29 U.S.C. § 1084 — Minimum funding standards for multiem-

Page 471 TITLE 29—LABOR § 1084 quired to pay a variable rate premium for the plan year beginning in 1996, has not, in any plan year beginning after 1995, merged with another plan (other than a plan sponsored by an employer that was in 1996 within the controlled group of the plan sponsor), and is sponsored by a company that is engaged primarily in the inter- urban or interstate passenger bus service, see section 115(a)–(c) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as a note under sec- tion 430 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. § 1084. Minimum funding standards for multiem- ployer plans (a) In general For purposes of section 1082 of this title, the accumulated funding deficiency of a multiem- ployer plan for any plan year is the amount, de- termined as of the end of the plan year, equal to the excess (if any) of the total charges to the funding standard account of the plan for all plan years (beginning with the first plan year for which this part applies to the plan) over the total credits to such account for such years. (b) Funding standard account (1) Account required Each multiemployer plan to which this part applies shall establish and maintain a funding standard account. Such account shall be cred- ited and charged solely as provided in this sec- tion. (2) Charges to account For a plan year, the funding standard ac- count shall be charged with the sum of— (A) the normal cost of the plan for the plan year, (B) the amounts necessary to amortize in equal annual installments (until fully amor- tized)— (i) in the case of a plan which comes into existence on or after January 1, 2008, the unfunded past service liability under the plan on the first day of the first plan year to which this section applies, over a period of 15 plan years, (ii) separately, with respect to each plan year, the net increase (if any) in unfunded past service liability under the plan aris- ing from plan amendments adopted in such year, over a period of 15 plan years, (iii) separately, with respect to each plan year, the net experience loss (if any) under the plan, over a period of 15 plan years, and (iv) separately, with respect to each plan year, the net loss (if any) resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions used under the plan, over a period of 15 plan years, (C) the amount necessary to amortize each waived funding deficiency (within the mean- ing of section 1082(c)(3) of this title) for each prior plan year in equal annual installments (until fully amortized) over a period of 15 plan years, (D) the amount necessary to amortize in equal annual installments (until fully amor- tized) over a period of 5 plan years any amount credited to the funding standard ac- count under section 1082(b)(3)(D) of this title (as in effect on the day before August 17, 2006), and (E) the amount necessary to amortize in equal annual installments (until fully amor- tized) over a period of 20 years the contribu- tions which would be required to be made under the plan but for the provisions of sec- tion 1082(c)(7)(A)(i)(I) of this title (as in ef- fect on the day before August 17, 2006). (3) Credits to account For a plan year, the funding standard ac- count shall be credited with the sum of— (A) the amount considered contributed by the employer to or under the plan for the plan year, (B) the amount necessary to amortize in equal annual installments (until fully amor- tized)— (i) separately, with respect to each plan year, the net decrease (if any) in unfunded past service liability under the plan aris- ing from plan amendments adopted in such year, over a period of 15 plan years, (ii) separately, with respect to each plan year, the net experience gain (if any) under the plan, over a period of 15 plan years, and (iii) separately, with respect to each plan year, the net gain (if any) resulting from changes in actuarial assumptions used under the plan, over a period of 15 plan years, (C) the amount of the waived funding defi- ciency (within the meaning of section 1082(c)(3) of this title) for the plan year, and (D) in the case of a plan year for which the accumulated funding deficiency is deter- mined under the funding standard account if such plan year follows a plan year for which such deficiency was determined under the al- ternative minimum funding standard under section 1085 of this title (as in effect on the day before August 17, 2006), the excess (if any) of any debit balance in the funding standard account (determined without re- gard to this subparagraph) over any debit balance in the alternative minimum funding standard account. (4) Special rule for amounts first amortized in plan years before 2008 In the case of any amount amortized under section 1082(b) of this title (as in effect on the day before August 17, 2006) over any period be- ginning with a plan year beginning before 2008, in lieu of the amortization described in para- graphs (2)(B) and (3)(B), such amount shall continue to be amortized under such section as so in effect. (5) Combining and offsetting amounts to be amortized Under regulations prescribed by the Sec- retary of the Treasury, amounts required to be amortized under paragraph (2) or paragraph (3), as the case may be— (A) may be combined into one amount under such paragraph to be amortized over a period determined on the basis of the re- maining amortization period for all items entering into such combined amount, and (B) may be offset against amounts re- quired to be amortized under the other such Page 472 TITLE 29—LABOR § 1084 1 See References in Text note below. paragraph, with the resulting amount to be amortized over a period determined on the basis of the remaining amortization periods for all items entering into whichever of the two amounts being offset is the greater. (6) Interest The funding standard account (and items therein) shall be charged or credited (as deter- mined under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury) with interest at the appropriate rate consistent with the rate or rates of interest used under the plan to deter- mine costs. (7) Special rules relating to charges and cred- its to funding standard account For purposes of this part— (A) Withdrawal liability Any amount received by a multiemployer plan in payment of all or part of an employ- er’s withdrawal liability under part 1 of sub- title E of subchapter III shall be considered an amount contributed by the employer to or under the plan. The Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe by regulation addi- tional charges and credits to a multiem- ployer plan’s funding standard account to the extent necessary to prevent withdrawal liability payments from being unduly re- flected as advance funding for plan liabil- ities. (B) Adjustments when a multiemployer plan leaves reorganization If a multiemployer plan is not in reorga- nization in the plan year but was in reorga- nization in the immediately preceding plan year, any balance in the funding standard account at the close of such immediately preceding plan year— (i) shall be eliminated by an offsetting credit or charge (as the case may be), but (ii) shall be taken into account in subse- quent plan years by being amortized in equal annual installments (until fully am- ortized) over 30 plan years. The preceding sentence shall not apply to the extent of any accumulated funding defi- ciency under section 1423(a) 1 of this title as of the end of the last plan year that the plan was in reorganization. (C) Plan payments to supplemental program or withdrawal liability payment fund Any amount paid by a plan during a plan year to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Cor- poration pursuant to section 1402 of this title or to a fund exempt under section 501(c)(22) of title 26 pursuant to section 1403 of this title shall reduce the amount of con- tributions considered received by the plan for the plan year. (D) Interim withdrawal liability payments Any amount paid by an employer pending a final determination of the employer’s withdrawal liability under part 1 of subtitle E of subchapter III and subsequently re- funded to the employer by the plan shall be charged to the funding standard account in accordance with regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. (E) Election for deferral of charge for portion of net experience loss If an election is in effect under section 1082(b)(7)(F) of this title (as in effect on the day before August 17, 2006) for any plan year, the funding standard account shall be charged in the plan year to which the por- tion of the net experience loss deferred by such election was deferred with the amount so deferred (and paragraph (2)(B)(iii) shall not apply to the amount so charged). (F) Financial assistance Any amount of any financial assistance from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corpora- tion to any plan, and any repayment of such amount, shall be taken into account under this section and section 1082 of this title in such manner as is determined by the Sec- retary of the Treasury. (G) Short-term benefits To the extent that any plan amendment increases the unfunded past service liability under the plan by reason of an increase in benefits which are not payable as a life an- nuity but are payable under the terms of the plan for a period that does not exceed 14 years from the effective date of the amend- ment, paragraph (2)(B)(ii) shall be applied separately with respect to such increase in unfunded past service liability by sub- stituting the number of years of the period during which such benefits are payable for ‘‘15’’. (8) Special relief rules Notwithstanding any other provision of this subsection— (A) Amortization of net investment losses (i) In general A multiemployer plan with respect to which the solvency test under subpara- graph (C) is met may treat the portion of any experience loss or gain attributable to net investment losses incurred in either or both of the first two plan years ending after August 31, 2008, as an item separate from other experience losses, to be amor- tized in equal annual installments (until fully amortized) over the period— (I) beginning with the plan year in which such portion is first recognized in the actuarial value of assets, and (II) ending with the last plan year in the 30-plan year period beginning with the plan year in which such net invest- ment loss was incurred. (ii) Coordination with extensions If this subparagraph applies for any plan year— (I) no extension of the amortization pe- riod under clause (i) shall be allowed under subsection (d), and (II) if an extension was granted under subsection (d) for any plan year before Page 473 TITLE 29—LABOR § 1084 the election to have this subparagraph apply to the plan year, such extension shall not result in such amortization pe- riod exceeding 30 years. (iii) Net investment losses For purposes of this subparagraph— (I) In general Net investment losses shall be deter- mined in the manner prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury on the basis of the difference between actual and ex- pected returns (including any difference attributable to any criminally fraudu- lent investment arrangement). (II) Criminally fraudulent investment ar- rangements The determination as to whether an arrangement is a criminally fraudulent investment arrangement shall be made under rules substantially similar to the rules prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury for purposes of section 165 of title 26. (B) Expanded smoothing period (i) In general A multiemployer plan with respect to which the solvency test under subpara- graph (C) is met may change its asset valuation method in a manner which— (I) spreads the difference between ex- pected and actual returns for either or both of the first 2 plan years ending after August 31, 2008, over a period of not more than 10 years, (II) provides that for either or both of the first 2 plan years beginning after Au- gust 31, 2008, the value of plan assets at any time shall not be less than 80 per- cent or greater than 130 percent of the fair market value of such assets at such time, or (III) makes both changes described in subclauses (I) and (II) to such method. (ii) Asset valuation methods If this subparagraph applies for any plan year— (I) the Secretary of the Treasury shall not treat the asset valuation method of the plan as unreasonable solely because of the changes in such method described in clause (i), and (II) such changes shall be deemed ap- proved by such Secretary under section 1082(d)(1) of this title and section 412(d)(1) of title 26. (iii) Amortization of reduction in unfunded accrued liability If this subparagraph and subparagraph (A) both apply for any plan year, the plan shall treat any reduction in unfunded ac- crued liability resulting from the applica- tion of this subparagraph as a separate ex- perience amortization base, to be amor- tized in equal annual installments (until fully amortized) over a period of 30 plan years rather than the period such liability would otherwise be amortized over. (C) Solvency test The solvency test under this paragraph is met only if the plan actuary certifies that the plan is projected to have sufficient as- sets to timely pay expected benefits and an- ticipated expenditures over the amortization period, taking into account the changes in the funding standard account under this paragraph. (D) Restriction on benefit increases If subparagraph (A) or (B) apply to a mul- tiemployer plan for any plan year, then, in addition to any other applicable restrictions on benefit increases, a plan amendment in- creasing benefits may not go into effect dur- ing either of the 2 plan years immediately following such plan year unless— (i) the plan actuary certifies that— (I) any such increase is paid for out of additional contributions not allocated to the plan immediately before the applica- tion of this paragraph to the plan, and (II) the plan’s funded percentage and projected credit balances for such 2 plan years are reasonably expected to be at least as high as such percentage and bal- ances would have been if the benefit in- crease had not been adopted, or (ii) the amendment is required as a con- dition of qualification under part I of sub- chapter D of chapter 1 of title 26 or to com- ply with other applicable law. (E) Reporting A plan sponsor of a plan to which this paragraph applies shall— (i) give notice of such application to par- ticipants and beneficiaries of the plan, and (ii) inform the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation of such application in such form and manner as the Director of the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation may prescribe. (F) Relief for 2020 and 2021 A multiemployer plan with respect to which the solvency test under subparagraph (C) is met as of February 29, 2020, may elect to apply this paragraph (without regard to whether such plan previously elected the ap- plication of this paragraph)— (i) by substituting ‘‘February 29, 2020’’ for ‘‘August 31, 2008’’ each place it appears in subparagraphs (A)(i), (B)(i)(I), and (B)(i)(II), (ii) by inserting ‘‘and other losses related to the virus SARS–CoV–2 or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) (including experi- ence losses related to reductions in con- tributions, reductions in employment, and deviations from anticipated retirement rates, as determined by the plan sponsor)’’ after ‘‘net investment losses’’ in subpara- graph (A)(i), and (iii) by substituting ‘‘this subparagraph or subparagraph (A)’’ for ‘‘this subpara- graph and subparagraph (A) both’’ in sub- paragraph (B)(iii). The preceding sentence shall not apply to a plan to which special financial assistance is Page 474 TITLE 29—LABOR § 1084 granted under section 1432 of this title. For purposes of the application of this subpara- graph, the Secretary of the Treasury shall rely on the plan sponsor’s calculations of plan losses unless such calculations are clearly erroneous. (c) Additional rules (1) Determinations to be made under funding method For purposes of this part, normal costs, ac- crued liability, past service liabilities, and ex- perience gains and losses shall be determined under the funding method used to determine costs under the plan. (2) Valuation of assets (A) In general For purposes of this part, the value of the plan’s assets shall be determined on the basis of any reasonable actuarial method of valuation which takes into account fair market value and which is permitted under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. (B) Election with respect to bonds The value of a bond or other evidence of indebtedness which is not in default as to principal or interest may, at the election of the plan administrator, be determined on an amortized basis running from initial cost at purchase to par value at maturity or earliest call date. Any election under this subpara- graph shall be made at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of the Treasury shall by regulations provide, shall apply to all such evidences of indebtedness, and may be revoked only with the consent of such Secretary. (3) Actuarial assumptions must be reasonable For purposes of this section, all costs, liabil- ities, rates of interest, and other factors under the plan shall be determined on the basis of actuarial assumptions and methods— (A) each of which is reasonable (taking into account the experience of the plan and reasonable expectations), and (B) which, in combination, offer the actu- ary’s best estimate of anticipated experience under the plan. (4) Treatment of certain changes as experience gain or loss For purposes of this section, if— (A) a change in benefits under the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 301 et seq.] or in other retirement benefits created under Fed- eral or State law, or (B) a change in the definition of the term ‘‘wages’’ under section 3121 of title 26, or a change in the amount of such wages taken into account under regulations prescribed for purposes of section 401(a)(5) of title 26, results in an increase or decrease in accrued liability under a plan, such increase or de- crease shall be treated as an experience loss or gain. (5) Full funding If, as of the close of a plan year, a plan would (without regard to this paragraph) have an accumulated funding deficiency in excess of the full funding limitation— (A) the funding standard account shall be credited with the amount of such excess, and (B) all amounts described in subparagraphs (B), (C), and (D) of subsection (b) (2) and sub- paragraph (B) of subsection (b)(3) which are required to be amortized shall be considered fully amortized for purposes of such subpara- graphs. (6) Full-funding limitation (A) In general For purposes of paragraph (5), the term ‘‘full-funding limitation’’ means the excess (if any) of— (i) the accrued liability (including nor- mal cost) under the plan (determined under the entry age normal funding meth- od if such accrued liability cannot be di- rectly calculated under the funding meth- od used for the plan), over (ii) the lesser of— (I) the fair market value of the plan’s assets, or (II) the value of such assets determined under paragraph (2). (B) Minimum amount (i) In general In no event shall the full-funding limita- tion determined under subparagraph (A) be less than the excess (if any) of— (I) 90 percent of the current liability of the plan (including the expected increase in current liability due to benefits accru- ing during the plan year), over (II) the value of the plan’s assets deter- mined under paragraph (2). (ii) Assets For purposes of clause (i), assets shall not be reduced by any credit balance in the funding standard account. (C) Full funding limitation For purposes of this paragraph, unless oth- erwise provided by the plan, the accrued li- ability under a multiemployer plan shall not include benefits which are not nonforfeitable under the plan after the termination of the plan (taking into consideration section 411(d)(3) of title 26). (D) Current liability For purposes of this paragraph— (i) In general The term ‘‘current liability’’ means all liabilities to employees and their bene- ficiaries under the plan. (ii) Treatment of unpredictable contingent event benefits For purposes of clause (i), any benefit contingent on an event other than— (I) age, service, compensation, death, or disability, or (II) an event which is reasonably and reliably predictable (as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury), shall not be taken into account until the event on which the benefit is contingent occurs. Page 475 TITLE 29—LABOR § 1084 (iii) Interest rate used The rate of interest used to determine current liability under this paragraph shall be the rate of interest determined under subparagraph (E). (iv) Mortality tables (I) Commissioners’ standard table In the case of plan years beginning be- fore the first plan year to which the first tables prescribed under subclause (II) apply, the mortality table used in deter- mining current liability under this para- graph shall be the table prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury which is based on the prevailing commissioners’ standard table (described in section 807(d)(5)(A) of title 26) 1 used to deter- mine reserves for group annuity con- tracts issued on January 1, 1993. (II) Secretarial authority The Secretary of the Treasury may by regulation prescribe for plan years be- ginning after December 31, 1999, mor- tality tables to be used in determining current liability under this subsection. Such tables shall be based upon the ac- tual experience of pension plans and pro- jected trends in such experience. In pre- scribing such tables, such Secretary shall take into account results of avail- able independent studies of mortality of individuals covered by pension plans. (v) Separate mortality tables for the dis- abled Notwithstanding clause (iv)— (I) In general The Secretary of the Treasury shall es- tablish mortality tables which may be used (in lieu of the tables under clause (iv)) to determine current liability under this subsection for individuals who are entitled to benefits under the plan on ac- count of disability. Such Secretary shall establish separate tables for individuals whose disabilities occur in plan years be- ginning before January 1, 1995, and for individuals whose disabilities occur in plan years beginning on or after such date. (II) Special rule for disabilities occurring after 1994 In the case of disabilities occurring in plan years beginning after December 31, 1994, the tables under subclause (I) shall apply only with respect to individuals described in such subclause who are dis- abled within the meaning of title II of the Social Security Act [42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.] and the regulations thereunder. (vi) Periodic review The Secretary of the Treasury shall peri- odically (at least every 5 years) review any tables in effect under this subparagraph and shall, to the extent such Secretary de- termines necessary, by regulation update the tables to reflect the actual experience of pension plans and projected trends in such experience. (E) Required change of interest rate For purposes of determining a plan’s cur- rent liability for purposes of this para- graph— (i) In general If any rate of interest used under the plan under subsection (b)(6) to determine cost is not within the permissible range, the plan shall establish a new rate of inter- est within the permissible range. (ii) Permissible range For purposes of this subparagraph— (I) In general Except as provided in subclause (II), the term ‘‘permissible range’’ means a rate of interest which is not more than 5 percent above, and not more than 10 per- cent below, the weighted average of the rates of interest on 30-year Treasury se- curities during the 4-year period ending on the last day before the beginning of the plan year. (II) Secretarial authority If the Secretary of the Treasury finds that the lowest rate of interest permis- sible under subclause (I) is unreasonably high, such Secretary may prescribe a lower rate of interest, except that such rate may not be less than 80 percent of the average rate determined under such subclause. (iii) Assumptions Notwithstanding paragraph (3)(A), the interest rate used under the plan shall be— (I) determined without taking into ac- count the experience of the plan and rea- sonable expectations, but (II) consistent with the assumptions which reflect the purchase rates which would be used by insurance companies to satisfy the liabilities under the plan. (7) Annual valuation (A) In general For purposes of this section, a determina- tion of experience gains and losses and a valuation of the plan’s liability shall be made not less frequently than once every year, except that such determination shall be made more frequently to the extent re- quired in particular cases under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. (B) Valuation date (i) Current year Except as provided in clause (ii), the valuation referred to in subparagraph (A) shall be made as of a date within the plan year to which the valuation refers or with- in one month prior to the beginning of such year. (ii) Use of prior year valuation The valuation referred to in subpara- graph (A) may be made as of a date within Page 476 TITLE 29—LABOR § 1084 the plan year prior to the year to which the valuation refers if, as of such date, the value of the assets of the plan are not less than 100 percent of the plan’s current li- ability (as defined in paragraph (6)(D) without regard to clause (iv) thereof). (iii) Adjustments Information under clause (ii) shall, in ac- cordance with regulations, be actuarially adjusted to reflect significant differences in participants. (iv) Limitation A change in funding method to use a prior year valuation, as provided in clause (ii), may not be made unless as of the valu- ation date within the prior plan year, the value of the assets of the plan are not less than 125 percent of the plan’s current li- ability (as defined in paragraph (6)(D) without regard to clause (iv) thereof). (8) Time when certain contributions deemed made For purposes of this section, any contribu- tions for a plan year made by an employer after the last day of such plan year, but not later than two and one-half months after such day, shall be deemed to have been made on such last day. For purposes of this subpara- graph, such two and one-half month period may be extended for not more than six months under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Treasury. (d) Extension of amortization periods for multi- employer plans (1) Automatic extension upon application by certain plans (A) In general If the plan sponsor of a multiemployer plan— (i) submits to the Secretary of the Treas- ury an application for an extension of the period of years required to amortize any unfunded liability described in any clause of subsection (b)(2)(B) or described in sub- section (b)(4), and (ii) includes with the application a cer- tification by the plan’s actuary described in subparagraph (B), the Secretary of the Treasury shall extend the amortization period for the period of time (not in excess of 5 years) specified in the application. Such extension shall be in addition to any extension under paragraph (2). (B) Criteria A certification with respect to a multiem- ployer plan is described in this subparagraph if the plan’s actuary certifies that, based on reasonable assumptions— (i) absent the extension under subpara- graph (A), the plan would have an accumu- lated funding deficiency in the current plan year or any of the 9 succeeding plan years, (ii) the plan sponsor has adopted a plan to improve the plan’s funding status, (iii) the plan is projected to have suffi- cient assets to timely pay expected bene- fits and anticipated expenditures over the amortization period as extended, and (iv) the notice required under paragraph (3)(A) has been provided. (2) Alternative extension (A) In general If the plan sponsor of a multiemployer plan submits to the Secretary of the Treas- ury an application for an extension of the period of years required to amortize any un- funded liability described in any clause of subsection (b)(2)(B) or described in sub- section (b)(4), the Secretary of the Treasury may extend the amortization period for a pe- riod of time (not in excess of 10 years re- duced by the number of years of any exten- sion under paragraph (1) with respect to such unfunded liability) if the Secretary of the Treasury makes the determination described in subparagraph (B). Such extension shall be in addition to any extension under para- graph (1). (B) Determination The Secretary of the Treasury may grant an extension under subparagraph (A) if such Secretary determines that— (i) such extension would carry out the purposes of this chapter and would provide adequate protection for participants under the plan and their beneficiaries, and (ii) the failure to permit such extension would— (I) result in a substantial risk to the voluntary continuation of the plan, or a substantial curtailment of pension ben- efit levels or employee compensation, and (II) be adverse to the interests of plan participants in the aggregate. (C) Action by Secretary of the Treasury The Secretary of the Treasury shall act upon any application for an extension under this paragraph within 180 days of the sub- mission of such application. If such Sec- retary rejects the application for an exten- sion under this paragraph, such Secretary shall provide notice to the plan detailing the specific reasons for the rejection, including references to the criteria set forth above. (3) Advance notice (A) In general The Secretary of the Treasury shall, be- fore granting an extension under this sub- section, require each applicant to provide evidence satisfactory to such Secretary that the applicant has provided notice of the fil- ing of the application for such extension to each affected party (as defined in section 1301(a)(21) of this title) with respect to the affected plan. Such notice shall include a de- scription of the extent to which the plan is funded for benefits which are guaranteed under subchapter III and for benefit liabil- ities. (B) Consideration of relevant information The Secretary of the Treasury shall con- sider any relevant information provided by a Page 477 TITLE 29—LABOR § 1084 person to whom notice was given under para- graph (1). (Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 304, as added Pub. L. 109–280, title II, § 201(a), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 858; amended Pub. L. 111–192, title II, § 211(a)(1), June 25, 2010, 124 Stat. 1302; Pub. L. 113–235, div. O, title I, §§ 101(b)(1), 108(a)(3)(B), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2774, 2787; Pub. L. 113–295, div. A, title I, § 171(b), Dec. 19, 2014, 128 Stat. 4023; Pub. L. 117–2, title IX, § 9703(a)(1), Mar. 11, 2021, 135 Stat. 188.) Editorial Notes REFERENCES IN TEXT Section 1423(a) of this title, referred to in subsec. (b)(7)(B), was repealed by Pub. L. 113–235, div. O, title I, § 108(a)(1), Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2786. The Social Security Act, referred to in subsec. (c)(4)(A), (6)(D)(v)(II), is act Aug. 14, 1935, ch. 531, 49 Stat. 620, which is classified generally to chapter 7 (§ 301 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. Title II of the Act is classified generally to subchapter II (§ 401 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 42. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see section 1305 of Title 42 and Tables. Section 807(d)(5) of title 26, referred to in subsec. (c)(6)(D)(iv)(I), was repealed by Pub. L. 115–97, title I, § 13517(a)(2)(A), Dec. 22, 2017, 131 Stat. 2144. This chapter, referred to in subsec. (d)(2)(B)(i), was in the original ‘‘this Act’’, meaning Pub. L. 93–406, known as the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. Titles I, III, and IV of such Act are classified prin- cipally to this chapter. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 1001 of this title and Tables. PRIOR PROVISIONS A prior section 1084, Pub. L. 93–406, title I, § 304, Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 873; Pub. L. 99–272, title XI, §§ 11015(b)(1)(B), 11016(c)(3), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 267, 273; Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, § 9306(c)(2)(B), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–355; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§ 7891(a)(1), 7894(d)(3), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2445, 2449, related to ex- tension of amortization periods, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 109–280, title I, § 101(a), (d), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 784, 789, applicable to plan years beginning after 2007. AMENDMENTS 2021—Subsec. (b)(8)(F). Pub. L. 117–2 added subpar. (F). 2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–235, § 108(a)(3)(B), amended subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a) related to accumulated funding deficiencies of multiemployer plans. Subsec. (d)(1)(C). Pub. L. 113–295, which directed sub- stitution of ‘‘December 31, 2015’’ for ‘‘December 31, 2014’’, was not executed in view of the amendment by Pub. L. 113–235, § 101(b)(1), which struck out subpar. (C). See note below. Pub. L. 113–235, § 101(b)(1), struck out subpar. (C). Text read as follows: ‘‘The preceding provisions of this para- graph shall not apply with respect to any application submitted after December 31, 2014.’’ 2010—Subsec. (b)(8). Pub. L. 111–192 added par. (8). Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2021 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 117–2 effective as of the first day of the first plan year ending on or after February 29, 2020, with exceptions and restrictions, see section 9703(b) of Pub. L. 117–2, set out as an Effective Date note under section 431 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2014 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 113–295 applicable to applica- tions submitted under subsec. (d)(1)(C) of this section after Dec. 31, 2014, see section 171(c) of Pub. L. 113–295, set out as a note under section 431 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. Amendment by section 108(a)(3)(B) of Pub. L. 113–235 applicable with respect to plan years beginning after Dec. 31, 2014, see section 108(c) of Pub. L. 113–235, set out as an Effective Date of Repeal note under section 418 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2010 AMENDMENT Amendment by Pub. L. 111–192 effective as of the first day of the first plan year ending after Aug. 31, 2008, with certain exceptions, see section 211(b) of Pub. L. 111–192, set out as a note under section 431 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. EFFECTIVE DATE Section applicable to plan years beginning after 2007, with special rule for certain amortization extensions, see section 201(d) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as an Effec- tive Date of 2006 Amendment note under section 1081 of this title. SHORTFALL FUNDING METHOD Pub. L. 109–280, title II, § 201(b), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 867, as amended by Pub. L. 110–458, title I, § 102(a), Dec. 23, 2008, 122 Stat. 5100, provided that: ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A multiemployer plan meeting the criteria of paragraph (2) may adopt, use, or cease using, the shortfall funding method and such adoption, use, or cessation of use of such method, shall be deemed ap- proved by the Secretary of the Treasury under section 302(d)(1) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [29 U.S.C. 1082(d)(1)] and section 412(d)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 [26 U.S.C. 412(d)(1)]. ‘‘(2) CRITERIA.—A multiemployer pension plan meets the criteria of this clause if— ‘‘(A) the plan has not adopted, or ceased using, the shortfall funding method during the 5-year period ending on the day before the date the plan is to use the method under paragraph (1); and ‘‘(B) the plan is not operating under an amortiza- tion period extension under section 304(d) of such Act [29 U.S.C. 1084(d)] and did not operate under such an extension during such 5-year period. ‘‘(3) SHORTFALL FUNDING METHOD DEFINED.—For pur- poses of this subsection, the term ‘shortfall funding method’ means the shortfall funding method described in Treasury Regulations section 1.412(c)(1)–2 (26 CFR 1.412(c)(1)–2). ‘‘(4) BENEFIT RESTRICTIONS TO APPLY.—The benefit re- strictions under section 302(c)(7) of such Act [29 U.S.C. 1082(c)(7)] and section 412(c)(7) of such Code [26 U.S.C. 412(c)(7)] shall apply during any period a multiemployer plan is on the shortfall funding method pursuant to this subsection. ‘‘(5) USE OF SHORTFALL METHOD NOT TO PRECLUDE OTHER OPTIONS.—Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to affect a multiemployer plan’s ability to adopt the shortfall funding method with the Sec- retary’s permission under otherwise applicable regula- tions or to affect a multiemployer plan’s right to change funding methods, with or without the Sec- retary’s consent, as provided in applicable rules and regulations.’’ [Pub. L. 109–280, § 201(b), set out above, applicable to plan years beginning after 2007, with special rule for certain amortization extensions, see section 201(d) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as an Effective Date of 2006 Amendment note under section 1081 of this title.] SPECIAL RULE FOR CERTAIN BENEFITS FUNDED UNDER AN AGREEMENT APPROVED BY THE PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION For applicability of this section to a multiemployer plan that is a party to an agreement that was approved by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation prior to June 30, 2005, and that increases benefits and provides for certain withdrawal liability rules, see section 206 of Page 478 TITLE 29—LABOR § 1085 Pub. L. 109–280, set out as a note under section 412 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. § 1085. Additional funding rules for multiem- ployer plans in endangered status or critical status (a) General rule For purposes of this part, in the case of a mul- tiemployer plan in effect on July 16, 2006— (1) if the plan is in endangered status— (A) the plan sponsor shall adopt and imple- ment a funding improvement plan in accord- ance with the requirements of subsection (c), and (B) the requirements of subsection (d) shall apply during the funding plan adoption period and the funding improvement period, (2) if the plan is in critical status— (A) the plan sponsor shall adopt and imple- ment a rehabilitation plan in accordance with the requirements of subsection (e), and (B) the requirements of subsection (f) shall apply during the rehabilitation plan adop- tion period and the rehabilitation period, and (3) if the plan is in critical and declining sta- tus— (A) the requirements of paragraph (2) shall apply to the plan; and (B) the plan sponsor may, by plan amend- ment, suspend benefits in accordance with the requirements of subsection (e)(9). (b) Determination of endangered and critical sta- tus For purposes of this section— (1) Endangered status A multiemployer plan is in endangered sta- tus for a plan year if, as determined by the plan actuary under paragraph (3), the plan is not in critical status for the plan year and is not described in paragraph (5), and, as of the beginning of the plan year, either— (A) the plan’s funded percentage for such plan year is less than 80 percent, or (B) the plan has an accumulated funding deficiency for such plan year, or is projected to have such an accumulated funding defi- ciency for any of the 6 succeeding plan years, taking into account any extension of amortization periods under section 1084(d) of this title. For purposes of this section, a plan shall be treated as in seriously endangered status for a plan year if the plan is described in both sub- paragraphs (A) and (B). (2) Critical status A multiemployer plan is in critical status for a plan year if, as determined by the plan actuary under paragraph (3), the plan is de- scribed in 1 or more of the following subpara- graphs as of the beginning of the plan year: (A) A plan is described in this subpara- graph if— (i) the funded percentage of the plan is less than 65 percent, and (ii) the sum of— (I) the fair market value of plan assets, plus (II) the present value of the reasonably anticipated employer contributions for the current plan year and each of the 6 succeeding plan years, assuming that the terms of all collective bargaining agree- ments pursuant to which the plan is maintained for the current plan year continue in effect for succeeding plan years, is less than the present value of all non- forfeitable benefits projected to be payable under the plan during the current plan year and each of the 6 succeeding plan years (plus administrative expenses for such plan years). (B) A plan is described in this subpara- graph if— (i) the plan has an accumulated funding deficiency for the current plan year, not taking into account any extension of am- ortization periods under section 1084(d) of this title, or (ii) the plan is projected to have an accu- mulated funding deficiency for any of the 3 succeeding plan years (4 succeeding plan years if the funded percentage of the plan is 65 percent or less), not taking into ac- count any extension of amortization peri- ods under section 1084(d) of this title. (C) A plan is described in this subpara- graph if— (i)(I) the plan’s normal cost for the cur- rent plan year, plus interest (determined at the rate used for determining costs under the plan) for the current plan year on the amount of unfunded benefit liabil- ities under the plan as of the last date of the preceding plan year, exceeds (II) the present value of the reasonably anticipated employer and employee con- tributions for the current plan year, (ii) the present value, as of the beginning of the current plan year, of nonforfeitable benefits of inactive participants is greater than the present value of nonforfeitable benefits of active participants, and (iii) the plan has an accumulated funding deficiency for the current plan year, or is projected to have such a deficiency for any of the 4 succeeding plan years, not taking into account any extension of amortiza- tion periods under section 1084(d) of this title. (D) A plan is described in this subpara- graph if the sum of— (i) the fair market value of plan assets, plus (ii) the present value of the reasonably anticipated employer contributions for the current plan year and each of the 4 suc- ceeding plan years, assuming that the terms of all collective bargaining agree- ments pursuant to which the plan is main- tained for the current plan year continue in effect for succeeding plan years, is less than the present value of all benefits projected to be payable under the plan dur- ing the current plan year and each of the 4 succeeding plan years (plus administrative expenses for such plan years).