Labor Department Releases Advance Copies of 2006 Form 5500 Annual Report

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Internal Revenue Service and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation today released advance copies of the 2006 Form 5500 and instructions.

The modifications to the Form 5500 for plan year 2006 are described under “Changes to Note” in the 2006 Instructions. Of particular importance, the Schedule P (Annual Return of Fiduciary of Employee Benefit Trust) is no longer required; the instructions for the Schedules H and I are updated to refer to EBSA’s revised Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program and companion exemption; new addresses for submitting late filing penalties under the Form 5500 Delinquent Filer Voluntary Compliance Program are provided; and the instructions for counting welfare participants and beneficiaries are improved.

Information copies of the forms, schedules and instructions are available on EBSA’s Web site at www.efast.dol.gov. Filers should monitor the EFAST Web site for information on approved software vendors for completing the 2006 forms and on the availability of the official, government printed forms. Advance copies of the 2006 Form 5500 cannot be used for 2005 filings. If pension reform legislation is enacted, further guidance on reporting changes will be issued.

For general assistance, contact the EFAST Help Line at 1.866.463.3278.

U.S. Department of Labor news releases are accessible on the Department's Newsroom page. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request at 202.693.7765 or TTY 202.693.7755. The U.S. Department of Labor is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit the Department's Compliance Assistance page.

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.

Contact Name: David James/Gloria Della
Phone Number: 202.693.4676/202.693.8664