing participant in situations involving--for example--deceased 
missing participants without spouses. PBGC would identify qualified 
survivors by looking first to provisions of any applicable QDRO; then 
(for DC plans), PBGC would look to the plan's filing with PBGC for 
identification of persons potentially entitled to benefits with respect 
to the decedent under plan provisions (including beneficiary 
designations consistent with plan provisions); finally, if the plan's 
filing did not identify a person entitled to benefits with respect to a 
decedent, PBGC would refer to a list of relatives that would echo Sec.  
4022.93 of PBGC's regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-
Employer Plans, but would include just four categories \31\: spouses, 
children, parents, and siblings.\32\ As a practical matter, qualified 
survivors under DC plans would generally be those identified by the 
plan by reference to plan rules and related beneficiary designations, 
spousal waivers, etc.; only in unusual cases would DC qualified 
survivors be identified by reference to the list of relatives that 
would typically govern in DB cases.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \31\ The proposal does not include on this list the two other 
categories of Sec.  4022.93 which are: Estates, if open, and next of 
kin in accordance with applicable state law.
    \32\ In PBGC's view, this terminology includes adoptive 
relationships (but not ``step'' relationships); thus the terminology 
is used without qualifying adjectives (such as ``natural or 
adopted'').
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Finally, for both DB and DC plans, the proposed regulation would 
not deal (as the current regulation does) with details such as election 
of annuity starting dates, which would be left to policies and 
procedures and be reflected in PBGC's missing participants forms and 
instructions.
    Although PBGC has achieved some measure of uniformity in details 
surrounding the pay-out rules, the substantive rules themselves would 
differ significantly between DC and DB plans: for DC plans, a simple 
approach that steers away from the details of plan provisions, and for 
DB plans a more detail-oriented approach that imports some plan rules 
into the missing participants program with a view to preserving some 
significant rights of participants under DB plans.

New DB Plan Pay-Out Rules--at a Glance

    The proposed DB plan payout rules would preserve two material 
features if available under a participant's plan: Early retirement 
subsidies and elective lump sums. In other respects, PBGC would apply 
benefit determination principles that would be uniform for all missing 
participants, regardless of their individual plan provisions. The main 
features of the proposed new DB pay-out rules may be summarized as 
follows:
     Mandatory lump sums paid if the amount transferred to PBGC 
is $5,000 or less.
     A variety of annuity payment forms available if the amount 
transferred to PBGC is over $5,000.
     Elective lump sums available if available under the plan 
and the amount transferred to PBGC is over $5,000.
     Amount of a lump sum equal to the amount transferred to 
PBGC plus interest.
     Spousal consent required for payment forms other than a 
joint and 50 percent survivor annuity if the amount transferred to PBGC 
is over $5,000.
     Annuity starting dates limited to the period from 
participant's age 55 to participant's required beginning date if the 
amount transferred to PBGC is over $5,000.
     Amount of a straight life annuity starting at an exact age 
equal to the amount reported by the plan; linear interpolation used for 
starting dates other than exact ages; amounts of other annuity forms 
determined using PBGC conversion methodology.
     Annuity payments starting after the required beginning 
date calculated as if the annuity began at the required beginning date, 
with missed payments received as a lump sum with interest.
     Pre-retirement death benefits available if a married 
missing participant dies before the required beginning date; but not if 
the participant is unmarried.
     Post-retirement death benefits available if a missing 
participant dies after the required beginning date (whether married or 
not).

New DB Plan Pay-Out Rules--in More Detail

    One notable new rule for DB pay-outs--flowing from the principle of 
preserving certain material rights under plans--would be that PBGC 
would no longer compute annuity benefits for a participant as the 
actuarial equivalent of the benefit transfer amount, but rather would 
provide annuity benefits based on what the plan would have provided, 
including in particular any early retirement subsidies to which 
participants would have been entitled had they not been missing. This 
would be made possible by requiring a plan to report the straight life 
annuity payable to the participant commencing at each exact age from 
age 55 to age 70 and at

[[Page 64708]]

the participant's required beginning date.
    PBGC would use linear interpolation to calculate straight life 
annuities commencing between exact ages.\33\ To deal with situations 
where a benefit entitlement might increase non-linearly, PBGC would 
inform benefit applicants what the benefit level at the next exact age 
would be.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \33\ For example, a monthly benefit starting at age 55\3/4\ 
would be 75 percent of the age 56 amount plus 25 percent of the age 
55 amount.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    If the annuity PBGC paid a participant was not a straight life 
annuity, the payments would be set to make the benefit actuarially 
equivalent to the straight life annuity that would have been payable 
starting at the same time. If, on the other hand, PBGC paid a lump sum, 
it would be equal to the amount transferred to PBGC plus interest. Non-
de minimis lump sums would be available where plans provided for them 
(as most plans do). PBGC would pay de minimis benefits as lump sums.
    Plan features of lesser significance, which PBGC does not consider 
it administratively feasible to preserve, would include annuity 
conversion factors, eligibility for pre-retirement death benefits, and 
earliest retirement age. As to these features, PBGC proposes to treat 
all distributees the same, regardless of plan terms.
    For example, to convert from the straight life annuity form to any 
other of the variety of annuity forms PBGC would make available, PBGC 
would use the actuarial assumptions under its regulation dealing with 
optional forms of benefit in trusteed plans (29 CFR 4022.8(c)(7)). 
While lump sums--where available--would be payable at any age, 
annuities would not be paid before a participant's age 55. Spousal 
consent would apply if a participant wanted to receive a non-de minimis 
benefit in any form other than a joint and 50-percent survivor annuity. 
In situations requiring spousal consent to payment of a lump sum before 
age 55, PBGC would provide the spouse with information on all available 
payment options for his or her consideration, including annuity 
benefits available from age 55 through 65.
    The following table summarizes the DB pay-out rules under the 
proposed regulation.\34\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \34\ A de minimis benefit is the sum of the participant's 
benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) that 
does not exceed the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 
411(a)(11) of the Code, currently $5,000.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Circumstances                     Proposed regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Living participant with de minimis       PBGC pays participant a lump
 benefit.                                 sum.
Living participant with non-de minimis   PBGC pays participant an
 benefit; no living spouse.               annuity in form elected by
                                          participant or, if plan so
                                          provided and participant so
                                          elects, a lump sum.
Living participant with non-de minimis   PBGC pays participant a joint
 benefit; living spouse.                  and 50 percent survivor
                                          annuity (or at participant's
                                          election with spousal consent,
                                          another form of annuity) or,
                                          if plan so provided and
                                          participant so elects with
                                          spousal consent, a lump sum.
Deceased participant; no surviving       If participant died before
 spouse.                                  required beginning date, PBGC
                                          pays no benefit; if
                                          participant died after
                                          required beginning date, PBGC
                                          pays qualified survivor(s)
                                          missed payments from required
                                          beginning date with interest.
Deceased participant with de minimis     PBGC pays spouse a lump sum
 benefit; living spouse.                  equal to value of survivor
                                          portion of joint and 50
                                          percent survivor annuity
                                          (including missed payments).
Deceased participant with non-de         PBGC pays spouse survivor
 minimis benefit; living spouse.          portion of joint and 50
                                          percent survivor annuity
                                          (including missed payments);
                                          except that if value of
                                          spouse's benefit is small
                                          (i.e., less than $5K), PBGC
                                          pays spouse an equivalent lump
                                          sum.
Deceased participant; deceased           PBGC pays qualified survivor(s)
 surviving spouse.                        of participant and spouse the
                                          missed payments participant
                                          and spouse would have received
                                          under a joint and 50 percent
                                          survivor annuity.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Some other details about the proposed new DB rules: Annuities would 
generally be deemed to begin no later than the required beginning date 
under Code section 401(a)(9)(C); if payment began later, missed 
payments with interest (make-up amount) would be paid in a lump sum. If 
the participant died before the required beginning date, the survivor 
annuity would be deemed to begin on the later of the participant's 55th 
birthday or date of death. If the participant died on or after the 
required beginning date, the survivor annuity would be deemed to begin 
at the required beginning date. For missing participants under 
contributory plans, PBGC would pay benefits (including pre-retirement 
death benefits) at least equal to the accumulated mandatory employee 
contributions.

DC Plan Pay-Out Rules

    The DC pay-out rules would be relatively simple. The following 
table shows the DC pay-out rules under the proposed regulation.\35\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \35\ A de minimis benefit is the missing distributee's benefit 
transfer amount that does not exceed the amount under section 203(e) 
of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the Code, currently $5,000.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
             Circumstances                     Proposed regulation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Living participant with de minimis       PBGC pays participant a lump
 benefit.                                 sum.
Living participant with non-de minimis   PBGC pays participant an
 benefit; no living spouse.               annuity in form elected by
                                          participant or, if participant
                                          so elects, a lump sum.
Living participant with non-de minimis   PBGC pays participant a joint
 benefit; living spouse.                  and 50 percent survivor
                                          annuity (or at participant's
                                          election with spousal consent,
                                          another form of annuity) or,
                                          if participant so elects with
                                          spousal consent, a lump sum.
Deceased participant with de minimis     PBGC pays qualified survivor(s)
 benefit.                                 a lump sum.
Deceased participant with non-de         PBGC pays qualified survivor(s)
 minimis benefit; no surviving spouse.    a lump sum.

[[Page 64709]]

 
Deceased participant with non-de         PBGC pays spouse a straight
 minimis benefit; living spouse.          life annuity or, if spouse so
                                          elects, a lump sum.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Lump sums would include interest at the federal mid-term rate. 
Conversions to annuities would be made using assumptions under section 
205(g)(3) of ERISA and section 417(e)(3) of the Code. For elections 
before the participant's age 55, PBGC would provide information on all 
available payment options for the individual's consideration, including 
annuity benefits.

Limitations and Special Rules; PBGC Discretion

    It is impossible to anticipate and appropriately provide for every 
state of events in an undertaking like the missing participants 
program. To preserve as much flexibility as possible while treating 
like cases in like manner, PBGC proposes to incorporate in each subpart 
of the missing participants regulation a section authorizing it to 
grant waivers, extend deadlines, and in general adapt to unforeseen 
circumstances, with the proviso that similar treatment be given to 
similar situations. This provision would take the place of current 
Sec.  4050.12(g).
    However, most of the special provisions in Sec. Sec.  4050.11 and 
4050.12 of the current regulation would be omitted as unnecessary or 
inappropriate:
     References to the maximum benefit under Code section 415 
(if any) (Sec.  4050.5(a) of the existing regulation) and the minimum 
benefit under a contributory plan (Sec.  4050.12(c)(1)). Those 
limitations apply to the provisions and administration of plans 
generally and are not specific to the missing participants program.
     The exclusive benefit provision in Sec.  4050.11(a) and 
the limitation on benefits to the amount transferred to PBGC by a plan 
for a missing participant (Sec.  4050.11(a) and (b)). The first of 
these seems unnecessary and the second would no longer be true.
     Relationship of benefits paid to the guaranteed benefit 
(Sec.  4050.11(c)), benefits payable in a sufficient distress 
termination (Sec.  4050.12(e)), and benefits payable on audit or other 
events (Sec.  4050.12(f)).
     Limitations on the annuity starting date (Sec.  
4050.11(d)). PBGC would plan to deal with such matters in its policies 
for administering the expanded missing participants program.
     Disposition of voluntary contributions (Sec.  
4050.12(c)(2)) and residual assets (Sec.  4050.12(d)).
     Provisions regarding missing participants located quickly 
by PBGC (Sec.  4050.12(a)). This provision has not been used, and PBGC 
believes that enforcement measures where a plan misrepresents its 
compliance with diligent search requirements will be more effective 
than this provision.
     QDROs (Sec.  4050.12(b)). PBGC proposes to provide in the 
pay-out rules that allowance be made for QDROs.
     Payments beginning after the required beginning date 
(Sec.  4050.12(h)). This subject is dealt with in the benefit pay-out 
provisions.
    The current regulation provides that PBGC will determine the 
treatment of residual assets (assets not needed to satisfy plan 
benefits). The proposal does not deal expressly with this issue (which 
arises under subparts A and C). PBGC solicits public comment on the 
appropriate way to deal with excess assets.

Related Regulatory Amendments

In General

    PBGC proposes to make conforming amendments to its regulations on 
Filing, Issuance, Computation of Time, and Record Retention (29 CFR 
part 4000), Terminology (29 CFR part 4001), Termination of Single-
Employer Plans (29 CFR part 4041), and Termination of Multiemployer 
Plans (29 CFR part 4041A).

Administrative Review

    PBGC's regulation on Rules for Administrative Review of Agency 
Decisions (29 CFR part 4003) sets forth the determinations, listed in 
Sec.  4003.1(b), for which aggrieved persons are required to seek 
administrative review, (i.e., in the form of administrative appeals or 
reconsiderations) before they may seek judicial review. Section 
4003.1(b)(11) applies to the missing participants program. Subparagraph 
(i) of Sec.  4003.1(b)(11) relates to a determination about the 
benefits payable by PBGC based on the amount paid to PBGC under the 
program (assuming the amount paid to PBGC was correct). Subparagraph 
(ii) of Sec.  4003.1(b)(11) relates to a determination as to the 
correctness of an amount paid to PBGC under the program (to the extent 
that the benefit to be paid does not exceed the guaranteed benefit).
    The proposal would change Sec.  4003.1(b)(11) by revising the 
content of paragraph (b)(1)(i) and eliminating paragraph (b)(1)(ii). 
Therefore section 4003.1(b)(11), as proposed, no longer has two 
subparagraphs. Proposed Sec.  4003.1(b)(11) does not refer to benefits 
based on an amount paid to PBGC, because, in some cases benefits paid 
by PBGC under the new programs would be monthly annuities based on 
information, such as calculations, reported by the plan, not on amounts 
paid to PBGC. Thus, an appeal right based on a determination pursuant 
to proposed Sec.  4003.1(b)(11) would relate simply to a determination 
of the benefit payable under section 4050 of ERISA and the missing 
participants regulation.
    An appeal based on a determination made under current regulation 
Sec.  4003.1(b)(11)(ii)--that the right amount was paid to PBGC--would 
no longer be permitted under the proposal. PBGC does not make 
determinations about the amounts to be transferred to PBGC by plans 
under the missing participants program; rather, it is plans themselves 
that determine how much to transfer. Thus, there is no PBGC action for 
a person to be aggrieved by or for PBGC to revoke or change. Recourse 
must be against the plan or, if the plan no longer exists, the plan 
sponsor. If a claimant's benefit is guaranteed by PBGC, and the 
claimant is unable to collect from the plan or sponsor, the claimant 
may have a right to payment of the guaranteed benefit by PBGC, and a 
dispute about PBGC's determination of the amount of that benefit is 
subject to the requirement to pursue administrative review under Sec.  
4003.1(b)(8).

Applicability

    PBGC proposes to make the amendments in this proposed rule 
applicable to termination of a plan other than a multiemployer plan 
covered by title IV where the date of plan termination is after 
calendar year 2017. PBGC proposes to make the amendments in this 
proposed rule applicable to the close-out of a multiemployer plan 
covered by title IV where the close-out is completed after calendar 
year 2017.
    The amendments in the proposed rule would not apply to PBGC's 
payment of missing participant benefits attributable to prior 
terminations. Thus the provisions of the existing regulation

[[Page 64710]]

would continue to have vitality indefinitely for a dwindling group of 
missing distributees whose plans terminated before the proposed rule 
became applicable.

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563

    PBGC has determined that this rulemaking is a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866. The Office of 
Management and Budget has therefore reviewed this proposed rule under 
Executive Order 12866.
    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 require a comprehensive 
regulatory impact analysis be performed for any economically 
significant regulatory action, defined as an action that would result 
in an annual effect of $100 million or more on the national economy or 
which would have other substantial impacts. PBGC has determined that 
this proposed rule does not cross the $100 million threshold for 
economic significance and is not otherwise economically significant. 
However in accordance with section 6(a)(3)(B) of Executive Order 12866, 
PBGC has examined the economic and policy implications of this proposed 
rule and has concluded that the action's benefits justify its costs.
    PBGC's economic analysis of the proposed rule focuses on single-
employer title IV DB plans and on DC plans. There are just a handful of 
multiemployer plans that might make use of the expanded scope of 
section 4050, and PBGC expects that few DB plans not covered by title 
IV will participate in the new program.
    As discussed in more detail in the Paperwork Reduction Act section 
below, PBGC is projecting that this rule would increase program 
participation from 200 to 3,300 plans. Thus, about 94 percent of the 
paperwork burden would be attributable to this rule. The dollar burden 
of the information collection associated with the rule is about 
$829,000. The dollar equivalent of the 1,320-hour time burden is 
estimated at about $32,000. This estimate is based on the following 
assumptions:
     Wage rates account for approximately 70 percent of total 
labor costs, with the remaining 30 percent attributable to benefits 
costs.\36\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \36\ Employer Costs for Employee Compensation news release text, 
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm (see first paragraph).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The hours will be primarily performed by office and 
administrative support staff (occupational code 43-0000), at a mean 
hourly cost of $24.40 (an hourly wage rate of $17.08 plus $7.32 in 
benefits).\37\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \37\ Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2014, 43-0000 Office 
and Administrative Support Occupations (Major Group), http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm (see ``Office and Administrative 
Support Occupations'').

Thus the monetized burden of the paperwork associated with the missing 
participants programs under the proposed rule would be about $861,000, 
and the portion attributable to changes made by the rule would be about 
$809,000 (94 percent of $861,000).
    There would be no other additional costs for DC plans. The diligent 
search requirements for DC plans would be the same requirements that 
already apply to these plans without regard to their participation in 
the missing participants program. Unlike DB plans, DC plans would be 
subject to no special benefit valuation rules.
    The proposed rule would, however, change the requirements for 
diligent searches and benefit valuation for DB plans. But the marginal 
cost of complying with the new valuation rules would be negligible 
because of the on-line spreadsheet that PBGC plans to make available. 
For diligent searches, PBGC is assuming an additional cost of $500 per 
plan, primarily to cover the expense of commercial locator services. 
While use of such services has been required under the current 
regulation, the absence of a definition of ``commercial locator 
service'' has meant that plans had latitude to use services that 
charged little or nothing. The proposed rule would set a standard for 
such services that PBGC assumes would come with a price tag. DB plans 
might also have to do more record-searching than they do now, although 
PBGC expects that most records will be electronic and relatively easy 
to search. The assumed additional search cost was arrived at by 
assuming that a basic commercial locator service would charge $40 per 
search for the assumed average of ten missing participants per plan 
(total $400) and adding $100 per plan for record searches. Multiplying 
this additional $500 per-plan search cost by 200 plans yields a total 
additional search cost attributable to the proposed rule of $100,000.
    Beyond this $909,000 in additional costs attributable to the 
proposed rule ($809,000 in additional reporting costs and $100,000 in 
additional search costs), the rule would provide for fees to be paid to 
PBGC to cover contractor costs of running the missing participants 
programs, i.e., collecting, accounting for and entering data from 
missing participant forms, searching for missing distributees, paying 
benefits, etc. PBGC would set fees at levels not exceeding its costs. 
After considering various fee structures, PBGC has proposed a flat fee 
that would be simple to understand and easy for plans to administer. 
Based on preliminary data, PBGC estimates that fees would be a one-time 
$35 charge per missing distributee for amounts transferred to PBGC, 
with no charge for amounts transferred of $250 or less. (See the 
earlier discussion in this preamble under ``Fees''.) Based on a 
combined DB and DC count, PBGC estimates 10,955 missing participants 
per year. Fourteen percent of such participants (approximately 1,533 
out of the 10,955) are estimated to have cash benefits of $250 or less, 
and therefore no fee would be charged for transferring amounts of these 
missing participants. That leaves 9,422 accounts charged a one-time $35 
fee, amounting to an estimated total of $329,770 in fees. Combined with 
the $909,000 in additional costs to DB plans attributable to the 
proposed rule, total burden would equal $1.2 million.
    To compare the total burden of the proposed rule to the benefits 
that would be gained, for fiscal years 2013 to 2015, PBGC paid out 
about $2.27 million a year in missing participant benefits. This dollar 
amount would presumably be much higher in the future because of the 
vast (about 16-fold) increase in the number of plans expected to 
participate in the missing participants programs. If PBGC paid out 
merely ten times in benefits what it did for fiscal years 2013-2015, 
the benefits recovered by missing participants and their beneficiaries 
would be over $22 million. This is more than $20 million higher than 
the additional burden that would be placed on plans by the proposed 
rule. PBGC believes that although it cannot more precisely quantify the 
cost-benefit comparison in this proposed rule, it is clear that 
benefits would far exceed costs.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act imposes certain requirements with 
respect to rules that are subject to the notice and comment 
requirements of section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act and 
that are likely to

[[Page 64711]]

have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. Unless an agency determines that a proposed rule is not 
likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities, section 603 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requires 
that the agency present an initial regulatory flexibility analysis at 
the time of the publication of the proposed rule describing the impact 
of the rule on small entities and seeking public comment on the impact. 
Small entities include small businesses, organizations and governmental 
jurisdictions.

Small Entities

    For purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requirements with 
respect to this proposed rule, PBGC considers a small entity to be a 
plan with fewer than 100 participants. This is consistent with certain 
requirements in title I of ERISA \38\ and the Internal Revenue 
Code,\39\ as well as the definition of a small entity that the 
Department of Labor (DOL) has used for purposes of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act.\40\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \38\ See, e.g., ERISA section 104(a)(2), which permits the 
Secretary of Labor to prescribe simplified annual reports for 
pension plans that cover fewer than 100 participants.
    \39\ See, e.g., Code section 430(g)(2)(B), which permits single-
employer plans with 100 or fewer participants to use valuation dates 
other than the first day of the plan year.
    \40\ See, e.g., DOL's final rule on Prohibited Transaction 
Exemption Procedures, 76 FR 66,637, 66,644 (Oct. 27, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Further, while some large employers may have small plans, in 
general most small plans are maintained by small employers. Thus, PBGC 
believes that assessing the impact of the proposal on small plans is an 
appropriate substitute for evaluating the effect on small entities. The 
definition of small entity considered appropriate for this purpose 
differs, however, from a definition of small business based on size 
standards promulgated by the Small Business Administration (13 CFR 
121.201) pursuant to the Small Business Act. PBGC therefore requests 
comments on the appropriateness of the size standard used in evaluating 
the impact of the proposed rule on small entities.

Certification

    On the basis of its proposed definition of small entity, PBGC 
certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that the amendments in this proposed rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. Accordingly, as provided in section 605 of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), sections 603 and 604 do not 
apply. This certification is based on PBGC's estimate (discussed above) 
that the economic impact of the proposed amendments on any entity would 
be insignificant. PBGC believes that the expanded missing participants 
program will be particularly helpful to small DC plans and that the 
improvements to the existing program will be helpful to small DB plans. 
PBGC invites public comment on this assessment.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    PBGC is submitting the information requirements under this proposed 
rule to the Office of Management and Budget for review and approval 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The collection of information under 
the missing participants regulation is currently approved under OMB 
control number 1212-0036 (expires November 30, 2017). That control 
number also covers PBGC's information collection on plan termination. 
PBGC is seeking paperwork approval of the new missing participants 
regulation under a new control number.
    Copies of PBGC's request may be obtained free of charge by 
contacting the Disclosure Division of the Office of the General Counsel 
of PBGC, 1200 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20005, 202-326-4040. An 
agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to 
respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a currently 
valid OMB control number.
    PBGC needs the information submitted by plans under part 4050 to 
identify the entities that are to provide benefits with respect to 
missing distributees whose benefits are not transferred to PBGC; to 
attempt to find missing distributees whose benefits are transferred to 
PBGC and to pay their benefits; and to monitor and audit compliance 
with applicable requirements.
    PBGC believes that the proposed changes in the existing missing 
participants program will not significantly affect the time for a plan 
to comply with the collection of information for that program, 
currently estimated at 2 hours. Although the time needed to comply with 
the collection of information for the DC program will likely be less, 
PBGC assumes for simplicity that it will be the same.
    As discussed above under Executive Orders 12866 and 13563, PBGC 
expects few filings by single-employer DB plans not covered by title IV 
of ERISA or by covered multiemployer plans--so few that they are 
disregarded for purposes of estimating the burden associated with the 
proposed amendment of part 4050. But PBGC does expect that many DC 
plans will elect to use the new missing participants program designed 
for them--many more than the number of single-employer plans covered by 
title IV that now make use of part 4050.
    PBGC estimates that about 3,100 DC plans per year terminate with 
missing distributees. Since about 200 DB plans per year use the 
existing missing participants program, PBGC estimates that about 3,300 
plans per year may file under the new programs. This assumes that all 
eligible DC plans will elect to participate, and thus almost certainly 
overstates the number of filers.
    Accordingly, PBGC estimates the time to file under part 4050 is 
6,600 hours. PBGC estimates that 20 percent of the work will be done 
in-house and 80 percent contracted out. Thus the hour burden for plans 
is estimated at about 1,320 hours (20 percent of 6,600 hours). The 
dollar burden of the 5,280 hours contracted out (80 percent of 6,600 
hours) is estimated at about $829,000, based on an hourly rate of $157 
(5,280 hours at $157 per hour). This estimated cost of $157 per hour is 
based on the following assumptions:
     Wage rates account for approximately 70 percent of total 
labor costs, with the remaining 30 percent attributable to benefits 
costs.\41\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \41\ Employer Costs for Employee Compensation news release text, 
http://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm (December 9, 2015).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Consulting is performed by compensation and benefits 
managers (occupational code 11-3111) at a mean hourly cost of $81.50 
(an hourly wage rate of $57.05 plus $24.45 in benefits) and actuaries 
(occupational code 15-2011) at a mean hourly cost of $75.61 (an hourly 
wage rate of $52.93 plus $15.88 in benefits).\42\ Weighting these two 
rates equally results in a blended rate for professional consulting 
services of approximately $78.50.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \42\ Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2014, 11-3111 
Compensation and Benefits Managers http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes113111.htm, and Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2014, 15-
2011 Actuaries, http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes152011.htm.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     The hourly rate is doubled to provide for overhead and 
other costs, for a total hourly cost of approximately $157.
    Thus the burden of the information collection is estimated at 1,320 
hours and $829,000.
    Comments on the paperwork provisions under this proposed rule 
should be sent to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, Attention: Desk Officer for Pension

[[Page 64712]]

Benefit Guaranty Corporation, via electronic mail at 
[email protected] or by fax to 202-395-6974. Although comments 
may be submitted through November 21, 2016, the Office of Management 
and Budget requests that comments be received on or before October 20, 
2016 to ensure their consideration. Comments may address (among other 
things)--
     Whether the proposed collection of information is needed 
for the proper performance of PBGC's functions and will have practical 
utility;
     The accuracy of PBGC's estimate of the burden of the 
proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
     Enhancement of the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
     Minimizing the burden of the collection of information on 
those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate 
automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.

List of Subjects

29 CFR Part 4000

    Employee benefit plans, Pension insurance, Pensions, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

29 CFR Part 4001

    Employee benefit plans, Pension insurance, Pensions.

29 CFR Part 4003

    Administrative practice and procedure, Employee benefit plans, 
Pension insurance, Pensions.

29 CFR Part 4041

    Employee benefit plans, Pension insurance, Pensions.

29 CFR Part 4041A

    Employee benefit plans, Pension insurance, Pensions.

29 CFR Part 4050

    Employee benefit plans, Pension insurance, Pensions, Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements.

    In consideration of the foregoing, PBGC proposes to amend 29 CFR 
parts 4000, 4001, 4003, 4041, 4041A, and 4050 as follows:

PART 4000--FILING, ISSUANCE, COMPUTATION OF TIME, AND RECORD 
RETENTION

0
1. The authority citation for part 4000 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1083(k), 1302(b)(3).


Sec.  4000.41  [Amended]

0
2. In Sec.  4000.41, remove ``(premium payments), Sec.  4050.6(d)(3) of 
this chapter (payment of designated benefits for missing participants), 
and'' and add in its place ``(premium payments) and''.

PART 4001--TERMINOLOGY

0
3. The authority citation for part 4001 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1301, 1302(b)(3).

0
 4. In Sec.  4001.1:
0
 a. The existing text is designated as paragraph (a) with the paragraph 
heading ``In general.''
0
 b. Paragraph (b) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  4001.1   Purpose and scope.

* * * * *
    (b) Title IV coverage. Coverage by section 4050 of ERISA is not and 
does not result in or confer coverage by title IV of ERISA.


Sec.  4001.2   [Amended]

0
5. In Sec.  4001.2, the definition of ``Distribution date'' is amended 
as follows:
0
a. Paragraph (2) and paragraph (1) introductory text are removed.
0
b. Paragraphs (1)(i) and (ii) are redesignated as paragraphs (1) and 
(2), respectively.

PART 4003--RULES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF AGENCY DECISIONS

0
6. The authority citation for part 4003 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302(b)(3).

0
7. In Sec.  4003.1, paragraph (b)(11) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  4003.1   Purpose and scope.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (11) Determinations of the amount of benefit payable by PBGC under 
section 4050 of ERISA and part 4050 of this chapter.
* * * * *

PART 4041--TERMINATION OF SINGLE-EMPLOYER PLANS

0
8. The authority citation for part 4041 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302(b)(3), 1341, 1344, 1350.

0
9. In Sec.  4041.28:
0
a. Paragraph (a)(3) is added;
0
b. Paragraph (c)(5) is amended by removing ``part 4050'' and adding in 
its place ``subpart A of part 4050 of this chapter''.
    The addition reads as follows:


Sec.  4041.28   Closeout of plan.

    (a) * * *
    (3) Missing participants and beneficiaries. The distribution 
deadline is considered met with respect to a missing distributee to 
whom subpart A of part 4050 of this chapter applies if the benefit 
transfer amount and plan make-up amount (if any) for the missing 
distributee are considered timely transferred to PBGC under subpart A 
of part 4050 of this chapter.
* * * * *

PART 4041A--TERMINATION OF MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS

0
 10. The authority citation for part 4041A continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302(b)(3), 1341a, 1441.

0
11. In Sec.  4041A.42:
0
a. The existing text of Sec.  4041A.42 is designated as paragraph (a) 
with the paragraph heading ``In general.''.
0
b. Paragraph (b) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  4041A.42  Method of distribution.

* * * * *
    (b) Missing participants and beneficiaries. The plan sponsor must 
distribute plan benefits of missing distributees in accordance with 
subpart D of part 4050 of this chapter.
0
12. Part 4050 is revised to read as follows:

PART 4050--MISSING PARTICIPANTS

Subpart A--Single-Employer Plans Covered by Title IV
Sec.
4050.101 Purpose and scope.
4050.102 Definitions.
4050.103 Duties of plan administrator.
4050.104 Diligent search.
4050.105 Filing with PBGC.
4050.106 Missing participant benefits.
4050.107 PBGC discretion.
Subpart B--Defined Contribution Plans
4050.201 Purpose and scope.
4050.202 Definitions.
4050.203 Options and duties of plan.
4050.204 Diligent search.
4050.205 Filing with PBGC.
4050.206 Missing participant benefits.
4050.207 PBGC discretion.
Subpart C--Certain Defined Benefit Plans Not Covered by Title IV
4050.301 Purpose and scope.
4050.302 Definitions.
4050.303 Options and duties of plan administrator.
4050.304 Diligent search.
4050.305 Filing with PBGC.
4050.306 Missing participant benefits.
4050.307 PBGC discretion.

[[Page 64713]]

Subpart D--Multiemployer Plans Covered by Title IV
4050.401 Purpose and scope.
4050.402 Definitions.
4050.403 Duties of plan sponsor.
4050.404 Diligent search.
4050.405 Filing with PBGC.
4050.406 Missing participant benefits.
4050.407 PBGC discretion.

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302(b)(3), 1350.

Subpart A--Single-Employer Plans Covered by Title IV


Sec.  4050.101  Purpose and scope.

    (a) In general. This subpart describes PBGC's missing participants 
program for single-employer defined benefit retirement plans covered by 
title IV of ERISA. The missing participants program is a program to 
hold retirement benefits for missing participants and beneficiaries in 
terminated retirement plans and to help them find and receive the 
benefits being held for them. This subpart applies only to ``subpart A 
plans'' and describes what a subpart A plan must do upon plan 
termination if it has missing participants or beneficiaries who are 
entitled to distributions. A subpart A plan is a single-employer 
defined benefit plan that--
    (1) Is described in section 4021(a) of ERISA and not in any 
paragraph of section 4021(b) of ERISA and
    (2) Terminates in a standard termination or in a distress 
termination described in section 4041(c)(3)(B)(i) or (ii) of ERISA 
(``sufficient distress termination'').
    (b) Plans that terminate but do not close out. This subpart does 
not apply to a plan that terminates but does not close out, such as a 
plan that terminates in a distress termination described in section 
4041(c)(3)(B)(iii) of ERISA (``insufficient distress termination'').
    (c) Individual account plans. This subpart does not apply to an 
individual account plan under section 3(34) of ERISA, even if it is 
described in the same plan document as a plan to which this subpart 
applies. This subpart also does not apply to a plan to the extent that 
it is treated as an individual account plan under section 3(35)(B) of 
ERISA. For example, this subpart does not apply to employee 
contributions (or interest or earnings thereon) held as an individual 
account. (Subpart B deals with individual account plans.)


Sec.  4050.102   Definitions.

    The following terms are defined in Sec.  4001.2 of this chapter: 
annuity, Code, ERISA, insurer, irrevocable commitment, PBGC, person, 
and plan administrator. In addition, for purposes of this subpart:
    Accumulated single sum means, with respect to a missing 
distributee, the aggregate value of the distributee's benefit transfer 
amount and plan make-up amount (if any) accumulated at the missing 
participants interest rate from the benefit transfer date to the date 
when PBGC makes or commences payment to or with respect to the 
distributee.
    Benefit transfer amount for a missing distributee means the amount 
determined as follows:
    (1) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is not required, 
then the missing distributee's benefit transfer amount is the single 
sum actuarial equivalent of the distributee's future benefits as of the 
benefit transfer date under plan lump sum assumptions.
    (2) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is required, and 
a single sum payment cannot be elected, then the missing distributee's 
benefit transfer amount is the single sum actuarial equivalent of the 
distributee's future benefits as of the benefit transfer date under 
PBGC missing participant assumptions.
    (3) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is required, and 
a single sum payment can be elected, then the missing distributee's 
benefit transfer amount is the single sum actuarial equivalent of the 
distributee's future benefits as of the benefit transfer date under 
plan lump sum assumptions or PBGC missing participant assumptions, 
whichever gives the higher value.
    Benefit transfer date for a missing distributee under a subpart A 
plan means the date when the subpart A plan pays PBGC the benefit 
transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) for the missing 
distributee.
    Close-out or close out with respect to a subpart A plan means the 
process of the final distribution or transfer of assets pursuant to the 
termination of the subpart A plan.
    Distributee means, with respect to a subpart A plan, a participant 
or beneficiary entitled to a distribution under the subpart A plan 
pursuant to the close-out of the subpart A plan.
    Missing means, with respect to a distributee under a subpart A 
plan, that the distributee has not elected a form of distribution upon 
close-out of the subpart A plan; except that if the present value of 
the distributee's benefits under the plan, determined as of the benefit 
transfer date using plan lump sum assumptions, exceeds the amount 
subject to mandatory cash-out under the terms of the plan pursuant to 
section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the Code, the 
distributee must be treated as missing only if the plan administrator 
does not know where the distributee is upon close-out of the subpart A 
plan.
    Missing participants forms and instructions means the forms and 
instructions provided by PBGC for use in connection with the missing 
participants program.
    Missing participants interest rate means, for each month, the 
applicable federal mid-term rate (as determined by the Secretary of the 
Treasury pursuant to section 1274(d)(1)(C)(ii) of the Code) for that 
month, compounded monthly.
    Pay-status or pay status means being or having a benefit that has 
started before the benefit transfer date. A benefit that becomes 
payable to a participant at the participant's required beginning date 
under section 401(a)(9) of the Code before the benefit transfer date 
but is not in fact paid is not a pay-status benefit.
    PBGC missing participant assumptions means the actuarial 
assumptions prescribed in Sec. Sec.  4044.51 through 4044.57 of this 
chapter with the following modifications:
    (1) The benefit transfer date is used instead of the termination 
date.
    (2) The mortality assumption is a fixed blend of 50 percent of the 
healthy male mortality rates in Sec.  4044.53(c)(1) of this chapter and 
50 percent of the healthy female mortality rates in Sec.  4044.53(c)(2) 
of this chapter.
    (3) No adjustment is made for loading expenses under Sec.  
4044.52(d) of this chapter.
    (4) The interest assumption used is the assumption applicable to 
valuations occurring in January of the calendar year in which the 
benefit transfer date occurs.
    (5) The assumed payment form of a benefit not in pay status is a 
straight life annuity.
    (6) Pre-retirement death benefits are disregarded.
    (7) Notwithstanding the expected retirement age (XRA) assumptions 
in Sec. Sec.  4044.55 through 4044.57 of this chapter,--
    (i) Benefit payments for a participant who is in pay status or is 
past the required beginning date are assumed to begin on the benefit 
transfer date,
    (ii) Benefit payments for a beneficiary are assumed to begin on the 
benefit transfer date or (if later) the earliest date when the 
beneficiary could begin to receive benefits, and

[[Page 64714]]

    (iii) Benefit payments for a participant who is not in pay status 
and is not past the required beginning date are assumed to begin on the 
XRA, determined using the high retirement rate category under Table II-
C of Appendix D to part 4044 of this chapter.
    Plan lump sum assumptions means the actuarial assumptions that 
would be used under the subpart A plan to calculate the present value 
of a benefit as of the benefit transfer date for purposes of section 
203(e)(1) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11)(A) of the Code or, if no such 
assumptions can be identified, actuarial assumptions specified under 
section 205(g)(3) of ERISA and section 417(e)(3) of the Code, 
determined as of the benefit transfer date.
    Plan make-up amount means,--
    (1) With respect to a missing distributee who is not in pay status 
and whose required beginning date precedes the benefit transfer date, 
the aggregate value of payments of the straight life annuity that would 
have been payable beginning on the required beginning date, accumulated 
at the missing participants interest rate from the date each payment 
would have been made to the benefit transfer date, assuming that the 
distributee survived to the benefit transfer date; or
    (2) With respect to a missing distributee who is in pay status, the 
aggregate value of payments of the pay status annuity due but not made, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from each payment 
due date to the benefit transfer date, assuming that the distributee 
survived to the benefit transfer date.
    QDRO means a qualified domestic relations order as defined in 
section 206(d)(3) of ERISA and section 414(p) of the Code.
    Qualified survivor of a person means an individual who survives the 
person and is entitled under applicable provisions of a QDRO to receive 
a benefit with respect to the person or, if no such individual is 
identified, a survivor of the person who is--
    (1) The person's living spouse, or if none,
    (2) The person's living child, or if none,
    (3) The person's living parent, or if none,
    (4) The person's living sibling.
    Required beginning date for a participant means the participant's 
required beginning date under section 401(a)(9)(C) of the Code.
    Subpart A plan means a plan to which this subpart A applies, as 
described in Sec.  4050.101.


Sec.  4050.103  Duties of plan administrator.

    (a) Providing for benefits. For each distributee who is missing 
upon close-out of a subpart A plan, the plan administrator must provide 
for the distributee's plan benefits either--
    (1) By purchase of an irrevocable commitment from an insurer, or
    (2) By transferring assets to PBGC as described in this subpart A.
    (b) Diligent search. For each distributee who is missing upon 
close-out of a subpart A plan, the plan administrator must have 
conducted a diligent search as described in Sec.  4050.104. No diligent 
search is required for a distributee if the plan administrator knows 
where the distributee is upon close-out of the subpart A plan.
    (c) Filing with PBGC. For each distributee who is missing upon 
close-out of a subpart A plan, the plan administrator must file with 
PBGC as described in Sec.  4050.105.


Sec.  4050.104   Diligent search.

    (a) In general. For each distributee of a subpart A plan who is 
missing upon close-out, the plan administrator must have used the 
methods described in this section to locate the distributee.
    (b) Methods to use. The methods for attempting to find information 
to locate a missing distributee are as set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) 
through (5) of this section. If the plan administrator cannot readily 
identify or obtain access to a source of information described in 
paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section (such as where the Health 
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 prevents the 
disclosure of information), the plan administrator may resort to such 
sources of information as may be readily identifiable and accessible.
    (1) The plan administrator must search the records of the subpart A 
plan for information to locate the distributee.
    (2) The plan administrator must search the records of the most 
recent employer that maintained the subpart A plan and employed the 
distributee, and the records of each retirement or welfare plan of that 
employer in which the distributee was a participant, for information to 
locate the distributee.
    (3) The plan administrator must request information to locate the 
distributee from each beneficiary of the distributee identified from 
the records referred to in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section.
    (4) The plan administrator must search for information to locate 
the distributee using an internet search method for which no fee is 
charged, such as a search engine, a network database, a public record 
database (such as those for licenses, mortgages, and real estate taxes) 
or a ``social media'' Web site.
    (5) Except as may otherwise be provided in the missing participants 
forms and instructions, the plan administrator must search for 
information to locate the distributee using a commercial locator 
service. For this purpose, a commercial locator service is a business 
that holds itself out as a finder of lost persons for compensation 
using information from a database maintained by a consumer reporting 
agency (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)).
    (c) Time frame. A search for a missing distributee must be made 
within six months before --
    (1) If Sec.  4050.103(a)(i) applies, the last distribution that is 
not subject to this subpart, or
    (2) If Sec.  4050.103(a)(ii) applies, the distributee's benefit 
transfer date.


Sec.  4050.105  Filing with PBGC.

    (a) What to file. For each missing distributee of a subpart A plan, 
the plan administrator must file with PBGC, in accordance with the 
missing participants forms and instructions,--
    (1) Either--
    (i) Information about an irrevocable commitment for the missing 
distributee, or
    (ii) Payment of the benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up 
amount (if any) for the missing distributee (stating the amount of 
each) and information about the missing distributee and the missing 
distributee's benefits and beneficiaries;
    (2) Diligent search documentation; and
    (3) Such other information, fees, and certifications as may be 
specified in the missing participants forms and instructions.
    (b) When to file. The filing must be made within 90 days after the 
distribution deadline (including extensions) under Sec.  4041.28(a) of 
this chapter. Payments under paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section will, 
if considered timely made for purposes of this paragraph (b), be 
considered timely made for purposes of part 4041 of this chapter.
    (c) Place, method and date of filing; time periods. (1) For rules 
about where to file, see Sec.  4000.4 of this chapter.
    (2) For rules about permissible methods of filing with PBGC under 
this subpart, see subpart A of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (3) For rules about the date that a submission under this subpart 
was filed with PBGC, see subpart C of part 4000 of this chapter.

[[Page 64715]]

    (4) For rules about any time period for filing under this subpart, 
see subpart D of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (d) Supplemental filing requirement. A subpart A plan required to 
file under paragraph (a) of this section must, within 30 days after a 
written request by PBGC (or such other time as may be specified in the 
request), file with PBGC supplemental information for verifying benefit 
transfer amounts and plan make-up amounts, for substantiating diligent 
searches, or for any other proper purpose under the missing 
participants program.


Sec.  4050.106  Missing participant benefits.

    (a) In general--(1) Benefit transfer amount not paid. If a subpart 
A plan files with PBGC information about an irrevocable commitment 
provided by the subpart A plan for a missing distributee, PBGC will 
provide that information to the distributee or another claimant that 
may be entitled to payment pursuant to the irrevocable commitment.
    (2) Benefit transfer amount paid. If a subpart A plan pays PBGC a 
benefit transfer amount for a missing distributee, PBGC will pay 
benefits with respect to the missing distributee in accordance with 
this section, subject to the provisions of a QDRO.
    (b) Benefits for missing distributees who are participants. 
Paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (j) of this section describe the benefits 
that PBGC will pay to a non-pay status missing participant of a subpart 
A plan who claims a benefit under the missing participants program.
    (c) De minimis benefit. If the sum of the benefit transfer amount 
and the plan make-up amount (if any) of a participant described in 
paragraph (b) of this section does not exceed the amount under section 
203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the Code, PBGC will pay the 
participant a lump sum equal to the accumulated single sum.
    (d) Non-de minimis benefit of unmarried participant. If the sum of 
the benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) of an 
unmarried participant described in paragraph (b) of this section 
exceeds the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) 
of the Code, PBGC will pay the participant either the annuity described 
in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, beginning not before age 55, and 
(if applicable) the make-up amount described in paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section; or, if the participant could have elected a lump sum 
under the subpart A plan, and the participant so elects under the 
missing participants program, the lump sum described in paragraph 
(d)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (d)(1) is 
either --
    (i) Straight life annuity. A straight life annuity in the amount 
that the subpart A plan would have paid the participant, starting at 
the same date that PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, at the 
participant's required beginning date), as reported to PBGC by the 
subpart A plan (including any early retirement subsidies) or through 
linear interpolation for participants who start payments between exact 
ages; or
    (ii) Other form of annuity. At the participant's election, any form 
of annuity available to the participant under Sec.  4022.8 of this 
chapter, in an amount that is actuarially equivalent as of the date 
that PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, as of the participant's 
required beginning date), under the actuarial assumptions in Sec.  
4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter, to the straight life annuity in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) of this section.
    (2) Make-up amount. If PBGC begins to pay the annuity under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section after the required beginning date, the 
make-up amount described in this paragraph (d)(2) is a lump sum equal 
to the aggregate value of payments of the annuity that would have been 
payable to the participant beginning on the required beginning date, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC begins to pay 
the annuity.
    (3) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (d)(3) is 
equal to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (e) Non-de minimis benefit of married participant. If the sum of 
the benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) of a 
married participant described in paragraph (b) of this section exceeds 
the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, PBGC will pay the participant either the annuity described in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section, beginning not before age 55, and (if 
applicable) the make-up amount described in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section; or, if the participant could have elected a lump sum under the 
subpart A plan, and the participant so elects under the missing 
participants program with the consent of the participant's spouse, the 
lump sum described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (e)(1) is 
either --
    (i) Joint and survivor annuity. A joint and 50 percent survivor 
annuity in an amount that is actuarially equivalent, as of the date 
that PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, as of the participant's 
required beginning date), under the actuarial assumptions in Sec.  
4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter, to the straight life annuity under 
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section; or
    (ii) Other form of annuity. At the participant's election, with the 
consent of the participant's spouse, any form of annuity available to 
the participant under Sec.  4022.8 of this chapter, in an amount that 
is actuarially equivalent as of the date that PBGC payments start (or, 
if earlier, as of the participant's required beginning date), under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter, to the 
joint and 50 percent survivor annuity under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this 
section.
    (2) Make-up amount. If PBGC begins to pay the annuity under 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section after the required beginning date, the 
make-up amount described in this paragraph (e)(2) is a lump sum equal 
to the aggregate value of payments of the annuity that would have been 
payable to the participant beginning on the required beginning date, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC begins to pay 
the annuity.
    (3) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (e)(3) is 
equal to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (f) Benefits with respect to deceased missing distributees who were 
participants. Paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this section 
describe the benefits that PBGC will pay with respect to a non-pay 
status missing participant of a subpart A plan who dies without 
receiving a benefit under the missing participants program.
    (g) Unmarried participant. In the case of an unmarried participant 
described in paragraph (f) of this section, --
    (1) Death before required beginning date. If the participant dies 
before the required beginning date, PBGC will pay no benefits with 
respect to the participant; and
    (2) Death after required beginning date. If the participant dies on 
or after the required beginning date, PBGC will pay to the 
participant's qualified survivor(s) an amount equal to the aggregate 
value of payments of the straight life annuity described in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) of this section that would have been payable to the 
participant from the required beginning date to the participant's date 
of death, accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from 
the date each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC pays 
the qualified survivor(s).

[[Page 64716]]

    (h) Married participant with living spouse. In the case of a 
married participant described in paragraph (f) of this section whose 
spouse survives the participant and claims a benefit under the missing 
participants program, PBGC will pay the spouse, beginning not before 
the participant would have reached age 55, the annuity (if any) 
described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section and the make-up amounts 
(if applicable) described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, except 
that PBGC will pay the spouse, as a lump sum, the small benefit 
described in paragraph (h)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (h)(1) is the 
survivor portion of a joint and 50 percent survivor annuity that is 
actuarially equivalent as of the assumed starting date (under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter) to the 
straight life annuity in the amount that the subpart A plan would have 
paid the participant with an assumed starting date of--
    (i) The date when the participant would have reached age 55, if the 
participant died before that date, or
    (ii) The participant's date of death, if the participant died 
between age 55 and the required beginning date, or
    (iii) The required beginning date, if the participant died after 
that date.
    (2) Make-up amounts. The make-up amounts described in this 
paragraph (h)(2) are the amounts described in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and 
(ii) of this section.
    (i) Payments from participant's death or 55th birthday to 
commencement of survivor annuity. The make-up amount described in this 
paragraph (h)(2)(i) is a lump sum equal to the aggregate value of 
payments of the survivor portion of the joint and 50 percent survivor 
annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section that would have 
been payable to the spouse beginning on the later of the participant's 
date of death or the date when the participant would have reached age 
55, accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC pays the 
spouse.
    (ii) Payments from required beginning date to participant's death. 
The make-up amount described in this paragraph (h)(2)(ii) is a lump sum 
equal to the aggregate value of payments (if any) of the joint portion 
of the joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph 
(h)(1) of this section that would have been payable to the participant 
from the required beginning date to the participant's date of death 
after the required beginning date, accumulated at the missing 
participants interest rate from the date each payment would have been 
made to the date when PBGC pays the spouse.
    (3) Small benefit. If the sum of the actuarial present value of the 
annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section plus the make-up 
amounts described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section does not exceed 
the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, then the lump sum that PBGC will pay the spouse under this 
paragraph (h)(3) is an amount equal to that sum. For this purpose, the 
actuarial present value of the annuity is determined under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter as of the 
date when PBGC pays the spouse.
    (i) Married participant with deceased spouse. In the case of a 
married participant described in paragraph (f) of this section whose 
spouse survives the participant but dies without receiving a benefit 
under the missing participants program, PBGC will pay to the qualified 
survivor(s) of the participant's spouse the make-up amount described in 
paragraph (i)(1) of this section and to the qualified survivor(s) of 
the participant the make-up amount described in paragraph (i)(2) of 
this section.
    (1) Payments from participant's death or 55th birthday to spouse's 
death. The make-up amount described in this paragraph (i)(1) is a lump 
sum equal to the aggregate value of payments of the survivor portion of 
the joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) 
of this section that would have been payable to the spouse from the 
later of the participant's date of death or the date when the 
participant would have reached age 55 to the spouse's date of death, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC pays the 
spouse's qualified survivor(s).
    (2) Payments from required beginning date to participant's death. 
The make-up amount described in this paragraph (i)(2) is a lump sum 
equal to the aggregate value of payments of the joint portion of the 
joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of 
this section that would have been payable to the participant from the 
required beginning date to the participant's date of death after the 
required beginning date, accumulated at the missing participants 
interest rate from the date each payment would have been made to the 
date when PBGC pays the participant's qualified survivor(s).
    (j) Benefits under contributory plans. If a subpart A plan reports 
to PBGC that a portion of a missing participant's benefit transfer 
amount (and plan make-up amount, if any) represents accumulated 
contributions as described in section 204(c)(2)(C) of ERISA and section 
411(c)(2)(C) of the Code, PBGC will pay to the missing participant, the 
missing participant's spouse, or the missing participant's qualified 
survivor(s) at least the amount of accumulated contributions as 
reported by the subpart A plan, accumulated at the missing participants 
interest rate from the benefit transfer date to the date when PBGC 
makes payment.
    (k) Date for determining marital status. For purposes of this 
section, whether a person is married, and if so the identity of the 
spouse, is determined as of the earliest of --
    (1) The date the person receives or begins to receive a benefit;
    (2) The date the person dies; or
    (3) The person's required beginning date.


Sec.  4050.107   PBGC discretion.

    PBGC may in appropriate circumstances extend deadlines, excuse 
noncompliance, and grant waivers with regard to any provision of this 
subpart to promote the purposes of the missing participants program and 
title IV of ERISA. Like circumstances will be treated in like manner 
under this section.

Subpart B--Defined Contribution Plans


Sec.  4050.201   Purpose and scope.

    (a) In general. This subpart describes PBGC's missing participants 
program for single-employer and multiemployer defined contribution 
retirement plans. The missing participants program is a program to hold 
retirement benefits for missing participants and beneficiaries in 
terminated retirement plans and to help them find and receive the 
benefits being held for them. This subpart applies only to ``subpart B 
plans'' and describes what a subpart B plan must do upon plan 
termination if the subpart B plan elects to use the missing 
participants program for missing participants and beneficiaries of the 
subpart B plan who are entitled to distributions. A subpart B plan is a 
plan--
    (1) That--
    (i) Is a defined contribution (individual account) plan described 
in section 3(34) of ERISA; or
    (ii) Is treated as a defined contribution (individual account) plan 
under section (3)(35) of ERISA (to the extent so treated);
    (2) That--

[[Page 64717]]

    (i) Is described in section 4021(a) of ERISA and not in any 
paragraph of section 4021(b) of ERISA other than paragraph (1), (5), 
(12), or (13), including a plan described in section 403(b) of the Code 
under which benefits are provided through custodial accounts described 
in section 403(b)(7) of the Code;
    (3) That, if it is a transferring plan, pays all benefit transfer 
amounts to PBGC in money, consistent with plan provisions and 
applicable law; and
    (4) That terminates and closes out.
    (b) Defined contribution plans that are part of defined benefit 
plans. This subpart does not fail to apply to a plan merely because the 
plan is described in the same plan document as a defined benefit plan 
(to which this subpart does not apply). For example, this subpart may 
apply to employee contributions (or interest or earnings thereon) held 
as an individual account under a defined benefit plan.
    (c) Defined contribution plans that are abandoned plans. This 
subpart does not fail to apply to a plan merely because the plan is an 
abandoned plan, as defined in 29 CFR 2578.1.


Sec.  4050.202  Definitions.

    The following terms are defined in Sec.  4001.2 of this chapter: 
annuity, Code, ERISA, PBGC, and person. In addition, for purposes of 
this subpart:
    Accumulated single sum means, with respect to a missing 
distributee, the aggregate value of the distributee's benefit transfer 
amount accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the 
benefit transfer date to the date when PBGC makes or commences payment 
to or with respect to the distributee.
    Benefit conversion assumptions means, with respect to an annuity, 
the applicable mortality table and applicable interest rate under 
section 205(g)(3) of ERISA and section 417(e)(3) of the Code for 
January of the calendar year in which PBGC begins paying the annuity.
    Benefit transfer amount for a missing distributee in a transferring 
plan means the amount available for distribution to the distributee in 
connection with the close-out of the subpart B plan, net of 
administrative expenses (such as a fee paid to PBGC).
    Benefit transfer date for a missing distributee under a subpart B 
plan means the date when the subpart B plan pays PBGC the benefit 
transfer amount for the missing distributee.
    Close-out or close out with respect to a subpart B plan means the 
process of the final distribution or transfer of assets pursuant to the 
termination of the subpart B plan.
    Distributee means, with respect to a subpart B plan, a participant 
or beneficiary entitled to a distribution under the subpart B plan 
pursuant to the close-out of the subpart B plan, except that a person 
is not a distributee if the subpart B plan transfers assets to another 
pension plan (within the meaning of section 3(2) of ERISA) to pay the 
person's benefits.
    Missing means, with respect to a distributee under a subpart B 
plan, that the distributee has not elected a form of distribution upon 
close-out of the subpart B plan.
    Missing participants forms and instructions means the forms and 
instructions provided by PBGC for use in connection with the missing 
participants program.
    Missing participants interest rate means, for each month, the 
applicable federal mid-term rate (as determined by the Secretary of the 
Treasury pursuant to section 1274(d)(1)(C)(ii) of the Code) for that 
month, compounded monthly.
    Notifying plan means a subpart B plan that elects notifying plan 
status in accordance with Sec.  4050.203.
    QDRO means a qualified domestic relations order as defined in 
section 206(d)(3) of ERISA and section 414(p) of the Code.
    Qualified survivor of a person means an individual who survives the 
person and is entitled under applicable provisions of a QDRO, or a 
person that is identified by the plan in a submission to PBGC by a 
subpart B plan as being entitled under applicable plan provisions 
(including elections, designations, and waivers consistent with such 
provisions), to receive a benefit with respect to the person or, if no 
such person is identified, a survivor of the person who is--
    (1) The person's living spouse, or if none,
    (2) The person's living child, or if none,
    (3) The person's living parent, or if none,
    (4) The person's living sibling.
    Subpart B plan means a plan to which this subpart B applies, as 
described in Sec.  4050.201.
    Transferring plan means a subpart B plan that elects transferring 
plan status in accordance with Sec.  4050.203.


Sec.  4050.203   Options and duties of plan.

    (a) Options. A subpart B plan that is closing out upon plan 
termination may (but need not) elect that the subpart B plan --
    (1) Will be a ``transferring plan,'' that is, will pay a benefit 
transfer amount to PBGC for each distributee who is missing upon close-
out of the subpart B plan and will be bound by the provisions of this 
subpart B to the extent that they apply to transferring plans, or
    (2) Will be a ``notifying plan,'' that is, will notify PBGC of the 
disposition of the benefits of one or more distributees identified in 
the election who are missing upon close-out of the subpart B plan and 
will, with respect to those distributees, be bound by the provisions of 
this subpart B to the extent that they apply to notifying plans.
    (b) Elections. An election under paragraph (a) of this section must 
be made in accordance with PBGC's missing participants forms and 
instructions and, in the case of a notifying plan, must identify the 
missing distributees to which it applies.
    (c) Duties--(1) Diligent search--(i) Transferring plan. For each 
distributee who is missing upon close-out of a transferring plan, the 
subpart B plan must have conducted a diligent search as described in 
Sec.  4050.204.
    (ii) Notifying plan. For each distributee to whom an election to be 
a notifying plan applies and who is missing upon close-out of the 
subpart B plan, the subpart B plan must have conducted a diligent 
search as described in Sec.  4050.204.
    (iii) Exception. Notwithstanding paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (ii) of 
this section, no diligent search is required for a distributee if the 
subpart B plan knows where the distributee is upon close-out of the 
subpart B plan.
    (2) Filing with PBGC--(i) Transferring plan. For each distributee 
who is missing upon close-out of a transferring plan, the subpart B 
plan must file with PBGC as described in Sec.  4050.205.
    (ii) Notifying plan. For each distributee to whom an election to be 
a notifying plan applies and who is missing upon close-out of the 
subpart B plan, the subpart B plan must file with PBGC as described in 
Sec.  4050.205.
    (d) Compliance; audits. PBGC may audit relevant plan and plan 
sponsor records if there is reasonable cause to suspect substantial 
non-compliance and may refer its findings to the appropriate regulator.


Sec.  4050.204   Diligent search.

    (a) In general. For each distributee of a subpart B plan who is 
described in Sec.  4050.203(c)(1), the subpart B plan must have 
searched for the distributee in accordance with regulations and other 
applicable guidance issued by the Secretary of Labor under section 404 
of ERISA.

[[Page 64718]]

    (b) Time frame. A search for a missing distributee must be made 
within six months before--
    (1) In the case of a transferring plan, the distributee's benefit 
transfer date, or
    (2) In the case of a notifying plan, the last distribution that is 
not subject to this subpart.


Sec.  4050.205  Filing with PBGC.

    (a) What to file. For each distributee of a subpart B plan who is 
described in Sec.  4050.203(c)(1), the subpart B plan must file with 
PBGC, in accordance with the missing participants forms and 
instructions, information about the missing distributee and the missing 
distributee's benefits and beneficiaries and--
    (1) Either--
    (i) If the subpart B plan is a notifying plan, information about 
the entity to which the subpart B plan transferred the missing 
distributee's benefits, or
    (ii) If the subpart B plan is a transferring plan, payment of the 
benefit transfer amount for the missing distributee;
    (2) Diligent search documentation; and
    (3) Such other information, fees, and certifications as may be 
specified in the missing participants forms and instructions.
    (b) When to file. The filing must be made within 90 days after the 
last distribution that is not subject to this subpart.
    (c) Place, method and date of filing; time periods. (1) For rules 
about where to file, see Sec.  4000.4 of this chapter.
    (2) For rules about permissible methods of filing with PBGC under 
this subpart, see subpart A of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (3) For rules about the date that a submission under this subpart 
was filed with PBGC, see subpart C of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (4) For rules about any time period for filing under this subpart, 
see subpart D of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (d) Supplemental filing requirement. A subpart B plan required to 
file under paragraph (a) of this section must, within 30 days after a 
written request by PBGC (or such other time as may be specified in the 
request), file with PBGC supplemental information for verifying benefit 
transfer amounts, for substantiating diligent searches, or for any 
other proper purpose under the missing participants program.


Sec.  4050.206   Missing participant benefits.

    (a) In general--(1) Benefit transfer amount not paid. If a 
notifying plan files with PBGC information about a disposition of 
benefits made by the subpart B plan for a missing distributee, PBGC 
will provide that information to the distributee or another claimant 
that may be entitled to the benefits.
    (2) Benefit transfer amount paid. If a transferring plan pays PBGC 
a benefit transfer amount for a missing distributee, PBGC will pay 
benefits with respect to the missing distributee in accordance with 
this section, subject to the provisions of a QDRO.
    (b) Benefits for missing distributees who are participants. 
Paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) of this section describe the benefits that 
PBGC will pay to a missing participant of a subpart B plan who claims a 
benefit under the missing participants program.
    (c) De minimis benefit. If the benefit transfer amount of a 
participant described in paragraph (b) of this section does not exceed 
the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, PBGC will pay the participant a lump sum equal to the accumulated 
single sum.
    (d) Non-de minimis benefit of unmarried participant. If the benefit 
transfer amount of an unmarried participant described in paragraph (b) 
of this section exceeds the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and 
section 411(a)(11) of the Code, PBGC will pay the participant either 
the annuity described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, beginning 
not before age 55; or, if the participant so elects, the lump sum 
described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (d)(1) is, at 
the participant's election, any form of annuity available to the 
participant under Sec.  4022.8 of this chapter, in an amount that is 
actuarially equivalent, under the benefit conversion assumptions, to 
the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (2) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (d)(2) is 
the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (e) Non-de minimis benefit of married participant. If the benefit 
transfer amount of a married participant described in paragraph (b) of 
this section exceeds the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and 
section 411(a)(11) of the Code, PBGC will pay the participant either 
the annuity described in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, beginning 
not before age 55; or, if the participant so elects with the consent of 
the participant's spouse, the lump sum described in paragraph (e)(2) of 
this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (e)(1) is 
either --
    (i) Joint and survivor annuity. A joint and 50 percent survivor 
annuity in an amount that is actuarially equivalent, under the benefit 
conversion assumptions, to the participant's accumulated single sum; or
    (ii) Other form of annuity. At the participant's election, with the 
consent of the participant's spouse, any form of annuity available to 
the participant under Sec.  4022.8 of this chapter, in an amount that 
is actuarially equivalent, under the benefit conversion assumptions, to 
the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (2) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (e)(2) is 
the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (f) Benefits with respect to deceased missing distributees who were 
participants. Paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of this section describe the 
benefits that PBGC will pay with respect to a missing participant of a 
subpart B plan who dies without receiving a benefit under the missing 
participants program.
    (g) Participant with de minimis benefit. If the benefit transfer 
amount of a participant described in paragraph (f) of this section does 
not exceed the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 
411(a)(11) of the Code, and the participant's qualified survivor claims 
a benefit under the missing participants program, PBGC will pay the 
claimant a lump sum equal to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (h) Unmarried participant with non-de minimis benefit. If the 
benefit transfer amount of an unmarried participant described in 
paragraph (f) of this section exceeds the amount under section 203(e) 
of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the Code, and the participant's 
qualified survivor claims a benefit under the missing participants 
program, PBGC will pay the claimant a lump sum equal to the 
participant's accumulated single sum.
    (i) Married participant with non-de minimis benefit. If the benefit 
transfer amount of a married participant described in paragraph (f) of 
this section exceeds the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and 
section 411(a)(11) of the Code, and the participant's spouse survives 
the participant and claims a benefit under the missing participants 
program, PBGC will, at the spouse's election, either pay the spouse, 
beginning not before the participant would have reached age 55, the 
annuity described in paragraph (i)(1) of this section; or pay the 
spouse the lump sum described in paragraph (i)(2) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (i)(1) is a 
straight life annuity for the life of the spouse in an amount that is 
actuarially equivalent, under the benefit conversion

[[Page 64719]]

assumptions, to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (2) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (i)(2) is a 
lump sum equal to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (j) Date for determining marital status. For purposes of this 
section, whether a person is married, and if so the identity of the 
spouse, is determined as of the earliest of--
    (1) The date the person receives or begins to receive a benefit,
    (2) The date the person dies, or
    (3) The person's required beginning date.


Sec.  4050.207   PBGC discretion.

    PBGC may in appropriate circumstances extend deadlines, excuse 
noncompliance, and grant waivers with regard to any provision of this 
subpart to promote the purposes of the missing participants program and 
title IV of ERISA. Like circumstances will be treated in like manner 
under this section.

Subpart C--Certain Defined Benefit Plans Not Covered by Title IV


Sec.  4050.301   Purpose and scope.

    (a) In general. This subpart describes PBGC's missing participants 
program for small professional service defined benefit retirement plans 
not covered by title IV of ERISA. The missing participants program is a 
program to hold retirement benefits for missing participants and 
beneficiaries in terminated retirement plans and to help them find and 
receive the benefits being held for them. This subpart applies only to 
``subpart C plans'' and describes what a subpart C plan must do upon 
plan termination if the plan administrator elects to use the missing 
participants program for missing participants or beneficiaries of the 
subpart C plan who are entitled to distributions. A subpart C plan is a 
single-employer defined benefit plan that--
    (1) Is described in section 4021(a) of ERISA and not in any 
paragraph of section 4021(b) of ERISA other than paragraph (13), and
    (2) Terminates and closes out with sufficient assets to satisfy all 
liabilities with respect to employees and their beneficiaries.
    (b) Individual account plans. This subpart does not apply to an 
individual account plan under section 3(34) of ERISA, even if it is 
described in the same plan document as a plan to which this subpart 
applies. This subpart also does not apply to a plan to the extent that 
it is treated as an individual account plan under section 3(35)(B) of 
ERISA. For example, this subpart does not apply to employee 
contributions (or interest or earnings thereon) held as an individual 
account. (Subpart B deals with individual account plans.)


Sec.  4050.302   Definitions.

    The following terms are defined in Sec.  4001.2 of this chapter: 
Annuity, Code, ERISA, PBGC, person, and plan administrator. In 
addition, for purposes of this subpart:
    Accumulated single sum means, with respect to a missing 
distributee, the aggregate value of the distributee's benefit transfer 
amount and plan make-up amount (if any) accumulated at the missing 
participants interest rate from the benefit transfer date to the date 
when PBGC makes or commences payment to or with respect to the 
distributee.
    Benefit transfer amount for a missing distributee in a transferring 
plan means the amount determined as follows:
    (1) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is not required, 
then the missing distributee's benefit transfer amount is the single 
sum actuarial equivalent of the distributee's future benefits as of the 
benefit transfer date under plan lump sum assumptions.
    (2) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is required and 
a single sum payment cannot be elected, then the missing distributee's 
benefit transfer amount is the single sum actuarial equivalent of the 
distributee's future benefits as of the benefit transfer date under 
PBGC missing participant assumptions.
    (3) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is required and 
a single sum payment can be elected, then the missing distributee's 
benefit transfer amount is the single sum actuarial equivalent of the 
distributee's future benefits as of the benefit transfer date under 
plan lump sum assumptions or PBGC missing participant assumptions, 
whichever gives the higher value.
    Benefit transfer date for a missing distributee under a subpart C 
plan means the date when the subpart C plan pays PBGC the benefit 
transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) for the missing 
distributee.
    Close-out or close out with respect to a subpart C plan means the 
process of the final distribution or transfer of assets pursuant to the 
termination of the subpart C plan.
    Distributee means, with respect to a subpart C plan, a participant 
or beneficiary entitled to a distribution under the subpart C plan 
pursuant to the close-out of the subpart C plan, except that a person 
is not a distributee if the subpart C plan transfers assets to another 
pension plan (within the meaning of section 3(2) of ERISA) to pay the 
person's benefits.
    Missing means, with respect to a distributee under a subpart C 
plan, that the distributee has not elected a form of distribution upon 
close-out of the subpart C plan; except that if the present value of 
the distributee's benefits under the plan, determined as of the benefit 
transfer date using plan lump sum assumptions, exceeds the amount 
subject to mandatory cash-out under the terms of the plan pursuant to 
section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the Code, the 
distributee must be treated as missing only if the plan administrator 
does not know where the distributee is upon close-out of the subpart C 
plan.
    Missing participants forms and instructions means the forms and 
instructions provided by PBGC for use in connection with the missing 
participants program.
    Missing participants interest rate means, for each month, the 
applicable federal mid-term rate (as determined by the Secretary of the 
Treasury pursuant to section 1274(d)(1)(C)(ii) of the Code) for that 
month, compounded monthly.
    Notifying plan means a subpart C plan for which the plan 
administrator elects notifying plan status in accordance with Sec.  
4050.303.
    Pay-status or pay status means being or having a benefit that has 
started before the benefit transfer date. A benefit that becomes 
payable to a participant at the participant's required beginning date 
under section 401(a)(9) of the Code before the benefit transfer date 
but is not in fact paid is not a pay-status benefit.
    PBGC missing participant assumptions means the actuarial 
assumptions prescribed in Sec. Sec.  4044.51 through 4044.57 of this 
chapter with the following modifications:
    (1) The benefit transfer date is used instead of the termination 
date.
    (2) The mortality assumption is a fixed blend of 50 percent of the 
healthy male mortality rates in Sec.  4044.53(c)(1) of this chapter and 
50 percent of the healthy female mortality rates in Sec.  4044.53(c)(2) 
of this chapter.
    (3) No adjustment is made for loading expenses under Sec.  
4044.52(d) of this chapter.
    (4) The interest assumption used is the assumption applicable to 
valuations

[[Page 64720]]

occurring in January of the calendar year in which the benefit transfer 
date occurs.
    (5) The assumed payment form of a benefit not in pay status is a 
straight life annuity.
    (6) Pre-retirement death benefits are disregarded.
    (7) Notwithstanding the expected retirement age (XRA) assumptions 
in Sec. Sec.  4044.55 through 4044.57 of this chapter,--
    (i) Benefit payments for a participant who is in pay status or is 
past the required beginning date are assumed to begin on the benefit 
transfer date,
    (ii) Benefit payments for a beneficiary are assumed to begin on the 
benefit transfer date or (if later) the earliest date when the 
beneficiary could begin to receive benefits, and
    (iii) Benefit payments for a participant who is not in pay status 
and is not past the required beginning date are assumed to begin on the 
XRA, determined using the high retirement rate category under Table II-
C of Appendix D to part 4044 of this chapter.
    Plan lump sum assumptions means the actuarial assumptions that 
would be used under the subpart C plan to calculate the present value 
of a benefit as of the benefit transfer date for purposes of section 
203(e)(1) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11)(A) of the Code or, if no such 
assumptions can be identified, actuarial assumptions specified under 
section 205(g)(3) of ERISA and section 417(e)(3) of the Code, 
determined as of the benefit transfer date.
    Plan make-up amount means,--
    (1) With respect to a missing distributee who is not in pay status 
and whose required beginning date precedes the benefit transfer date, 
the aggregate value of payments of the straight life annuity that would 
have been payable beginning on the required beginning date, accumulated 
at the missing participants interest rate from the date each payment 
would have been made to the benefit transfer date, assuming that the 
distributee survived to the benefit transfer date; or
    (2) With respect to a missing distributee who is in pay status, the 
aggregate value of payments of the pay status annuity due but not made, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from each payment 
due date to the benefit transfer date, assuming that the distributee 
survived to the benefit transfer date.
    QDRO means a qualified domestic relations order as defined in 
section 206(d)(3) of ERISA and section 414(p) of the Code.
    Qualified survivor of a person means an individual who survives the 
person and is entitled under applicable provisions of a QDRO to receive 
a benefit with respect to the person or, if no such individual is 
identified, a survivor of the person who is--
    (1) The person's living spouse, or if none,
    (2) The person's living child, or if none,
    (3) The person's living parent, or if none,
    (4) The person's living sibling.
    Required beginning date for a participant means the participant's 
required beginning date under section 401(a)(9)(C) of the Code.
    Subpart C plan means a plan to which this subpart C applies, as 
described in Sec.  4050.201.
    Transferring plan means a subpart C plan for which the plan 
administrator elects transferring plan status in accordance with Sec.  
4050.303.


Sec.  4050.303   Options and duties of plan administrator.

    (a) Options. The plan administrator of a subpart C plan that is 
closing out upon plan termination may (but need not) elect that the 
subpart C plan --
    (1) Will be a ``transferring plan,'' that is, will pay a benefit 
transfer amount to PBGC for each distributee who is missing upon close-
out of the subpart C plan and will be bound by the provisions of this 
subpart C to the extent that they apply to transferring plans, or
    (2) Will be a ``notifying plan,'' that is, will notify PBGC of the 
disposition of the benefits of one or more distributees identified in 
the election who are missing upon close-out of the subpart C plan and 
will, with respect to those distributees, be bound by the provisions of 
this subpart C to the extent that they apply to notifying plans.
    (b) Elections. An election under paragraph (a) of this section must 
be made in accordance with PBGC's missing participants forms and 
instructions and, in the case of a notifying plan, must identify the 
missing distributees to which it applies.
    (c) Duties--(1) Diligent search--(i) Transferring plan. For each 
distributee who is missing upon close-out of a transferring plan, the 
plan administrator must have conducted a diligent search as described 
in Sec.  4050.304.
    (ii) Notifying plan. For each distributee to whom an election to be 
a notifying plan applies and who is missing upon close-out of the 
subpart C plan, the plan administrator must have conducted a diligent 
search as described in Sec.  4050.304.
    (iii) Exception. Notwithstanding paragraphs (c)(1)(i) and (ii) of 
this section, no diligent search is required for a distributee if the 
plan administrator knows where the distributee is upon close-out of the 
subpart C plan.
    (2) Filing with PBGC--(i) Transferring plan. For each distributee 
who is missing upon close-out of a transferring plan, the plan 
administrator must file with PBGC as described in Sec.  4050.305.
    (ii) Notifying plan. For each distributee to whom an election to be 
a notifying plan applies and who is missing upon close-out of the 
subpart C plan, the plan administrator must file with PBGC as described 
in Sec.  4050.305.
    (d) Compliance; audits. PBGC may audit relevant plan and plan 
sponsor records if there is reasonable cause to suspect substantial 
non-compliance and may refer its findings to the appropriate regulator.


Sec.  4050.304  Diligent search.

    (a) In general. For each distributee of a subpart C plan who is 
described in Sec.  4050.303(c)(1), the plan administrator must have 
used the methods described in this section to locate the distributee.
    (b) Methods to use. The methods for attempting to find information 
to locate a missing distributee are as set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) 
through (5) of this section. If the plan administrator cannot readily 
identify or obtain access to a source of information described in 
paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section (such as where the Health 
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 prevents the 
disclosure of information), the plan administrator may resort to such 
sources of information as may be readily identifiable and accessible.
    (1) The plan administrator must search the records of the subpart C 
plan for information to locate the distributee.
    (2) The plan administrator must search the records of the most 
recent employer that maintained the subpart C plan and employed the 
distributee, and the records of each retirement or welfare plan of that 
employer in which the distributee was a participant, for information to 
locate the distributee.
    (3) The plan administrator must request information to locate the 
distributee from each beneficiary of the distributee identified from 
the records referred to in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section.
    (4) The plan administrator must search for information to locate 
the distributee using an internet search method for which no fee is 
charged, such as a search engine, a network database, a public record 
database (such as those for licenses, mortgages, and real

[[Page 64721]]

estate taxes) or a ``social media'' Web site.
    (5) Except as may otherwise be provided in the missing participants 
forms and instructions, the plan administrator must search for 
information to locate the distributee using a commercial locator 
service. For this purpose, a commercial locator service is a business 
that holds itself out as a finder of lost persons for compensation 
using information from a database maintained by a consumer reporting 
agency (as defined in 15 U.S.C. 1681a(f)).
    (c) Time frame. A search for a missing distributee must be made 
within six months before--
    (1) In the case of a transferring plan, the distributee's benefit 
transfer date, or
    (2) In the case of a notifying plan, the last distribution that is 
not subject to this subpart.


Sec.  4050.305   Filing with PBGC.

    (a) What to file. For each distributee of a subpart C plan who is 
described in Sec.  4050.303(c)(1), the plan administrator must file 
with PBGC, in accordance with the missing participants forms and 
instructions, information about the missing distributee and the missing 
distributee's benefits and beneficiaries and--
    (1) Either--
    (i) If the subpart C plan is a notifying plan, information about 
the entity to which the subpart C plan transferred the missing 
distributee's benefits, or
    (ii) If the subpart C plan is a transferring plan, payment of the 
benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) for the 
missing distributee (stating the amount of each);
    (2) Diligent search documentation; and
    (3) Such other information, fees, and certifications as may be 
specified in the missing participants forms and instructions.
    (b) When to file. The filing must be made within 90 days after the 
last distribution that is not subject to this subpart.
    (c) Place, method and date of filing; time periods. (1) For rules 
about where to file, see Sec.  4000.4 of this chapter.
    (2) For rules about permissible methods of filing with PBGC under 
this subpart, see subpart A of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (3) For rules about the date that a submission under this subpart 
was filed with PBGC, see subpart C of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (4) For rules about any time period for filing under this subpart, 
see subpart D of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (d) Supplemental filing requirement. A subpart C plan required to 
file under paragraph (a) of this section must, within 30 days after a 
written request by PBGC (or such other time as may be specified in the 
request), file with PBGC supplemental information for verifying benefit 
transfer amounts and plan make-up amounts, for substantiating diligent 
searches, or for any other proper purpose under the missing 
participants program.


Sec.  4050.306   Missing participant benefits.

    (a) In general--(1) Benefit transfer amount not paid. If a 
notifying plan files with PBGC information about a disposition of 
benefits made by the subpart C plan for a missing distributee, PBGC 
will provide that information to the distributee or another claimant 
that may be entitled to the benefits.
    (2) Benefit transfer amount paid. If a transferring plan pays PBGC 
a benefit transfer amount for a missing distributee, PBGC will pay 
benefits with respect to the missing distributee in accordance with 
this section, subject to the provisions of a QDRO.
    (b) Benefits for missing distributees who are participants. 
Paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (j) of this section describe the benefits 
that PBGC will pay to a non-pay status missing participant of a subpart 
C plan who claims a benefit under the missing participants program.
    (c) De minimis benefit. If the sum of the benefit transfer amount 
and the plan make-up amount (if any) of a participant described in 
paragraph (b) of this section does not exceed the amount under section 
203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the Code, PBGC will pay the 
participant a lump sum equal to the accumulated single sum.
    (d) Non-de minimis benefit of unmarried participant. If the sum of 
the benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) of an 
unmarried participant described in paragraph (b) of this section 
exceeds the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) 
of the Code, PBGC will pay the participant either the annuity described 
in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, beginning not before age 55, and 
(if applicable) the make-up amount described in paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section; or, if the participant could have elected a lump sum 
under the subpart C plan, and the participant so elects under the 
missing participants program, the lump sum described in paragraph 
(d)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (d)(1) is 
either--
    (i) Straight life annuity. A straight life annuity in the amount 
that the subpart C plan would have paid the participant, starting at 
the same date that PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, at the 
participant's required beginning date), as reported to PBGC by the 
subpart C plan (including any early retirement subsidies), or through 
linear interpolation for participants who start payments between exact 
ages; or
    (ii) Other form of annuity. At the participant's election, any form 
of annuity available to the participant under Sec.  4022.8 of this 
chapter, in an amount that is actuarially equivalent as of the date 
that PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, as of the participant's 
required beginning date), under the actuarial assumptions in Sec.  
4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter, to the straight life annuity in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) of this section.
    (2) Make-up amount. If PBGC begins to pay the annuity under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section after the required beginning date, the 
make-up amount described in this paragraph (d)(2) is a lump sum equal 
to the aggregate value of payments of the annuity that would have been 
payable to the participant beginning on the required beginning date, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC begins to pay 
the annuity.
    (3) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (d)(3) is 
equal to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (e) Non-de minimis benefit of married participant. If the sum of 
the benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) of a 
married participant described in paragraph (b) of this section exceeds 
the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, PBGC will pay the participant either the annuity described in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section, beginning not before age 55, and (if 
applicable) the make-up amount described in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section; or, if the participant could have elected a lump sum under the 
subpart C plan, and the participant so elects under the missing 
participants program with the consent of the participant's spouse, the 
lump sum described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (e)(1) is 
either--
    (i) Joint and survivor annuity. A joint and 50 percent survivor 
annuity in an amount that is actuarially equivalent, as of the date 
that PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, as of the participant's 
required beginning date), under the actuarial assumptions in Sec.  
4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter, to the straight life annuity under 
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section; or
    (ii) Other form of annuity. At the participant's election, with the 
consent

[[Page 64722]]

of the participant's spouse, any form of annuity available to the 
participant under Sec.  4022.8 of this chapter, in an amount that is 
actuarially equivalent as of the date that PBGC payments start (or, if 
earlier, as of the participant's required beginning date), under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter, to the 
joint and 50 percent survivor annuity under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this 
section.
    (2) Make-up amount. If PBGC begins to pay the annuity under 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section after the required beginning date, the 
make-up amount described in this paragraph (e)(2) is a lump sum equal 
to the aggregate value of payments of the annuity that would have been 
payable to the participant beginning on the required beginning date, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC begins to pay 
the annuity.
    (3) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (e)(3) is 
equal to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (f) Benefits with respect to deceased missing distributees who were 
participants. Paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this section 
describe the benefits that PBGC will pay with respect to a non-pay 
status missing participant of a subpart C plan who dies without 
receiving a benefit under the missing participants program.
    (g) Unmarried participant. In the case of an unmarried participant 
described in paragraph (f) of this section,--
    (1) Death before required beginning date. If the participant dies 
before the required beginning date, PBGC will pay no benefits with 
respect to the participant; and
    (2) Death after required beginning date. If the participant dies on 
or after the required beginning date, PBGC will pay to the 
participant's qualified survivor(s) an amount equal to the aggregate 
value of payments of the straight life annuity described in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) that would have been payable to the participant from the 
required beginning date to the participant's date of death, accumulated 
at the missing participants interest rate from the date each payment 
would have been made to the date when PBGC pays the qualified 
survivor(s).
    (h) Married participant with living spouse. In the case of a 
married participant described in paragraph (f) of this section whose 
spouse survives the participant and claims a benefit under the missing 
participants program, PBGC will pay the spouse, beginning not before 
the participant would have reached age 55, the annuity (if any) 
described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section and the make-up amounts 
(if applicable) described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, except 
that PBGC will pay the spouse, as a lump sum, the small benefit 
described in paragraph (h)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (h)(1) is the 
survivor portion of a joint and 50 percent survivor annuity that is 
actuarially equivalent as of the assumed starting date (under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter) to the 
straight life annuity in the amount that the subpart C plan would have 
paid the participant with an assumed starting date of--
    (i) The date when the participant would have reached age 55, if the 
participant died before that date, or
    (ii) The participant's date of death, if the participant died 
between age 55 and the required beginning date, or
    (iii) The required beginning date, if the participant died after 
that date.
    (2) Make-up amounts. The make-up amounts described in this 
paragraph (h)(2) are the amounts described in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and 
(ii) of this section.
    (i) Payments from participant's death or 55th birthday to 
commencement of survivor annuity. The make-up amount described in this 
paragraph (h)(2)(i) is a lump sum equal to the aggregate value of 
payments of the survivor portion of the joint and 50 percent survivor 
annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section that would have 
been payable to the spouse beginning on the later of the participant's 
date of death or the date when the participant would have reached age 
55, accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC pays the 
spouse.
    (ii) Payments from required beginning date to participant's death. 
The make-up amount described in this paragraph (h)(2)(ii) is a lump sum 
equal to the aggregate value of payments (if any) of the joint portion 
of the joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph 
(h)(1) of this section that would have been payable to the participant 
from the required beginning date to the participant's date of death 
after the required beginning date, accumulated at the missing 
participants interest rate from the date each payment would have been 
made to the date when PBGC pays the spouse.
    (3) Small benefit. If the sum of the actuarial present value of the 
annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section plus the make-up 
amounts described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section does not exceed 
the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, then the lump sum that PBGC will pay the spouse under this 
paragraph (h)(3) is an amount equal to that sum. For this purpose, the 
actuarial present value of the annuity is determined under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter as of the 
date when PBGC pays the spouse.
    (i) Married participant with deceased spouse. In the case of a 
married participant described in paragraph (f) of this section whose 
spouse survives the participant but dies without receiving a benefit 
under the missing participants program, PBGC will pay to the qualified 
survivor(s) of the participant's spouse the make-up amount described in 
paragraph (i)(1) of this section and to the qualified survivor(s) of 
the participant the make-up amount described in paragraph (i)(2) of 
this section.
    (1) Payments from participant's death or 55th birthday to spouse's 
death. The make-up amount described in this paragraph (i)(1) is a lump 
sum equal to the aggregate value of payments of the survivor portion of 
the joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) 
of this section that would have been payable to the spouse from the 
later of the participant's date of death or the date when the 
participant would have reached age 55 to the spouse's date of death, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC pays the 
spouse's qualified survivor(s).
    (2) Payments from required beginning date to participant's death. 
The make-up amount described in this paragraph (i)(2) is a lump sum 
equal to the aggregate value of payments of the joint portion of the 
joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of 
this section that would have been payable to the participant from the 
required beginning date to the participant's date of death after the 
required beginning date, accumulated at the missing participants 
interest rate from the date each payment would have been made to the 
date when PBGC pays the participant's qualified survivor(s).
    (j) Benefits under contributory plans. If a subpart C plan reports 
to PBGC that a portion of a missing participant's benefit transfer 
amount (and plan make-up amount, if any) represents accumulated 
contributions as described in section 204(c)(2)(C) of ERISA and section 
411(c)(2)(C) of the Code, PBGC will pay to the missing participant, the

[[Page 64723]]

missing participant's spouse, or the missing participant's qualified 
survivor(s) at least the amount of accumulated contributions as 
reported by the subpart C plan, accumulated at the missing participants 
interest rate from the benefit transfer date to the date when PBGC 
makes payment.
    (k) Date for determining marital status. For purposes of this 
section, whether a person is married, and if so the identity of the 
spouse, is determined as of the earliest of --
    (1) The date the person receives or begins to receive a benefit;
    (2) The date the person dies; or
    (3) The person's required beginning date.


Sec.  4050.307   PBGC discretion.

    PBGC may in appropriate circumstances extend deadlines, excuse 
noncompliance, and grant waivers with regard to any provision of this 
subpart to promote the purposes of the missing participants program and 
title IV of ERISA. Like circumstances will be treated in like manner 
under this section.

Subpart D--Multiemployer Plans Covered by Title IV


Sec.  4050.401  Purpose and scope.

    (a) In general. This subpart describes PBGC's missing participants 
program for multiemployer defined benefit retirement plans covered by 
title IV of ERISA. The missing participants program is a program to 
hold retirement benefits for missing participants and beneficiaries in 
retirement plans that are closing out and to help them find and receive 
the benefits being held for them. This subpart applies only to 
``subpart D plans'' and describes what a subpart D plan that is closing 
out must do if it has missing participants or beneficiaries who are 
entitled to distributions. A subpart D plan is a multiemployer defined 
benefit plan that--
    (1) Is described in section 4021(a) of ERISA and not in any 
paragraph of section 4021(b) of ERISA, and
    (2) Completes the process of closing out under subpart D of PBGC's 
regulation on Termination of Multiemployer Plans (29 CFR part 4041A).
    (b) Plans that terminate but do not close out. This subpart does 
not apply to plans that terminate but do not close out.
    (c) Individual account plans. This subpart does not apply to an 
individual account plan under section 3(34) of ERISA, even if it is 
described in the same plan document as a plan to which this subpart 
applies. This subpart also does not apply to a plan to the extent that 
it is treated as an individual account plan under section 3(35)(B) of 
ERISA. For example, this subpart does not apply to employee 
contributions (or interest or earnings thereon) held as an individual 
account. (Subpart B deals with individual account plans.)


Sec.  4050.402   Definitions.

    The following terms are defined in Sec.  4001.2 of this chapter: 
Annuity, Code, ERISA, insurer, PBGC, person, and plan sponsor. In 
addition, for purposes of this subpart:
    Accumulated single sum means, with respect to a missing 
distributee, the aggregate value of the distributee's benefit transfer 
amount and plan make-up amount (if any) accumulated at the missing 
participants interest rate from the benefit transfer date to the date 
when PBGC makes or commences payment to or with respect to the 
distributee.
    Benefit transfer amount for a missing distributee means the amount 
determined as follows:
    (1) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is not required, 
then the missing distributee's benefit transfer amount is the single 
sum actuarial equivalent of the distributee's future benefits as of the 
benefit transfer date under plan lump sum assumptions.
    (2) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is required and 
a single sum payment cannot be elected, then the missing distributee's 
benefit transfer amount is the single sum actuarial equivalent of the 
distributee's future benefits as of the benefit transfer date under 
PBGC missing participant assumptions.
    (3) If under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, participant or spousal consent to a distribution is required and 
a single sum payment can be elected, then the missing distributee's 
benefit transfer amount is the single sum actuarial equivalent of the 
distributee's future benefits as of the benefit transfer date under 
plan lump sum assumptions or PBGC missing participant assumptions, 
whichever gives the higher value.
    Benefit transfer date for a missing distributee under a subpart D 
plan means the date when the subpart D plan pays PBGC the benefit 
transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) for the missing 
distributee.
    Close-out or close out with respect to a subpart D plan means the 
process of the final distribution or transfer of assets in satisfaction 
of plan benefits.
    Distributee means, with respect to a subpart D plan, a participant 
or beneficiary entitled to a distribution under the subpart D plan 
pursuant to the close-out of the subpart D plan.
    Missing means, with respect to a distributee under a subpart D 
plan, that the distributee has not elected a form of distribution upon 
close-out of the subpart D plan; except that if the present value of 
the distributee's benefits under the plan, determined as of the benefit 
transfer date using plan lump sum assumptions, exceeds the amount 
subject to mandatory cash-out under the terms of the plan pursuant to 
section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the Code, the 
distributee must be treated as missing only if the plan administrator 
does not know where the distributee is upon close-out of the subpart D 
plan.
    Missing participants forms and instructions means the forms and 
instructions provided by PBGC for use in connection with the missing 
participants program.
    Missing participants interest rate means, for each month, the 
applicable federal mid-term rate (as determined by the Secretary of the 
Treasury pursuant to section 1274(d)(1)(C)(ii) of the Code) for that 
month, compounded monthly.
    Pay-status or pay status means being or having a benefit that has 
started before the benefit transfer date. A benefit that becomes 
payable to a participant at the participant's required beginning date 
under section 401(a)(9) of the Code before the benefit transfer date 
but is not in fact paid is not a pay-status benefit.
    PBGC missing participant assumptions means the actuarial 
assumptions prescribed in Sec. Sec.  4044.51 through 4044.57 of this 
chapter with the following modifications:
    (1) The benefit transfer date is used instead of the termination 
date.
    (2) The mortality assumption is a fixed blend of 50 percent of the 
healthy male mortality rates in Sec.  4044.53(c)(1) of this chapter and 
50 percent of the healthy female mortality rates in Sec.  4044.53(c)(2) 
of this chapter.
    (3) No adjustment is made for loading expenses under Sec.  
4044.52(d) of this chapter.
    (4) The interest assumption used is the assumption applicable to 
valuations occurring in January of the calendar year in which the 
benefit transfer date occurs.
    (5) The assumed payment form of a benefit not in pay status is a 
straight life annuity.

[[Page 64724]]

    (6) Pre-retirement death benefits are disregarded.
    (7) Notwithstanding the expected retirement age (XRA) assumptions 
in Sec. Sec.  4044.55 through 4044.57 of this chapter,--
    (i) Benefit payments for a participant who is in pay status or is 
past the required beginning date are assumed to begin on the benefit 
transfer date,
    (ii) Benefit payments for a beneficiary are assumed to begin on the 
benefit transfer date or (if later) the earliest date when the 
beneficiary could begin to receive benefits, and
    (iii) Benefit payments for a participant who is not in pay status 
and is not past the required beginning date are assumed to begin on the 
XRA, determined using the high retirement rate category under Table II-
C of Appendix D to part 4044 of this chapter.
    Plan lump sum assumptions means the actuarial assumptions that 
would be used under the subpart D plan to calculate the present value 
of a benefit as of the benefit transfer date for purposes of section 
203(e)(1) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11)(A) of the Code or, if no such 
assumptions can be identified, actuarial assumptions specified under 
section 205(g)(3) of ERISA and section 417(e)(3) of the Code, 
determined as of the benefit transfer date.
    Plan make-up amount means,--
    (1) With respect to a missing distributee who is not in pay status 
and whose required beginning date precedes the benefit transfer date, 
the aggregate value of payments of the straight life annuity that would 
have been payable beginning on the required beginning date, accumulated 
at the missing participants interest rate from the date each payment 
would have been made to the benefit transfer date, assuming that the 
distributee survived to the benefit transfer date; or
    (2) With respect to a missing distributee who is in pay status, the 
aggregate value of payments of the pay status annuity due but not made, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from each payment 
due date to the benefit transfer date, assuming that the distributee 
survived to the benefit transfer date.
    QDRO means a qualified domestic relations order as defined in 
section 206(d)(3) of ERISA and section 414(p) of the Code.
    Qualified survivor of a person means an individual who survives the 
person and is entitled under applicable provisions of a QDRO to receive 
a benefit with respect to the person or, if no such individual is 
identified, a survivor of the person who is--
    (1) The person's living spouse, or if none,
    (2) The person's living child, or if none,
    (3) The person's living parent, or if none,
    (4) The person's living sibling.
    Required beginning date for a participant means the participant's 
required beginning date under section 401(a)(9)(C) of the Code.
    Subpart D plan means a plan to which this subpart D applies, as 
described in Sec.  4050.401.


Sec.  4050.403   Duties of plan sponsor.

    (a) Providing for benefits. For each distributee who is missing 
upon close-out of a subpart D plan, the plan sponsor must provide for 
the distributee's plan benefits either--
    (i) By purchase of an annuity contract from an insurer; or
    (ii) By transferring assets to PBGC as described in this subpart D.
    (b) Diligent search. For each distributee who is missing upon 
close-out of a subpart D plan, the plan sponsor must have conducted a 
diligent tsearch as described in Sec.  4050.404. No diligent search is 
required for a distributee if the plan sponsor knows where the 
distributee is upon close-out of the subpart D plan.
    (c) Filing with PBGC. For each distributee who is missing upon 
close-out of a subpart D plan, the plan sponsor must file with PBGC as 
described in Sec.  4050.405.


Sec.  4050.404   Diligent search.

    (a) In general. For each distributee of a subpart D plan who is 
missing upon close-out, the plan sponsor must have used the methods 
described in this section to locate the distributee.
    (b) Methods to use. The methods for attempting to find information 
to locate a missing distributee are as set forth in paragraphs (b)(1) 
through (5) of this section. If the plan sponsor cannot readily 
identify or obtain access to a source of information described in 
paragraph (b)(2) or (3) of this section (such as where the Health 
Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 prevents the 
disclosure of information), the plan sponsor may resort to such sources 
of information as may be readily identifiable and accessible.
    (1) The plan sponsor must search the records of the subpart D plan 
for information to locate the distributee.
    (2) The plan sponsor must search the records of the most recent 
employer that maintained the subpart D plan and employed the 
distributee, and the records of each retirement or welfare plan of that 
employer in which the distributee was a participant, for information to 
locate the distributee.
    (3) The plan sponsor must request information to locate the 
distributee from each beneficiary of the distributee identified from 
the records referred to in paragraphs (b)(1) and (2) of this section.
    (4) The plan sponsor must search for information to locate the 
distributee using an internet search method for which no fee is 
charged, such as a search engine, a network database, a public record 
database (such as those for licenses, mortgages, and real estate taxes) 
or a ``social media'' Web site.
    (5) Except as may otherwise be provided in the missing participants 
forms and instructions, the plan sponsor must search for information to 
locate the distributee using a commercial locator service. For this 
purpose, a commercial locator service is a business that holds itself 
out as a finder of lost persons for compensation using information from 
a database maintained by a consumer reporting agency (as defined in 15 
U.S.C. 1681a(f)).
    (c) Time frame. A search for a missing distributee must be made 
within six months before--
    (1) If Sec.  4050.403(a)(i) applies, the last distribution that is 
not subject to this subpart; or
    (2) If Sec.  4050.403(a)(ii) applies, the distributee's benefit 
transfer date.


Sec.  4050.405   Filing with PBGC.

    (a) What to file. For each missing distributee of a subpart D plan, 
the plan sponsor must file with PBGC, in accordance with the missing 
participants forms and instructions,--
    (1) Either--
    (i) Information about an annuity contract for the missing 
distributee, or
    (ii) Payment of the benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up 
amount (if any) for the missing distributee (stating the amount of 
each) and information about the missing distributee and the missing 
distributee's benefits and beneficiaries;
    (2) Diligent search documentation; and
    (3) Such other information, fees, and certifications as may be 
specified in the missing participants forms and instructions.
    (b) When to file. The filing must be made within 90 days after the 
last distribution that is not subject to this subpart. Payments under 
paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section will, if considered timely made 
for purposes of this paragraph (b), be considered timely made for 
purposes of part 4041A of this chapter.

[[Page 64725]]

    (c) Place, method and date of filing; time periods. (1) For rules 
about where to file, see Sec.  4000.4 of this chapter.
    (2) For rules about permissible methods of filing with PBGC under 
this subpart, see subpart A of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (3) For rules about the date that a submission under this subpart 
was filed with PBGC, see subpart C of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (4) For rules about any time period for filing under this subpart, 
see subpart D of part 4000 of this chapter.
    (d) Supplemental filing requirement. A subpart D plan required to 
file under paragraph (a) of this section must, within 30 days after a 
written request by PBGC (or such other time as may be specified in the 
request), file with PBGC supplemental information for verifying benefit 
transfer amounts and plan make-up amounts, for substantiating diligent 
searches, or for any other proper purpose under the missing 
participants program.


Sec.  4050.406   Missing participant benefits.

    (a) In general--(1) Benefit transfer amount not paid. If a subpart 
D plan files with PBGC information about an annuity contract purchased 
by the subpart D plan from an insurer for a missing distributee, PBGC 
will provide that information to the distributee or another claimant 
that may be entitled to payment pursuant to the contract.
    (2) Benefit transfer amount paid. If a subpart D plan pays PBGC a 
benefit transfer amount for a missing distributee, PBGC will pay 
benefits with respect to the missing distributee in accordance with 
this section, subject to the provisions of a QDRO.
    (b) Benefits for missing distributees who are participants. 
Paragraphs (c), (d), (e), and (j) of this section describe the benefits 
that PBGC will pay to a non-pay status missing participant of a subpart 
D plan who claims a benefit under the missing participants program.
    (c) De minimis benefit. If the sum of the benefit transfer amount 
and the plan make-up amount (if any) of a participant described in 
paragraph (b) of this section does not exceed the amount under section 
203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the Code, PBGC will pay the 
participant a lump sum equal to the accumulated single sum.
    (d) Non-de minimis benefit of unmarried participant. If the sum of 
the benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) of an 
unmarried participant described in paragraph (b) of this section 
exceeds the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) 
of the Code, PBGC will pay the participant either the annuity described 
in paragraph (d)(1) of this section, beginning not before age 55, and 
(if applicable) the make-up amount described in paragraph (d)(2) of 
this section; or, if the participant could have elected a lump sum 
under the subpart D plan, and the participant so elects under the 
missing participants program, the lump sum described in paragraph 
(d)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (d)(1) is 
either--
    (i) Straight life annuity. A straight life annuity in the amount 
that the subpart D plan would have paid the participant, starting at 
the same date that PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, at the 
participant's required beginning date), as reported to PBGC by the 
subpart D plan (including any early retirement subsidies), or through 
linear interpolation for participants who start payments between exact 
ages; or
    (ii) Other form of annuity. At the participant's election, any form 
of annuity available to the participant under Sec.  4022.8 of this 
chapter, in an amount that is actuarially equivalent as of the date 
that PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, as of the participant's 
required beginning date), under the actuarial assumptions in Sec.  
4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter, to the straight life annuity in paragraph 
(d)(1)(i) of this section.
    (2) Make-up amount. If PBGC begins to pay the annuity under 
paragraph (d)(1) of this section after the required beginning date, the 
make-up amount described in this paragraph (d)(2) is a lump sum equal 
to the aggregate value of payments of the annuity that would have been 
payable to the participant beginning on the required beginning date, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC begins to pay 
the annuity.
    (3) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (d)(3) is 
equal to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (e) Non-de minimis benefit of married participant. If the sum of 
the benefit transfer amount and the plan make-up amount (if any) of a 
married participant described in paragraph (b) of this section exceeds 
the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, PBGC will pay the participant either the annuity described in 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section, beginning not before age 55, and (if 
applicable) the make-up amount described in paragraph (e)(2) of this 
section; or, if the participant could have elected a lump sum under the 
subpart D plan, and the participant so elects under the missing 
participants program with the consent of the participant's spouse, the 
lump sum described in paragraph (e)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (e)(1) is 
either--
    (i) Joint and survivor annuity. A joint and 50 percent survivor 
annuity in an amount that is actuarially equivalent as of the date that 
PBGC payments start (or, if earlier, as of the participant's required 
beginning date), under the actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) 
of this chapter, to the straight life annuity under paragraph (d)(1)(i) 
of this section; or
    (ii) Other form of annuity. At the participant's election, with the 
consent of the participant's spouse, any form of annuity available to 
the participant under Sec.  4022.8 of this chapter, in an amount that 
is actuarially equivalent, as of the date that PBGC payments start (or, 
if earlier, as of the participant's required beginning date), under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter, to the 
joint and 50 percent survivor annuity under paragraph (e)(1)(i) of this 
section.
    (2) Make-up amount. If PBGC begins to pay the annuity under 
paragraph (e)(1) of this section after the required beginning date, the 
make-up amount described in this paragraph (e)(2) is a lump sum equal 
to the aggregate value of payments of the annuity that would have been 
payable to the participant beginning on the required beginning date, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC begins to pay 
the annuity.
    (3) Lump sum. The lump sum described in this paragraph (e)(3) is 
equal to the participant's accumulated single sum.
    (f) Benefits with respect to deceased missing distributees who were 
participants. Paragraphs (g), (h), (i), and (j) of this section 
describe the benefits that PBGC will pay with respect to a non-pay 
status missing participant of a subpart D plan who dies without 
receiving a benefit under the missing participants program.
    (g) Unmarried participant. In the case of an unmarried participant 
described in paragraph (f) of this section,--
    (1) Death before required beginning date. If the participant dies 
before the required beginning date, PBGC will pay no benefits with 
respect to the participant; and
    (2) Death after required beginning date. If the participant dies on 
or after the required beginning date, PBGC will pay to the 
participant's qualified survivor(s) an amount equal to the aggregate 
value of payments of the

[[Page 64726]]

straight life annuity described in paragraph (d)(1)(i) that would have 
been payable to the participant from the required beginning date to the 
participant's date of death, accumulated at the missing participants 
interest rate from the date each payment would have been made to the 
date when PBGC pays the qualified survivor(s).
    (h) Married participant with living spouse. In the case of a 
married participant described in paragraph (f) of this section whose 
spouse survives the participant and claims a benefit under the missing 
participants program, PBGC will pay the spouse, beginning not before 
the participant would have reached age 55, the annuity (if any) 
described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section and the make-up amounts 
(if applicable) described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section, except 
that PBGC will pay the spouse, as a lump sum, the small benefit 
described in paragraph (h)(3) of this section.
    (1) Annuity. The annuity described in this paragraph (h)(1) is the 
survivor portion of a joint and 50 percent survivor annuity that is 
actuarially equivalent as of the assumed starting date (under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter) to the 
straight life annuity in the amount that the subpart D plan would have 
paid the participant with an assumed starting date of--
    (i) The date when the participant would have reached age 55, if the 
participant died before that date, or
    (ii) The participant's date of death, if the participant died 
between age 55 and the required beginning date, or
    (iii) The required beginning date, if the participant died after 
that date.
    (2) Make-up amounts. The make-up amounts described in this 
paragraph (h)(2) are the amounts described in paragraphs (h)(2)(i) and 
(ii) of this section.
    (i) Payments from participant's death or 55th birthday to 
commencement of survivor annuity. The make-up amount described in this 
paragraph (h)(2)(i) is a lump sum equal to the aggregate value of 
payments of the survivor portion of the joint and 50 percent survivor 
annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section that would have 
been payable to the spouse beginning on the later of the participant's 
date of death or the date when the participant would have reached age 
55, accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC pays the 
spouse.
    (ii) Payments from required beginning date to participant's death. 
The make-up amount described in this paragraph (h)(2)(ii) is a lump sum 
equal to the aggregate value of payments (if any) of the joint portion 
of the joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph 
(h)(1) of this section that would have been payable to the participant 
from the required beginning date to the participant's date of death 
after the required beginning date, accumulated at the missing 
participants interest rate from the date each payment would have been 
made to the date when PBGC pays the spouse.
    (3) Small benefit. If the sum of the actuarial present value of the 
annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of this section plus the make-up 
amounts described in paragraph (h)(2) of this section does not exceed 
the amount under section 203(e) of ERISA and section 411(a)(11) of the 
Code, then the lump sum that PBGC will pay the spouse under this 
paragraph (h)(3) is an amount equal to that sum. For this purpose, the 
actuarial present value of the annuity is determined under the 
actuarial assumptions in Sec.  4022.8(c)(7) of this chapter as of the 
date when PBGC pays the spouse.
    (i) Married participant with deceased spouse. In the case of a 
married participant described in paragraph (f) of this section whose 
spouse survives the participant but dies without receiving a benefit 
under the missing participants program, PBGC will pay to the qualified 
survivor(s) of the participant's spouse the make-up amount described in 
paragraph (i)(1) of this section and to the qualified survivor(s) of 
the participant the make-up amount described in paragraph (i)(2) of 
this section.
    (1) Payments from participant's death or 55th birthday to spouse's 
death. The make-up amount described in this paragraph (i)(1) is a lump 
sum equal to the aggregate value of payments of the survivor portion of 
the joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) 
of this section that would have been payable to the spouse from the 
later of the participant's date of death or the date when the 
participant would have reached age 55 to the spouse's date of death, 
accumulated at the missing participants interest rate from the date 
each payment would have been made to the date when PBGC pays the 
spouse's qualified survivor(s).
    (2) Payments from required beginning date to participant's death. 
The make-up amount described in this paragraph (i)(2) is a lump sum 
equal to the aggregate value of payments of the joint portion of the 
joint and 50 percent survivor annuity described in paragraph (h)(1) of 
this section that would have been payable to the participant from the 
required beginning date to the participant's date of death after the 
required beginning date, accumulated at the missing participants 
interest rate from the date each payment would have been made to the 
date when PBGC pays the participant's qualified survivor(s).
    (j) Benefits under contributory plans. If a subpart D plan reports 
to PBGC that a portion of a missing participant's benefit transfer 
amount (and plan make-up amount, if any) represents accumulated 
contributions as described in section 204(c)(2)(C) of ERISA and section 
411(c)(2)(C) of the Code, PBGC will pay to the missing participant, the 
missing participant's spouse, or the missing participant's qualified 
survivor(s) at least the amount of accumulated contributions as 
reported by the subpart D plan, accumulated at the missing participants 
interest rate from the benefit transfer date to the date when PBGC 
makes payment.
    (k) Date for determining marital status. For purposes of this 
section, whether a person is married, and if so the identity of the 
spouse, is determined as of the earliest of --
    (1) The date the person receives or begins to receive a benefit;
    (2) The date the person dies; or
    (3) The person's required beginning date.


Sec.  4050.407   PBGC discretion.

    PBGC may in appropriate circumstances extend deadlines, excuse 
noncompliance, and grant waivers with regard to any provision of this 
subpart to promote the purposes of the missing participants program and 
title IV of ERISA. Like circumstances will be treated in like manner 
under this section.

    Issued in Washington DC by
W. Thomas Reeder,
Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2016-22278 Filed 9-19-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7709-02-P