DOL Asks for Input on Retirement Plan Paperwork Rules
Published Date: 8/19/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Labor wants your thoughts on keeping their current info collection rules for businesses and nonprofits that manage retirement plans. They’re not changing anything now, just checking in to make sure the process isn’t too much work. If you’re involved, you’ve got until October 19, 2026, to share your feedback—no extra costs or new paperwork coming your way!
Analyzed Economic Effects
7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Recordkeeping and Disclosure Rules for Investment Advice
Financial firms and advisers relying on the Improving Investment Advice exemption must make disclosures to retirement investors, maintain written policies and procedures, document why rollover recommendations are in the investor's best interest, conduct an annual retrospective review with a written report certified by a senior executive, and keep records so the Department can verify compliance. This ICR is OMB No. 1210-0163 (Respondents: 18,632; Responses: 114,609,171; Estimated Total Burden Hours: 2,599,221; Estimated Total Burden Cost: $18,359,543) and the current approval is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2027.
Investment Advice Regulation Recordkeeping and Audits
The fiduciary investment-advice regulation requires advisers to keep records, make third-party disclosures, and in some cases forward audit reports to the Department; it treats provision of investment advice as a fiduciary act. This ICR is OMB No. 1210-0134 (Respondents: 8,938; Responses: 24,698,107; Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,867,800; Estimated Total Burden Cost: $247,377,814) and the current approval is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2027.
Notice When Pension Payments Are Suspended
If your pension payments are suspended because you returned to work or you worked beyond normal retirement age, the plan must notify you during the first calendar month or payroll period in which it withholds payment. The notice must give the specific reasons for the suspension, a description and copy of the plan provisions authorizing the suspension, where the regulation (29 CFR 2530.203-3) can be found, and how to request a review; this ICR is OMB No. 1210-0048 (Respondents: 46,207; Responses: 209,287; Estimated Total Burden Hours: 156,082) and the current approval expires on February 28, 2027.
EBSA Assistance Intake and Help Program
EBSA operates a voluntary assistance program (toll-free phone line and online intake form) to help participants and beneficiaries understand benefits and get help if benefits were denied; the intake form collects plan type, problem type, contact information, and attachments. This information collection is OMB No. 1210-0146 with 14,991 respondents, an estimated 7,496 burden hours, and current approval scheduled to expire on April 30, 2027.
Abandoned Plan Termination and QTA Process
When an individual account plan is deemed abandoned, a qualified termination administrator (QTA) may terminate the plan and distribute assets to participants; the QTA must provide notices to the Department, to participants and beneficiaries, keep records, and in some cases file a special terminal report. This ICR is OMB No. 1210-0127 (Respondents: 28,434; Responses: 1,162,551; Estimated Total Burden Hours: 56,196; Estimated Total Burden Cost: $53,258) and the current approval is scheduled to expire on May 31, 2027.
Pooled Plan Provider Registration Requirement
If you plan to serve as a pooled plan provider for pooled employer plans, you must register with the Department of Labor and the Department of the Treasury before beginning operations. This information collection is OMB No. 1210-0164, lists 142 respondents, an estimated total burden of 71 hours, and the current OMB approval is scheduled to expire on January 30, 2027.
Department Requests for Plan Documents on Participant Behalf
If a plan administrator fails to provide requested plan documents, the Department may request those documents under ERISA section 104(a)(6) to help the participant obtain them; the ICR documents the procedure for furnishing requested materials. This ICR is OMB No. 1210-0112 (Respondents: 1,181; Responses: 1,181; Estimated Total Burden Hours: 53) and the current approval is scheduled to expire on June 30, 2027.
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