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Pension Resource

ERISA § 4062 (29 U.S.C. § 1362)

Liability for termination of single-employer plans under a distress termination or a termination by corporation
USC 1994 ed., current through 1995-01-04 · superseded Jan 8, 2008 · last amended by Pub. L. 101-239
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(a) In general In any case in which a single-employer plan is terminated in a distress termination under section 1341(c) of this title or a termination otherwise instituted by the corporation under section 1342 of this title, any person who is, on the termination date, a contributing sponsor of the plan or a member of such a contributing sponsor's controlled group shall incur liability under this section. The liability under this section of all such persons shall be joint and several. The liability under this section consists of—
(1) liability to the corporation, to the extent provided in subsection (b) of this section, and
(2) liability to the trustee appointed under subsection (b) or (c) of section 1342 of this title, to the extent provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(b) Liability to corporation
(1) Amount of liability
(A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the liability to the corporation of a person described in subsection (a) of this section shall be the total amount of the unfunded benefit liabilities (as of the termination date) to all participants and beneficiaries under the plan, together with interest (at a reasonable rate) calculated from the termination date in accordance with regulations prescribed by the corporation.
(B) Special rule in case of subsequent insufficiency For purposes of subparagraph (A), in any case described in section 1341(c)(3)(C)(ii) of this title, actuarial present values shall be determined as of the date of the notice to the corporation (or the finding by the corporation) described in such section.
(2) Payment of liability
(A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the liability to the corporation under this subsection shall be due and payable to the corporation as of the termination date, in cash or securities acceptable to the corporation.
(B) Special rule Payment of so much of the liability under paragraph (1)(A) as exceeds 30 percent of the collective net worth of all persons described in subsection (a) of this section (including interest) shall be made under commercially reasonable terms prescribed by the corporation. The parties involved shall make a reasonable effort to reach agreement on such commercially reasonable terms. Any such terms prescribed by the corporation shall provide for deferral of 50 percent of any amount of liability otherwise payable for any year under this subparagraph if a person subject to such liability demonstrates to the satisfaction of the corporation that no person subject to such liability has any individual pre-tax profits for such person's fiscal year ending during such year.
(3) Alternative arrangements The corporation and any person liable under this section may agree to alternative arrangements for the satisfaction of liability to the corporation under this subsection.
(c) Liability to section 1342 trustee A person described in subsection (a) of this section shall be subject to liability under this subsection to the trustee appointed under subsection (b) or (c) of section 1342 of this title. The liability of such person under this subsection shall consist of—
(1) the outstanding balance of the accumulated funding deficiencies (within the meaning of section 1082(a)(2) of this title and section 412(a) of title 26) of the plan (if any) (which, for purposes of this subparagraph, shall include the amount of any increase in such accumulated funding deficiencies of the plan which would result if all pending applications for waivers of the minimum funding standard under section 1083 of this title or section 412(d) of title 26 and for extensions of the amortization period under section 1084 of this title or section 412(e) of title 26 with respect to such plan were denied and if no additional contributions (other than those already made by the termination date) were made for the plan year in which the termination date occurs or for any previous plan year),
(2) the outstanding balance of the amount of waived funding deficiencies of the plan waived before such date under section 1083 of this title or section 412(d) of title 26 (if any), and
(3) the outstanding balance of the amount of decreases in the minimum funding standard allowed before such date under section 1084 of this title or section 412(e) of title 26 (if any),
together with interest (at a reasonable rate) calculated from the termination date in accordance with regulations prescribed by the corporation. The liability under this subsection shall be due and payable to such trustee as of the termination date, in cash or securities acceptable to such trustee.
(d) Definitions
(1) Collective net worth of persons subject to liability
(A) In general The collective net worth of persons subject to liability in connection with a plan termination consists of the sum of the individual net worths of all persons who—
(i) have individual net worths which are greater than zero, and
(ii) are (as of the termination date) contributing sponsors of the terminated plan or members of their controlled groups.
(B) Determination of net worth For purposes of this paragraph, the net worth of a person is—
(i) determined on whatever basis best reflects, in the determination of the corporation, the current status of the person's operations and prospects at the time chosen for determining the net worth of the person, and
(ii) increased by the amount of any transfers of assets made by the person which are determined by the corporation to be improper under the circumstances, including any such transfers which would be inappropriate under title 11 if the person were a debtor in a case under chapter 7 of such title.
(C) Timing of determination For purposes of this paragraph, determinations of net worth shall be made as of a day chosen by the corporation (during the 120-day period ending with the termination date) and shall be computed without regard to any liability under this section.
(2) Pre-tax profits The term “pre-tax profits” means—
(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), for any fiscal year of any person, such person's consolidated net income (excluding any extraordinary charges to income and including any extraordinary credits to income) for such fiscal year, as shown on audited financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or
(B) for any fiscal year of an organization described in section 501(c) of title 26, the excess of income over expenses (as such terms are defined for such organizations under generally accepted accounting principles),
before provision for or deduction of Federal or other income tax, any contribution to any single-employer plan of which such person is a contributing sponsor at any time during the period beginning on the termination date and ending with the end of such fiscal year, and any amounts required to be paid for such fiscal year under this section. The corporation may by regulation require such information to be filed on such forms as may be necessary to determine the existence and amount of such pre-tax profits.
(e) Treatment of substantial cessation of operations If an employer ceases operations at a facility in any location and, as a result of such cessation of operations, more than 20 percent of the total number of his employees who are participants under a plan established and maintained by him are separated from employment, the employer shall be treated with respect to that plan as if he were a substantial employer under a plan under which more than one employer makes contributions and the provisions of sections 1363, 1364, and 1365 of this title shall apply.
Source credit, amendments & notes

(Pub. L. 93–406, title IV, §4062, Sept. 2, 1974, 88 Stat. 1029; Pub. L. 95–598, title III, §321(b), Nov. 6, 1978, 92 Stat. 2678; Pub. L. 96–364, title IV, §403(g), Sept. 26, 1980, 94 Stat. 1301; Pub. L. 99–272, title XI, §11011(a), (b), Apr. 7, 1986, 100 Stat. 253, 257; Pub. L. 100–203, title IX, §9312(b)(1), (2)(A), (B)(ii), Dec. 22, 1987, 101 Stat. 1330–361; Pub. L. 101–239, title VII, §§7881(f)(2), (10)(A), (B), 7891(a)(1), Dec. 19, 1989, 103 Stat. 2440, 2441, 2445; Pub. L. 109–280, title I, §107(b)(4), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 819.)

Amendment of Subsection (c)

Pub. L. 109–280, title I, §107(b)(4), (e), Aug. 17, 2006, 120 Stat. 819, 820, provided that, applicable to plan years beginning after 2007, subsection (c) of this section is amended by striking out paragraphs (1) to (3) and adding new paragraphs (1) and (2) to read as follows:

Amendments

1989—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–239, §7881(f)(2), inserted “and” at end of par. (1), redesignated par. (3) as (2), substituted “subsection (c)” for “subsection (d)”, and struck out former par. (2) which read as follows: “liability to the trust established pursuant to section 1341(c)(3)(B)(ii) or (iii) of this title or section 1342(i) of this title, to the extent provided in subsection (c) of this section, and”.

Subsec. (b)(2)(B). Pub. L. 101–239, §7881(f)(10)(A), substituted “so much of the liability under paragraph (1)(A) as exceeds 30 percent of the collective net worth of all persons described in subsection (a) of this section (including interest)” for “the liability under paragraph (1)(A)(ii)”.

Subsecs. (c)(1), (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 101–239, §7891(a)(1), substituted “Internal Revenue Code of 1986” for “Internal Revenue Code of 1954”, which for purposes of codification was translated as “title 26” thus requiring no change in text.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 101–239, §7881(f)(10)(B), amended Pub. L. 100–203, §9312(b)(2)(B)(ii), see 1987 Amendment note below.

1987—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 100–203, §9312(b)(2)(A), amended subpar. (A) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (A) read as follows: “Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the liability to the corporation of a person described in subsection (a) of this section shall consist of the sum of—

“(i) the lesser of—

“(I) the total amount of unfunded guaranteed benefits (as of the termination date) of all participants and beneficiaries under the plan, or

“(II) 30 percent of the collective net worth of all persons described in subsection (a) of this section,

and

“(ii) the excess (if any) of—

“(I) 75 percent of the amount described in clause (i)(I), over

“(II) the amount described in clause (i)(II),

together with interest (at a reasonable rate) calculated from the termination date in accordance with regulations prescribed by the corporation.”

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 100–203, §9312(b)(1), redesignated subsec. (d) as (c) and struck out former subsec. (c) which related to liability to section 1349 trust.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 100–203, §9312(b)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (e) as (d). Former subsec. (d) redesignated (c).

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 100–203, §9312(b)(2)(B)(ii), as amended by Pub. L. 101–239, §7881(f)(10)(B), struck out par. (3) which read as follows: “The liability payment years in connection with a terminated plan consist of the consecutive one-year periods following the last plan year preceding the termination date, excluding the first such year in any case in which the first such year ends less than 180 days after the termination date.”

Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 100–203, §9312(b)(1)(B), redesignated subsec. (f) as (e). Former subsec. (e) redesignated (d).

1986—Pub. L. 99–272, §11011(a)(2), substituted “Liability for termination of single-employer plans under a distress termination or a termination by the corporation” for “Liability of employer” in section catchline.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–272, §11011(a)(2), added subsec. (a) specifying persons liable and the nature and extent of liability and struck out former subsec. (a) specifying employers covered.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–272, §11011(a)(2), added subsec. (b) relating to liability to corporation and struck out former subsec. (b) relating to amount of liability.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–272, §11011(a)(2), added subsec. (c) relating to liability to section 1349 trust and struck out former subsec. (c) relating to method of determining net worth of employer.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–272, §11011(a)(2), added subsec. (d) relating to liability to section 1342 trustee and struck out former subsec. (d) relating to corporate reorganizations.

Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–272, §11011(a), added subsec. (e) and redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f).

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 99–272, §11011(a)(1), (b), redesignated former subsec. (e) as (f), and substituted in heading “Treatment of substantial cessation of operations” for “Cessation of operations at one facility”.

1980—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 96–364 substituted “single-employee plan” for “plan (other than a multiemployer plan)”.

1978—Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 95–598 substituted “title 11” and “a debtor in a case under chapter 7 of such title” for “the Bankruptcy Act” and “the subject of a proceeding under that Act”, respectively.

Effective Date of 2006 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 109–280 applicable to plan years beginning after 2007, see section 107(e) of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as a note under section 1021 of this title.

Effective Date of 1989 Amendment

Amendment by section 7881(f)(2), (10)(A), (B) of Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Pension Protection Act, Pub. L. 100–203, §§9302–9346, to which such amendment relates, see section 7882 of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 401 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Amendment by section 7891(a)(1) of Pub. L. 101–239 effective, except as otherwise provided, as if included in the provision of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, Pub. L. 99–514, to which such amendment relates, see section 7891(f) of Pub. L. 101–239, set out as a note under section 1002 of this title.

Effective Date of 1987 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 100–203 applicable with respect to plan terminations under section 1341 of this title with respect to which notices of intent to terminate are provided under section 1341(a)(2) of this title after Dec. 17, 1987, and plan terminations with respect to which proceedings are instituted by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation under section 1342 of this title after that date, see section 9312(d)(1) of Pub. L. 100–203, as amended, set out as a note under section 1301 of this title.

Effective Date of 1986 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–272 effective Jan. 1, 1986, with certain exceptions, see section 11019 of Pub. L. 99–272, set out as a note under section 1341 of this title.

Effective Date of 1980 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 96–364 effective Sept. 26, 1980, except as specifically provided, see section 1461(e) of this title.

Effective Date of 1978 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 95–598 effective Oct. 1, 1979, see section 402(a) of Pub. L. 95–598, set out as an Effective Date note preceding section 101 of Title 11, Bankruptcy.

Applicability of Amendments by Subtitles A and B of Title I of Pub. L. 109–280

For special rules on applicability of amendments by subtitles A (§§101–107) and B (§§111–116) of title I of Pub. L. 109–280 to certain eligible cooperative plans, PBGC settlement plans, and eligible government contractor plans, see sections 104, 105, and 106 of Pub. L. 109–280, set out as notes under section 401 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

Special Delayed Payment Rule

Section 11012(d) of Pub. L. 99–272 provided that: “In the case of a distress termination under section 4041(c) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (as amended by section 11009) [29 U.S.C. 1341(c)] pursuant to a notice of intent to terminate filed before January 1, 1987, no payment of liability otherwise payable as provided in section 4062(c)(2)(B) of such Act [29 U.S.C. 1362(c)(2)(B)] (as amended by this section [Act]) shall be required to be made before January 1, 1989.”

ERISA § 4062 (29 U.S.C. § 1362) — Liability for termination of single-employer plans under a distress termination or a termination by corporation · USC 1994 ed., current through 1995-01-04 · https://pensionresource.website/EAMain?content=EAMain.Law&id=usc29-1362&asof=1995-01-04 · printed Oct 16, 2026
On this page
  • (a) In general
  • (b) Liability to corporation
  • (c) Liability to section 1342 trustee
  • (d) Definitions
  • (e) Treatment of substantial cessation of operations
Cited by (code & regs)
PBGC Regulations
Guidance addressing this section
PBGC
Proposed Rules
  • 91 FR 45739Proposed Jul 21, 2026 — Penalties for Failure To Provide Certain Notices or Other Material Information Comments due Sep 21, 2026 (e)
  • 78 FR 20039Proposed Apr 3, 2013 — Reportable Events and Certain Other Notification Requirements Comments due Jun 3, 2013 (b)(1)(A)(e)
  • 75 FR 64683Proposed Oct 20, 2010 — Liability for Termination of Single-Employer Plans; Treatment of Substantial Cessation of Operations Comments due Nov 12, 2010 (e)
  • 75 FR 48283Proposed Aug 10, 2010 — Liability for Termination of Single-Employer Plans; Treatment of Substantial Cessation of Operations Comments due Oct 12, 2010 (a)(2)(b)(c)(e)
Also cited in 15 other documents
PBGC
Final Rules
  • 89 FR 48291 Jun 6, 2024 — Valuation Assumptions and Methods
  • 88 FR 44045 Jul 11, 2023 — Benefit Payments and Allocation of Assets (b)(1)(b)(2)(c)
  • 85 FR 55587 Sep 9, 2020 — Lump Sum Payment Assumptions (b)(1)(B)
  • 85 FR 10279 Feb 24, 2020 — Administrative Review of Agency Decisions (b)(1)
  • 85 FR 6046 Feb 4, 2020 — Miscellaneous Corrections, Clarifications, and Improvements (a)(e)
  • 80 FR 54980 Sep 11, 2015 — Reportable Events and Certain Other Notification Requirements (e)
  • 76 FR 34590 Jun 14, 2011 — Bankruptcy Filing Date Treated as Plan Termination Date for Certain Purposes; Guaranteed Benefits; Allocation of Plan Assets; Pension Protection Act of 2006 (a)(b)
Proposed Rules
  • 88 FR 56563Proposed Aug 18, 2023 — Valuation Assumptions and Methods Comments due Oct 17, 2023
  • 84 FR 53084Proposed Oct 4, 2019 — Administrative Review of Agency Decisions Comments due Dec 3, 2019 (b)(1)
  • 84 FR 51494Proposed Sep 30, 2019 — Benefit Payments and Allocation of Assets Comments due Nov 29, 2019 (b)(1)(b)(2)(c)
  • 84 FR 51490Proposed Sep 30, 2019 — Lump Sum Payment Assumptions Comments due Nov 29, 2019 (b)(1)(B)
  • 84 FR 30666Proposed Jun 27, 2019 — Miscellaneous Corrections, Clarifications, and Improvements Comments due Aug 26, 2019 (e)
  • 76 FR 67105Proposed Oct 31, 2011 — Cash Balance Plans; Benefit Determinations and Plan Valuations for Statutory Hybrid Plans; Pension Protection Act of 2006 Comments due Dec 30, 2011
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  • PLR 200648028 Dec 1, 2006 — Definitions and Special Rules UIL 414.00-00

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EffectiveThroughSourceAmended by
Jan 4, 1995Jan 7, 2008USC 1994 ed., current through 1995-01-04 run 49Pub. L. 101-239View
Jan 8, 2008Jan 4, 2015USC 2013 ed., current through 2014-01-16 run 13Pub. L. 111-192View · Redline (sign in)
Jan 5, 2015Jan 5, 2017USC 2014 ed., current through 2015-01-05 run 14Pub. L. 113-235View · Redline (sign in)
Jan 6, 2017currentUSC 2024 ed., current through 2025-01-06 run 1Pub. L. 113-235View · Redline (sign in)
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