Defined benefit plan

The Internal Revenue Service has issued Notice 2024-59, which contains updated guidance on factors used in certain defined benefit (DB) pension plan minimum funding and present value calculations. Updates include corporate bond monthly yield curve, the corresponding spot segment rates for June used under Internal Revenue Code Section (IRC Sec.) 417(e)(3), and the 24-month average segment rates for July under IRC Sec. 430(h)(2). IRC Sec. 417 contains definitions and special rules for minimum survivor annuity requirements in DB plans. IRC Sec. 430 addresses minimum funding standard for single-employer DB plans.

The Department of Labor has launched an online filing system for termination administrators to be able to submit required information for abandoned plans to DOL in addition to existing email and paper-based methods. This initiative was telegraphed in the recent release of an interim final rule that expands the abandoned plan program to Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustees and makes other changes. More information on the rule can be found here.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on July 18, 2024, for Montana severe winter storm and flooding, for the incident period of May 6 – May 9, 2024.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) issued a Major Disaster Declaration on July 15, 2024, for Kansas severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes and flooding, for the incident period of April 25 – April 30, 2024.

The IRS notes in a new post that electronic filing of Form 5330, Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans, will not be required for the remainder of the 2024 taxable year—confirming that taxpayers may continue to file by paper. Form 5330 is used to report the payment of excise tax for a variety of issues, including prohibited transactions (i.e., late deposits), excess contributions, reversion of qualified plan assets, excess benefits paid, etc.

The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued an interim final rule, expanding the Abandoned Plan Program regulations to also include plans of employers who are in liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The DOL has also released a corresponding amendment to prohibited transaction exemption (PTE) 2006-06, Class Exemption for Services Provided in Connection with the Termination of Abandoned Individual Account Plans.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding in Mississippi.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of southern New Mexico South Fork fire, Salt fire, and flooding.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Oklahoma severe storms, straight-line-winds, tornadoes, and flooding.

The IRS has announced the postponement of certain tax-related deadlines for victims of Florida severe storms, straight-line-winds, and tornadoes.