2012-17165. Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans; Interest Assumptions for Paying Benefits  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

    ACTION:

    Final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    This final rule amends the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation's regulation on Benefits Payable in Terminated Single-Employer Plans to prescribe interest assumptions under the regulation for valuation dates in August 2012. The interest assumptions are used for paying benefits under terminating single-employer plans covered by the pension insurance system administered by PBGC.

    DATES:

    Effective August 1, 2012.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    Catherine B. Klion (Klion.Catherine@pbgc.gov), Manager, Regulatory and Policy Division, Legislative and Regulatory Department, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street NW., Washington, DC 20005, 202-326-4024. (TTY/TDD users may call the Federal relay service toll-free at 1-800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 202-326-4024.)

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    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 terminating single-employer plans covered by title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The interest assumptions in the regulation are also published on PBGC's Web site (http://www.pbgc.gov).

    PBGC uses the interest assumptions in Appendix B to Part 4022 to determine whether a benefit is payable as a lump sum and to determine the amount to pay. Appendix C to Part 4022 contains interest assumptions for private-sector pension practitioners to refer to if they wish to use lump-sum interest rates determined using PBGC's historical methodology. Currently, the rates in Appendices B and C of the benefit payment regulation are the same.

    The interest assumptions are intended to reflect current conditions in the financial and annuity markets. Assumptions under the benefit payments regulation are updated monthly. This final rule updates the benefit payments interest assumptions for August 2012.[1]

    The August 2012 interest assumptions under the benefit payments regulation will be 1.00 percent for the period during which a benefit is 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 July 2012, these interest assumptions are unchanged.

    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 determine and issue new interest assumptions promptly so that the assumptions can reflect current market conditions as accurately as possible.

    Because of the need to provide immediate guidance for the payment of benefits under plans with valuation dates during August 2012, 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).

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 4022

    • Employee benefit plans
    • Pension insurance
    • Pensions
    • Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
    End List of Subjects

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

    Start Part

    PART 4022—BENEFITS PAYABLE IN TERMINATED SINGLE-EMPLOYER PLANS

    End Part Start Amendment Part

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

    End Amendment Part Start Authority

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

    End Authority Start Amendment Part

    2. In appendix B to part 4022, Rate Set 226, as set forth below, is added to the table.

    End Amendment Part

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

    * * * * *
    Start Printed Page 41271
    Rate setFor plans with a valuation dateImmediate annuity rate (percent)Deferred annuities (percent)
    On or afterBeforei1i2i3n1n2
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    2268-1-129-1-121.004.004.004.0078
    Start Amendment Part

    3. In appendix C to part 4022, Rate Set 226, as set forth below, is added to the table.

    End Amendment Part

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

    * * * * *
    Rate setFor plans with a valuation dateImmediate annuity rate (percent)Deferred annuities (percent)
    On or afterBeforei1i2i3n1n2
    *         *         *         *         *         *         *
    2268-1-129-1-121.004.004.004.0078
    Start Signature

    Issued in Washington, DC, on this 10th day of July 2012.

    Laricke Blanchard,

    Deputy Director for Policy, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    Footnotes

    1.  Appendix B to PBGC's regulation on Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans (29 CFR Part 4044) prescribes interest assumptions for valuing benefits under terminating covered single-employer plans for purposes of allocation of assets under ERISA section 4044. Those assumptions are updated quarterly.

    Back to Citation

    [FR Doc. 2012-17165 Filed 7-12-12; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 7709-01-P