IRS ERISA Reporting Guide Outlines Who, What, When, Why — and How Much

If you (or your clients) are looking for an easy-to-use guide to employee benefit plan reporting, the IRS has just the thing, in the form of a handy guide to reporting and disclosure requirements under ERISA.

The “Reporting and Disclosure Guide for Employee Benefit Plans” was prepared by the IRS and reviewed by the Treasury Department, the DOL and the PBGC. It is intended to be used as a quick reference tool for certain basic reporting and disclosure requirements.

The guide outlines not only the required document(s), but why, who is required to produce the document and to whom, as well as when — and the potential penalties for failing to do so. The IRS also notes that the guide should be used in conjunction with the DOL’s Retirement Plan Reporting and Disclosure Guide, available here.