Compliance Bulletin: DOL Proposes New Method for Electronic Delivery of Retirement Plan Disclosures

OVERVIEW

On Oct. 23, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) published a proposed rule that would allow plan administrators to make retirement plan disclosures available on a website.

The safe harbor would be permitted for employee pension benefit plan disclosures, such as summary annual reports or pension benefit statements, but not for any document that must be furnished upon request. The proposal would not apply to employee welfare benefit plans, such as group health plans or plans providing disability benefits.

ACTION STEPS

If the proposal is adopted, plan administrators may continue to use the existing safe harbor for electronic delivery, or to furnish paper documents by hand-delivery or mail.

The proposal would provide a new, optional method where plan administrators who satisfy specified conditions may furnish documents electronically, unless participants affirmatively opt out.

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