Employee Benefits Security Administration – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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Proposed Extension of Information Collection Requests Submitted for Public Comment
Document Number: 2018-07459
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-04-11
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95) (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection requests (ICRs) contained in the documents described below. A copy of the ICRs may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. ICRs also are available at reginfo.gov (https:// www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain).
Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2018-06849
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-04-04
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). If granted, these proposed exemptions allow designated parties to engage in transactions that would otherwise be prohibited provided the conditions stated there in are met. This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D- 11890, Liberty Media 401(k) Savings Plan; D-11931, CLS Investments, LLC and Affiliates.
Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2018-06755
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-04-03
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains exemptions issued by the Department of Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following: 2018-01, Health Management Associates, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan and The Mooresville Retirement Savings Plan, D-11929 and D-11930; 2018-02, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, D-11869; 2018-03, Russell Investment Management, LLC (RIM), Russell Investments Capital, LLC (RiCap), and Their Affiliates, D- 11916; 2018-04, Toledo Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Fund, D-11867; 2018-05, EXCO Resources, Inc. 401(k) Plan, D-11821; 2018-06, The Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda LLP Profit Sharing Plan, D-11895.
Proposed Exemption From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2018-05867
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-03-22
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains notice of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of a proposed individual exemption from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). If this proposed one-year temporary exemption is granted, certain entities with specified relationships to BNP Paribas will not be precluded from relying on the exemptive relief provided by Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84- 14.
190th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting
Document Number: 2018-04072
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-02-28
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Agency Information Collection Activities; Announcement of OMB Approvals
Document Number: 2018-03165
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-02-27
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved certain collections of information, listed in the Supplementary Information section below, following EBSA's submission of requests for such approvals under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA). This notice describes the approved or re-approved information collections and provides their OMB control numbers and current expiration dates.
Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance
Document Number: 2018-03208
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-02-21
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury, Department of the Treasury
This rule contains proposals amending the definition of short- term, limited-duration insurance for purposes of its exclusion from the definition of individual health insurance coverage. This action is being taken to lengthen the maximum period of short-term, limited- duration insurance, which will provide more affordable consumer choice for health coverage.
Technical Corrections to Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2018-03396
Type: Notice
Date: 2018-02-20
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
On December 29, 2017 the Department of Labor (the Department) published notices of exemptions in the Federal Register granting relief from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes technical corrections to those published prohibited transaction exemptions (PTEs): PTE 2017-03, JPMorgan Chase & Co., D-11906; PTE 2017-04, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (DIMA) and Certain Current and Future Asset Management Affiliates of Deutsche Bank AG, D-11908; PTE 2017-05, Citigroup Inc., D-11909; PTE 2017-06, Barclays Capital Inc., D-11910; PTE 2017-07, UBS Assets Management (Americas) Inc.; UBS Realty Investors LLC; UBS Hedge Fund Solutions LLC; UBS O'Connor LLC; and Certain Future Affiliates in UBS's Asset Management and Wealth Management Americas Divisions, D-11907.
Definition of “Employer” Under Section 3(5) of ERISA-Association Health Plans
Document Number: 2017-28103
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2018-01-05
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains a proposed regulation under Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) that would broaden the criteria under ERISA section 3(5) for determining when employers may join together in an employer group or association that is treated as the ``employer'' sponsor of a single multiple-employer ``employee welfare benefit plan'' and ``group health plan'' as those terms are defined in Title I of ERISA. By treating the association itself as the employer sponsor of a single plan, the regulation would facilitate the adoption and administration of such arrangements. The regulation would modify the definition of ``employer,'' in part, by creating a more flexible ``commonality of interest'' test for the employer members than the Department of Labor (DOL or Department) had adopted in sub- regulatory interpretive rulings under ERISA section 3(5). At the same time, the regulation would continue to distinguish employment-based plans, the focal point of Title I of ERISA, from mere commercial insurance programs and administrative service arrangements marketed to employers. For purposes of Title I of ERISA, the proposal would also permit working owners of an incorporated or unincorporated trade or business, including partners in a partnership, to elect to act as employers for purposes of participating in an employer group or association sponsoring a health plan and also to be treated as employees with respect to a trade, business or partnership for purposes of being covered by the employer group's or association's health plan. The goal of the rulemaking is to expand access to affordable health coverage, especially among small employers and self-employed individuals, by removing undue restrictions on the establishment and maintenance of association health plans under ERISA. The proposed regulation would affect such association health plans, health coverage under these health plans, groups and associations of employers sponsoring such plans, participants and beneficiaries with health coverage under these plans, health insurance issuers, and purchasers of health insurance not purchased through association health plans.
Exemptions from Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2017-27977
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-12-29
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains exemptions issued by the Department of Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following: 2017-03, JPMorgan Chase & Co., D- 11906; 2017-04, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. (DIMA) and Certain Current and Future Asset Management Affiliates of Deutsche Bank AG, D-11908; 2017-05, Citigroup Inc., D-11909; 2017-06, Barclays Capital Inc., D-11910; 2017-07, UBS Assets Management (Americas) Inc.; UBS Realty Investors LLC; UBS Hedge Fund Solutions LLC; UBS O'Connor LLC; and Certain Future Affiliates in UBS's Asset Management and Wealth Management Americas Divisions, D-11907.
18-Month Extension of Transition Period and Delay of Applicability Dates; Best Interest Contract Exemption (PTE 2016-01); Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs (PTE 2016-02); Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 for Certain Transactions Involving Insurance Agents and Brokers, Pension Consultants, Insurance Companies, and Investment Company Principal Underwriters (PTE 84-24)
Document Number: 2017-25760
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-11-29
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document extends the special transition period under sections II and IX of the Best Interest Contract Exemption and section VII of the Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs for 18 months. This document also delays the applicability of certain amendments to Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 for the same period. The primary purpose of the amendments is to give the Department of Labor the time necessary to consider public comments under the criteria set forth in the Presidential Memorandum of February 3, 2017, including whether possible changes and alternatives to these exemptions would be appropriate in light of the current comment record and potential input from, and action by, the Securities and Exchange Commission and state insurance commissioners. The Department is granting the delay because of its concern that, without a delay in the applicability dates, consumers may face significant confusion, and regulated parties may incur undue expense to comply with conditions or requirements that the Department ultimately determines to revise or repeal. The former transition period was from June 9, 2017, to January 1, 2018. The new transition period ends on July 1, 2019, rather than on January 1, 2018. The amendments to these exemptions affect participants and beneficiaries of plans, IRA owners and fiduciaries with respect to such plans and IRAs.
Claims Procedure for Plans Providing Disability Benefits; 90-Day Delay of Applicability Date
Document Number: 2017-25729
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-11-29
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document delays for ninety (90) daysthrough April 1, 2018the applicability of a final rule amending the claims procedure requirements applicable to ERISA-covered employee benefit plans that provide disability benefits (Final Rule). The Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016, became effective on January 18, 2017, and was scheduled to become applicable on January 1, 2018. The delay announced in this document is necessary to enable the Department of Labor to carefully consider comments and data as part of its effort, pursuant to Executive Order 13777, to examine regulatory alternatives that meet its objectives of ensuring the full and fair review of disability benefit claims while not imposing unnecessary costs and adverse consequences.
Extension of Certain Time Frames for Employee Benefit Plans, Participants, and Beneficiaries Affected by Hurricane Maria
Document Number: 2017-25332
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-11-22
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury, Department of the Treasury
This document announces the extension of certain time frames under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code for group health plans, disability and other welfare plans, pension plans, participants and beneficiaries of these plans, and group health insurance issuers directly affected by Hurricane Maria.
Proposed Extension of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act-Private Sector
Document Number: 2017-22064
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-10-13
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden on the public and helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on a revision of the Coverage of Certain Preventive Services under the Affordable Care ActPrivate Sector information collection request (ICR) to reflect the Executive Order signed on May 4, 2017, ``Executive Order Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.'' The order declares, regarding ``Conscience Protections with Respect to Preventive-Care Mandate,'' that ``[t]he Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Labor, and the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall consider issuing amended regulations, consistent with applicable law, to address conscience-based objections to the preventive-care mandate promulgated under section 300gg-13(a)(4) of title 42, United States Code.'' A copy of the information collection request (ICR) may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice.
Moral Exemptions and Accommodations for Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act
Document Number: 2017-21852
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-10-13
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury, Department of the Treasury
The United States has a long history of providing conscience protections in the regulation of health care for entities and individuals with objections based on religious beliefs or moral convictions. These interim final rules expand exemptions to protect moral convictions for certain entities and individuals whose health plans are subject to a mandate of contraceptive coverage through guidance issued pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. These rules do not alter the discretion of the Health Resources and Services Administration, a component of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, to maintain the guidelines requiring contraceptive coverage where no regulatorily recognized objection exists. These rules also provide certain morally objecting entities access to the voluntary ``accommodation'' process regarding such coverage. These rules do not alter multiple other Federal programs that provide free or subsidized contraceptives for women at risk of unintended pregnancy.
Religious Exemptions and Accommodations for Coverage of Certain Preventive Services Under the Affordable Care Act
Document Number: 2017-21851
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-10-13
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury, Department of the Treasury
The United States has a long history of providing conscience protections in the regulation of health care for entities and individuals with objections based on religious beliefs and moral convictions. These interim final rules expand exemptions to protect religious beliefs for certain entities and individuals whose health plans are subject to a mandate of contraceptive coverage through guidance issued pursuant to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. These rules do not alter the discretion of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a component of the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to maintain the guidelines requiring contraceptive coverage where no regulatorily recognized objection exists. These rules also leave the ``accommodation'' process in place as an optional process for certain exempt entities that wish to use it voluntarily. These rules do not alter multiple other Federal programs that provide free or subsidized contraceptives for women at risk of unintended pregnancy.
Claims Procedure for Plans Providing Disability Benefits; Extension of Applicability Date
Document Number: 2017-22082
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-10-12
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Department of Labor proposes to delay for ninety (90) daysthrough April 1, 2018the applicability of the Final Rule amending the claims procedure requirements applicable to ERISA-covered employee benefit plans that provide disability benefits. The Final Rule was published in the Federal Register on December 19, 2016, and became effective on January 18, 2017. The Final Rule currently is scheduled to apply to claims for disability benefits under ERISA-covered employee benefit plans that are filed on or after January 1, 2018. Following publication of the Final Rule, various stakeholders and members of Congress asserted that it will drive up disability benefit plan costs, cause an increase in litigation, and in so doing impair workers' access to disability insurance benefits. Pursuant to Executive Order 13777, the Department of Labor has concluded that it is appropriate to give the public an additional opportunity to submit comments and data concerning potential impacts of the Final Rule. The Department of Labor will carefully consider the submitted comments and data as part of its effort to examine regulatory alternatives that meet its objectives of ensuring the full and fair review of disability benefit claims while not imposing unnecessary costs and adverse consequences. The Department of Labor accordingly seeks public comment on a proposed 90-day delay of the applicability of the Final Rule in order to solicit additional public input and examine regulatory alternatives. If this proposal is finalized, the amendments made on December 19, 2016, would become applicable to claims for disability benefits that are filed after April 1, 2018, rather than January 1, 2018.
Proposed Extension of Information Collection Requests Submitted for Public Comment
Document Number: 2017-22043
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-10-12
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection requests (ICRs) contained in the documents described below. A copy of the ICRs may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. ICRs also are available at reginfo.gov (https://www.reginfo.gov/public/ do/PRAMain).
189th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting
Document Number: 2017-21760
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-10-10
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
188th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Teleconference Meeting
Document Number: 2017-18955
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-09-07
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Extension of Transition Period and Delay of Applicability Dates; Best Interest Contract Exemption (PTE 2016-01); Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs (PTE 2016-02); Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 for Certain Transactions Involving Insurance Agents and Brokers, Pension Consultants, Insurance Companies, and Investment Company Principal Underwriters (PTE 84-24)
Document Number: 2017-18520
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-08-31
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document proposes to extend the special transition period under sections II and IX of the Best Interest Contract Exemption and section VII of the Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs. This document also proposes to delay the applicability of certain amendments to Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 for the same period. The primary purpose of the proposed amendments is to give the Department of Labor the time necessary to consider possible changes and alternatives to these exemptions. The Department is particularly concerned that, without a delay in the applicability dates, regulated parties may incur undue expense to comply with conditions or requirements that it ultimately determines to revise or repeal. The present transition period is from June 9, 2017, to January 1, 2018. The new transition period would end on July 1, 2019. The proposed amendments to these exemptions would affect participants and beneficiaries of plans, IRA owners and fiduciaries with respect to such plans and IRAs.
187th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans
Document Number: 2017-16361
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-08-03
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2017-16295
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-08-03
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). If granted, these proposed exemptions allow designated parties to engage in transactions that would otherwise be prohibited provided the conditions stated there in are met. This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D- 11869, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company; and D-11916, Russell Investment Management, LLC (RIM), Russell Investments Capital, LLC (RICap), and their Affiliates.
Request for Information Regarding the Fiduciary Rule and Prohibited Transaction Exemptions
Document Number: 2017-14101
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-07-06
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Employee Benefits Security Administration of the U.S. Department of Labor (the Department) is publishing this Request for Information in connection with its examination of the final rule defining who is a ``fiduciary'' of an employee benefit plan for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code, as a result of giving investment advice for a fee or other compensation with respect to assets of a plan or IRA (Fiduciary Rule or Rule). The examination also includes the new and amended administrative class exemptions from the prohibited transaction provisions of ERISA and the Code that were published in conjunction with the Rule (collectively, the Prohibited Transaction Exemptions or PTEs). This Request for Information specifically seeks public input that could form the basis of new exemptions or changes/revisions to the rule and PTEs, and input regarding the advisability of extending the January 1, 2018, applicability date of certain provisions in the Best Interest Contract Exemption, the Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs, and Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24.
Withdrawal of Notice of Proposed Exemption Involving the ABARTA, Inc. Pension Plan (the Plan) Located in Pittsburgh, PA
Document Number: 2017-13619
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-06-29
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2017-13509
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-06-28
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11895, The Grossberg, Yochelson, Fox & Beyda LLP Profit Sharing Plan; L-11867, Toledo Electrical Joint Apprenticeship & Training Fund; and D-11929 and D-11930, Health Management Associates, Inc. Retirement Savings Plan (the HMA Plan) and The Mooresville Retirement Savings Plan (the Mooresville Plan).
Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2017-13508
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-06-28
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains exemptions issued by the Department of Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following: 2017-01, Rosetree & Company 401(k) Plan and Trust, D-11845; and 2017-02, Aon Pension Plan, D-11880.
Definition of Employee Pension Benefit Plan Under ERISA
Document Number: 2017-13459
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-06-28
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has passed, and the President has signed resolutions of disapproval of Savings Arrangements Established by States for Non-Governmental Employees and Savings Arrangements Established by Qualified State Political Subdivisions for Non-Governmental Employees, as codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) published these final rules in 2016, effective October 31, 2016 and January 19, 2017, respectively. Because these resolutions invalidate these final rules, EBSA is hereby removing these final rules from the Code of Federal Regulations.
Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Nominations for Vacancies
Document Number: 2017-12911
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-06-21
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Proposed Revision of Information Collection Request Submitted for Public Comment; Draft Model Non-Quantitative Treatment Limitations Form
Document Number: 2017-12773
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-06-20
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA 95), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the reporting burden on the public and helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. Currently, the Employee Benefits Security Administration is soliciting comments on a revision of the Notices under the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 information collection request (ICR) to add a model form participants and authorized representatives can use to request certain information from their health plans that is discussed below. A copy of the information collection request (ICR) may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. The ICR is also available on the Department's Web site at: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa.
Proposed Extension of Information Collection Requests Submitted for Public Comment
Document Number: 2017-10394
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-22
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Department of Labor (the Department), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (PRA), provides the general public and Federal agencies with an opportunity to comment on proposed and continuing collections of information. This helps the Department assess the impact of its information collection requirements and minimize the public's reporting burden. It also helps the public understand the Department's information collection requirements and provide the requested data in the desired format. The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) is soliciting comments on the proposed extension of the information collection requests (ICRs) contained in the documents described below. A copy of the ICRs may be obtained by contacting the office listed in the ADDRESSES section of this notice. ICRs also are available at reginfo.gov (https://www.reginfo.gov/public/ do/PRAMain).
186th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting
Document Number: 2017-10011
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-18
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Baxter International Inc. (Baxter); Located in Deerfield, IL
Document Number: 2017-09838
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-16
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Agency Information Collection Activities; Announcement of OMB Approvals
Document Number: 2017-09744
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-15
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
The Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) announces that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved certain collections of information, listed in the Supplementary Information below, following EBSA's submission of requests for such approvals under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. This notice describes the information collections that have been approved or re-approved, their OMB control numbers, and their current expiration dates.
Proposed Exemption From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2017-08687
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-05-01
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemption from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemption: D-11845, Rosetree & Company 401(k) Plan and Trust.
Notice of Proposed Exemption Aon Pension Plan (the Plan) Located in Chicago, Illinois
Document Number: 2017-07421
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-04-14
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains a notice of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of a proposed individual exemption from certain prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemption: D-11880, Aon Pension Plan (the Plan).
Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule-Retirement Investment Advice; Best Interest Contract Exemption (Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2016-01); Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs (Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2016-02); Prohibited Transaction Exemptions 75-1, 77-4, 80-83, 83-1, 84-24 and 86-128
Document Number: 2017-06914
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-04-07
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document extends for 60 days the applicability date of the final regulation, published on April 8, 2016, defining who is a ``fiduciary'' under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It also extends for 60 days the applicability dates of the Best Interest Contract Exemption and the Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs. It requires that fiduciaries relying on these exemptions for covered transactions adhere only to the Impartial Conduct Standards (including the ``best interest'' standard), as conditions of the exemptions during the transition period from June 9, 2017, through January 1, 2018. Thus, the fiduciary definition in the rule (Fiduciary Rule or Rule) published on April 8, 2016, and Impartial Conduct Standards in these exemptions, are applicable on June 9, 2017, while compliance with the remaining conditions in these exemptions, such as requirements to make specific written disclosures and representations of fiduciary compliance in communications with investors, is not required until January 1, 2018. This document also delays the applicability of amendments to Prohibited Transaction Exemption 84-24 until January 1, 2018, other than the Impartial Conduct Standards, which will become applicable on June 9, 2017. Finally, this document extends for 60 days the applicability dates of amendments to other previously granted exemptions. The President, by Memorandum to the Secretary of Labor dated February 3, 2017, directed the Department of Labor to examine whether the Fiduciary Rule may adversely affect the ability of Americans to gain access to retirement information and financial advice, and to prepare an updated economic and legal analysis concerning the likely impact of the Fiduciary Rule as part of that examination. The extensions announced in this document are necessary to enable the Department to perform this examination and to consider possible changes with respect to the Fiduciary Rule and PTEs based on new evidence or analysis developed pursuant to the examination.
Definition of the Term “Fiduciary”; Conflict of Interest Rule-Retirement Investment Advice; Best Interest Contract Exemption (Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2016-01); Class Exemption for Principal Transactions in Certain Assets Between Investment Advice Fiduciaries and Employee Benefit Plans and IRAs (Prohibited Transaction Exemption 2016-02); Prohibited Transaction Exemptions 75-1, 77-4, 80-83, 83-1, 84-24 and 86-128
Document Number: 2017-04096
Type: Proposed Rule
Date: 2017-03-02
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document proposes to extend for 60 days the applicability date defining who is a ``fiduciary'' under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (Code), and the applicability date of related prohibited transaction exemptions including the Best Interest Contract Exemption and amended prohibited transaction exemptions (collectively PTEs) to address questions of law and policy. The final rule, entitled Definition of the Term ``Fiduciary;'' Conflict of Interest RuleRetirement Investment Advice, was published in the Federal Register on April 8, 2016, became effective on June 7, 2016, and has an applicability date of April 10, 2017. The PTEs also have applicability dates of April 10, 2017. The President by Memorandum to the Secretary of Labor, dated February 3, 2017, directed the Department of Labor to examine whether the final fiduciary rule may adversely affect the ability of Americans to gain access to retirement information and financial advice, and to prepare an updated economic and legal analysis concerning the likely impact of the final rule as part of that examination. This document invites comments on the proposed 60-day delay of the applicability date, on the questions raised in the Presidential Memorandum, and generally on questions of law and policy concerning the final rule and PTEs. The proposed 60-day delay would be effective on the date of publication of a final rule in the Federal Register.
185th Meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Meeting
Document Number: 2017-02813
Type: Notice
Date: 2017-02-10
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Department of Labor Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Annual Adjustments for 2017
Document Number: 2017-00614
Type: Rule
Date: 2017-01-18
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Wage and Hour Division, Employment Standards Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Office of Workers' Compensation Programs
The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) is publishing this final rule to adjust for inflation the civil monetary penalties assessed or enforced in its regulations, pursuant to the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act of 1990 as amended by the Federal Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustment Act Improvements Act of 2015 (Inflation Adjustment Act). The Inflation Adjustment Act requires the Department to annually adjust its civil money penalty levels for inflation no later than January 15 of each year. The Inflation Adjustment Act provides that agencies shall adjust civil monetary penalties notwithstanding Section 553 of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). Additionally, the Inflation Adjustment Act provides a cost- of-living formula for adjustment of the civil penalties. Accordingly, this final rule sets forth the Department's 2017 annual adjustments for inflation to its civil monetary penalties, effective January 13, 2017.
Interpretive Bulletin Relating to the Exercise of Shareholder Rights and Written Statements of Investment Policy, Including Proxy Voting Policies or Guidelines
Document Number: 2016-31515
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-12-29
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document sets forth supplemental views of the Department of Labor (Department) concerning the legal standards imposed by sections 402, 403 and 404 of Part 4 of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) with respect to voting of proxies on securities held in employee benefit plan investment portfolios, the maintenance of and compliance with statements of investment policy, including proxy voting policy, and the exercise of other legal rights of a shareholder. In this document, the Department withdraws Interpretive Bulletin 2008-2 and replaces it with Interpretive Bulletin 2016-1, which reinstates the language of Interpretive Bulletin 94-2 with certain modifications.
Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2016-30566
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-12-22
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains exemptions issued by the Department of Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following: 2016-13, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. and Certain Current and Future Asset Management Affiliates of Deutsche Bank AG, D-11856; 2016-14, Citigroup, Inc., D-11859; 2016-15, JPMorgan Chase & Co., D-11861; 2016-16, Barclays Capital Inc., D-11862; and 2016-17, UBS Assets Management; UBS Realty Investors LLC; UBS Hedge Fund Solutions LLC; UBS O'Conner LLC; and Certain Future Affiliates in UBS's Asset Management and Wealth Management Americas Divisions, D-11863.
Savings Arrangements Established by Qualified State Political Subdivisions for Non-Governmental Employees
Document Number: 2016-30069
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-12-20
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains an amendment to a final regulation that describes how states may design and operate payroll deduction savings programs for private-sector employees, including programs that use automatic enrollment, without causing the states or private-sector employers to have established employee pension benefit plans under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The amendment expands the final regulation beyond states to cover qualified state political subdivisions and their programs that otherwise comply with the regulation. This final rule affects individuals and employers subject to such programs.
Claims Procedure for Plans Providing Disability Benefits
Document Number: 2016-30070
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-12-19
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains a final regulation revising the claims procedure regulations under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) for employee benefit plans providing disability benefits. The final rule revises and strengthens the current rules primarily by adopting certain procedural protections and safeguards for disability benefit claims that are currently applicable to claims for group health benefits pursuant to the Affordable Care Act. This rule affects plan administrators and participants and beneficiaries of plans providing disability benefits, and others who assist in the provision of these benefits, such as third-party benefits administrators and other service providers.
Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans; Notice of Charter Renewal
Document Number: 2016-29119
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-12-05
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
Proposed Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2016-27563
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-11-21
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains notices of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of proposed exemptions from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following proposed exemptions: D-11856, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. and Certain Current and Future Asset Management Affiliates of Deutsche Bank AG; D-11859, Citigroup, Inc.; D-11861, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; D-11862, Barclays Capital Inc.; D-11906, JPMorgan Chase & Co.; D-11907, UBS Assets Management, UBS Realty Investors, UBS Hedge Fund Solutions LLC, UBS O'Connor LLC, and Certain Future Affiliates in UBS's Asset Management and Wealth Management Americas Divisions; D-11908, Deutsche Investment Management Americas Inc. and Certain Current and Future Asset Management Affiliates of Deutsche Bank; D-11909, Citigroup, Inc.; and, D-11910, Barclays Capital Inc.
Notice of Proposed Exemption Involving UBS Assets Management (Americas) Inc.; UBS Realty Investors LLC; UBS Hedge Fund Solutions LLC; UBS O'Connor LLC; and Certain Future Affiliates in UBS's Asset Management and Wealth Management Americas Divisions (Collectively, the Applicants or the UBS QPAMs) Located in Chicago, Illinois; Hartford, Connecticut; New York, New York; and Chicago, Illinois, Respectively
Document Number: 2016-27564
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-11-17
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains a notice of pendency before the Department of Labor (the Department) of a proposed temporary individual exemption from certain prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The proposed temporary exemption, if granted, would affect the ability of certain entities with specified relationships to UBS AG (UBS) to continue to rely upon the relief provided by Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14.
Excepted Benefits; Lifetime and Annual Limits; and Short-Term, Limited-Duration Insurance
Document Number: 2016-26162
Type: Rule
Date: 2016-10-31
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury, Department of the Treasury
This document contains final regulations regarding the definition of short-term, limited-duration insurance for purposes of the exclusion from the definition of individual health insurance coverage, and standards for travel insurance and supplemental health insurance coverage to be considered excepted benefits. This document also amends a reference in the final regulations relating to the prohibition on lifetime and annual dollar limits.
Exemptions From Certain Prohibited Transaction Restrictions
Document Number: 2016-26089
Type: Notice
Date: 2016-10-28
Agency: Employee Benefits Security Administration, Department of Labor
This document contains exemptions issued by the Department of Labor (the Department) from certain of the prohibited transaction restrictions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA or the Act) and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the Code). This notice includes the following: 2016-10, Royal Bank of Canada, D- 11868; 2016-11, Northern Trust Corporation, D-11875; and, 2016-12, Extension of PTE 2015-15 involving Deutsche Bank AG, D-11879.
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