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The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations

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The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations Jennifer Staman Legislative Attorney Erika K. Lunder Legislative Attorney September 1, 2011 The House Ways and Means Committee is making available this version of this Congressional Research Service (CRS) report, with the cover date shown above, for inclusion in its 2011 Green Book website. CRS works exclusively for the United States Congress, providing policy and legal analysis to Committees and Members of both the House and Senate, regardless of party affiliation. Congressional Research Service RS22624 CRS Report for Congress Prepared for Members and Committees of Congress The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations Summary and Single-Employer Plan Terminations
December 23, 2013 (RS22624)

Summary

Recent economic conditions have generated attention with respect to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) and defined benefit pension plans, including the process for terminating plans. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) regulates plan terminations. It provides for three types of single-employer plan terminations—standard, distress, and involuntary—and imposes different responsibilities on the PBGC for each type. A standard termination occurs when a plan administrator decides to terminate a plan that has assets sufficient to meet its benefit liabilities. The PBGC's involvement in a standard termination is minimal, with its role basically limited to confirming all legal requirements have been met. In a standard termination, the plan sponsor has no further liability to the PBGC or plan participants. The sponsor may be able to recapture any assets remaining after participants have received their share, although the reversion may be subject to tax. A distress termination occurs when a plan administrator seeks to terminate a plan that does not have sufficient assets to cover all the benefits owed to plan participants and beneficiaries. The PBGC is responsible for ensuring that all criteria for termination have been met, as well as for determining whether the plan's assets are sufficient to pay the guaranteed benefits and/or meet all benefit liabilities. Meanwhile, the plan sponsor and members of its controlled group are jointly and severally liable to the PBGC for the amount that the benefit liabilities exceed plan assets, with interest, at termination. An involuntary termination occurs when the PBGC decides a plan should be terminated. The agency must initiate termination proceedings once it determines a plan does not have assets available to pay benefits currently due. It may seek termination under certain circumstances, including the plan has not met the minimum funding requirements; the plan will not be able to pay benefits when due; or the long-run loss to the PBGC may be expected to increase unreasonably if the plan is not terminated. In an involuntary termination, the sponsor and controlled group are jointly and severally liable to the PBGC for the unfunded liabilities. The PBGC is broadly authorized to make any investigation it deems necessary to enforce ERISA and may assess a penalty against anyone who fails to provide a required notice or other material information. In addition, plan participants, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and sponsors who are adversely affected by an action of another that violates the termination provisions may file suit in U.S. district court to enjoin the action or obtain other equitable relief. Employee organizations representing affected participants and beneficiaries are also able to file a claim, and the PBGC has the right to intervene in any action. Finally, if the PBGC determines that a plan should not be terminated, it may stop the termination proceedings and restore the plan. It even has the authority to restore a terminated plan. Congressional Research Service The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations Contents Types of Terminations...................................................................................................................... 1 Standard Termination................................................................................................................. 1 Distress Termination.................................................................................................................. 2 Involuntary Termination ............................................................................................................ 3 Employer Liability........................................................................................................................... 5 Standard Termination................................................................................................................. 5 Distress Termination.................................................................................................................. 5 Involuntary Termination ............................................................................................................ 5 Attempt To Evade Liability ....................................................................................................... 6 Enforcement and Penalties............................................................................................................... 6 Plan Restoration............................................................................................................................... 6 Congressional Research Service proceedings and restore the plan. It even has the authority to restore a terminated plan. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations D ue Due to the recent economic decline, there has been concern about the pensions of employees if the companies offering these pensions were to fail. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), which provides a comprehensive federal scheme for the regulation of pension and other employee benefit plans, includes a plan termination insurance program for defined benefit pension plans.11 Various types of pension plans are not covered by the insurance program, including defined contribution plans (individual account plans),22 government plans, and church plans.33 The insurance program distinguishes between single-employer plans and multiemployer plans (i.e., collectively bargained plans to which more than one company makes contributions). This report discusses only only discusses the termination of single-employer plans. 4 The insurance program is administered by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). The PBGC has two primary responsibilities. First, it oversees plan terminations, which is the focus of this report. Second, the PBGC pays the guaranteed benefits of terminated plans, subject to statutory limitations. For more information on the PBGC and its payment of benefits, see CRS Report 95-118, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC): A Fact Sheet, by [author name scrubbed]. , by John J. Topoleski. This report provides an overview of the three types of plan terminations and the PBGC's role in each type of termination. The report also provides a brief overview of the liability of an employer following a plan termination, enforcement and penalties relating to the plan termination provisions, and the ability of the PBGC to restore a plan. Types of Terminations ERISA provides for three types of single-employer plan terminations: standard, distress, and involuntary. The plan administrator initiates a standard or distress termination, whereas the PBGC initiates an involuntary termination. Standard Termination Standard Termination A standard termination occurs when a plan administrator decides to terminate a plan that has assets sufficient to meet its benefit liabilities.45 The plan administrator initiates the termination by giving written notice to each affected party5 of the intent to terminate the plan between 60 and 90 1 Defined benefit plans are those where participants are promised a specified future benefit, which traditionally is an annuity beginning at retirement. For defined benefit plans, the employer bears the investment risk and is responsible for any shortfalls. ERISA § 3(35); 29 U.S.C. § 1002(35). 2 A defined contribution plan is a pension plan in which the contributions are specified, but not the benefits. A defined contribution plan provides an individual account for each participant that accrues benefits based solely on the amount contributed to the account and any income, expenses, and investment gains or losses to the account. See ERISA § 3(34); 29 U.S.C. § 1002(34). 3 ERISA § 4021(b); 29 U.S.C. § 1321(b). 4 ERISA § 4041(b); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b). 5 Affected parties include plan participants, beneficiaries (of deceased participants or alternate payees under a qualified domestic relations order), alternate payees under qualified domestic relations orders, employee organizations representing plan participants, and any person who has been designated to receive notice on behalf of an affected party. ERISA § 4001(a)(21); 29 U.S.C. § 1301(a)(21). Congressional Research Service 1 The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations party6 of the intent to terminate the plan between 60 and 90 days in advance of the proposed termination date.67 He or she must then report information about the plan to the PBGC, including a certification by an enrolled actuary that the plan's assets are sufficient to meet all benefit liabilities.78 The plan administrator is also responsible for informing the plan participants and beneficiaries of the benefits due them, as well as information used in determining benefit liabilities.8 9 The PBGC's involvement in a standard termination is minimal, and its role is basically to confirm that the above requirements have been met. Upon receiving the plan information, the PBGC generally has 60 days to review it and either approve the termination or send out a notice of noncompliance.910 If the PBGC determines the requirements have been met, the termination proceeds. The plan administrator then distributes the plan's assets to participants and beneficiaries by purchasing annuities from a commercial insurer or by other permissible means.1011 If there are missing participants, the plan administrator may, after a diligent search, purchase an annuity for these individuals or transfer their distributions to the PBGC, which will hold them until the participants are found.1112 The plan administrator's final action is to certify to the PBGC that the assets have been distributed,1213 and the plan is terminated. Distress Termination Distress Termination A distress termination occurs when a plan administrator seeks to terminate a plan that does not have sufficient assets to cover all the benefits owed to plan participants and beneficiaries.1314 The plan may be terminated only if certain criteria are met, such as if its contributing sponsor, or a member of the sponsor's controlled group14group,15 (1) has filed (or has had filed against such person) a petition for liquidation or reorganization in bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings,1516 and certain other requirements have been met, or (2) has demonstrated that termination is required to enable payment of debts while staying in business or to avoid unreasonably burdensome pension costs caused by a declining workforce.16 6 ERISA § 4041(a)(2); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(2); 29 C.F.R. § 4041.23(a). ERISA § 4041(b)(2)(A); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(2)(A). 8 ERISA § 4041(b)(2)(B); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(2)(B). 9 ERISA § 4041(b)(2)(C); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(2)(C). 10 ERISA § 4041(b)(3); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(3). 11 ERISA § 4050; 29 U.S.C. § 1350. 12 ERISA § 4041(b)(3)(B); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(3)(B). 13 ERISA § 4041(c); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c). 14 For purposes of the plan termination provisions, “controlled group” means, in connection with any person, a group consisting of such person and all other persons under common control with such person,” as determined under PBGC regulations. ERISA § 4001(a)(14); 29 U.S.C. § 1301(a)(14). 15 The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-280, § 404) amended the law to require that certain determinations, including the calculation of the plan participants’ guaranteed benefits, be made using the date the bankruptcy petition is filed, rather than the plan’s actual termination date. ERISA §§ 4022(g), 4044(e); 29 U.S.C. §§ 1322(g), 1344(e). This affects both distress and involuntary terminations (discussed below), and one consequence is that post-bankruptcy accruals are no longer guaranteed. In June 2011, the PBGC finalized regulations implementing the act’s provisions. See Bankruptcy Filing Date Treated as Plan Termination Date for Certain Purposes, 76 Fed. Reg. 34590 (June 14, 2011) (codified at 29 C.F.R. Parts 4001, 4022, and 4044). 16 ERISA § 4041(c)(2)(B); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2)(B). 7 Congressional Research Service 2 The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations caused by a declining workforce.17 In order to initiate a distress termination, a plan administrator must give written notice of an intent to terminate the plan to each affected party, including the PBGC, at least 60 days and (except with PBGC approval) not more than 90 days before the proposed termination date.1718 After the notice of intent is submitted to affected parties, the plan administrator must submit certain additional information to the PBGC, which may include a certification by an enrolled actuary regarding the amount of the current value of the assets of the plan, the actuarial present value of the benefit liabilities under the plan, and whether the plan is sufficient to pay benefit liabilities.18 19 Based on this information, the PBGC determines whether the distress termination criteria are met (or whether the PBGC is unable to make such a determination) and must notify the plan administrator of its finding as soon as practicable.19 20 If the distress criteria have not been met, the plan continues to operate. If the criteria are met, the PBGC must then determine whether the plan's assets are sufficient to pay the benefits guaranteed by the PBGC and/or meet all benefit liabilities. These amounts may be different because, as mentioned, the benefits guaranteed by the PBGC under the plan insurance termination program are subject to statutory limitations; therefore, the benefit liabilities owed under the plan may exceed the benefits guaranteed by the PBGC. If the PBGC determines that the plan's assets are sufficient to pay benefit liabilities, a plan administrator must carry out termination of the plan under the procedures of a standard termination, and take additional action if necessary.20 21 Similarly, if the PBGC determines that a plan has sufficient assets to cover guaranteed benefits, but not benefit liabilities, the plan administrator will be required to distribute plan assets as with a standard termination, certify to the PBGC that the distribution has occurred, and take other actions as necessary to terminate the plan.2122 If the plan's assets are not sufficient to pay the guaranteed benefits, the PBGC must commence involuntary termination proceedings (discussed below).2223 If the plan administrator discovers during the distribution that the plan's assets are not sufficient to cover benefits, he or she must notify the PBGC, which may then be required to initiate an involuntary termination.2324 If there are missing participants, the plan administrator may purchase an annuity for these individuals, or transfer their distributions to the PBGC after a diligent search.24 Involuntary Termination 25 Involuntary Termination An involuntary termination occurs when the PBGC decides a plan should be terminated.2526 The PBGC must initiate termination proceedings once it determines a plan does not have assets available to pay benefits currently due. The PBGC may seek to terminate a plan if 17 ERISA § 4041(a)(2); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(2); 29 C.F.R. § 4041.43(a). ERISA § 4041(c)(2)(A); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2)(A). This additional information must be provided to other affected parties no later than 15 days after (1) the receipt of a request for the information or (2) the provision of new information to the PBGC relating to a previous request. ERISA § 4041(c)(2)(D); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2)(D). 19 ERISA § 4041(c)(2)(C); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2)(C). 20 ERISA § 4041(c)(3)(B)(i); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(3)(B)(i). 21 ERISA § 4041(c)(3)(B)(ii); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(3)(B)(ii). 22 ERISA § 4041(c)(3)(B)(iii); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(3)(B)(iii). 23 ERISA § 4041(c)(3)(C); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(3)(C). 24 ERISA § 4050; 29 U.S.C. § 1350. 25 ERISA § 4042; 29 U.S.C. § 1342. 18 Congressional Research Service 3 The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations • available to pay benefits currently due. The PBGC may seek to terminate a plan ifthe plan has not met the minimum funding requirements or the plan has been notified by the Treasury Secretary that a notice of deficiency concerning the initial tax on a funding deficiency has been mailed; the plan will not be able to pay benefits when due; a distribution of at least $10,000 has been made to a participant who is a substantial owner of the sponsoring company and, immediately after the distribution, the plan has unfunded nonforfeitable benefits; or the long-run loss to the PBGC may reasonably be expected to increase unreasonably if the plan is not terminated.26 27A trustee, who may be the PBGC, may be appointed to administer the plan until it is ordered to be terminated.2728 The trustee may be appointed by a U.S. district court upon petition by the PBGC or plan administrator, or the PBGC and plan administrator may agree to the appointment without court involvement. Once appointed, the trustee is responsible for the plan's administration, including management of the plan's assets.28 29 After the PBGC has given notice to the plan administrator, the plan may be terminated in one of two ways. First, the PBGC may file a petition with the U.S. district court for a ruling that the plan must be terminated to protect the participants' interests, to avoid an unreasonable deterioration of the plan's financial condition, or to avoid an unreasonable increase in the PBGC's liability.2930 If a trustee has been appointed, he or she may intervene in the proceeding. The PBGC may file the petition regardless of whether there is a pending proceeding (1) involving bankruptcy, mortgage foreclosure foreclosure, or equity receivership,; (2) to reorganize, conserve, or liquidate the plan or its property, ; or (3) to enforce a lien against the plan's property.3031 Furthermore, the court may stay any pending proceedings that involve plan property.3132 If the court agrees with the PBGC that the plan should be terminated, the court will then appoint a trustee, or authorize the existing trustee, to terminate the plan. Alternatively, the PBGC and plan administrator may agree to terminate the plan without court proceedings.3233 There is no requirement under ERISA that plan participants and other interested parties receive notice or an opportunity to be heard prior to the PBGC and plan administrator coming to an agreement to terminate the plan.33 26 ERISA § 4042(a); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(a). ERISA § 4042(b); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(b). 28 ERISA § 4042(d); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(d). 29 ERISA § 4042(c)(1); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(c)(1). 30 ERISA § 4042(e); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(e). 31 ERISA § 4042(f); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(f). 32 ERISA § 4042(c)(1); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(c)(1). 33 See In Re Jones & Laughlin Hourly Pension Plan v. LTV Steel Co., 824 F.2d 197 (2nd Cir. 1987). 27 Congressional Research Service 4 The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations Employer Liability Standard Termination coming to an agreement to terminate the plan.34 Employer Liability Standard Termination In a standard termination, the plan sponsor has no further liability to the PBGC or plan participants. The plan sponsor may be able to recapture any assets remaining after participants have received their share, which is known as a "reversion." A reversion may be subject to an excise tax at a 20% rate, which is increased to 50% if the plan sponsor does not take certain actions, such as establishing a qualified replacement plan.34 Distress Termination 35 Distress Termination In a distress termination, the plan sponsor and members of its controlled group are jointly and severally liable to the PBGC for the amount that the benefit liabilities exceed plan assets, with interest, at termination.3536 The PBGC will have a claim to recover at least some of these amounts. If successful, the PBGC will pay some of the recovery to plan participants as additional benefits and will keep the remaining amount to help cover its losses. The employer's payment for the liability is due on the plan's termination date. The PBGC is authorized to make arrangements with the liable parties for the payments,3637 and any amount in excess of 30% of the collective net worth of the sponsor and controlled group will be paid under commercially reasonable terms.3738 In addition, the PBGC may claim a lien for up to 30% of the collective net worth of the sponsor and controlled group.3839 The PBGC may bring a civil action in U.S. district court to enforce the lien, which generally must be filed within six years of the plan’s 's termination date. The lien has the same priority as a federal tax lien in sectionSection 6323 of the Internal Revenue Code and is treated as a federal tax lien in bankruptcy proceedings.39 Involuntary Termination 40 Involuntary Termination In an involuntary termination, the sponsor and controlled group are jointly and severally liable to the PBGC for the unfunded liabilities in the same manner as discussed above for a distress termination. The sponsor and controlled group are also liable to the trustee for the outstanding balance of the accumulated funding deficiencies, the outstanding balance of the funding deficiencies waived prior to termination, and the outstanding balance of the decreases in the minimum funding standard allowed prior to termination.4041 These amounts are due, plus interest, on the date of termination. 34 Internal Revenue Code § 4980. ERISA § 4062(b)(1); 29 U.S.C. § 1362(b)(1). 36 ERISA § 4067; 29 U.S.C. § 1367. 37 ERISA § 4062(b)(2)(B); 29 U.S.C. § 1362(b)(2)(B). 38 ERISA § 4068; 29 U.S.C. § 1368. 39 ERISA § 4068(c); 29 U.S.C. § 1368(c). 40 ERISA § 4062(c); 29 U.S.C. § 1362(c). 35 Congressional Research Service 5 The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and Single-Employer Plan Terminations on the date of termination. Attempt To Evade Liability If a company sells or transfers a business with an underfunded pension plan in order to evade liability and the plan is ended within five years of the sale or transfer, ERISA provides that the company can still be treated as a contributing sponsor at the plan's termination date.4142 Thus, the company may be held liable for the unfunded liabilities. Enforcement and Penalties The PBGC is broadly authorized to make any investigation it deems necessary to enforce ERISA42 ERISA43 and may assess a penalty against anyone who fails to provide a required notice or other material information.4344 The penalty is limited to $1,000 for each day the failure occurs. In addition, plan participants, beneficiaries, fiduciaries, and sponsors who are adversely affected by an action of another (other than the PBGC) that violates the termination provisions may file suit in U.S. district court to enjoin the action or obtain other equitable relief.4445 Employee organizations representing affected participants and beneficiaries are also able to file a claim, and the PBGC has the right to intervene in any action. Plan Restoration Plan Restoration If the PBGC determines that a plan should not be terminated, it may stop the termination proceedings and restore the plan.4546 The PBGC may even restore a terminated plan. When determining whether a plan should be restored, the PBGC may look at subsequent pension plans sponsored by the employer.4647 The PBGC may be particularly interested in any subsequent plan that appears to be a "follow-on plan." A follow-on plan is designed so that when its benefits are added to the benefits being paid by the PBGC under the termination insurance program for the first plan, the total benefits are roughly the same as the first plan's benefits. Thus, the employees receive approximately what they expected to receive under the first plan, but the PBGC, rather than the employer, is responsible for paying some of the benefits. 41 ERISA § 4069; 29 U.S.C. § 1369. ERISA § 4003(a); 29 U.S.C. § 1303(a). 43 ERISA § 4071; 29 U.S.C. § 1371. 44 ERISA § 4070; 29 U.S.C. § 1370. 45 ERISA § 4047; 29 U.S.C. § 1347. 46 See PBGC v. LTV Corp., 496 U.S. 633 (1990). 42 Congressional Research Service 6

Footnotes

1.

Defined benefit plans are those where participants are promised a specified future benefit, which traditionally is an annuity beginning at retirement. For defined benefit plans, the employer bears the investment risk and is responsible for any shortfalls. ERISA § 3(35); 29 U.S.C. § 1002(35).

2.

A defined contribution plan is a pension plan in which the contributions are specified, but not the benefits. A defined contribution plan provides an individual account for each participant that accrues benefits based solely on the amount contributed to the account and any income, expenses, and investment gains or losses to the account. See ERISA § 3(34); 29 U.S.C. § 1002(34).

3.

ERISA § 4021(b); 29 U.S.C. § 1321(b).

4.

For information on the PBGC's role with respect to multiemployer plans, see CRS Report R43305, Multiemployer Defined Benefit (DB) Pension Plans: A Primer and Analysis of Policy Options, by [author name scrubbed].

5.

ERISA § 4041(b); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b).

6.

Affected parties include plan participants, beneficiaries (of deceased participants or alternate payees under a qualified domestic relations order), alternate payees under qualified domestic relations orders, employee organizations representing plan participants, and any person who has been designated to receive notice on behalf of an affected party. ERISA § 4001(a)(21); 29 U.S.C. § 1301(a)(21).

7.

ERISA § 4041(a)(2); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(2); 29 C.F.R. § 4041.23(a).

8.

ERISA § 4041(b)(2)(A); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(2)(A).

9.

ERISA § 4041(b)(2)(B); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(2)(B).

10.

ERISA § 4041(b)(2)(C); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(2)(C).

11.

ERISA § 4041(b)(3); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(3).

12.

ERISA § 4050; 29 U.S.C. § 1350.

13.

ERISA § 4041(b)(3)(B); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(b)(3)(B).

14.

ERISA § 4041(c); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c).

15.

For purposes of the plan termination provisions, "controlled group" means, in connection with any person, a group consisting of such person and all other persons under common control with such person," as determined under PBGC regulations. ERISA § 4001(a)(14); 29 U.S.C. § 1301(a)(14).

16.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 (P.L. 109-280, § 404) amended the law to require that certain determinations, including the calculation of the plan participants' guaranteed benefits, be made using the date the bankruptcy petition is filed, rather than the plan's actual termination date. ERISA §§ 4022(g), 4044(e); 29 U.S.C. §§ 1322(g), 1344(e). This affects both distress and involuntary terminations (discussed below), and one consequence is that post-bankruptcy accruals are no longer guaranteed.

17.

ERISA § 4041(c)(2)(B); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2)(B).

18.

ERISA § 4041(a)(2); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(a)(2); 29 C.F.R. § 4041.43(a).

19.

ERISA § 4041(c)(2)(A); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2)(A). This additional information must be provided to other affected parties no later than 15 days after (1) the receipt of a request for the information or (2) the provision of new information to the PBGC relating to a previous request. ERISA § 4041(c)(2)(D); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2)(D).

20.

ERISA § 4041(c)(2)(C); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(2)(C).

21.

ERISA § 4041(c)(3)(B)(i); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(3)(B)(i).

22.

ERISA § 4041(c)(3)(B)(ii); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(3)(B)(ii).

23.

ERISA § 4041(c)(3)(B)(iii); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(3)(B)(iii).

24.

ERISA § 4041(c)(3)(C); 29 U.S.C. § 1341(c)(3)(C).

25.

ERISA § 4050; 29 U.S.C. § 1350.

26.

ERISA § 4042; 29 U.S.C. § 1342.

27.

ERISA § 4042(a); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(a).

28.

ERISA § 4042(b); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(b).

29.

ERISA § 4042(d); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(d).

30.

ERISA § 4042(c)(1); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(c)(1).

31.

ERISA § 4042(e); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(e).

32.

ERISA § 4042(f); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(f).

33.

ERISA § 4042(c)(1); 29 U.S.C. § 1342(c)(1).

34.

See In Re Jones & Laughlin Hourly Pension Plan v. LTV Steel Co., 824 F.2d 197 (2nd Cir. 1987).

35.

Internal Revenue Code § 4980.

36.

ERISA § 4062(b)(1); 29 U.S.C. § 1362(b)(1).

37.

ERISA § 4067; 29 U.S.C. § 1367.

38.

ERISA § 4062(b)(2)(B); 29 U.S.C. § 1362(b)(2)(B).

39.

ERISA § 4068; 29 U.S.C. § 1368.

40.

ERISA § 4068(c); 29 U.S.C. § 1368(c).

41.

ERISA § 4062(c); 29 U.S.C. § 1362(c).

42.

ERISA § 4069; 29 U.S.C. § 1369.

43.

ERISA § 4003(a); 29 U.S.C. § 1303(a).

44.

ERISA § 4071; 29 U.S.C. § 1371.

45.

ERISA § 4070; 29 U.S.C. § 1370.

46.

ERISA § 4047; 29 U.S.C. § 1347.

47.

See PBGC v. LTV Corp., 496 U.S. 633 (1990).