October 15, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

We are proposing amendments to our rules to require disclosure of information regarding credit ratings used by registrants, including closed-end management investment companies, in connection with a registered offering of securities so that investors will better understand the credit rating and its limitations. The amendments we are proposing today also would require additional disclosure that would inform investors about potential conflicts of interest that could affect the credit rating. In addition, we are proposing amendments to require disclosure of preliminary credit ratings in certain circumstances so that investors have enhanced information about the credit ratings process that may bear on the quality or reliability of the rating. The proposed amendments would be applicable to registration statements filed under the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, and Forms 8-K and 20-F.

This document contains final regulations providing guidance regarding the determination of the value of plan assets and benefit liabilities for purposes of the funding requirements that apply to single employer defined benefit plans, regarding the use of certain funding balances maintained for those plans, and regarding benefit restrictions for certain underfunded defined benefit pension plans. These regulations reflect provisions added by the Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended by the Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008. These regulations affect sponsors, administrators, participants, and beneficiaries of single employer defined benefit pension plans.