Employers who sponsor 401(k) plans and other defined contribution plans in which participants may direct the investments of their accounts now have a deadline to provide lifetime income illustrations in those plans' benefit statements. The Department of Labor (DOL) recently published guidance addressing these requirements. While helpful, the guidance is still subject to change in a potential final regulation. As such, employers should work closely with their plan administrators and legal counsel to navigate the contours of the evolving lifetime income rules.
Interim final rule on lifetime income illustrations
As background, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement (SECURE) Act amended the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) to add two lifetime income illustrations, furnished at least annually, to benefit statements for individual account plans. The DOL published an interim final rule (IFR) on Sep.18, 2020, which described how plan administrators must calculate the estimated lifetime income stream that a participant account balance could generate. The DOL solicited public comments on the interim final rule seeking input on how the IFR could be clarified.
A number of commenters requested clarification with respect to the applicability date of the IFR and the method for furnishing benefit statements. In some cases, commenters requested transition relief to ensure affected parties have sufficient time to effectively implement the requirements of the IFR.
FAQs for furnishing illustrations
In response, the DOL recently published a set of FAQs to answer these questions. As an initial matter, participant-directed individual account plans that furnish quarterly benefit statements (e.g., 401(k) plans) must include the lifetime income illustrations on only one pension benefit statement in any 12-month period. Accordingly, because plans must furnish the lifetime income illustrations at least annually, plans that issue quarterly statements must first comply with the IFR on a benefit statement for a quarter ending within 12 months after the effective date.
Here's how it works
The IFR was published in the Federal Register on Sept. 18, 2020, and became effective Sept. 18, 2021. Plans that must issue quarterly statements can incorporate their first lifetime income illustration on any quarterly statement up to the second calendar quarter of 2022 (ending June 30, 2022). A delay beyond the second calendar quarter of 2022 would not be permitted, however, because the ending date of the third calendar quarter, Sept. 30, 2022, would be after the expiration of the applicable 12-month period.
For plans under which a participant or beneficiary has their own account but does not have the right to direct the investment of assets in that account, the lifetime income illustrations must be on the statement for the first plan year ending on or after Sept. 19, 2021. For most such plans, this will be the statement for calendar year 2021, which would be furnished no later than the last date for timely filing of the annual return for that year for a calendar year plan (Oct. 15, 2022).
The DOL has not said whether it would provide transition relief if it does not publish a final regulation soon. Because of the uncertainty of the substance and timing of a final regulation, employers should work carefully with their service providers and legal counsel to ensure compliance with the benefit statement requirements.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
