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Part 7 · Chapter 3

PBGC Premiums, Reportable Events, and Title IV Ongoing Compliance

Law stated as of October 3, 2026 · Defined Benefit and Hybrid Plans

Scope and status

This chapter covers ongoing PBGC/Title IV compliance for single-employer DB plans: coverage and the guarantee, premiums (flat-rate and variable-rate), §4043 reportable events, §4010 financial/actuarial reporting, and §4062(e) substantial-cessation liability. Premium rates, caps, the maximum guarantee, and penalty figures are indexed annually — verify the current plan year's figures before relying on them.

Citations are to primary authority (ERISA §§4006–4007, 4010, 4021–4022, 4043, 4062, 4069, 4071; PBGC regulations at 29 C.F.R. Parts 4006, 4007, 4010, 4043, 4062; and PBGC forms/instructions). Related questions are treated elsewhere: plan terminations (standard/distress/involuntary, §4044 allocation, §4062 termination liability) in Part 2 (Plan Documents, Amendments, Mergers, and Terminations); multiemployer withdrawal liability in Part 10 (Multiemployer Plans and Withdrawal Liability); annuity purchases and their premium effects in this Part's pension risk transfer chapter; and premium/4010 filing mechanics alongside Form 5500 work in Part 4 (Reporting, Disclosure, Recordkeeping, and Claims).

Sections

Part A is shown in full. The other sections are listed by title; their text is available to subscribers.

Part A — Coverage and the Guarantee

A1.§4021 coverage

Part 7, ch. 3, § A1

Title IV covers qualified defined benefit plans, with exclusions including governmental plans, non-electing church plans, plans of professional service employers that have never had more than 25 active participants, and substantial-owner-only plans. Statute: ERISA §4021(b).

A2.The guarantee

Part 7, ch. 3, § A2

PBGC guarantees nonforfeitable benefits up to the indexed maximum — for 2026, $7,789.77/month ($93,477.24/year) as a straight life annuity at age 65, actuarially adjusted for age and form (no COLA guarantee; the J&S adjustment reduces it) — with benefit increases within 5 years of termination phased in at the greater of 20% of the increase or $20/month for each year in effect (§4022(b)(7)), a separate 10-year phase-in for majority owners (50%+ owners; §4022(b)(5)), and, where §4022(g) applies, the sponsor's bankruptcy petition date used in place of the termination date. Statute: ERISA §4022; Final reg: 29 C.F.R. Part 4022; PBGC 2026 maximum guarantee table.

Part B — Premiums (ERISA §§4006–4007; Parts 4006–4007)

  1. B12026 ratesSubscribers
  2. B2UVBs, the count date, and methodsSubscribers
  3. B3Filing, due date, and penaltiesSubscribers

Part C — Reportable Events (ERISA §4043; Part 4043)

  1. C1Framework — post-event and advance noticesSubscribers
  2. C2The event listSubscribers

Part D — §4010 Annual Financial and Actuarial Reporting

  1. D1Gateway, waivers, and filingSubscribers

Part E — §4062(e) Substantial Cessation of Operations

  1. E1The 15% test and the 7-year payment optionSubscribers

The first Part of each chapter is open to everyone. The remaining sections, with their authority and practice points, are available to subscribers and to clients of ERISA Benefits Law Group, PLLC whose engagement includes access.

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