PBGC Issues Final Rule Amending the Regulation on Reportable Events

On September 11, 2015, the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation ("PBGC") issued a final rule amending its regulation on Reportable Events and Certain Other Notification Requirements and released an updated set of frequently asked questions regarding the rule. The final rule provides plan sponsors and pension plans with increased flexibility to determine whether a waiver from reporting will apply. Under the final rule, reporting is generally limited to situations that pose the greatest threat to the pension insurance system. The final rule adds new or expands reportable event waivers, and instead of focusing solely on funding levels, some reportable event waivers are based on whether plans and their sponsors pose a risk of not being able to maintain their pension plan, the plan is small and poses little risk to the pension insurance system, or the sponsor is public and has already made disclosure. The new reportable events rule will apply to events that occur on or after January 1, 2016. The final rule can be found here.