§9701 Definitions of general applicability

Summary

Defines important words used in this chapter about UMWA plans and coal employers. UMWA Benefit Plan — a health plan (as described in section 404(c)) that gives health benefits to retirees and their beneficiaries from the industry that ran the 1950 UMWA Pension Plan. 1950 UMWA Benefit Plan — a UMWA Benefit Plan mainly for people who retired before 1976. 1974 UMWA Benefit Plan — a UMWA Benefit Plan mainly for people who retired on or after January 1, 1976. 1950 UMWA Pension Plan and 1974 UMWA Pension Plan — pension plans described in section 404(c) with the same pre-1976 and 1976-and-after participation limits. 1992 UMWA Benefit Plan — the plan named in section 9712. Combined Fund — the United Mine Workers of America Combined Benefit Fund set up under section 9702. Also defines employer and agreement terms. Coal wage agreement — the National Bituminous Coal Wage Agreement or any similar contract between a coal employer and the UMWA that required retiree health benefits based on years of service under a 404(c) plan or required contributions to the 1950 or 1974 Benefit Plans. Settlors — the UMWA and the Bituminous Coal Operators’ Association, Inc. Signatory operator — a person that signed a coal wage agreement. Related person — a company in the same controlled group, a business under common control, or a partner/joint venture that employed eligible beneficiaries (not a mere limited partner); these relationships are checked as of July 20, 1992 (or just before a signatory stopped doing business). 1988 agreement operator, last signatory operator, and assigned operator are defined by their ties to the 1988 agreement, the retiree’s last coal employer, or assignment of liability under section 9706. “In business” means earning revenue from any activity. Successor in interest does not include an unrelated buyer who paid fair market value in an arm’s-length sale. Unrelated person and eligible seller are defined by references to other sections. Enactment date means the date this chapter was enacted.