[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 31 (Thursday, February 14, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3983-3985]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-02156]


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PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION

29 CFR Part 4022


Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest 
Assumptions for Paying Benefits

AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty 
Corporation's regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-
Employer Plans to prescribe certain interest assumptions under the 
regulation for plans with valuation dates in March 2019. These interest 
assumptions are used for paying certain benefits under terminating 
single-employer plans covered by the pension insurance system 
administered by PBGC.

DATES: Effective March 1, 2019.

[[Page 3984]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa Rifkin 
([email protected]), Attorney, Regulatory Affairs Division, 
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 
20005, 202-326-4400 ext. 6563. (TTY users may call the Federal relay 
service toll-free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 202-326-
4400, ext. 6563.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PBGC's regulation on Benefits Payable in 
Terminated Single-Employer Plans (29 CFR part 4022) prescribes 
actuarial assumptions--including interest assumptions--for paying plan 
benefits under terminated single-employer plans covered by title IV of 
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The 
interest assumptions in the regulation are also published on PBGC's 
website (http://www.pbgc.gov).
    PBGC uses the interest assumptions in appendix B to part 4022 
(``Lump Sum Interest Rates for PBGC Payments'') to determine whether a 
benefit is payable as a lump sum and to determine the amount to pay. 
Because some private-sector pension plans use these interest rates to 
determine lump sum amounts payable to plan participants (if the 
resulting lump sum is larger than the amount required under section 
417(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and section 205(g)(3) of ERISA), 
these rates are also provided in appendix C to part 4022 (``Lump Sum 
Interest Rates for Private-Sector Payments'').
    This final rule updates appendices B and C of the benefits payment 
regulation to provide the rates for March 2019 measurement dates.
    The March 2019 lump sum interest assumptions will be 1.25 percent 
for the period during which a benefit is (or is assumed to be) in pay 
status and 4.00 percent during any years preceding the benefit's 
placement in pay status. In comparison with the interest assumptions in 
effect for February 2019, these assumptions represent no change in the 
immediate rate and are otherwise unchanged.
    PBGC updates appendices B and C each month. PBGC has determined 
that notice and public comment on this amendment are impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. This finding is based on the need to 
issue new interest assumptions promptly so that they are available for 
plans that rely on our publication of them each month to calculate lump 
sum benefit amounts.
    Because of the need to provide immediate guidance for the payment 
of benefits under plans with valuation dates during March 2019, PBGC 
finds that good cause exists for making the assumptions set forth in 
this amendment effective less than 30 days after publication.
    PBGC has determined that this action is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under the criteria set forth in Executive Order 
12866.
    Because no general notice of proposed rulemaking is required for 
this amendment, the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 does not apply. 
See 5 U.S.C. 601(2).

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 4022

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

    In consideration of the foregoing, 29 CFR part 4022 is amended as 
follows:

PART 4022--BENEFITS PAYABLE IN TERMINATED SINGLE-EMPLOYER PLANS

0
1. The authority citation for part 4022 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302, 1322, 1322b, 1341(c)(3)(D), and 1344.


0
2. In appendix B to part 4022, Rate Set 305 is added at the end of the 
table to read as follows:

Appendix B to Part 4022--Lump Sum Interest Rates for PBGC Payments

* * * * *

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                   For plans with a valuation date     Immediate                                 Deferred annuities (percent)
    Rate set     ----------------------------------   annuity rate  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    On or after         Before         (percent)            i                i                i                n                n
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
          305            3-1-19           4-1-19             1.25             4.00             4.00             4.00                7                8
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


0
3. In appendix C to part 4022, Rate Set 305 is added at the end of the 
table to read as follows:

Appendix C to Part 4022--Lump Sum Interest Rates for Private-Sector 
Payments

* * * * *

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                   For plans with a valuation date     Immediate                                 Deferred annuities (percent)
    Rate set     ----------------------------------   annuity rate  ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    On or after         Before         (percent)            i                i                i                n                n
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                                      * * * * * * *
          305            3-1-19           4-1-19             1.25             4.00             4.00             4.00                7                8
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[[Page 3985]]

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Hilary Duke,
Assistant General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Pension Benefit 
Guaranty Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2019-02156 Filed 2-13-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7709-02-P