Administrative Review of Agency Decisions, 10279-10284 [2020-02742]

Agencies

• Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10279-10284]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02742]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION

29 CFR Part 4003

RIN 1212-AB35


Administrative Review of Agency Decisions

AGENCY: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: This final rule amends PBGC's regulation on Rules for 
Administrative Review of Agency Decisions. It clarifies and changes the 
review process for certain agency determinations and the procedures for 
requesting administrative review.

DATES: 
    Effective Date: This rule is effective March 25, 2020.
    Applicability date: The amendments subjecting all coverage 
determinations to the appeals process under Sec.  4003.1(e)(1) of this 
final rule apply to initial determinations that are subject to this 
part and issued on or after March 25, 2020.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Karen B. Levin ([email protected]), 
Attorney, Regulatory Affairs Division, Office of the General Counsel, 
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 1200 K Street NW, Washington, DC 
20005-4026; 202-229-3559. (TTY users may call the Federal Relay Service 
toll-free at 800-877-8339 and ask to be connected to 202-229-3559.)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Summary

Purpose and Authority

    This final rule amends PBGC's regulation on rules for 
administrative review of agency decisions to clarify, simplify, and 
make other editorial changes to the language, and codify PBGC 
practices.
    Legal authority for this action comes from section 4002(b)(3) of 
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), which 
authorizes PBGC to issue regulations to carry out the purposes of title 
IV of ERISA.

Major Provisions

    This final rule:
     Subjects all coverage determinations to appeal.
     Subjects all determinations concerning the allocation of a 
trusteed plan's assets upon plan termination to appeal, except for 
determinations concerning the distribution of residual assets, which 
remain subject to reconsideration.
     Clarifies that, consistent with PBGC's long-standing 
practice, when PBGC makes an initial determination effective on the 
date of issuance, a person aggrieved by the initial determination has 
no right to request reconsideration or appeal of the determination.
     Clarifies where to send requests for extensions on appeals 
and extensions for reconsideration.
     Clarifies that persons seeking administrative review may 
request information in PBGC's possession by using PBGC's procedures for 
requests under the Freedom of Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Background

    The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) administers two 
insurance programs for private-sector defined benefit pension plans 
under title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 
(ERISA): A single-employer plan termination insurance program and a 
multiemployer plan insolvency insurance program. This final rule 
applies only to plans covered by the single-employer plan termination 
insurance program.
    PBGC is committed to the ongoing retrospective review of its 
regulations. This practice ensures that PBGC provides clear and helpful 
guidance, minimizes burdens and maximizes benefits, and addresses 
ineffective and outdated rules. In the course of PBGC's regulatory 
review, PBGC identified opportunities to improve its regulation on 
Rules for Administrative Review of Agency Decisions (29 CFR part 4003) 
by making it more transparent, simplifying language, and codifying 
policies.
    On October 4, 2019 (at 84 FR 53084), PBGC published a proposed rule 
to amend PBGC's administrative review regulation. PBGC received no 
comments

[[Page 10280]]

on the proposed rule. The final rule is the same as the proposed rule.

Final Regulatory Changes

    PBGC's administrative review regulation provides procedures so that 
persons who are aggrieved by PBGC determinations have an opportunity to 
present their positions to PBGC before a final decision is made by the 
agency. When PBGC first promulgated its rules on administrative review 
of agency decisions in 1979 (the ``1979 rule''), it emphasized the 
competing interests of providing ``fair and effective administrative 
review'' and ``keep[ing] to a minimum the time and cost entailed in 
obtaining PBGC review of its decisions.'' \1\ To balance these 
interests, PBGC developed an administrative review system with two 
separate processes: Reconsideration and appeal.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ See 44 FR 42181, 42181 (July 19, 1979).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under reconsideration, aggrieved persons generally raise their 
concerns and make their cases directly to a higher-level official 
within the same department that issued the initial determination. Most 
requests for reconsideration are filed by the designated payor \2\ 
under Sec.  4003.1(b)(2) and relate to premiums, interest, and late 
payment penalties.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ See section 4007 of ERISA (designated payor is defined as a 
contributing sponsor or plan administrator in the case of a single-
employer plan).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Under the appeals process, the decisionmaker reviewing the initial 
determination is not within the same department that issued the initial 
determination. Rather, the PBGC Appeals Board, which is located within 
the Office of the General Counsel, provides an independent review of 
the initial determination. Decisions by the Appeals Board may be made 
either by a three-member panel or by an individual member. Originally, 
a decision on appeal was always decided by a three-member panel. The 
appeals process changed in 2002 when the administrative review 
regulation was amended to expedite the appeals process, authorizing a 
single member of the PBGC Appeals Board to decide routine appeals 
instead of the three-member panel.\3\ All non-routine appeals are 
decided by a three-member panel. Most appeals are filed by individuals 
(participants, beneficiaries, and alternate payees) in connection with 
benefit entitlement or amounts, although sponsors have filed appeals of 
termination liability assessments and non-coverage determinations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ See 67 FR 47694, 47694 (July 22, 2002).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Subpart A of the regulation provides a list of initial 
determinations made by PBGC, with each determination subject to either 
the reconsideration procedures described in subpart C or the appeals 
procedures described in subpart D. The final rule reorganizes the list 
in Sec.  4003.1(b) into two new paragraphs by moving and reorganizing 
the list of initial determinations subject to reconsideration to Sec.  
4003.1(d) and the list of initial determinations subject to appeal to 
Sec.  4003.1(e). These changes simplify references to the types of 
determinations subject to each type of administrative review and 
improve the readability of this section.
    Subpart B of the regulation provides rules for the form and 
contents of initial determinations and specifies that initial 
determinations will not become effective until the time for filing a 
request for reconsideration under subpart C or an appeal under subpart 
D has elapsed.
    Under an exception in Sec.  4003.22(b), PBGC may in its discretion 
order that an initial determination is effective on the date of 
issuance. As an example, when PBGC makes an initial determination under 
section 4042 of ERISA that the statutory criteria for termination are 
met, the initial determination states that it is effective on the date 
of issuance. When PBGC makes an order that an initial determination is 
effective on the date of issuance, any person aggrieved by the initial 
determination has exhausted all available administrative remedies and 
may seek judicial review of PBGC's determination in an appropriate 
court under section 4003(f)(2) of ERISA.
    The final rule amends Sec.  4003.22(b) to clarify that the 
exception under it does not apply to initial determinations related to 
a participant's or beneficiary's benefit entitlement and the amount of 
benefit payable under a covered plan, to whether a domestic relations 
order is or is not qualified, and to whether benefits are payable under 
section 4050 of ERISA and part 4050, as listed respectively in the new 
Sec.  4003.1(e)(2), (3), and (6). The final rule further amends Sec.  
4003.22(b) to clarify that when PBGC issues an order making an initial 
determination effective on the date of issuance, a person aggrieved by 
the initial determination has no right to request review under subparts 
C and D, consistent with PBGC's long-standing practice, and has 
exhausted all administrative remedies.

Coverage Determinations

    PBGC insures plans described in section 4021(a) of ERISA that do 
not fall within one of the exemptions from coverage listed in section 
4021(b)(1)-(13) of ERISA. If a question arises about whether a plan is 
covered under title IV, PBGC may make a coverage determination.
    As discussed in the proposed rule, the administrative review 
regulation provides that coverage determinations under section 4021 of 
ERISA are subject to different review procedures. An initial 
determination that a plan is covered under section 4021 is subject to 
reconsideration by the PBGC department that issued the original 
determination. An initial determination that a plan is not covered is 
subject to appeal to the PBGC Appeals Board. Based on internal data 
gathered by PBGC from fiscal years 2013 through 2017, there were few 
requests for reconsideration of coverage determinations (a total of 18) 
and even fewer requests for appeal of coverage determinations (one in 
2017). The data indicates that the total amount of time and agency 
resources used to close requests for reconsideration and appeals of 
coverage determinations are similar.
    As originally designed, case resolution under the appeals process 
generally took longer and put a greater burden on PBGC's administrative 
resources than the reconsideration process. The movement to single 
member decisions for routine cases and other process improvements have 
largely mitigated these issues. In light of these improvements, for the 
sake of consistency, the final rule makes all coverage determinations 
subject to appeal to the PBGC Appeals Board. In cases in which the 
Appeals Board is considering granting a plan sponsor's appeal by 
finding that a plan is not covered, the Appeals Board will make 
reasonable efforts to notify plan participants of the decision under 
consideration and permit them an opportunity to present matters as a 
potential aggrieved party to the appeal under Sec.  4003.57(a). The 
final rule removes Sec.  4003.1(b)(1) and adds language in new Sec.  
4003.1(e)(1), to subject all coverage determinations to the appeals 
process.

Asset Allocation Determinations

    Section 4044 of ERISA requires that when an underfunded pension 
plan terminates, PBGC must assign benefits payable to each participant 
to one or more of six priority categories and allocate the plan's 
assets to the benefits in each category in a prescribed sequential 
order (i.e., priority categories 1 through 6). To accomplish the 
allocation process in a terminated plan, PBGC first values the benefits 
in each of a terminated plan's six priority categories and the 
terminated plan's assets as of the plan's termination date.

[[Page 10281]]

After valuing the benefits and assets, PBGC allocates the assets 
available to pay benefits to the benefits assigned to each priority 
category, beginning with the highest priority category, i.e., priority 
category 1, and continuing in sequential order until the assets satisfy 
all benefits in all priority categories or until the assets are 
insufficient to pay all benefits within a particular category.
    In substantially all plans that terminate in a distress or 
involuntary (PBGC-initiated) termination, the plan's assets do not 
satisfy all benefits assigned to the six priority categories and the 
assets will be insufficient to satisfy all benefit liabilities, as 
defined under section 4001(a)(16) of ERISA. PBGC typically becomes the 
statutory trustee of these plans and pays guaranteed benefits to 
participants and beneficiaries up to statutory limits. Some 
participants may receive more than their statutorily guaranteed benefit 
depending upon the priority category to which their benefit is assigned 
and the extent to which (if any) assets are sufficient to pay all 
benefits in that category. PBGC-trusteed plans rarely have residual 
assets.
    In an employer-initiated standard termination of a sufficient plan, 
a plan's assets must satisfy and may exceed all benefit liabilities 
under the plan. Section 4044(d) of ERISA describes the circumstances 
under which any residual assets of a single-employer plan may be 
distributed to the employer or participants and beneficiaries.
    As discussed in the proposed rule, the administrative review 
regulation provides that PBGC's asset allocation determinations are 
subject to the reconsideration process, describing them in Sec.  
4003.1(b)(4) as ``determinations with respect to allocation of assets 
under section 4044 of ERISA, including distribution of excess assets 
under section 4044(d).'' \4\ This language could be read to imply that 
PBGC issues standalone determinations with respect to asset 
allocations. Although PBGC's processing of a trusteed plan includes an 
allocation of the plan's assets available to pay benefits under section 
4044 of ERISA, determinations on allocating assets to benefits in the 
six priority categories depend on the value of benefits in each 
priority category and the plan assets available to pay benefits in a 
particular priority category in the prescribed sequence. Such 
determinations are incorporated into other benefit-specific 
determinations that PBGC regularly issues that are subject to the 
appeals process, such as those issued under Sec.  4003.1(b)(7) 
(determinations under section 4022(a) or (c) of ERISA with respect to 
benefit entitlement of participants and beneficiaries under covered 
plans) and Sec.  4003.1(b)(8) (determinations under section 4022(b) or 
(c) or section 4022B of ERISA of the amount of benefits payable to 
participants and beneficiaries under covered plans).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ Note, section 4044(d) of ERISA uses the word ``residual'' 
instead of ``excess.''
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Participants and their beneficiaries may appeal the initial 
determinations of their benefit entitlements and amounts of benefits 
payable, as provided in their individual benefit determinations. 
Determinations of benefit entitlements and amounts of benefits payable 
depend on PBGC's assignment and valuation of benefits and the 
allocation of assets available to pay benefits to the priority 
categories to which those benefits are assigned and the extent to which 
assets are allocated to non-guaranteed benefits in certain priority 
categories pursuant to section 4044(a) of ERISA and PBGC's regulation 
on Allocation of Assets in Single-Employer Plans (29 CFR part 4044).
    Consistent with PBGC's long-standing practice, the final rule 
clarifies in new Sec.  4003.1(e)(2) that the right to appeal an 
individual benefit determination necessarily includes the right to 
appeal a participant's or beneficiary's benefit entitlement and the 
amount of benefit payable based on the value of the benefits assigned 
to specific priority categories and PBGC's allocation of assets 
available to pay benefits to those categories under the method 
prescribed by section 4044(a) of ERISA. The final rule removes Sec.  
4003.1(b)(4) and creates a new Sec.  4003.1(d)(2)(iv), to continue to 
subject determinations involving the distribution of residual assets 
under section 4044(d) of ERISA to the reconsideration process. The 
final rule also revises the description of individual benefit 
determinations subject to appeal in Sec.  4003.1(b)(7) and (8) and 
reorganizes these provisions in new Sec.  4003.1(e)(2) and (3).

Assistance With Obtaining Information

    As discussed in the proposed rule, Sec.  4003.3 of the 
administrative review regulation provides that a person may request 
PBGC's assistance in obtaining relevant information in the possession 
of a third party. The regulation is silent about obtaining information 
in PBGC's possession. The preamble to the 1979 rule explains that this 
omission was intentional because ``a party to an appeal who wishes to 
examine PBGC documents need only file a request pursuant to [PBGC's 
FOIA regulation].'' \5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \5\ See 44 FR 42181, 42185 (July 19, 1979) and 29 CFR part 4901.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    It came to PBGC's attention through the Office of the PBGC 
Participant and Plan Sponsor Advocate that participants seeking 
administrative review are often unaware of their ability to request 
relevant information under the FOIA and the Privacy Act by using PBGC 
procedures at 29 CFR parts 4901 and 4902, respectively. While parts 
4901 and 4902 provide straightforward processes for requesting and 
obtaining such materials from PBGC's Disclosure Division, some 
participants learn of them only after contacting another PBGC office 
and ultimately being referred to the Disclosure Division and instructed 
to follow such procedures. PBGC aims to avoid confusing participants in 
their efforts to identify the appropriate point of contact and steps to 
obtain relevant information.
    To make the information gathering process more efficient and 
transparent for persons seeking administrative review, the final rule 
reorganizes Sec.  4003.3 to clarify that persons may request 
information using PBGC's procedures for FOIA and Privacy Act requests. 
Paragraph (a) contains the section's scope, paragraph (b) provides a 
description concerning information not in the possession of PBGC, and 
paragraph (c) provides a description concerning information in the 
possession of PBGC including a cross-reference to PBGC's FOIA and 
Privacy Act regulations.
    The final rule amends Sec.  4003.3(b) to include additional 
language concerning a request for PBGC's assistance in obtaining 
materials not in the possession of PBGC to clarify that such a request 
must be submitted to the Appeals Board or the department responsible 
for reviewing the initial determination. The section refers persons 
requesting PBGC's assistance with a reconsideration to Sec.  4003.33 
and with an appeal to Sec.  4003.54.

Extension of Time

    The final rule deletes Sec.  4003.4(b) concerning requests for 
extensions of time related to disaster relief and reorganizes the 
section to contain a single paragraph concerning a request for an 
extension of time when a document is required to be filed within a 
certain period. PBGC published a notice describing how it changed its 
announcement of relief from filing deadlines and penalties when a 
disaster occurs and explaining that PBGC's disaster relief will be 
available at the

[[Page 10282]]

same time the Internal Revenue Service issues disaster relief to 
taxpayers.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \6\ See 83 FR 30991, 30991 (July 2, 2018).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The final rule amends Sec.  4003.4 to include language providing 
that requests for extension of time for the submission of appeals 
should be sent to the Appeals Board while requests for extension of the 
submission of requests for reconsideration should be sent to the 
department that issued the initial determination.

Form and Contents of Request for Reconsideration

    The final rule amends Sec.  4003.34 to clarify the form and content 
requirements that a request for reconsideration must include.

Decision on Request for Reconsideration

    The final rule adds new Sec.  4003.35(c) to clarify that a decision 
on a request for reconsideration constitutes a final PBGC action, which 
is binding on all persons who participated in the request. This 
language is consistent with the language in Sec.  4003.59(b) that a 
decision of the Appeals Board constitutes final agency action by PBGC.
    The final rule also makes clarifications and other editorial 
changes to part 4003.

Compliance With Rulemaking Guidelines

Executive Orders 12866, 13563, and 13771

    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has determined that this 
rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, this final rule is exempt from Executive Order 
13771, and OMB has not reviewed the final rule under Executive Order 
12866.
    Executive Order 12866 directs agencies to assess all costs and 
benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is 
necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits 
(including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety 
effects, distributive impacts, and equity).
    Although this is not a significant regulatory action under 
Executive Order 12866, PBGC has examined the economic and policy 
implications of this final rule and has concluded that there will be no 
significant economic impact as a result of the final amendments to 
PBGC's regulation. Most of the amendments merely clarify existing PBGC 
practices and neither the public nor PBGC is likely to assume any 
additional costs due to these amendments and revisions.
    Section 6 of Executive Order 13563 requires agencies to rethink 
existing regulations by periodically reviewing their regulatory program 
for rules that ``may be outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or 
excessively burdensome.'' These rules should be modified, streamlined, 
expanded, or repealed as appropriate. PBGC has identified the 
amendments to the administrative review regulation and the 
clarifications and improvements to this regulation as consistent with 
the principles for review under Executive Order 13563. PBGC believes 
this provides clearer guidance to the public.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act \7\ imposes certain requirements 
with respect to rules that are subject to the notice and comment 
requirements of section 553(b) of the Administrative Procedure Act and 
that are likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. Unless an agency determines that a final rule 
is not likely to have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities, section 604 of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
requires that the agency present a final regulatory flexibility 
analysis at the time of the publication of the final rule describing 
the impact of the rule on small entities and steps taken to minimize 
the impact. Small entities include small businesses, organizations, and 
governmental jurisdictions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \7\ 5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Small Entities

    For purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility Act requirements with 
respect to this final rule, PBGC considers a small entity to be a plan 
with fewer than 100 participants. This is substantially the same 
criterion PBGC uses in other regulations \8\ and is consistent with 
certain requirements in title I of ERISA \9\ and the Internal Revenue 
Code (Code),\10\ as well as the definition of a small entity that the 
Department of Labor has used for purposes of the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act.\11\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \8\ See, e.g., special rules for small plans under part 4007 
(Payment of Premiums).
    \9\ See., e.g., ERISA section 104(a)(2), which permits the 
Secretary of Labor to prescribe simplified annual reports for 
pension plans that cover few than 100 participants.
    \10\ See, e.g., Code section 430(g)(2)(B), which permits plans 
with 100 or fewer participants to use valuation dates other than the 
first day of the plan year.
    \11\ See., e.g., DOL's final rule on Prohibited Transaction 
Exemption Procedures, 76 FR 66,644 (Oct. 27, 2011).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Thus, PBGC believes that assessing the impact of the final rule on 
small plans is an appropriate substitute for evaluating the effect on 
small entities. The definition of small entity considered appropriate 
for this purpose differs, however, from a definition of small business 
based on size standards promulgated by the Small Business 
Administration \12\ under the Small Business Act. PBGC therefore 
requested comments on the appropriateness of the size standard used in 
evaluating the impact of the amendments in the proposed rule on small 
entities. PBGC received no comments on this point.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \12\ See, 13 CFR 121.201.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On the basis of its definition of small entity, PBGC certifies 
under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act that the 
amendments in this final rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The amendments 
clarify existing PBGC practices and will have a neutral cost impact. 
Accordingly, as provided in section 605 of the Regulatory Flexibility 
Act, sections 603 and 604 do not apply.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    PBGC's Form 723, Request for Additional time to file an Appeal of a 
PBGC Benefit Termination and Form 724, Appeal of a PBGC Benefit 
Determination, are used by aggrieved persons to assist them with filing 
an appeal. The collection of information with respect to administrative 
appeals is approved under control number 1212-0061 (expires July 31, 
2022).
    The final rule does not require changes to the forms used for 
appeals. The final rule eliminates the requirement for an appellant to 
provide the names and addresses of persons who the appellant believes 
may be aggrieved if PBGC provides the relief sought. As few, if any, 
appellants provide this information, PBGC does not expect that this 
final change impacts the hour burden and cost burden for the 
information collection with respect to appeals.
    The administrative review regulation requires that a request for 
reconsideration include specified information. The collection of 
information with respect to filings for reconsideration is approved 
under control number 1212-0063 (expires August 31, 2022).
    The final rule clarifies the information required to be submitted 
for a request for reconsideration, including copies of any 
documentation that supports the requestor's claim or assertions 
concerning the request. PBGC expects

[[Page 10283]]

that this clarification will make the process more efficient and will 
not impact the hour burden and cost burden for the information 
collection with respect to reconsideration.
    An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required 
to respond to, a collection of information unless it displays a 
currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 4003

    Administrative practice and procedure, Organization and functions 
(Government agencies), Pension insurance.

    For the reasons given above, PBGC amends 29 CFR part 4003 as 
follows.

PART 4003--RULES FOR ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW OF AGENCY DECISIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 4003 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 29 U.S.C. 1302(b)(3).


0
2. Amend Sec.  4003.1 by:
0
a. In paragraph (a):
0
i. Removing the phrase ``paragraph (b)'' and adding in its place 
``paragraphs (d) and (e)'' in the first sentence;
0
ii. Removing the phrase ``paragraphs (b)(1) through (b)(5)'' and adding 
in its place ``paragraph (d)'' in the fourth sentence; and
0
iii. Removing the phrase ``paragraphs (b)(6) through (b)(11)'' and 
adding in its place ``paragraph (e)'' in the fifth sentence;
0
b. Revising paragraph (b); and
0
c. Adding paragraphs (d) and (e).
    The revision and additions read as follows:


Sec.  4003.1   Purpose and scope.

* * * * *
    (b) Scope. This part applies to the initial determinations made by 
PBGC that are listed in paragraphs (d) and (e) of this section.
* * * * *
    (d) Determinations subject to reconsideration. Any person aggrieved 
by an initial determination of PBGC listed in this paragraph (d) may 
request reconsideration, subject to the terms of this part.
    (1) Determinations with respect to premiums, interest and late 
payment penalties pursuant to section 4007 of ERISA;
    (2) Determinations with respect to voluntary terminations under 
section 4041 of ERISA, including any of the following:
    (i) A determination that a notice requirement or a certification 
requirement under section 4041 of ERISA has not been met;
    (ii) A determination that the requirements for demonstrating 
distress under section 4041(c)(2)(B) of ERISA have not been met;
    (iii) A determination with respect to the sufficiency of plan 
assets for benefit liabilities or for guaranteed benefits; and
    (iv) A determination with respect to a plan terminating under 
section 4041(b) of ERISA or with respect to the distribution of 
residual assets under section 4044(d) of ERISA; and
    (3) Determinations with respect to penalties under section 4071 of 
ERISA.
    (e) Determinations subject to appeal. Any person aggrieved by an 
initial determination of PBGC listed in this paragraph (e) may file an 
appeal, subject to the terms of this part.
    (1) Determinations that a plan is or is not covered under section 
4021 of ERISA;
    (2) Determinations of a participant's or beneficiary's benefit 
entitlement and the amount of benefit payable under a covered plan 
under sections 4022, 4022B, and 4044 of ERISA (other than a 
determination described in paragraph (d)(2)(iv) of this section);
    (3) Determinations that a domestic relations order is or is not a 
qualified domestic relations order under section 206(d)(3) of ERISA and 
section 414(p) of the Code;
    (4) Determinations of the amount of money subject to recapture 
pursuant to section 4045 of ERISA;
    (5) Determinations of the amount of liability under sections 
4062(b)(1), 4063, or 4064 of ERISA; and
    (6) Determinations with respect to benefits payable by PBGC under 
section 4050 of ERISA and part 4050 of this chapter.

0
3. Revise Sec.  4003.3 to read as follows:


Sec.  4003.3   PBGC assistance in obtaining information.

    (a) General. A person may request PBGC's assistance in obtaining 
information if the person lacks information necessary--
    (1) To file a request for review pursuant to subpart C or D of this 
part, or to decide whether to seek review; or
    (2) To participate in an appeal pursuant to Sec.  4003.57, or to 
decide whether to participate in an appeal.
    (b) Information not in PBGC's possession. A person may request 
PBGC's assistance in obtaining information in the possession of a party 
other than PBGC. The request must--
    (1) Be in writing;
    (2) State or describe the missing information, the reason why the 
person needs the information, and the reason why the person needs the 
assistance of PBGC in obtaining the information; and
    (3) Be submitted to the Appeals Board or the department that is 
responsible for reviewing the initial determination under this part. If 
the determination is subject to reconsideration, see Sec.  4003.33 for 
information on where to submit the request for assistance. If the 
determination is subject to review by appeal, see Sec.  4003.53 for 
information on where to submit the request.
    (c) Information in the possession of PBGC. A person may request 
information in the possession of PBGC pursuant to the Freedom of 
Information Act and part 4901 of this chapter or the Privacy Act and 
part 4902 of this chapter, as applicable. See parts 4901 and 4902 of 
this chapter for additional information. Nothing in this paragraph (c) 
limits or amends the requirements under part 4901 or 4902 of this 
chapter.

0
4. Revise Sec.  4003.4 to read as follows:


Sec.  4003.4   Extension of time.

    When a document is required under this part to be filed within a 
prescribed period of time, an extension of time to file will be granted 
only upon good cause shown and only when the request for an extension 
is made before the expiration of the time prescribed. The request for 
an extension must be in writing and state why additional time is needed 
and the amount of additional time requested. The filing of a request 
for an extension will stop the running of the prescribed period of 
time. Requests for extension of the time to submit an appeal should be 
sent to the Appeals Board; requests for extension of the time to submit 
a request for reconsideration should be sent to the department that 
issued the initial determination. When a request for an extension is 
granted, PBGC will notify the person requesting the extension, in 
writing, of the amount of additional time granted. When a request for 
an extension is denied, PBGC will notify the person requesting the 
extension in writing, and the prescribed period of time will resume 
running from the date of denial.


Sec.  4003.7   [Amended]

0
5. Amend Sec.  4003.7 by removing ``a determination'' and adding in its 
place ``an initial determination''.


Sec.  4003.21   [Amended]

0
6. Amend Sec.  4003.21 by:
0
a. Removing ``All determinations'' and adding in its place ``All 
initial determinations'';
0
b. Removing ``of the determination'' and adding in its place ``of the 
initial determination''; and

[[Page 10284]]

0
c. Removing ``subpart C or subpart D'' and adding in its place 
``subpart C or D''.

0
7. Amend Sec.  4003.22 by removing ``a determination'' and adding in 
its place ``an initial determination'' in the second sentence of 
paragraph (a) and revising paragraph (b) to read as follows:


Sec.  4003.22   Effective date of determinations.

* * * * *
    (b) Exception. Except for initial determinations listed in Sec.  
4003.1(e)(2), (3), and (6), PBGC may, in its discretion, order that the 
initial determination in a case is effective on the date it is issued. 
When PBGC makes such an order, the initial determination will state 
that it constitutes the final agency action effective on the date of 
issuance, there is no right to request review under subparts C and D of 
this part, and any person aggrieved by the initial determination has 
exhausted all administrative remedies.


Sec.  4003.31   [Amended]

0
8. Amend Sec.  4003.31 by removing ``the determination'' and adding in 
its place ``the initial determination''.


Sec.  4003.33   [Amended]

0
9. Amend Sec.  4003.33 by removing ``reconsideration of a determination 
described in Sec.  4003.1(b)(3)(ii)'' and adding in its place 
``reconsideration of an initial determination described in Sec.  
4003.1(d)(2)(ii)''.

0
10. Revise Sec.  4003.34 to read as follows:


Sec.  4003.34   Contents of request for reconsideration.

    A request for reconsideration must--
    (a) Be in writing;
    (b) Be clearly designated as a request for reconsideration;
    (c) Specifically explain why PBGC's determination is wrong and the 
result the requestor is seeking;
    (d) Describe the relevant information the requestor believes is 
known by PBGC and summarize any other information that is relevant to 
the request for reconsideration; and
    (e) Include copies of any documentation that supports the 
requestor's claim or assertions.

0
11. Amend Sec.  4003.35 by:
0
a. Revising the section heading;
0
b. Removing ``Department Director'' wherever it appears and adding in 
its place ``Director of a department'', removing ``final'' before 
``decision'', and removing ``a determination other than one described 
in Sec.  4003.1(b)(3)(ii)'' and adding in its place ``an initial 
determination other than one described in Sec.  4003.1(d)(2)(ii)'' in 
paragraph (a)(1);
0
c. Removing ``final decision'' and adding in its place ``decision'' and 
removing ``a determination described in Sec.  4003.1(b)(3)(ii)'' and 
adding in its place ``an initial determination described in Sec.  
4003.1(d)(2)(ii)'' in paragraph (a)(2);
0
d. Removing ``final decision'' and adding in its place ``decision'' in 
paragraph (b); and
0
e. Adding paragraph (c).
    The revision and addition read as follows:


Sec.  4003.35   Decision on request for reconsideration.

* * * * *
    (c) The decision on a request for reconsideration constitutes the 
final agency action by PBGC with respect to the initial determination 
that was the subject of the request for reconsideration and is binding 
on all persons who participated in the request for reconsideration.


Sec.  4003.55   [Amended]

0
12. Amend Sec.  4003.55(c) by removing ``1200 K Street NW, Washington, 
DC 20005-4026'' and adding in its place ``as listed on PBGC's website, 
www.pbgc.gov''.


Sec.  4003.57   [Amended]

0
13. Amend Sec.  4003.57(a)(6) by adding ``initial'' before 
``determination''.


Sec.  4003.58   [Amended]

0
14. Amend Sec.  4003.58 by adding ``initial'' before ``determination'' 
in the last sentence of paragraph (b) introductory text and paragraph 
(b)(1)(ii).


Sec.  4003.59   [Amended]

0
15. Amend Sec.  4003.59(b) by adding ``initial'' before 
``determination''.


Sec.  Sec.  4003.1, 4003.2, 4003.5, 4003.6, 4003.7, 4003.8, 4003.9, 
4003.10, 4003.22, 4003.31, 4003.33, 4003.35, 4003.54, 4003.55, 4003.57, 
4003.59, and 4003.60  [Amended]

0
16. Remove the words ``the PBGC'' and ``The PBGC'' and add in their 
places the word ``PBGC'' in the following sections:
0
a. Section 4003.1(a) and (c);
0
b. Section 4003.2;
0
c. Section 4003.5;
0
d. Section 4003.6;
0
e. Section 4003.7;
0
f. Section 4003.8;
0
g. Section 4003.9;
0
h. Section 4003.10;
0
i. Section 4003.22(a);
0
j. Section 4003.31;
0
k. Section 4003.33;
0
l. Section 4003.35(a);
0
m. Section 4003.54(b);
0
n. Section 4003.55(c);
0
o. Section 4003.57(a)(6);
0
p. Section 4003.59(b); and
0
q. Section 4003.60.


Sec.  Sec.  4003.32 and 4003.52  [Amended]

0
17. Remove the words ``the PBGC's'' and add in their place the word 
``PBGC's'' wherever they occur in Sec. Sec.  4003.32 and 4003.52.


Sec.  Sec.  4003.2, 4003.21, 4003.22, 4003.56, 4003.57, 4003.58, 
4003.59, and 4003.60  [Amended]

0
18. Remove the word ``shall'' and add in its place the word ``will'' 
wherever it occurs in the following sections:
0
a. Section 4003.2;
0
b. Section 4003.21;
0
c. Section 4003.22(a);
0
d. Section 4003.56(c);
0
e. Section 4003.57(a);
0
f. Section 4003.58(b);
0
g. Section 4003.59(a) and (c); and
0
h. Section 4003.60.


Sec.  Sec.  4003.6, 4003.8, 4003.33, 4003.53, and 4003.54   [Amended]

0
19. Remove the word ``shall'' and add in its place the word ``must'' 
wherever it occurs in the following sections:
0
a. Section 4003.6;
0
b. Section 4003.8;
0
c. Section 4003.33;
0
d. Section 4003.53; and
0
e. Section 4003.54(a) and (b).

    Issued in Washington, DC.
Gordon Hartogensis,
Director, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation.
[FR Doc. 2020-02742 Filed 2-21-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7709-02-P