(a) General. The criteria under this section are that either—
(1) Net income test. The purchaser's average net income after taxes for its three most recent fiscal years ending before the date of determination (as defined in
§ 4204.12), reduced by any interest expense incurred with respect to the sale which is payable in the fiscal year following the date of determination, equals or exceeds 150 percent of the amount of the bond or escrow required under
ERISA section 4204(a)(1)(B); or
(2) Net tangible assets test. The purchaser's net tangible assets at the end of the fiscal year preceding the date of determination (as defined in
§ 4204.12), equal or exceed—
(i) If the purchaser was not obligated to contribute to the plan before the sale, the amount of unfunded vested benefits allocable to the seller under
section 4211 (with respect to the purchased operations), as of the date of determination, or
(ii) If the purchaser was obligated to contribute to the plan before the sale, the sum of the amount of unfunded vested benefits allocable to the purchaser and to the seller under
ERISA section 4211 (with respect to the purchased operations), each as of the date of determination.
(b) Special rule when more than one plan is covered by request. For the purposes of paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2), if the transaction involves the assumption by the purchaser of the seller's obligation to contribute to more than one multiemployer plan, then the total amount of the bond or escrow or of the unfunded vested benefits, as applicable, for all of the plans with respect to which the purchaser has not posted a bond or escrow shall be used to determine whether the applicable test is met.
(c) Non-applicability of tests in event of purchaser's insolvency. A purchaser will not qualify for a variance under this subpart pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) or (a)(2) of this section if, as of the earlier of the date of the plan's decision on the variance request or the first day of the first plan year beginning after the date of determination, the purchaser is the subject of a petition under title 11, United States Code, or of a proceeding under similar provisions of state insolvency laws.
29 C.F.R. § 4204.13 — Net income and net tangible assets tests. · eCFR editorial change effective 2017-01-01 · https://pensionresource.website/EAMain?content=EAMain.Law&id=cfr29-4204.13&asof=1997-07-01 · printed Oct 16, 2026