Sections 104 and 4065 of ERISA require plan administrators to file an annual report. The report must contain the information described in section 103 of ERISA. The Form 5500 Series provides a standard format for fulfilling that requirement.
The Pension Protection Act of 2006 required some new questions as well as a question for the total number of contributing employers for defined benefit plans and an asset allocation question on the Schedule R (Program Change due to New Statute). One time transition costs for the new questions in 2007 were considered for 2007. In 2008 no transition costs were considered for items that were introduced in 2007. Overall the burden hours and associated costs increased slightly in 2008 to reflect some new questions as a result of the replacement of Schedule B with Schedules MB and SB (Program Change due to New Statute). The simplified reporting alternative for certain small plans is still in place (Change in 2007).
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.