Unified Agenda


PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION (PBGC)


PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION

29 CFR Ch. XXVI

Agenda of Regulations Under Development

AGENCY:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).

ACTION:

Semiannual regulatory agenda.

SUMMARY:

This document sets forth the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulatory agenda issued under Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The agenda lists regulations that are currently under development or review or that PBGC expects to have under development or review during the next 12 months. The effect of this agenda is to advise the public of PBGC's current and future regulatory activities.

ADDRESSES:

Office of the General Counsel, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20005-4026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

For further information on the agenda in general, contact Harold J. Ashner, Assistant General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, (202) 326-4024. (For TTY/TDD users, call the Federal relay service toll-free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to (202) 326-4024.) For information about a specific regulation project listed on the agenda, contact the person designated in the agenda for that regulation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Under the President's order on Regulatory Planning and Review, Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735, October 4, 1993), each agency is required to prepare an agenda of all regulations under development or review. The Regulatory Flexibility Act, Public Law 98-354, 5 U.S.C. 601, has a similar agenda requirement. Under that law, the agenda must list any regulation that is likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

The Office of Management and Budget has issued guidelines prescribing the form and content of the regulatory agenda. Under those guidelines, the agenda must list all regulatory activities being conducted or reviewed in the next 12 months and provide certain specified information on each regulation. For this edition of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulatory agenda, the most important significant regulatory action is included in the Regulatory Plan, which appears in part II of this issue of the Federal Register. The Regulatory Plan entries are listed in the table of contents below and are denoted by a bracketed bold reference, which directs the reader to the appropriate sequence number in part II.

Dated:

September 17, 2001.

John Seal, Acting Executive Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

References in boldface appear in the Regulatory Plan in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation—Proposed Rule Stage
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
4006  Filing Rules1212-AA89
4007  Rules for Administrative Review of Agency Decisions1212-AA97
4008  Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans; Valuation of Benefits and Assets (Reg Plan Seq No. 151)1212-AA55

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation—Final Rule Stage
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
4009  Assessment Of and Relief From Penalties1212-AA95
4010  Payment of Benefits in PBGC-Trusteed Plans1212-AA35

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation—Long-Term Actions
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
4011  Cash Balance Plans With Variable Indices1212-AA96

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation—Completed Actions
Sequence Number Title Regulation Identification Number
4012  Payment of Premiums1212-AA58
4013  Calculation and Payment of Unfunded Nonguaranteed Benefits1212-AA54
4014  Miscellaneous Statutory Amendments1212-AA79
4015  Treatment of Substantial Cessation of Operations1212-AA84
4016  Premium Self-Audit1212-AA93


Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Proposed Rule Stage

 


4006. FILING RULES

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

29 USC 1301 et seq

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4000

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

The PBGC's rules governing the date of filing vary, depending on the regulation involved and the method of filing used (e.g., mail postmarked by the United States Postal Service, metered mail, commercial delivery service, facsimile). The PBGC intends to clarify and simplify its filing rules and to provide greater flexibility in methods of filing (including by electronic means).

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM 03/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End 05/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Small Entities Affected:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

Thomas H. Gabriel, Attorney, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA89

4007. ¤ RULES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF AGENCY DECISIONS

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

29 USC 1302(b)(3)

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4003

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

The PBGC plans to clarify and simplify the rules governing its administrative review process. As part of this rulemaking, the PBGC intends to rewrite its administrative review regulation in plain language and to explore ways to make its procedures more efficient.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM 09/00/02
NPRM Comment Period End 11/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Small Entities Affected:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

Thomas H. Gabriel, Attorney, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA97

4008. ALLOCATION OF ASSETS IN SINGLE-EMPLOYER PLANS; VALUATION OF BENEFITS AND ASSETS

Regulatory Plan:

This entry is Seq. No. 151 in part II of this issue of the Federal Register.

RIN:

1212-AA55


Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Final Rule Stage

 


4009. ASSESSMENT OF AND RELIEF FROM PENALTIES

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

28 USC 2461 note; 29 USC 1302(b)(3); 29 USC 1303(a); 29 USC 1306; 29 USC 1307; 29 USC 1371

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4003; 29 CFR 4007; 29 CFR 4071

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

The PBGC has issued a number of policy statements about penalties over the last few years. For the convenience of the public, the PBGC proposes to replace those policy statements with an updated and expanded set of penalty policies codified in its regulations.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM 01/12/01 66 FR 2856
NPRM Comment Period End 03/13/01
Final Action 03/00/02
Final Action Effective 04/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Small Entities Affected:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

Deborah C. Murphy, Attorney, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA95

4010. PAYMENT OF BENEFITS IN PBGC-TRUSTEED PLANS

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

29 USC 1302(b)(3); 29 USC 1322; 29 USC 1342

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4022

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

When the PBGC assumes trusteeship of a terminated pension plan pursuant to sections 4041 and 4042 of ERISA, it pays benefits to participants pursuant to plan provisions and section 4022 of ERISA. This regulation will fill gaps in the rules and otherwise clarify matters that had been handled on a case-by-case basis in the past.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM 12/26/00 65 FR 81456
NPRM Comment Period End 02/26/01
Final Action 12/00/01
Final Action Effective 01/00/02

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

Catherine B. Klion, Attorney, Office of the General Counsel, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4024
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA35


Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Long-Term Actions

 


4011. CASH BALANCE PLANS WITH VARIABLE INDICES

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

Not Yet Determined

Timetable:

Next Action Undetermined

Action Date FR Cite
Request for Comments 06/06/00 65 FR 41610
Comment Period End 09/22/00

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Small Entities Affected:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

Catherine B. Klion
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA96


Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Completed Actions

 


4012. PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Other Significant

Legal Authority:

29 USC 1302(b)(3); 29 USC 1306; 29 USC 1307

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4006; 29 CFR 4007

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

The PBGC is withdrawing this proposed regulation because it is out of date. If PBGC decides to change the premium regulations, it will initiate a new rulemaking action.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
NPRM 04/10/92 57 FR 12666
NPRM Comment Period End 05/26/92
NPRM Comment Period Extended to 11/16/92 09/17/92 57 FR 42910
Final Action Extending Premium Due Dates 12/14/98 63 FR 68684
Final Action Extending Premium Due Dates Effective 02/12/99
Final Action Amending Participant Definition and Making Other Simplifying Changes 12/01/00 65 FR 75160
Final Action Amending Participant Definition and Making Other Simplifying Changes Effective 01/01/01
Withdrawn 10/01/01

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

Deborah C. Murphy, Attorney, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA58

4013. CALCULATION AND PAYMENT OF UNFUNDED NONGUARANTEED BENEFITS

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Other Significant

Legal Authority:

29 USC 1302(b)(3); 29 USC 1322(c)

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4022 subpart C

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

The PBGC is withdrawing this project because it is reevaluating whether a regulation is needed.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Withdrawn 10/01/01

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Additional Information:

RFA: N

Agency Contact:

Peter H. Gould, Senior Counsel, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026
Phone: 202 326-4020
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA54

4014. MISCELLANEOUS STATUTORY AMENDMENTS

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

29 USC 1301 et seq

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4000 et seq

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

The PBGC is withdrawing this as a separate project because it intends to incorporate in other substantive rulemaking any regulatory changes that are necessary to reflect statutory changes.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Withdrawn 10/01/01

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

Thomas H. Gabriel, Attorney, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA79

4015. TREATMENT OF SUBSTANTIAL CESSATION OF OPERATIONS

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

29 USC 1302(b)(3); 29 USC 1362; 29 USC 1363; 29 USC 1364; 29 USC 1365

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4062

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

The PBGC is withdrawing this project because it is reevaluating whether a regulation is needed.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Withdrawn 10/01/01

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

James L. Beller, Attorney, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA84

4016. PREMIUM SELF-AUDIT

Agency:

Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)

Priority:

Substantive, Nonsignificant

Legal Authority:

29 USC 1302; 29 USC 1307

CFR Citation: (To search for a specific CFR, visit the Code of Federal Regulations.)

29 CFR 4007

Legal Deadline:

None

Abstract:

The PBGC is withdrawing this project because practitioners have advised the PBGC that there is no longer a need for a premium self-audit program.

Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Withdrawn 10/01/01

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required:

Undetermined

Small Entities Affected:

No

Government Levels Affected:

None

Agency Contact:

Deborah C. Murphy, Attorney, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, Office of the General Counsel, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20005-4026
Phone: 202 326-4024
TDD Phone: 800 877-8339
Fax: 202 326-4112

RIN:

1212-AA93