The following terms are defined in
§ 4001.2 of this chapter: Code, contributing sponsor, ERISA, fair market value, insurer, irrevocable commitment, multiemployer plan, notice of intent to terminate, PBGC, plan administrator, plan, plan year, and single-employer plan.
In addition, for purposes of this part:
New plan means a plan that became effective within the premium payment year and includes a plan resulting from a consolidation or spinoff. A plan that meets this definition is considered to be a new plan even if the plan constitutes a successor plan within the meaning of
section 4021(a) of ERISA.
Newly-covered plan means a plan that is not a new plan and that was not covered by title IV of ERISA immediately prior to the premium payment year.
Participant means any individual who is included in one of the categories below:
(a) Active.
(1) Any individual who is currently in employment covered by the plan and who is earning or retaining credited service under the plan. This category includes any individual who is considered covered under the plan for purposes of meeting the minimum coverage requirements, but because of offset or other provisions (including integration with Social Security benefits), the individual does not have any accrued benefits.
(2) Any non-vested individual who is not currently in employment covered by the plan but who is earning or retaining credited service under the plan. This category does not include a non-vested former employee who has incurred a break in service the greater of one year or the break in service period specified in the plan.
(b) Inactive
(1) Inactive receiving benefits. Any individual who is retired or separated from employment covered by the plan and who is receiving benefits under the plan. This category does not include an individual to whom an insurer has made an irrevocable commitment to pay all the benefits to which the individual is entitled under the plan.
(2) Inactive entitled to future benefits. Any individual who is retired or separated from employment covered by the plan and who is entitled to begin receiving benefits under the plan in the future. This category does not include an individual to whom an insurer has made an irrevocable commitment to pay all the benefits to which the individual is entitled under the plan.
(c) Deceased. Any deceased individual who has one or more beneficiaries who are receiving or entitled to receive benefits under the plan. This category does not include an individual if an insurer has made an irrevocable commitment to pay all the benefits to which the beneficiaries of that individual are entitled under the plan.
Premium payment year means the plan year for which the premium is being paid.
Short plan year means a plan year that is less than twelve full months.
29 C.F.R. § 4006.2 — Definitions. · CFR 2000 annual edition (revised as of 2000-07-01) · https://pensionresource.website/EAMain?content=EAMain.Law&id=cfr29-4006.2&asof=1997-07-01 · printed Oct 16, 2026