Civil Penalties Under ERISA Section 502(c)(4), 71842-71847 [E7-24386]

Agencies

• Employee Benefits Security Administration
• DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 243 (Wednesday, December 19, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 71842-71847]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24386]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employee Benefits Security Administration

29 CFR Part 2560

RIN 1210-AB24


Civil Penalties Under ERISA Section 502(c)(4)

AGENCY: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Proposed regulation.

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SUMMARY: This document contains a proposed regulation that, upon 
adoption, would establish procedures relating to the assessment of 
civil penalties by the Department of Labor under section 502(c)(4) of 
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act). 
The regulation is necessary to reflect recent amendments to section 
502(c)(4) by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, under which the 
Secretary of Labor is granted authority to assess civil penalties not 
to exceed $1,000 per day for each violation of section 101(j), (k), or 
(l), or section 514(e)(3) of ERISA. The regulation would affect 
employee benefit plans,

[[Page 71843]]

plan administrators and sponsors, fiduciaries, as well as participants, 
beneficiaries, employee representatives, and certain employers.

DATES: Written comments on the proposed regulation should be received 
by the Department of Labor no later than February 19, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 1210-AB24, by one 
of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: e-ORI@dol.gov. Include RIN 1210-AB24 in the 
subject line of the message.
     Mail: Office of Regulations and Interpretations, Employee 
Benefits Security Administration, Room N-5669, U.S. Department of 
Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, Attention: 
Civil Penalties Under 502(c)(4).
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the agency name 
and Regulatory Information Number (RIN) for this rulemaking. Comments 
received will be posted without change to www.regulations.gov and 
https://www.dol.gov/ebsa, and available for public inspection at the 
Public Disclosure Room, N-1513, Employee Benefits Security 
Administration, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, 
including any personal information provided. Persons submitting 
comments electronically are encouraged not to submit paper copies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Melissa R. Spurgeon, Office of 
Regulations and Interpretations, Employee Benefits Security 
Administration, (202) 693-8500. This is not a toll-free number.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

A. Background

    On August 17, 2006, the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), 
Public Law 109-280, 120 Stat. 780, amended title I of ERISA by adding 
or revising a substantial number of substantive provisions. In 
conjunction with many of these new or revised provisions, the PPA also 
amended the civil enforcement provisions in ERISA to provide the 
Secretary of Labor with authority to assess civil monetary penalties 
for violations of the substantive provisions.
    Specifically, section 103(b)(1) of the PPA amended section 101 of 
ERISA by adding a new disclosure requirement under subsection (j), 
under which the plan administrator of a single-employer defined benefit 
pension plan must provide written notice of limitations on benefits and 
benefit accruals to participants and beneficiaries pursuant to section 
206(g) of ERISA (or the parallel Internal Revenue Code provision at 
section 436(b)).\1\ A notice of benefit limitations must be furnished 
within 30 days after a plan becomes subject to an ERISA section 206(g) 
funding-based restriction and at such other time as may be determined 
by the Secretary of the Treasury. Section 103(b)(2) of the PPA amended 
section 502(c)(4) of ERISA to provide the Secretary of Labor with the 
authority to assess a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 a day for 
each violation of ERISA section 101(j). The effective date of the 
provisions added by PPA section 103(b) is for plan years beginning on 
or after January 1, 2008.
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    \1\ Under section 101 of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1978 (43 
FR 47713), the Secretary of the Treasury has interpretive 
jurisdiction over section 206(g) of ERISA.
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    Section 502(a)(1) of the PPA amended section 101 of ERISA by adding 
subsection (k), under which the plan administrator of a multiemployer 
pension plan must, upon written request, furnish certain documents to 
any plan participant, beneficiary, employee representative, or any 
employer that has an obligation to contribute to the plan. Section 
502(a)(2) of the PPA amended section 502(c)(4) of ERISA to provide the 
Secretary of Labor with the authority to assess a civil penalty of not 
more than $1,000 a day for each violation of ERISA section 101(k). The 
effective date of the provisions added by PPA section 502(a) is for 
plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2008.
    Section 502(b)(1) of the PPA amended section 101 of ERISA by adding 
subsection (l), under which a plan sponsor or plan administrator of a 
multiemployer employee benefit plan must, upon written request, furnish 
to any employer with an obligation to contribute to such plan, notice 
of potential withdrawal liability. Section 502(b)(2) of the PPA amended 
section 502(c)(4) of ERISA to provide the Secretary of Labor with the 
authority to assess a civil penalty of not more than $1,000 a day for 
each violation of ERISA section 101(l). The effective date of the 
provisions added by PPA section 502(b) is for plan years beginning on 
or after January 1, 2008.
    Section 902(f)(1) of the PPA amended section 514 of ERISA by adding 
subsection (e)(3), under which the plan administrator of a plan with an 
automatic contribution arrangement shall provide to each participant to 
whom the arrangement applies, notice of the participant's rights and 
obligations under such arrangement. Notice under section 514(e)(3) of 
ERISA must be furnished within such time period prescribed in section 
2550.404c-5(c)(3), generally at least 30 days in advance of a 
participant's date of plan eligibility and within a reasonable period 
of time of at least 30 days in advance of each subsequent plan year. 
Section 902(f)(2) of the PPA amended section 502(c)(4) of ERISA to 
provide the Secretary of Labor with the authority to assess a civil 
penalty of not more than $1,000 a day for each violation of ERISA 
section 514(e)(3). The effective date of the provisions added by PPA 
section 902(f) is August 17, 2006.

B. Overview of Sec.  2560.502c-4

    In general, the proposed regulation sets forth how the maximum 
penalty amounts are computed, identifies the circumstances under which 
a penalty may be assessed, sets forth certain procedural rules for 
service and filing, and provides a plan administrator a means to 
contest an assessment by the Department by requesting an administrative 
hearing.
    Paragraph (a) of the regulation addresses the general application 
of section 502(c)(4) of ERISA, under which the plan administrator of an 
eligible plan shall be liable for civil penalties assessed by the 
Secretary of Labor in each case in which there is a failure or refusal, 
in whole or in part, to furnish the item(s) to each person entitled 
under the requirements of section 101(j), (k), or (l), or section 
514(e)(3) of ERISA, as applicable.
    Paragraph (b) of the regulation sets forth the amount of penalties 
that may be assessed under section 502(c)(4) of ERISA and provides that 
the penalty assessed under section 502(c)(4) for each separate 
violation is to be determined by the Department, taking into 
consideration the degree or willfulness of the failure or refusal. 
Paragraph (b) provides that the maximum amount assessed for each 
violation shall not exceed $1,000 a day per violation.\2\
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    \2\ The Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 
(the 1990 Act), Public Law 101-410, 104 Stat. 890, as amended by the 
Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (the Act), Public Law 104-
134, 110 Stat. 1321-373, generally provides that federal agencies 
adjust certain civil monetary penalties for inflation no later than 
180 days after the enactment of the Act, and at least once every 
four years thereafter, in accordance with the guidelines specified 
in the 1990 Act. The Act specifies that any such increase in a civil 
monetary penalty shall apply only to violations that occur after the 
date the increase takes effect.
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    Paragraph (c) of the regulation provides that, prior to assessing a 
penalty under ERISA section 502(c)(4),

[[Page 71844]]

the Department shall provide the plan administrator with written notice 
of the Department's intent to assess a penalty, the amount of such 
penalty, the number of individuals (e.g., participants and 
beneficiaries) on which the penalty is based, the period to which the 
penalty applies, and the reason(s) for the penalty. The notice would 
indicate the specific provision violated (i.e., section 101(j), (k), or 
(l), or section 514(e)(3) of ERISA). The notice is to be served in 
accordance with paragraph (i) of the regulation (service of notice 
provision).
    Paragraph (d) of the regulation provides that the Department may 
determine not to assess a penalty, or to waive all or part of the 
penalty to be assessed, under ERISA 502(c)(4), upon a showing by the 
administrator, under paragraph (e) of the regulation, of compliance 
with section 101(j), (k), or (l), or section 514(e)(3) of ERISA or that 
there were mitigating circumstances for noncompliance. Under paragraph 
(e) of the regulation, the administrator has 30 days from the date of 
the service of the notice issued under paragraph (c) of the regulation 
within which to file a statement making such a showing. When the 
Department serves the notice under paragraph (c) by certified mail, 
service is complete upon mailing but five (5) days are added to the 
time allowed for the filing of the statement (see Sec.  2560.502c-
4(i)(2)).
    Paragraph (f) of the regulation provides that a failure to file a 
timely statement under paragraph (e) shall be deemed to be a waiver of 
the right to appear and contest the facts alleged in the Department's 
notice of intent to assess a penalty for purposes of any adjudicatory 
proceeding involving the assessment of the penalty under section 
502(c)(4) of ERISA, and to be an admission of the facts alleged in the 
notice of intent to assess. Such notice then becomes a final order of 
the Secretary 45 days from the date of service of the notice.
    Paragraph (g)(1) of the regulation provides that, following a 
review of the facts alleged in the statement under paragraph (e), the 
Department shall notify the administrator of its intention to waive the 
penalty, in whole or in part, and/or assess a penalty. If it is the 
intention of the Department to assess a penalty, the notice shall 
indicate the amount of the penalty. Under paragraph (g)(2) of the 
regulation, this notice becomes a final order 45 days after the date of 
service of the notice, except as provided in paragraph (h).
    Paragraph (h) of the regulation provides that the notice described 
in paragraph (g) will become a final order of the Department unless, 
within 30 days of the date of service of the notice, the plan 
administrator or representative files a request for a hearing to 
contest the assessment in administrative proceedings set forth in 
regulations issued under part 2570 of title 29 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations and files an answer, in writing, opposing the sanction. 
When the Department serves the notice under paragraph (g) by mail, 
service is complete upon mailing, but five days are added to the time 
allowed for the filing of a request for hearing and answer if the 
notice was served by certified mail (see 2560.502c-4(i)(2)).
    Paragraph (i)(1) of the regulation describes the rules relating to 
service of the Department's notice of penalty assessment (Sec. 
2560.502c-4(c)) and the Department's notice of determination on a 
statement of reasonable cause (Sec. 2560.502c-4(g)). Paragraph (i)(1) 
provides that service by the Department shall be made by delivering a 
copy to the administrator or representative thereof; by leaving a copy 
at the principal office, place of business, or residence of the 
administrator or representative thereof; or by mailing a copy to the 
last known address of the administrator or representative thereof. As 
noted above, paragraph (i)(2) of this section provides that when 
service of a notice under paragraph (c) or (g) is by certified mail, 
service is complete upon mailing, but five days are added to the time 
allowed for the filing of a statement or a request for hearing and 
answer, as applicable. Service by regular mail is complete upon receipt 
by the addressee.
    Paragraph (i)(3) of the regulation, which relates to the filing of 
statements of reasonable cause, provides that a statement of reasonable 
cause shall be considered filed (i) upon mailing if accomplished using 
United States Postal Service certified mail or express mail, (ii) upon 
receipt by the delivery service if accomplished using a ``designated 
private delivery service'' within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 7502(f), 
(iii) upon transmittal if transmitted in a manner specified in the 
notice of intent to assess a penalty as a method of transmittal to be 
accorded such special treatment, or (iv) in the case of any other 
method of filing, upon receipt by the Department at the address 
provided in the notice. This provision does not apply to the filing of 
requests for hearing and answers with the Office of the Administrative 
Law Judge (OALJ) which are governed by the Department's OALJ rules in 
29 CFR 18.4.
    Paragraph (j) of the regulation clarifies the liability of the 
parties for penalties assessed under section 502(c)(4) of ERISA. 
Paragraph (j)(1) provides that, if more than one person is responsible 
as administrator for the failure to provide the required item(s), all 
such persons shall be jointly and severally liable for such failure. 
Paragraph (j)(2) provides that any person against whom a penalty is 
assessed under section 502(c)(4) of ERISA, pursuant to a final order, 
is personally liable for the payment of such penalty. Paragraph (j)(2) 
provides that liability for the payment of penalties assessed under 
section 502(c)(4) of ERISA is a personal liability of the person 
against whom the penalty is assessed and not a liability of the plan. 
It is the Department's view that payment of penalties assessed under 
ERISA section 502(c) from plan assets would not constitute a reasonable 
expense of administering a plan for purposes of sections 403 and 404 of 
ERISA. Consistent with section 101(l) of ERISA, for purposes of any 
civil penalty imposed under section 502(c)(4) of ERISA pursuant to the 
requirements of section 101(l) of ERISA, the term ``administrator'' 
shall include plan sponsor (within the meaning of section 3(16)(B) of 
the Act).
    Paragraph (k) of the regulation establishes procedures for hearings 
before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) with respect to assessment by 
the Department of a civil penalty under ERISA section 502(c)(4), and 
for appealing an ALJ decision to the Secretary or her delegate. The 
procedures are the same procedures that would apply in the case of a 
civil penalty assessment under 502(c)(7) of ERISA.

C. Effective Date

    The Department proposes to make this regulation effective 60 days 
after the date of publication of the final rule in the Federal 
Register.

D. Regulatory Impact Analysis

Executive Order 12866

    Under Executive Order 12866 (58 FR 51735), the Department must 
determine whether a regulatory action is ``significant'' and therefore 
subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Section 
3(f) of the Executive Order defines a ``significant regulatory action'' 
as an action that is likely to result in a rule (1) having an annual 
effect on the economy of $100 million or more, or adversely and 
materially affecting a sector of the economy, productivity, 
competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, 
local or tribal governments or communities (also referred to as 
``economically significant''); (2) creating serious inconsistency or 
otherwise interfering

[[Page 71845]]

with an action taken or planned by another agency; (3) materially 
altering the budgetary impacts of entitlement grants, user fees, or 
loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof; or 
(4) raising novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, 
the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in the 
Executive Order. The Department has determined that these proposed 
rules relating to the assessment of civil monetary penalties under 
section 502(c)(4) of ERISA are significant in that they provide 
guidance on the enforcement of the disclosure provisions of section 
101(j), (k), and (l) and section 514(e)(3) of ERISA.
    The principal benefit of the statutory penalty provisions and this 
proposed rule will be greater adherence to the new disclosure 
requirements. The implementation of orderly and consistent processes 
for the assessment of penalties and the review of such assessments will 
also be beneficial for plan administrators. The procedures established 
in this proposed rule also will allow facts and circumstances related 
to a failure or refusal to provide appropriate disclosure to be 
presented by a plan administrator and to be taken into consideration by 
the Department in assessing penalties under ERISA section 502(c)(4).
    The rate of failure or refusal to provide required disclosure, and 
the dollar value of penalties to be assessed in those cases cannot be 
predicted. The civil penalty provisions of the statute and this 
proposed rule impose no mandatory requirements or costs, except where a 
plan administrator has failed to provide the required disclosure.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601, et seq.) (RFA), 
imposes certain requirements with respect to federal rules that are 
subject to the notice and comment requirements of section 553(b) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. 551, et seq.) and that are 
likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. For purposes of its analyses under the RFA, EBSA 
continues to consider a small entity to be an employee benefit plan 
with fewer than 100 participants. The basis of this definition is found 
in section 104(a)(2) of ERISA, which permits the Secretary of Labor to 
prescribe simplified annual reporting for pension plans that cover 
fewer than 100 participants.
    The terms of the statute pertaining to the assessment of civil 
penalties under section 502(c)(4) of ERISA do not vary relative to plan 
or plan administrator size. The operation of the statute will normally 
result in the assessment of lower penalties where small plans are 
involved because penalty assessments are based, in part, on the number 
of plan participants. The opportunity for a plan administrator to 
present facts and circumstances related to a failure or refusal to 
provide appropriate disclosure that may be taken into consideration by 
the Department in assessing penalties under ERISA section 502(c)(4) may 
offer some degree of flexibility to small entities subject to penalty 
assessments. Penalty assessments will have no direct impact on small 
plans because the plan administrator assessed a civil penalty is 
personally liable for the payment of that penalty pursuant to section 
2560.502c-4(j).
    The Department invites interested persons to submit comments on the 
impact of this notice of proposed rulemaking on small entities, and on 
any alternative approaches that may serve to minimize the impact on 
small plans or other entities while accomplishing the objectives of the 
statutory provisions.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The proposal is not subject to the requirements of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.) because it 
does not contain a collection of information as defined in 44 U.S.C. 
3502(3). Information otherwise provided to the Secretary in connection 
with the administrative and procedural requirements of the proposed 
rule is excepted from coverage by PRA 95 pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 
3518(c)(1)(B), and related regulations at 5 CFR 1320.4(a)(2) and (c). 
These provisions generally except information provided as a result of 
an agency's civil or administrative action, investigation, or audit.

Congressional Review Act

    This notice of proposed rulemaking is subject to the Congressional 
Review Act provisions of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (5 U.S.C. 801, et seq.) and, upon finalization, 
will be transmitted to the Congress and the Comptroller General for 
review.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    For purposes of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 
104-4), as well as Executive Order 12875, this rule does not include 
any Federal mandate that may result in expenditures by State, local, or 
tribal governments, and does not impose an annual burden exceeding $100 
million on the private sector.

Federalism Statement

    Executive Order 13132 (August 4, 1999) outlines fundamental 
principles of federalism and requires the adherence to specific 
criteria by federal agencies in the process of their formulation and 
implementation of policies that have substantial direct effects on the 
States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. This proposed rule does not have 
federalism implications because it has no substantial direct effect on 
the States, on the relationship between the national government and the 
States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the 
various levels of government. Section 514 of ERISA provides, with 
certain exceptions specifically enumerated, that the provisions of 
Titles I and IV of ERISA supersede any and all laws of the States as 
they relate to any employee benefit plan covered under ERISA. The 
requirements implemented in this proposed rule does not alter the 
fundamental reporting and disclosure, or administration and enforcement 
provisions of the statute with respect to employee benefit plans, and 
as such have no implications for the States or the relationship or 
distribution of power between the national government and the States.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 2560

    Employee benefit plans, Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 
Law enforcement, Pensions.

    Accordingly, 29 CFR part 2560 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 2560--RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT

    1. The authority citation for part 2560 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1132, 1135, and Secretary of Labor's Order 
1-2003, 68 FR 5374 (Feb. 3, 2003). Sec. 2560.503-1 also issued under 
29 U.S.C. 1133. Section 2560.502c-7 also issued under Pub. L. 109-
280, 120 Stat. 780. Sec. 2560.502c-4 also issued under Pub. L. 109-
280, 120 Stat. 780.

    2. Add Sec.  2560.502c-4 to read as follows:


Sec.  2560.502c-4  Civil penalties under section 502(c)(4).

    (a) In general. (1) Pursuant to the authority granted the Secretary 
under section 502(c)(4) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act 
of 1974, as amended (the Act), the administrator (within the meaning of 
section 3(16)(A)

[[Page 71846]]

of the Act) shall be liable for civil penalties assessed by the 
Secretary under section 502(c)(4) of the Act, for failure or refusal to 
furnish:
    (i) Notice of funding-based limits in accordance with section 
101(j) of the Act;
    (ii) Actuarial, financial or funding information in accordance with 
section 101(k) of the Act;
    (iii) Notice of potential withdrawal liability in accordance with 
section 101(l) of the Act; or
    (iv) Notice of rights and obligations under an automatic 
contribution arrangement in accordance with section 514(e)(3) of the 
Act.
    (2) For purposes of this section, a failure or refusal to furnish 
the items referred to in paragraph (a)(1) of this section shall mean a 
failure or refusal to furnish, in whole or in part, the items required 
under section 101(j), (k), or (l), or section 514(e)(3) of the Act at 
the relevant times and manners prescribed in such sections.
    (b) Amount assessed. (1) The amount assessed under section 
502(c)(4) of the Act for each separate violation shall be determined by 
the Department of Labor, taking into consideration the degree or 
willfulness of the failure or refusal to furnish the items referred to 
in paragraph (a) of this section. However, the amount assessed for each 
violation under section 502(c)(4) of the Act shall not exceed $1,000 a 
day (or such other maximum amount as may be established by regulation 
pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 
1990, as amended), computed from the date of the administrator's 
failure or refusal to furnish the items referred to in paragraph (a) of 
this section.
    (2) For purposes of calculating the amount to be assessed under 
this section, a failure or refusal to furnish the item with respect to 
any person entitled to receive such item, shall be treated as a 
separate violation under section 101(j), (k), or (l), or section 
514(e)(3) of the Act, as applicable.
    (c) Notice of intent to assess a penalty. Prior to the assessment 
of any penalty under section 502(c)(4) of the Act, the Department shall 
provide to the administrator of the plan a written notice indicating 
the Department's intent to assess a penalty under section 502(c)(4) of 
the Act, the amount of such penalty, the number of individuals on which 
the penalty is based, the period to which the penalty applies, and the 
reason(s) for the penalty.
    (d) Reconsideration or waiver of penalty to be assessed. The 
Department may determine that all or part of the penalty amount in the 
notice of intent to assess a penalty shall not be assessed on a showing 
that the administrator complied with the requirements of section 
101(j), (k), or (l), or section 514(e)(3) of the Act, as applicable, or 
on a showing by such person of mitigating circumstances regarding the 
degree or willfulness of the noncompliance.
    (e) Showing of reasonable cause. Upon issuance by the Department of 
a notice of intent to assess a penalty, the administrator shall have 
thirty (30) days from the date of service of the notice, as described 
in paragraph (i) of this section, to file a statement of reasonable 
cause explaining why the penalty, as calculated, should be reduced, or 
not be assessed, for the reasons set forth in paragraph (d) of this 
section. Such statement must be made in writing and set forth all the 
facts alleged as reasonable cause for the reduction or nonassessment of 
the penalty. The statement must contain a declaration by the 
administrator that the statement is made under the penalties of 
perjury.
    (f) Failure to file a statement of reasonable cause. Failure to 
file a statement of reasonable cause within the thirty (30) day period 
described in paragraph (e) of this section shall be deemed to 
constitute a waiver of the right to appear and contest the facts 
alleged in the notice of intent, and such failure shall be deemed an 
admission of the facts alleged in the notice for purposes of any 
proceeding involving the assessment of a civil penalty under section 
502(c)(4) of the Act. Such notice shall then become a final order of 
the Secretary, within the meaning of Sec.  2570.131(g) of this chapter, 
forty-five (45) days from the date of service of the notice.
    (g) Notice of determination on statement of reasonable cause. (1) 
The Department, following a review of all of the facts in a statement 
of reasonable cause alleged in support of nonassessment or a complete 
or partial waiver of the penalty, shall notify the administrator, in 
writing, of its determination on the statement of reasonable cause and 
its determination whether to waive the penalty in whole or in part, 
and/or assess a penalty. If it is the determination of the Department 
to assess a penalty, the notice shall indicate the amount of the 
penalty assessment, not to exceed the amount described in paragraph (c) 
of this section. This notice is a ``pleading'' for purposes of Sec.  
2570.131(m) of this chapter.
    (2) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, a notice 
issued pursuant to paragraph (g)(1) of this section, indicating the 
Department's determination to assess a penalty, shall become a final 
order, within the meaning of Sec.  2570.131(g) of this chapter, forty-
five (45) days from the date of service of the notice.
    (h) Administrative hearing. A notice issued pursuant to paragraph 
(g) of this section will not become a final order, within the meaning 
of Sec.  2570.131(g) of this chapter, if, within thirty (30) days from 
the date of the service of the notice, the administrator or a 
representative thereof files a request for a hearing under Sec. Sec.  
2570.130 through 2570.141 of this chapter, and files an answer to the 
notice. The request for hearing and answer must be filed in accordance 
with Sec.  2570.132 of this chapter and Sec.  18.4 of this title. The 
answer opposing the proposed sanction shall be in writing, and 
supported by reference to specific circumstances or facts surrounding 
the notice of determination issued pursuant to paragraph (g) of this 
section.
    (i) Service of notices and filing of statements. (1) Service of a 
notice for purposes of paragraphs (c) and (g) of this section shall be 
made:
    (i) By delivering a copy to the administrator or representative 
thereof;
    (ii) By leaving a copy at the principal office, place of business, 
or residence of the administrator or representative thereof; or
    (iii) By mailing a copy to the last known address of the 
administrator or representative thereof.
    (2) If service is accomplished by certified mail, service is 
complete upon mailing. If service is by regular mail, service is 
complete upon receipt by the addressee. When service of a notice under 
paragraph (c) or (g) of this section is by certified mail, five days 
shall be added to the time allowed by these rules for the filing of a 
statement or a request for hearing and answer, as applicable.
    (3) For purposes of this section, a statement of reasonable cause 
shall be considered filed:
    (i) Upon mailing, if accomplished using United States Postal 
Service certified mail or express mail;
    (ii) Upon receipt by the delivery service, if accomplished using a 
``designated private delivery service'' within the meaning of 26 U.S.C. 
7502(f);
    (iii) Upon transmittal, if transmitted in a manner specified in the 
notice of intent to assess a penalty as a method of transmittal to be 
accorded such special treatment; or
    (iv) In the case of any other method of filing, upon receipt by the 
Department at the address provided in the notice of intent to assess a 
penalty.
    (j) Liability. (1) If more than one person is responsible as 
administrator for the failure to furnish the items required under 
section 101(j), (k), or (l),

[[Page 71847]]

or section 514(e)(3) of the Act, as applicable, all such persons shall 
be jointly and severally liable for such failure. For purposes of 
paragraph (a)(1)(iii) of this section, the term ``administrator'' shall 
include plan sponsor (within the meaning of section 3(16)(B) of the 
Act).
    (2) Any person, or persons under paragraph (j)(1) of this section, 
against whom a civil penalty has been assessed under section 502(c)(4) 
of the Act, pursuant to a final order within the meaning of Sec.  
2570.131(g) of this chapter shall be personally liable for the payment 
of such penalty.
    (k) Cross-references. (1) The procedural rules in Sec. Sec.  
2570.130 through 2570.141 of this chapter apply to administrative 
hearings under section 502(c)(4) of the Act.
    (2) When applying procedural rules in Sec. Sec.  2570.130 through 
2570.140:
    (i) Wherever the term ``502(c)(7)'' appears, such term shall mean 
``502(c)(4)'';
    (ii) Reference to Sec.  2560.502c-7(g) in 2570.131(c) shall be 
construed as reference to Sec.  2560.502c-4(g) of this chapter;
    (iii) Reference to Sec.  2560.502c-7(e) in Sec.  2570.131(g) shall 
be construed as reference to Sec.  2560.502c-4(e) of this chapter;
    (iv) Reference to Sec.  2560.502c-7(g) in Sec.  2570.131(m) shall 
be construed as reference to Sec.  2560.502c-4(g); and
    (v) Reference to Sec. Sec.  2560.502c-7(g) and 2560.502c-7(h) in 
Sec.  2570.134 shall be construed as reference to Sec. Sec.  2560.502c-
4(g) and 2560.502c-4(h), respectively.

    Signed at Washington, DC, this 11th day of December, 2007.
Bradford P. Campbell,
Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits Security Administration, 
Department of Labor.
[FR Doc. E7-24386 Filed 12-18-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-29-P