[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 221 (Thursday, November 15, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57307-57308]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-24746]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.
The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents.
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Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 221 / Thursday, November 15, 2018 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 57307]]
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 interest assumptions under the regulation
for valuation dates in December 2018. The interest assumptions are used
for paying benefits under terminating single-employer plans covered by
the pension insurance system administered by PBGC.
DATES: Effective December 1, 2018.
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. 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 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 December 2018.\1\
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\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.
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The December 2018 interest assumptions under the benefit payments
regulation will be 1.50 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 November 2018, these assumptions represent an
increase of 0.25% in the immediate rate and are otherwise 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 December 2018, 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 302 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) i1 i2 i3 n1 n2
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* * * * * * *
302 12-1-18 1-1-19 1.50 4.00 4.00 4.00 7 8
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[[Page 57308]]
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3. In appendix C to part 4022, Rate Set 302 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
* * * * *
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For plans with a valuation date Immediate Deferred annuities (percent)
Rate set ---------------------------------- annuity rate ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On or after Before (percent) i1 i2 i3 n1 n2
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* * * * * * *
302 12-1-18 1-1-19 1.50 4.00 4.00 4.00 7 8
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Issued in Washington, DC.
Hilary Duke,
Assistant General Counsel for Regulatory Affairs, Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2018-24746 Filed 11-14-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7709-02-P