Box A(1). Multiemployer Plan.   Check this box if the Form 5500 is filed for a multiemployer plan. A plan is a multiemployer plan if: (a) more than one employer is required to contribute, (b) the plan is maintained pursuant to one or more collective bargaining agreements between one or more employee organizations and more than one employer, and (c) an election under Code section 414(f)(5) and ERISA section 3(37)(E) has not been made. A plan that made a proper election under ERISA section 3(37)(G) and Code section 414(f)(6) on or before August 17, 2007, is also a multiemployer plan. Participating employers do not file individually for these plans. See 29 CFR 2510.3-37.

Box A(2). Single-Employer Plan.   Check this box if the Form 5500 is filed for a single-employer plan. A single-employer plan for this Form 5500 reporting purpose is an employee benefit plan maintained by one employer or one employee organization.

Box A(3). Multiple-Employer Plan.   Check this box if the Form 5500 is being filed for a multiple-employer plan. A multiple-employer plan is a plan that is maintained by more than one employer and is not one of the plans already described. A multiple-employer plan can be collectively bargained and collectively funded, but if covered by PBGC termination insurance, must have properly elected before September 27, 1981, not to be treated as a multiemployer plan under Code section 414(f)(5) or ERISA sections 3(37)(E) and 4001(a)(3). Participating employers do not file individually for this type of plan. Do not check this box if the employers maintaining the plan are members of the same controlled group.

Box A(4). Direct Filing Entity.   Check this box and enter the correct letter from the following chart to indicate the type of entity in the space provided.

Line 1a.    Enter the formal name of the plan or DFE or enough information to identify the plan or DFE. Abbreviate if necessary.

Line 1b.    Enter the three-digit plan or entity number (PN) the employer or plan administrator assigned to the plan or DFE. This three-digit number, in conjunction with the employer identification number (EIN) entered on line 2b, is used by the IRS, DOL, and PBGC as a unique 12-digit number to identify the plan or DFE.

   Start at 001 for plans providing pension benefits or DFEs as illustrated in the table below. Start at 501 for welfare plans and GIAs. Do not use 888 or 999.

   Once you use a plan or DFE number, continue to use it for that plan or DFE on all future filings with the IRS, DOL, and PBGC. Do not use it for any other plan or DFE, even if the first plan or DFE is terminated.

  

Exception.   If Part II, box 8a is checked and 333 (or a higher number in a sequence beginning with 333) was previously assigned to the plan, that number may be entered on line 1b.

Line 1c.    Enter the date the plan first became effective.

Line 2a.    Each row of boxes on the hand print forms is designed to contain specific information regarding the plan sponsor. Please limit your response to the information required in each row of boxes as specified below:

Line 2b.   Enter the nine-digit employer identification number (EIN) assigned to the plan sponsor/employer. For example, 00-1234567. In the case of a DFE, enter the employer identification number (EIN) assigned to the CCT, PSA, MTIA, 103-12 IE, or GIA.

  Do not use a social security number in lieu of an EIN. The Form 5500 is open to public inspection, and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a social security number on this line may result in the rejection of the filing.

  Employers without an EIN must apply for one as soon as possible. The EBSA does not issue EINs. To apply for an EIN:

  A multiple-employer plan or plan of a controlled group of corporations should use the EIN of the sponsor identified in line 2a. The EIN must be used in all subsequent filings of the Form 5500 for these plans (see instructions to line 4 concerning change in EIN).

  If the plan sponsor is a group of individuals, get a single EIN for the group. When you apply for an EIN, provide the name of the group, such as "Joint Board of Trustees of the Local 187 Machinists' Retirement Plan." (If filing Form SS-4, enter the group name on line 1.)

Line 2d.    Enter the six-digit business code that best describes the nature of the plan sponsor's business from the list of business codes on pages 66, 67, and 68. If more than one employer or employee organization is involved, enter the business code for the main business activity of the employers and/or employee organizations.

Line 3a.   Each row of boxes on the hand print forms is designed to contain specific information regarding the plan administrator. Please limit your response to the information required in each row of boxes as specified below:

Line 3b.    Enter the plan administrator's nine-digit EIN. A plan administrator must have an EIN for Form 5500 reporting purposes. If the plan administrator does not have an EIN, apply for one as explained in the instructions for line 2b. One EIN should be entered for a group of individuals who are, collectively, the plan administrator.

Line 4.    If the plan sponsor's or DFE's name and/or EIN have changed since the last return/report was filed for this plan or DFE, enter the plan sponsor's or DFE's name, EIN, and the plan number as it appeared on the last return/report filed.

  The failure to indicate on line 4 that a plan was previously identified by a different Employer Identification Number (EIN) or Plan Number (PN) could result in correspondence from the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

Line 5.    (Optional) You may use this line to designate the person or entity that is principally responsible for the preparation of the annual return/report.

Line 5a.   Each row of boxes on the hand print forms is designed to contain specific information regarding the preparer. Please limit your response to the information required in each row of boxes as specified below:

Lines 6 and 7.   All filers must complete both lines 6 and 7 unless the Form 5500 is filed for a 403(b) Arrangement or IRA Plan eligible for Limited Pension Plan Reporting as described on page 10 or for a DFE.

   The description of "participant" in the instructions below is only for purposes of these lines.

  For welfare plans, the number of participants should be determined by reference to 29 CFR 2510.3-3(d), which provides that an individual becomes a participant covered under an employee welfare benefit plan on the earlier of: the date designated by the plan as the date on which the individual begins participation in the plan; the date on which the individual becomes eligible under the plan for a benefit subject only to occurrence of the contingency for which the benefit is provided; or the date on which the individual makes a contribution to the plan, whether voluntary or mandatory. Dependents are considered neither participants nor beneficiaries. A child who is an “alternate recipient” entitled to health benefits under a qualified medical child support order should not be counted as a participant for lines 6 and 7. An individual is not a participant covered under an employee welfare plan on the earliest date on which the individual (A) is ineligible to receive any benefit under the plan even if the contingency for which such benefit is provided should occur, and (B) is not designated by the plan as a participant. See 29 CFR 2510.3-3(d)(2). For pension benefit plans, “alternate payees” entitled to benefits under a qualified domestic relations order are not to be counted as participants for these lines.

  Before counting the number of participants in welfare plans, it is important to determine whether the plan sponsor has established one or more plans for Form 5500 reporting purposes. As a matter of plan design, plan sponsors can offer benefits through various structures and combinations. For example, a plan sponsor could create (i) one plan providing major medical benefits, dental benefits, and vision benefits, (ii) two plans with one providing major medical benefits and the other providing self-insured dental and vision benefits, or (iii) three separate plans. You must review the governing documents and actual operations to determine whether welfare benefits are being provided under a single plan or separate plans.

  The fact that you have separate insurance policies for each different welfare benefit does not necessarily mean that you have separate plans. Some plan sponsors use a “wrap” document to incorporate various benefits and insurance policies into one comprehensive plan. In addition, whether a benefit arrangement is deemed to be a single plan may be different for purposes other than Form 5500 reporting. For example, special rules may apply for purposes of HIPAA, COBRA, and Internal Revenue Code compliance. If you need help determining whether you have a single welfare benefit plan for Form 5500 reporting purposes, you should consult a qualified benefits consultant or legal counsel.

  "Participant" means any individual who is included in one of the categories below:

Line 7g.    Enter the number of participants included on line 7f (total participants at the end of the plan year) who have account balances. For example, for a Code section 401(k) plan the number entered on line 7g should be the number of participants counted on line 7f who have made a contribution to the plan for this plan year or any prior plan year. Defined benefit plans should leave line 7g blank.

Line 7h.    Include any individual who terminated employment during this plan year, whether or not he or she (a) incurred a break in service, (b) received an irrevocable commitment from an insurance company to pay all the benefits to which he or she is entitled under the plan, and/or (c) received a cash distribution or deemed cash distribution of his or her nonforfeitable accrued benefit. Multiemployer plans and multiple-employer plans that are collectively bargained do not have to complete line 7h.

Line 7i.    If a number is entered on line 7i, you must file Schedule SSA (Form 5500) as an attachment to the Form 5500.

  Code section 6057(e) provides that the plan administrator must give each participant a statement showing the same information reported on Schedule SSA for that participant.

Line 8 - Benefits Provided Under the Plan.    Check 8a and/or 8b, as appropriate. In addition, enter in the boxes provided all applicable plan characteristic codes from the table on pages 18 and 19 that describe the characteristics of the plan being reported. (See examples on page 20.)

  Applicable to plan sponsors of Puerto Rico plans. Enter condition code 3C only in instances where there was no election made under section 1022(i)(2) of ERISA and, therefore, the plan does not intend to qualify under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. If an election was made under section 1022(i)(2) of ERISA, do not enter characteristic code 3C.

Line 9 - Funding and Benefit Arrangements.    Check all boxes that apply to indicate the funding and benefit arrangements used during the plan year. The "funding arrangement" is the method for the receipt, holding, investment, and transmittal of plan assets prior to the time the plan actually provides benefits. The "benefit arrangement" is the method by which the plan provides benefits to participants. For purposes of line 9:

   "Insurance" means the plan has an account, contract, or policy with an insurance company, insurance service, or other similar organization (such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield, or a health maintenance organization) during the plan or DFE year. (This includes investments with insurance companies such as guaranteed investment contracts (GICs).) Do not check "insurance" if the sole function of the insurance company was to provide administrative services.

   "Code section 412(e)(3) insurance contracts" are contracts that provide retirement benefits under a plan that are guaranteed by an insurance carrier. In general, such contracts must provide for level premium payments over the individual's period of participation in the plan (to retirement age), premiums must be timely paid as currently required under the contract, no rights under the contract may be subject to a security interest, and no policy loans may be outstanding. If a plan is funded exclusively by the purchase of such contracts, the otherwise applicable minimum funding requirements of section 412 of the Code and section 302 of ERISA do not apply for the year and a Schedule MB or Schedule SB is not required to be filed.

   "Trust" includes any fund or account that receives, holds, transmits, or invests plan assets other than an account or policy of an insurance company.

   "General assets of the sponsor" means either the plan had no assets or some assets were commingled with the general assets of the plan sponsor prior to the time the plan actually provided the benefits promised.

Line 10.    Check the boxes on line 10 to indicate the schedules being filed and, where applicable, count the schedules and enter the number of attached schedules in the space provided. If the plan is required to file an actuarial information schedule, check the box for Schedule B and attach either the Schedule MB or the Schedule SB, whichever applies.

Schedule A, Insurance Information, must be attached to the Form 5500 filed for every defined benefit pension plan, defined contribution pension plan, and welfare benefit plan if any benefits under the plan are provided by an insurance company, insurance service, or other similar organization (such as Blue Cross, Blue Shield, or a health maintenance organization). This includes investments with insurance companies such as guaranteed investment contracts (GICs).

For example, if Form 5500 line 9a(1), 9a(2), 9b(1), or 9b(2) is checked, indicating that either the plan funding arrangement or plan benefit arrangement includes an account, policy, or contract with an insurance company (or similar organization), at least one Schedule A (Form 5500) would be required to be attached to the Form 5500 filed for a pension or welfare plan to provide information concerning the contract year ending with or within the plan year.

In addition, Schedules A must be attached to a Form 5500 filed for GIAs, MTIAs, and 103-12 IEs for each insurance or annuity contract held in the MTIA, or 103-12 IE or by the GIA. See the Form 5500 instructions for specific requirements for GIAs, MTIAs, and 103-12 IEs.

Do not file Schedule A if: (1) the contract is an Administrative Services Only (ASO) contract; (2) the Form 5500 is being filed for a plan participating in a MTIA or 103-12 IE for which a Form 5500 is being filed that reports the contract on a Schedule A filed with the MTIA or 103-12 IE Form 5500; or (3) the Form 5500 is being filed for a plan that covers only: (A) an individual or an individual and his or her spouse who wholly own a trade or business, whether incorporated or unincorporated; or
(B) partners, or partners and one or more of the partners' spouses in a partnership.

Check the Schedule A box on the Form 5500 (Part II, line 10b(3)), and enter the number attached in the space provided if one or more Schedules A are attached to the Form 5500.

Exception.   If the insurance company maintains records on the basis of a plan year rather than a policy or contract year, the information entered on Schedule A (Form 5500) may pertain to the plan year instead of the policy or contract year.

Lines A, B, C, and D.   This information should be the same as reported in Part II of the Form 5500 to which this Schedule A is attached. You may abbreviate the plan name (if necessary) to fit in the space provided.

  Do not use a social security number in lieu of an EIN. The Schedule A and its attachments are open to public inspection, and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a social security number on this Schedule A or any of its attachments may result in the rejection of the filing.

  You can apply for an EIN online, by telephone, by fax, or by mail depending on how soon you need to use the EIN. For more information, see Section 4: How To File under General Instructions to Form 5500. The EBSA does not issue EINs.

Schedule C (Form 5500) must be attached to a Form 5500 filed for a large pension or welfare benefit plan and to a Form 5500 filed for a MTIA, 103-12 IE, or GIA to report information concerning service providers. See the instructions to the Form 5500 for Form 5500 Schedules and Direct Filing Entity (DFE).

Check the Schedule C box on the Form 5500 (Part II, line 10b(4)) if a Schedule C is attached to the Form 5500. Multiple Schedule C pages must be attached to the Form 5500 if necessary to report the required information.

When the Form 5500 is filed for a plan or DFE that invested or participated in any MTIAs, 103-12 IEs, CCTs and/or PSAs, Part I provides information about these entities. When the Form 5500 is filed for a DFE, Part II provides information about plans participating in the DFE.

Use as many Schedule D, Part I pages as necessary to enter the information specified below for all MTIAs, CCTs, PSAs, and 103-12 IEs in which the plan or DFE filing the Form 5500 participated at anytime during the plan or DFE year.

Complete a separate item (elements (a) through (e)) for each MTIA, CCT, PSA, or 103-12 IE.

Use as many Schedule D, Part II pages as necessary to enter the information specified below for all plans that invested or participated in the DFE at any time during the DFE year.

Complete a separate item (elements (a) through (c)) for each plan.

Use this schedule to satisfy the requirements under Code section 6047(e) for an annual information return for an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP).

Every employer or plan administrator of a pension benefit plan that contains ESOP benefits must file a Schedule E (Form 5500).

File Schedule E (Form 5500) annually as an attachment to Form 5500 or Form 5500-EZ. If more than one securities acquisition loan (see specific instructions for lines 7 through 12) is outstanding, you must file one Schedule E (Form 5500) and an attachment for each additional securities acquisition loan and label the attachment “Schedule E, lines 7 through 12 – Additional Securities Acquisition Loans.” Each attachment must provide answers to questions 7 through 12, be in a similar format to, and on the same size paper as, the Schedule E.

Check the Schedule E box on the Form 5500 (Part II, line 10a(3)) if a Schedule E is attached to the Form 5500.

If the employer maintaining the ESOP is an S corporation and Schedule E is attached to a Form 5500, enter 2Q and other applicable codes on Form 5500, Part II, line 8.

Line 12b.   The repeal of Code section 133 by Act section 1602 of SBJPA 1996 does not apply to a refinancing of an ESOP securities acquisition loan made after August 20, 1996, or pursuant to a binding contract in effect before June 10, 1996, if:

Line 18.   If there are more than three classes of stock, include an attachment with the information required for elements (a) through (f) for each additional class of stock and label the attachment “Schedule E, line 18 – Additional Classes of Stock.”

Line 18(d).   In determining the dividend rate for a class of common stock, use the percentage of the average dividends paid on the class of common stock during the plan year over the average value of the class of common stock during the plan year.

  In determining the dividend rate for a class of preferred stock, use the dividend rate stated in the terms of the stock, or if a dividend rate is not stated, use the percentage of the average dividends paid on the class of preferred stock during the plan year over the par value of the class of preferred stock.

Schedule G (Form 5500) must be attached to a Form 5500 filed for a plan, MTIA, 103-12 IE, or GIA to report loans or fixed income obligations in default or determined to be uncollectible as of the end of the plan year, leases in default or classified as uncollectible, and nonexempt transactions. See Schedule H (Form 5500) lines 4b, 4c, and/or 4d.

Check the Schedule G box on the Form 5500 (Part II, line 10b(6)) if a Schedule G is attached to the Form 5500. Multiple Schedule G pages must be attached to the Form 5500 if necessary to report the required information. You can get additional hand print pages by calling 1-800-TAX-FORM (1-800-829-3676) and requesting additional schedules.

The Schedule G consists of three parts. Part I of the Schedule G reports any loans or fixed income obligations in default or determined to be uncollectible as of the end of the plan year. Part II of the Schedule G reports any leases in default or classified as uncollectible. Part III of the Schedule G reports nonexempt transactions.

Lines A, B, C, and D.   This information should be the same as reported in Part II of the Form 5500 to which this Schedule G is attached. You may abbreviate the plan name (if necessary) to fit in the space provided.

  Do not use a social security number in line D in lieu of an EIN. The Schedule G and its attachments are open to public inspection, and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a social security number on this Schedule G or any of its attachments may result in the rejection of the filing.

  You can apply for an EIN online, by telephone, by fax, or by mail depending on how soon you need to use the EIN. For more information, see Section 4: How To File under General Instructions to Form 5500. The EBSA does not issue EINs.

List all loans or fixed income obligations in default or determined to be uncollectible as of the end of the plan year or the fiscal year of the GIA, MTIA, or 103-12 IE. Include:

Provide, on a separate attachment, an explanation of what steps have been taken or will be taken to collect overdue amounts for each loan listed and label the attachment “Schedule G, Part I – Overdue Loan Explanation.”

The due date, payment amount, and conditions for determining default in the case of a note or loan are usually contained in the documents establishing the note or loan. A loan is in default when the borrower is unable to pay the obligation upon maturity. Obligations that require periodic repayment can default at any time. Generally loans and fixed income obligations are considered uncollectible when payment has not been made and there is little probability that payment will be made. A fixed income obligation has a fixed maturity date at a specified interest rate.

Do not report in Part I participant loans under an individual account plan with investment experience segregated for each account, that are made in accordance with 29 CFR 2550.408b-1, and that are secured solely by a portion of the participant's vested accrued benefit. Report all other participant loans in default or classified as uncollectible on Part I, and list each such loan individually.

List any leases in default or classified as uncollectible. A lease is an agreement conveying the right to use property, plant, or equipment for a stated period. A lease is in default when the required payment(s) has not been made. An uncollectible lease is one where the required payments have not been made and for which there is little probability that payment will be made. Provide, on a separate attachment, an explanation of what steps have been taken or will be taken to collect overdue amounts for each lease listed and label the attachment “Schedule G, Part II – Overdue Lease Explanation.”

All nonexempt party-in-interest transactions must be reported, regardless of whether disclosed in the accountant's report, unless the nonexempt transaction is:

Nonexempt transactions with a party-in-interest include any direct or indirect:

A. Sale or exchange, or lease, of any property between the plan and a party-in-interest.

B. Lending of money or other extension of credit between the plan and a party-in-interest.

C. Furnishing of goods, services, or facilities between the plan and a party-in-interest.

D. Transfer to, or use by or for the benefit of, a party-in-interest, of any income or assets of the plan.

E. Acquisition, on behalf of the plan, of any employer security or employer real property in violation of ERISA section 407(a).

F. Dealing with the assets of the plan for a fiduciary's own interest or own account.

G. Acting in a fiduciary's individual or any other capacity in any transaction involving the plan on behalf of a party (or represent a party) whose interests are adverse to the interests of the plan or the interests of its participants or beneficiaries.

H. Receipt of any consideration for his or her own personal account by a party-in-interest who is a fiduciary from any party dealing with the plan in connection with a transaction involving the income or assets of the plan.

An unfunded, fully insured, or combination unfunded/insured welfare plan with 100 or more participants exempt under 29 CFR 2520.104-44 from completing Schedule H must still complete Schedule G, Part III, to report nonexempt transactions.

If you are unsure whether a transaction is exempt or not, you should consult with either the plan's independent qualified public accountant or legal counsel or both.

You may indicate that an application for an administrative exemption is pending.

If the plan is a qualified pension plan and a nonexempt prohibited transaction occurred with respect to a disqualified person, a Form 5330, Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans, is required to be filed with the IRS to pay the excise tax on the transaction.

The DOL Voluntary Fiduciary Correction Program (VFCP) describes how to apply, the specific transactions covered (which transactions include delinquent participant contributions to pension and welfare plans), and acceptable methods for correcting violations. In addition, applicants that satisfy both the VFCP requirements and the conditions of Prohibited Transaction Exemption (PTE) 2002-51 are eligible for immediate relief from payment of certain prohibited transaction excise taxes for certain corrected transactions, and are also relieved from the obligation to file the Form 5330 with the IRS. For more information, see 71 Fed. Reg. 20261 (Apr. 19, 2006) and 71 Fed. Reg. 20135 (Apr. 19, 2006). If the conditions of PTE 2002-51 are satisfied, corrected transactions should be treated as exempt under Code section 4975(c) for the purposes of answering Schedule G, Part III. Information about the VFCP is also available on the Internet at www.dol.gov/ebsa.

For purposes of this form, party-in-interest is deemed to include a disqualified person. See Code section 4975(e)(2). The term "party-in-interest" means, as to an employee benefit plan:

A. Any fiduciary (including, but not limited to, any administrator, officer, trustee or custodian), counsel, or employee of the plan;

B. A person providing services to the plan;

C. An employer, any of whose employees are covered by the plan;

D. An employee organization, any of whose members are covered by the plan;

E. An owner, direct or indirect, of 50% or more of: (1) the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or the total value of shares of all classes of stock of a corporation, (2) the capital interest or the profits interest of a partnership, or (3) the beneficial interest of a trust or unincorporated enterprise that is an employer or an employee organization described in C or D;

F. A relative of any individual described in A , B, C, or E;

G. A corporation, partnership, or trust or estate of which (or in which) 50% or more of: (1) the combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote or the total value of shares of all classes of stock of such corporation, (2) the capital interest or profits interest of such partnership, or (3) the beneficial interest of such trust or estate is owned directly or indirectly, or held by, persons described in A, B, C, D, or E;

H. An employee, officer, director (or an individual having powers or responsibilities similar to those of officers or directors), or a 10% or more shareholder, directly or indirectly, of a person described in B, C, D, E, or G, or of the employee benefit plan; or

I. A 10% or more (directly or indirectly in capital or profits) partner or joint venturer of a person described in B, C, D, E, or G.

Schedule H (Form 5500) must be attached to a Form 5500 filed for a pension benefit plan or a welfare benefit plan that covered 100 or more participants as of the beginning of the plan year and a Form 5500 filed for a MTIA, CCT, PSA, 103-12 IE, or GIA. See the instructions to the Form 5500 for Direct Filing Entity (DFE) Filing Requirements.

The plan's or DFE's interest in CCTs and PSAs for which a DFE Form 5500 has not been filed may not be included on lines 1c(9) or 1c(10). The plan's or DFE's interest in the underlying assets of such CCTs and PSAs must be allocated and reported in the appropriate categories on a line-by-line basis on Part I of the Schedule H.

Schedule I (Form 5500) must be attached to a Form 5500 filed for pension benefit plans and welfare benefit plans that covered fewer than 100 participants as of the beginning of the plan year.

Check the Schedule I box on the Form 5500 (Part II, line 10b(2)) if a Schedule I is attached to the Form 5500. Do not attach both a Schedule I and a Schedule H to the same Form 5500.

Amounts reported on lines 1a, 1b, and 1c for the beginning of the plan year must be the same as reported for the end of the plan year for corresponding lines on the return/report for the preceding plan year.

Do not include contributions designated for the 2008 plan year in column (a).

Answer all lines either "Yes" or "No," and if lines 4a through 4i are "Yes," an amount must be entered. If you check "No" on line 4k you must attach the report of an independent qualified public accountant or a statement that the plan is eligible and elects to defer attaching the IQPA's opinion pursuant to 29 CFR 2520.104-50 in connection with a short plan year of seven months or less. Plans with all of their funds held in a master trust should check “No” on Schedule I, lines 4b, c, and i.

The employer or plan administrator of a multiemployer defined benefit plan that is subject to the minimum funding standards (see Code sections 412 and 431 and Part 3 of Title I of ERISA) must complete and file this schedule as an attachment to the Form 5500.

If a money purchase defined contribution plan (including a target benefit plan) has received a waiver of the minimum funding standard, and the waiver is currently being amortized, lines 3, 9, and 10 of Schedule MB must be completed. In such a case, the Schedule MB must be attached to Form 5500 but it need not be signed by an enrolled actuary.

Check the Schedule B box on the Form 5500 (Part II, line 10a(2)) if a Schedule MB is attached to the Form 5500.

Lines A through E must be completed for ALL plans. If the Schedule MB is attached to a Form 5500, lines A, B, C, and D should include the same information as reported in Part II of the Form 5500. You may abbreviate the plan name (if necessary) to fit in the space provided.

Do not use a social security number in line D in lieu of an EIN. The Schedule MB and its attachments are open to public inspection if filed with a Form 5500, and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a social security number on this Schedule MB or any of its attachments may result in the rejection of the filing.

You can apply for an EIN online, by telephone, by fax, or by mail depending on how soon you need to use the EIN. For more information, see Section 4: How To File under General Instructions to Form 5500. The EBSA does not issue EINs.

All multiemployer defined benefit plans, regardless of size or type, must complete and file Schedule MB.

An enrolled actuary must sign Schedule MB unless, as described above, the plan is a money purchase defined contribution plan that has received a waiver of the minimum funding standard. The signature of the enrolled actuary may be qualified to state that it is subject to attached qualifications. See Treasury Regulations section 301.6059-1(d) for permitted qualifications. If the actuary has not fully reflected any final or temporary regulation, revenue ruling, or notice promulgated under the statute in completing the Schedule MB, check the box on the last line of page 1. If this box is checked, indicate on an attachment whether an accumulated funding deficiency or a contribution that is not wholly deductible would result if the actuary had fully reflected such regulation, revenue ruling, or notice, and label this attachment “Schedule MB – Statement by Enrolled Actuary.” A stamped or machine produced signature is not acceptable. The most recent enrollment number must be entered. In addition, the actuary may offer any other comments related to the information contained in Schedule MB.

All attachments to the Schedule MB must be properly identified, and must include the name of the plan, the plan sponsor's EIN, and the plan number. Put “Schedule MB” and the line number to which the attachment relates at the top of each attachment. When assembling the package for filing, you can place attachments for a schedule either directly behind that schedule or at the end of the filing.

Do not include attachments that contain a visible social security number. The Schedule MB and its attachments are open to public inspection, and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a visible social security number on an attachment may result in the rejection of the filing.

Line 1.   All entries must be reported as of the valuation date.

Line 1a. Actuarial Valuation Date.   The valuation for a plan year may be as of any date in the plan year, including the first or last day of the plan year. Valuations must be performed within the period specified by ERISA section 304(c)(7) and Code section 431(c)(7).

Line 1b(1). Current Value of Assets.   Enter the current value of assets as of the valuation date. The current value is the same as the fair market value. Do not adjust for items such as the existing credit balance or the outstanding balances of certain amortization bases. Contributions designated for 2008 should not be included in this amount. Note that this entry may be different from the entry in line 2a. Such a difference may result, for example, if the valuation date is not the first day of the plan year, or if insurance contracts are excluded from assets reported on line 1b(1) but not on line 2a.

   Rollover amounts or other assets held in individual accounts that are not available to provide defined benefits under the plan should not be included on line 1b(1), regardless of whether they are reported on the 2008 Schedule H (Form 5500) (line 1l, column (a)) or Schedule I (Form 5500) (line 1c, column (a)). Additionally, asset and liability amounts must be determined in a consistent manner. Therefore, if the value of any insurance contracts have been excluded from the amount reported on line 1b(1), liabilities satisfied by such contracts should also be excluded from the liability values reported on lines 1c(1), 1c(2), and 1d(2).

Line 1b(2). Actuarial Value of Assets.   Enter the value of assets determined in accordance with Code section 431(c)(2) or ERISA section 304(c)(2). Do not adjust for items such as the existing credit balance or the outstanding balances of certain amortization bases, and do not include contributions designated for 2008 in this amount.

Line 1c(1). Accrued Liability for Immediate Gain Methods.   Complete this line only if you use an immediate gain method (see Rev. Rul. 81-213, 1981-2 C.B. 101, for a definition of immediate gain method).

Lines 1c(2)(a), (b), and (c). Information for Plans Using Spread Gain Methods.   Complete these lines only if you use a spread gain method (see Rev. Rul. 81-213 for a definition of spread gain method).

Line 1c(2)(a). Unfunded Liability for Methods with Bases.   Complete this line only if you use the frozen initial liability or attained age normal cost method.

Lines 1c(2)(b) and (c). Entry Age Normal Accrued Liability and Normal Cost.   For spread gain methods, the full funding limitation is calculated using the entry age normal method (see Rev. Rul. 81-13, 1981-1 C.B. 229).

Line 1d(1). Amount Excluded from Current Liability.   Enter “N/A.”

Line 1d(2)(a). Current Liability.   All multiemployer plans, regardless of the number of participants, must provide the information indicated in accordance with these instructions. The interest rate used to compute the current liability must be in accordance with guidelines issued by the IRS and, pursuant to the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA), must not be more than 5 percent above and must not be more than 10 percent below the weighted average of the rates of interest, as set forth by the Treasury Department, on 30-year Treasury securities during the 4-year period ending on the last day before the beginning of the 2008 plan year.

  The current liability must be computed using the mortality tables referenced in section 1.431(c)(6)-1 of the Treasury Regulations.

  Each other actuarial assumption used in calculating the current liability must be the same assumption used for calculating other costs for the funding standard account. See Notice 90-11, 1990-1 C.B. 319. The actuary must take into account rates of early retirement and the plan's early retirement and turnover provisions as they relate to benefits, where these would significantly affect the results. Regardless of the valuation date, current liability is computed taking into account only credited service through the end of the prior plan year. No salary scale projections should be used in these computations. Do not include the expected increase in current liability due to benefits accruing during the plan year reported in line 1d(2)(b) in these computations.

Line 1d(2)(b). Expected Increase in Current Liability.   Enter the amount by which the current liability is expected to increase due to benefits accruing during the plan year on account of credited service and/or salary changes for the current year. One year's salary scale may be reflected.

Line 1d(2)(c). Expected Release From Current Liability for the Plan Year.   Enter the expected release from current liability on account of disbursements (including single-sum distributions) from the plan expected to be paid after the valuation date but prior to the end of the plan year (see also Q&A-7 of Rev. Rul. 96-21, 1996-1 C.B. 64).

Line 1d(3). Expected Plan Disbursements.   Enter the amount of plan disbursements expected to be paid for the plan year.

Line 2.    All entries must be reported as of the beginning of the 2008 plan year. Lines 2a and 2b should include all assets and liabilities under the plan except for assets and liabilities attributable to: (1) rollover amounts or other amounts in individual accounts that are not available to provide defined benefits, or (2) benefits for which an insurer has made an irrevocable commitment as defined in 29 CFR 4001.2.

Line 2a. Current Value of Assets.   Enter the current value of net assets as of the first day of the plan year. Except for plans with excluded assets as described above, this entry should be the same as reported on the 2008 Schedule H (Form 5500) (line 1l, column (a)) or Schedule I (Form 5500) (line 1c, column (a)). Note that contributions designated for the 2008 plan year are not included on those lines.

Line 2b. Current Liability (beginning of plan year).   Enter the current liability as of the first day of the plan year. Do not include the expected increase in current liability due to benefits accruing during the plan year. See the instructions for line 1d(2)(a) for actuarial assumptions used in determining current liability.

   Column (1)—Enter the number of participants and beneficiaries as of the beginning of the plan year. If the current liability figures are derived from a valuation that follows the first day of the plan year, the participant and beneficiary count entries should be derived from the counts used in that valuation in a manner consistent with the derivation of the current liability reported in column (2).

   Column (2)—Include the current liability attributable to all benefits, with subtotals for vested and nonvested benefits in the case of active participants.

Line 2c.   This calculation is required under ERISA section 103(d)(11). Do not complete if line 2a divided by line 2b(4), column (2), is 70% or greater.

Line 3. Contributions Made to Plan.   Show all employer and employee contributions for the plan year. Include employer contributions made not later than 2½ months (or the later date allowed under Code section 431(c)(8) and ERISA section 304(c)(8)) after the end of the plan year. Show only contributions actually made to the plan by the date this Schedule MB is signed.

  Add the amounts in both columns (b) and (c) and enter both results on the total line. All contributions must be credited toward a particular plan year.

Line 4. Information on Plan Status.   All multiemployer plans regardless of the number of participants must provide the information indicated in accordance with these instructions.

Line 4a.   Enter the code for the status of the multiemployer plan for the plan year, as certified by the plan actuary, using one of the following codes:

  If the plan is in endangered status, seriously endangered status, or critical status, attach a copy of the actuarial certification of such status to this Schedule MB. Also attach an illustration showing the details providing support for the actuarial certification of status and label the illustration “Schedule MB, line 4a – Illustration Supporting Actuarial Certification of Status.” For example, if a plan is in critical status based on Code section 432(b)(2)(B), show the funded percentage (if applicable) and the projection of funding to the year where the accumulated funding deficiency occurs.

Line 4c.   Attach documentation comparing the current status of the plan to the scheduled progress under the applicable funding improvement or rehabilitation plan to this Schedule MB. Label the documentation “ Schedule MB, line 4c – Documentation Regarding Progress Under Funding Improvement or Rehabilitation Plan. ”

Line 5. Actuarial Cost Method.   Enter the primary method used. If the plan uses one actuarial cost method in one year as the basis of establishing an accrued liability for use under the frozen initial liability method in subsequent years, answer as if the frozen initial liability method was used in all years. The projected unit credit method is included in the “Accrued benefit (unit credit)” category of line 5c. If a method other than a method listed in lines 5a through 5g is used, check the box for line 5j and specify the method. For example, if a modified individual level premium method for which actuarial gains and losses are spread as a part of future normal cost is used, check the box for 5j and describe the cost method.

  Check the appropriate box for the underlying actuarial cost method used as the basis for this plan year's funding standard account computation. If box 5h is checked, enter the period of use of the shortfall method in line 5k. For this purpose, enter the calendar year (YY) which includes the first day of the plan year in which the shortfall method was first used. For plans in reorganization status, check the appropriate box for the underlying actuarial cost method used to determine charges and credits to the funding standard account and check the box for 5i.

  Changes in funding methods include changes in actuarial cost method, changes in asset valuation method, and changes in the valuation date of plan costs and liabilities or of plan assets. Changes in the funding method of a plan include not only changes to the overall funding method used by the plan, but also changes to each specific method of computation used in applying the overall method. Generally, these changes require IRS approval. If the change was made pursuant to Rev. Proc. 2000-40, 2000-2 C.B. 357, check “Yes” for line 5m. If approval was granted for this plan by either an individual ruling letter or a class ruling letter, enter the date of the applicable ruling letter in line 5n. Note that the plan sponsor's agreement to a change in funding method (made pursuant to Rev. Proc. 2000-40, PPA section 201(b), or a class ruling letter) should be reported on line 7 of Schedule R (Form 5500).

Shortfall Method:   Only certain collectively bargained plans may elect the shortfall funding method (see Treasury Regulations section 1.412(c)(1)-2). Advance approval from the IRS for the election of the shortfall method of funding is NOT required if it is first adopted for the first plan year to which Code section 412 applies. In addition, pursuant to PPA section 201(b), a plan does NOT need advance approval from the IRS to adopt or cease using the shortfall method if the plan (1) has not used the shortfall method during the 5-year period ending on the day before the date the plan is to use the method, and (2) is not operating under an amortization period extension and did not operate under such an extension during such 5-year period. In such a case, check “Yes” for line 5m. If a plan utilizes this automatic approval to apply the shortfall method, the benefit increase limitations of Code section 412(c)(7) apply.

  If a plan is not eligible for automatic approval as set forth in the preceding paragraph, advance approval from the IRS is required if the shortfall funding method is adopted at a later time, if a specific computation method is changed, or if the shortfall method is discontinued. In such a case there is no automatic limitation on benefit increases.

Reorganization Status:   Attach an explanation of the basis for the determination that the plan is in reorganization for this plan year and label the explanation “Schedule MB, line 5 – Reorganization Status Explanation.” Also, attach a worksheet showing for this plan year: Label the worksheet “Schedule MB, line 5 – Reorganization Status Worksheet.”

Line 6. Actuarial Assumptions.   If gender-based assumptions are used in developing plan costs, enter those rates where appropriate in line 6. Note that requests for gender-based cost information do not suggest that gender-based benefits are legal. If unisex tables are used, enter the values in both “Male” and “Female” lines. Complete all blanks. Check “N/A” if not applicable.

  Attach a statement of actuarial assumptions (if not fully described by line 6) and actuarial methods used to calculate the figures shown in lines 1 and 9 (if not fully described by line 5), and label the statement “Schedule MB, line 6 – Statement of Actuarial Assumptions/Methods.” The statement must describe all actuarial assumptions used to determine the liabilities. For example, the statement for non-traditional plans (e.g., cash balance plans) must include the assumptions used to convert balances to annuities.

  Also attach a summary of the principal eligibility and benefit provisions on which the valuation was based, including the status of the plan (e.g., eligibility frozen, service/pay frozen, benefits frozen), optional forms of benefits, special plan provisions, including those that apply only to a subgroup of employees (e.g., those with imputed service), supplemental benefits, an identification of benefits not included in the valuation (e.g., shutdown benefits), a description of any significant events that occurred during the year, a summary of any changes in principal eligibility or benefit provisions since the last valuation, a description (or reasonably representative sample) of plan early retirement factors, and any change in actuarial assumptions or cost methods and justifications for any such change (see section 103(d) of ERISA). Label the summary “Schedule MB, line 6 – Summary of Plan Provisions.”

  Also, include any other information needed to disclose the actuarial position of the plan fully and fairly.

Line 6a. Current Liability Interest Rate.   Enter the interest rate used to determine current liability. The interest rate used must be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the IRS and, pursuant to PPA, must not be more than 5 percent above and must not be more than 10 percent below the weighted average of the rates of interest, as set forth by the Treasury Department, on 30-year Treasury securities during the 4-year period ending on the last day before the beginning of the 2008 plan year. Enter the rate to the nearest .01 percent.

Line 6b.   Check “Yes,” if the rates in the contract were used (e.g., purchase rates at retirement).

Line 6c. Mortality Table.   The mortality table published in section 1.431(c)(6)-1 of the Treasury Regulations must be used in the calculation of current liability for non-disabled lives. Enter the mortality table code for non-disabled lives used for valuation purposes as follows:

  Code 6 includes all sex-distinct versions of the 1983 G.A.M. table other than the table published in Rev. Rul. 95-28. Thus, for example, Code 6 also would include the 1983 G.A.M. male-only table used for males, where the 1983 G.A.M. male-only table with a 6-year setback is used for females. Code A includes mortality tables other than those listed in Codes 1 through 9, including any unisex version of the 1983 G.A.M. table.

  Where an indicated table consists of separate tables for males and females, add F to the female table (e.g., 1F). When a projection is used with a table, follow the code with “P” and the year of projection (omit the year if the projection is unrelated to a single calendar year); the identity of the projection scale should be omitted. When an age setback or set forward is used, indicate with “–” or “+” and the number of years. For example, if for females the 1951 Group Annuity Table with Projection C to 1971 is used with a 5-year setback, enter “1P71-5.” If the table is not one of those listed, enter “A” with no further notation. If the valuation assumes a maturity value to provide the post-retirement income without separately identifying the mortality, interest and expense elements, enter on line 6c, under “Post-retirement,” the value of $1.00 of monthly pension beginning at the plan's weighted average retirement age, assuming the normal form of annuity for an unmarried person. In such a case, enter “N/A” on lines 6d and 6e.

Line 6d. Valuation Liability Interest Rate.   Enter the assumption as to the expected interest rate (investment return) used to determine all the calculated values except for current liability. If the assumed rate varies with the year, enter the weighted average of the assumed rate for 20 years following the valuation date. Enter rates to the nearest .01 percent.

Line 6e. Expense Loading.   If there is no expense loading, enter -0-. For instance, there would be no expense loading attributable to investments if the rate of investment return on assets is adjusted to take investment expenses into account. If there is a single expense loading not separately identified as pre-retirement or post-retirement, enter it under “Pre-retirement” and enter “N/A” under “Post-retirement”. Where expenses are assumed other than as a percentage of plan costs or liabilities, enter the assumed pre-retirement expense as a percentage of the plan's normal cost, and enter the post-retirement expense as a percentage of plan liabilities. If the normal cost of the plan is zero, enter the assumed pre-retirement expense as a percentage of the sum of lines 9c(1), 9c(2), and 9(c)(3), minus line 9h. Enter rates to the nearest .1 percent.

Line 6f. Salary Scale.   If a uniform level annual rate of salary increase is used, enter that annual rate. Otherwise, enter the level annual rate of salary increase that is equivalent to the rate(s) of salary increase used. Enter the annual rate as a percentage to the nearest .01 percent, used for a participant from age 25 to assumed retirement age. If the plan's benefit formula is not related to compensation, enter “N/A” on line 6f.

Line 6g. Estimated Investment Return – Actuarial Value.   Enter the estimated rate of return on the actuarial value of plan assets for the 1-year period ending on the valuation date. For this purpose, the rate of return is determined by using the formula 2I/(A + B – I), where I is the dollar amount of the investment return under the asset valuation method used for the plan, A is the actuarial value of the assets one year ago, and B is the actuarial value of the assets on the current valuation date. Enter rates to the nearest .1 percent. If entering a negative number, enter a minus sign (“–”) to the left of the number.

Line 6h. Estimated Investment Return – Current (Market) Value.   Enter the estimated rate of return on the current value of plan assets for the 1-year period ending on the valuation date. (The current value is the same as the fair market value — see line 1b(1) instructions.) For this purpose, the rate of return is determined by using the formula 2I/(A + B – I), where I is the dollar amount of the investment return, A is the current value of the assets one year ago, and B is the current value of the assets on the current valuation date. Enter rates to the nearest .1 percent. If entering a negative number, enter a minus sign (“–”) to the left of the number.

Line 7. New Amortization Bases Established.   List all new amortization bases established in the current plan year (before the combining of bases, if bases were combined). Use the following table to indicate the type of base established, and enter the appropriate code under “Type of base.” List amortization bases and charges and/or credits as of the valuation date. Bases that are considered fully amortized because there is a credit for the plan year on line 9j(3) should be listed. If entering a negative number, enter a minus sign (“–”) to the left of the number.

Line 8a. Funding Waivers or Extensions.   If a funding waiver or extension request is approved after the Schedule MB is filed, an amended Schedule MB must be filed with Form 5500 to report the waiver or extension approval (also see instructions for line 9k(1)).

Line 8b. Schedule of Active Participant Data.   Check “Yes” only if this is a multiemployer plan covered by Title IV of ERISA that has active participants.

  If line 8b is “Yes,” attach a schedule of the active plan participant data used in the valuation for this plan year. Use the format shown below and label the schedule “Schedule MB, line 8b – Schedule of Active Participant Data.”

  Expand this schedule by adding columns after the “5 to 9” column and before the “40 & up” column for active participants with total years of credited service in the following ranges: 10 to 14; 15 to 19; 20 to 24; 25 to 29; 30 to 34; and 35 to 39. For each column, enter the number of active participants with the specified number of years of credited service divided according to age group. For participants with partial years of credited service, round the total number of years of credited service to the next lower whole number. Years of credited service are the years credited under the plan's benefit formula.

  Plans reporting 1,000 or more active participants on line 2b(3)(c), column (1), and using compensation to determine benefits must also provide average compensation data. For each grouping, enter the average compensation of the active participants in that group. For this purpose, compensation is the compensation taken into account for each participant under the plan's benefit formula, limited to the amount defined under section 401(a)(17) of the Code. Do not enter the average compensation in any grouping that contains fewer than 20 participants.

  Cash balance plans (or any plans using characteristic code 1C on line 8a of Form 5500) reporting 1,000 or more active participants on line 2b(3)(c), column (1), must also provide average cash balance account data, regardless of whether all active participants have cash balance accounts. For each age/service bin, enter the average cash balance account of the active participants in that bin. Do not enter the average cash balance account in any age/service bin that contains fewer than 20 active participants.

   General Rule. In general, data to be shown in each age/service bin includes: If the accrued benefit is the greater of a cash balance benefit or some other benefit, average in only the cash balance account. If the accrued benefit is the sum of a cash balance account benefit and some other benefit, average in only the cash balance account. For both the average compensation and the average cash balance account, do not enter an amount for age/service bins with fewer than 20 active participants.

  In lieu of the above, two alternatives are provided for showing compensation and cash balance accounts. Each alternative provides for two age/service scatters (one showing compensation and one showing cash balance accounts) as follows:

  Alternative A:

  Alternative B:

  In general, information should be determined as of the valuation date. Average cash balance accounts may be determined as of either:

  Average cash balance accounts that are offset by amounts from another plan may be reported either as amounts prior to taking into account the offset, or as amounts after taking into account the offset. Do not report the offset amount. For this or any other unusual or unique situation, the attachment should include an explanation of what is being provided.

Line 9. Shortfall Method.   Under the shortfall method of funding, the normal cost in the funding standard account is the charge per unit of production (or per unit of service) multiplied by the actual number of units of production (or units of service) that occurred during the plan year. Each amortization installment in the funding standard account is similarly calculated.

Lines 9c and 9h. Amortization Charges and Credits.   If there are any amortization charges or credits, attach a maintenance schedule of funding standard account bases and label the schedule “Schedule MB, lines 9c and 9h – Schedule of Funding Standard Account Bases.” The attachment should clearly indicate the type of base (i.e., original unfunded liability, amendments, actuarial losses, etc.), the outstanding balance of each base, the number of years remaining in the amortization period, and the amortization amount. If bases were combined in the current year, the attachment should show information on bases both prior to and after the combining of bases.

  The outstanding balance and amortization charges and credits must be calculated as of the valuation date for the plan year.

Line 9d. Interest as Applicable.   Interest as applicable should be charged to the last day of the plan year.

Line 9f.   Note that the credit balance or funding deficiency at the end of “Year X” should be equal to the credit balance or funding deficiency at the beginning of “Year X+1.” If such credit balances or funding deficiencies are not equal, attach an explanation and label the attachment “Schedule MB, line 9f – Explanation of Prior Year Credit Balance/Funding Deficiency Discrepancy.” For example, if the difference is because contributions for a prior year that were not previously reported are received this plan year, attach a listing of the amounts and dates of such contributions.

Line 9j(1). ERISA Full Funding Limitation.   Instructions for this line are reserved pending published guidance.

Line 9j(2). “RPA '94” Override.   Instructions for this line are reserved pending published guidance.

Line 9j(3). Full Funding Credit.   Enter the excess of (1) the accumulated funding deficiency, disregarding the credit balance and contributions for the current year, if any, over (2) the greater of lines 9j(1) or 9j(2).

Line 9k(1). Waived Funding Deficiency Credit.   Enter a credit for a waived funding deficiency for the current plan year (Code section 431(b)(3)(C)). If a waiver of a funding deficiency is pending, report a funding deficiency. If the waiver is granted after Form 5500 is filed, file an amended Form 5500 with an amended Schedule MB to report the funding waiver (see page 7 of the Instructions for Form 5500).

Line 9k(2). Other Credits.   Enter a credit in the case of a plan for which the accumulated funding deficiency is determined under the funding standard account if such plan year follows a plan year for which such deficiency was determined under the alternative minimum funding standard.

Line 9o. Reconciliation Account.   The reconciliation account is made up of those components that upset the balance equation of Treasury Regulations section 1.412(c)(3)-1(b). Valuation assets must not be adjusted by the reconciliation account balance when computing the required minimum funding.

Line 9o(1).   If a waived funding deficiency is being amortized at an interest rate that differs from the valuation rate, enter the prior year's “reconciliation waiver outstanding balance” increased with interest at the valuation rate to the current valuation date and decreased by the year end amortization amount based on the mandated interest rate. Enter the amounts as of the valuation date.

Line 9o(2).   Include in this line reconciliation amounts due to extensions of amortization periods that have been approved by the IRS.

Line 9o(3).   Enter the sum of lines 9o(1), 9o(2)(a), and 9o(2)(b) (each adjusted with interest at the valuation rate to the current valuation date, if necessary).

Line 10. Contribution Necessary to Avoid Deficiency.   Enter the amount from line 9n. For plans in reorganization, see the instructions for line 5. If applicable, file Form 5330, Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans, with the IRS to pay the 5% excise tax on the funding deficiency.

Line 11.   In accordance with ERISA section 103(d)(3), attach a justification for any change in actuarial assumptions for the current plan year and label the attachment “Schedule MB, line 11 – Justification for Change in Actuarial Assumptions.”

Schedule R (Form 5500), Retirement Plan Information, reports certain information on plan distributions, funding, and the adoption of amendments increasing or decreasing the value of benefits in a defined benefit pension plan.

Schedule R must be attached to a Form 5500 filed for both tax-qualified and nonqualified pension benefit plans. The parts of Schedule R that must be completed depend on whether the plan is subject to the minimum funding standards of Code section 412 or ERISA section 302, the type of plan, and minimum coverage requirement of Code section 410(b). See line item requirements under Specific Instructions for more details.

Check the Schedule R box on the Form 5500 (Part II, line 10a(1)) if a Schedule R is attached to the Form 5500.

As a result of the PPA changes, the 2007 Schedule R cannot be used by short plan year filers that are required to report additional new information for 2008 on attachments to the Schedule R. (See the Caution for 2008 Short Plan Year Filings on page 5.)

If the plan has fewer than 25 participants, meets all the conditions for PPA-simplified reporting that are listed on page 9, and elects to file under this simplified reporting option, then complete only lines A, B, C, D, and Part II.

Lines A, B, C, and D.   This information must be the same as reported in Part II of the Form 5500 to which this Schedule R is attached. You may abbreviate the plan name (if necessary) to fit in the space provided.

  Do not use a social security number in line D instead of an EIN. Schedule R and its attachments are open to public inspection, and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a social security number on Schedule R or any of its attachments may result in the rejection of the filing.

  You can apply for an EIN online, by telephone, by fax, or by mail depending on how soon you need to use the EIN. For more information, see Section 4: How To File under General Instructions to Form 5500. The EBSA does not issue EINs.

“Participant”   for purposes of Schedule R, means any present or former employee who at any time during the plan year had an accrued benefit in the plan (account balance in a defined contribution plan).

Complete Part II only if the plan is subject to the minimum funding requirements of Code section 412 or ERISA section 302.

All qualified defined benefit and defined contribution plans are subject to the minimum funding requirements of Code section 412 unless they are described in the exceptions listed under Code section 412(e)(2). These exceptions include profit-sharing or stock bonus plans, insurance contract plans described in Code section 412(e)(3), and certain plans to which no employer contributions are made.

Nonqualified employee pension benefit plans are subject to the minimum funding requirements of ERISA section 302 unless specifically exempted under ERISA sections 4(a) or 301(a).

The sponsor or plan administrator of a single-employer or multiple-employer defined benefit plan that is subject to the minimum funding requirements must file Schedule SB as an attachment to Form 5500. Schedule MB is filed for multiemployer defined benefit plans and certain money purchase defined contribution plans (whether they are single-employer or multiemployer plans). However, Schedule MB is not required to be filed for a money purchase defined contribution plan that is subject to the minimum funding requirements unless the plan is currently amortizing a waiver of the minimum funding requirements.

Line 4.   Check "Yes" if, for purposes of computing the minimum funding requirements for the plan year, the plan administrator is making an election intended to satisfy the requirements of Code section 412(d)(2) or ERISA section 302(d)(2). Under Code section 412(d)(2) and ERISA section 302(d)(2), a plan administrator may elect to have any amendment, adopted after the close of the plan year for which it applies, treated as having been made on the first day of the plan year if all of the following requirements are met:

  See Temporary Regulations section 11.412(c)-7(b) for details on when and how to make the election and what information to include on the statement of election, which must be filed with the Form 5500 annual return/report.

Line 5.   If a money purchase defined contribution plan (including a target benefit plan) has received a waiver of the minimum funding standard, and the waiver is currently being amortized, complete lines 3, 9, and 10 of Schedule MB. See instructions for Schedule MB. Attach Schedule MB to Form 5500. The Schedule MB for a money purchase defined contribution plan does not need to be signed by an enrolled actuary.

Line 6a.   The minimum required contribution for a money purchase defined contribution plan (including a target benefit plan) for a plan year is the amount required to be contributed for the year under the formula set forth in the plan document. If there is an accumulated funding deficiency for a prior year that has not been waived, that amount should also be included as part of the contribution required for the current year.

Line 6b.   Include all contributions for the plan year made not later than 8½ months after the end of the plan year. Show only contributions actually made to the plan by the date the form is filed. For example, do not include receivable contributions for this purpose.

Line 6c.   If line 6c shows a positive amount, attach a statement indicating whether the sponsor will contribute the reported minimum funding amount by the funding deadline. Label the attachment “Schedule R, line 6c Information.” The attachment must include the sponsor's name, EIN, plan name, and plan number. If the minimum required contribution exceeds the contributions for the plan year made not later than 8½ months after the end of the plan year, the excess is an accumulated funding deficiency for the plan year. File Form 5330, Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans, with the IRS to pay the excise tax on the deficiency. There is a penalty for not filing Form 5330 on time.

Line 7.   A revenue procedure providing for automatic approval for a change in funding method for a plan year generally does not apply unless the plan administrator or an authorized representative of the plan sponsor explicitly agrees to the change. If a change in funding method made pursuant to such a revenue procedure (or a class ruling letter) is to be applicable for the current plan year, this line generally must be checked "Yes." In certain situations, however, the requirement that the plan administrator or an authorized representative of the plan sponsor agree to the change in funding method will be satisfied if the plan administrator or an authorized representative of the plan sponsor is made aware of the change. In these situations, this line must be checked “N/A.” See section 6.01(2) of Rev. Proc. 2000-40, 2000-42 I.R.B. 357.

Liabilities from other plans.   If any liabilities to participants or their beneficiaries under the plan at the end of the plan year consist of liabilities under two (2) or more plans as of immediately before the 2008 plan year, provide the following information as an attachment:

  The funded percentages are the ratios where the numerators are the actuarial values of the plans' assets at the end of the 2007 plan year and the denominators are the accrued liabilities of the plans at the end of the 2007 plan year. Label the attachment “Schedule R, Funded Percentages of Plans Contributing to the Liabilities of Plan Participants.”

The sponsor or plan administrator of a single-employer defined benefit plan (including a multiple-employer defined benefit plan) that is subject to the minimum funding standards (see Code section 412 and Part 3 of Title I of ERISA) must file this schedule as an attachment to the Form 5500.

Except as noted below, all single and multiple-employer defined benefit plans, regardless of size or type, must complete Parts I through VIII. See instructions for line 27 for additional information to be provided for certain plans with special circumstances.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006, as amended (PPA), provides delayed effective dates for the new funding rules for plans meeting certain criteria (certain multiple-employer plans maintained by rural cooperatives or related organizations, PBGC settlement plans, and certain plans maintained by government contractors, as described in PPA sections 104 through 106). Eligible plans to which these delayed effective dates apply do not need to complete the entire Schedule SB, but will have to file information relating to pre-PPA calculations in an attachment using the 2007 Schedule B form.

The PPA provides funding relief for certain defined benefit plans (other than multiemployer plans) maintained by a commercial passenger airline or by an employer whose principal business is providing catering services to a commercial passenger airline, based on an alternative 17-year funding schedule. Plans using this funding relief do not need to complete the entire Schedule SB, but are required to provide supplemental information as an attachment to Schedule SB. Alternatively, these plans can elect to apply the funding rules generally applicable to single-employer defined benefit plans, but amortize the funding shortfall over 10 years instead of the standard 7-year period and use a special interest rate to determine the funding target. Plans using this 10-year funding option must complete the entire Schedule SB and provide additional information. See the instructions for line 27 for more information.

An enrolled actuary must sign Schedule SB. The signature of the enrolled actuary may be qualified to state that it is subject to attached qualifications. See Treasury Regulations section 301.6059-1(d) for permitted qualifications. If the actuary has not fully reflected any final or temporary regulation, revenue ruling, or notice promulgated under the statute in completing the Schedule SB, check the box on the last line of page 1. If this box is checked, indicate on an attachment whether any unpaid required contribution or a contribution that is not wholly deductible would result if the actuary had fully reflected such regulation, revenue ruling, or notice, and label this attachment “Schedule SB – Statement by Enrolled Actuary.” A stamped or machine produced signature is not acceptable. The most recent enrollment number must be entered. In addition, the actuary may offer any other comments related to the information contained in Schedule SB.

All attachments to the Schedule SB must be properly identified as attachments to the Schedule SB, and must include the name of the plan, plan sponsor's EIN, plan number, and line number to which the schedule relates. When assembling the package for filing, attachments for a schedule should be placed either directly behind that schedule or at the end of the filing.

Do not include attachments that contain a visible social security number. Except for certain one-participant plans, the Schedule SB and its attachments are open to public inspection, and the contents are public information and are subject to publication on the Internet. Because of privacy concerns, the inclusion of a visible social security number on an attachment may result in the rejection of the filing.

Line 1. Valuation Date.   The valuation date for a plan year must be the first day of the plan year unless the plan meets the small-plan exception of ERISA section 303(g)(2)(B) and Code section 430(g)(2)(B). For plans that qualify for the exception, the valuation date may be any date in the plan year, including the first or last day of the plan year.

  A plan qualifies for this small-plan exception if there were 100 or fewer participants on each day of the prior plan year. For the definition of participant, as it applies in this case, see the instructions for line F.

Line 2a. Market Value of Assets.   Enter the fair market value of assets as of the valuation date. Include contributions designated for the previous plan year that are made after the valuation date (but within the 8½ -month period after the end of the prior plan year).

  Contributions made for the current plan year must be excluded from the amount reported in line 2a. If these contributions were made prior to the valuation date (which can only occur for small plans with a valuation date other than the first day of the plan year), the asset value must be adjusted to exclude not only the contribution amounts, but interest on the contributions from the date of payment to the valuation date, using the current-year effective interest rate.

  Do not adjust for items such as the funding standard carryover balance or prefunding balance or the present value of remaining shortfall or waiver amortization installments. Rollover amounts or other assets held in individual accounts that are not available to provide defined benefits under the plan should not be included on line 2a regardless of whether they are reported on the Schedule H (Form 5500) (line 1l, column (a)) or Schedule I (Form 5500) (line 1c, column (a)). Additionally, asset and liability amounts must be determined in a consistent manner. Therefore, if the value of any insurance contracts has been excluded from the amount reported in line 2a, liabilities satisfied by such contracts should also be excluded from the funding target values reported in lines 3 and 4.

Line 2b. Actuarial Value of Assets.   If an averaging method is used to value plan assets (as permitted under Code section 430(g)(3)(B) and ERISA section 303(g)(3)(B)), enter the value as of the valuation date taking into account the requirement that such value must be within 90% to 110% of the fair market value of assets.

  Do not adjust the actuarial value of assets for items such as the funding standard carryover balance or the present value of any remaining shortfall or waiver amortization installments. Treat contributions designated for a current or prior plan year, rollover amounts, insurance contracts, and other items in the same manner as for line 2a.

Line 3. Funding Target/Participant Count Breakdown.   All amounts should be reported as of the valuation date.

  Unless the plan sponsor has received approval to use substitute mortality tables in accordance with ERISA section 303(h)(3)(C) and Code section 430(h)(3)(C), the funding target must be computed using the mortality tables for non-disabled lives, as published in section 1.430(h)(3)-1 of the Income Tax Regulations. If substitute mortality tables have been approved (or deemed to have been approved) by the IRS, such tables must be used instead of the mortality tables described in the previous sentence, subject to the rules of ERISA section 303(h)(3) and Code section 430(h)(3). The funding target may be computed taking into account the mortality tables for disabled lives published in Rev. Rul. 96-7, 1996-1 C.B. 59, and as provided in Notice 2008-29, 2008-12 I.R.B. 637.

If a plan is in at-risk status, report the amount reflecting the additional assumptions required in ERISA section 303(i)(1)(B) and Code section 430(i)(1)(B).

If the plan has been in at-risk status for any two or more of the preceding four plan years, also include the loading factor required in ERISA section 303(i)(1)(C) and Code section 430(i)(1)(C). If the plan is in at-risk status and has been in at-risk status for fewer than five consecutive years, report the funding target amounts after reflecting the transition rule provided in ERISA section 303(i)(5) and Code section 430(i)(5). Years beginning before 2008 do not count for this purpose. Therefore, the funding target for any plan that is in at-risk status for the 2008 plan year will reflect 20% of the funding target using the special at-risk assumptions and 80% of the funding target determined without regard to the at-risk assumptions.

Refer to ERISA section 303(i)(4) and Code section 430(i)(4) to determine whether the plan is in at-risk status. Generally, a plan is in at-risk status for a plan year if it had more than 500 participants on any day during the preceding plan year (see instructions for line F for the definition of participants) and the plan's funding target attainment percentage (“FTAP”) falls below specified thresholds.

A plan with over 500 participants is in at-risk status for 2008 if the FTAP for 2007 is less than 65%. Section 1.430(i)-1(f)(5) of the proposed Treasury regulations provides that the FTAP for 2007 may be determined as the ratio of the adjusted actuarial value of assets to the current liability from line 1d(2)(a) of the 2007 Schedule B. For this purpose, the actuarial value of assets for the 2007 plan year (line 1b(2) of the 2007 Schedule B) is adjusted if necessary to be no less than 90% and no more than 110% of the fair market value of assets, and then reduced by the amount of the credit balance in the funding standard account (line 9h of the 2007 Schedule B). If the plan's valuation date for 2007 was not the first day of the plan year, adjust the credit balance in line 9h of the 2007 Schedule B for interest between the beginning of the plan year and the valuation date. See section 1.430(i)-1(f)(5)(ii)(C) of the proposed Treasury regulations for a special rule permitting an adjustment to the amount of the credit balance used for the purposes of this calculation, if the plan sponsor has made an election to reduce the funding standard carryover balance for the 2008 plan year.

Line 4. Additional Information for Plans in At-Risk Status.   If the plan is in at-risk status as provided under ERISA section 303(i)(4) and Code section 430(i)(4), check the box, complete lines 4a and 4b, and include as an attachment the information described below. Do not complete line 4 if the plan is not in at-risk status for the current plan year.

  If the plan is in at-risk status for the current plan year, attach a description of the at-risk assumption for assumed form of payment (i.e., optional form resulting in the highest present value). Label the attachment “Schedule SB, line 4 – Additional Information for Plans in At-Risk Status.”

Line 5. Effective Interest Rate.   Enter the single rate of interest which, if used instead of the interest rate(s) reported in line 21 to determine the present value of the benefits that are taken into account in determining the plan's funding target for a plan year, would result in an amount equal to the plan's funding target determined for the plan year, without regard to calculations for plans in at-risk status. (This is the funding target reported in line 3d(2) for plans not in at-risk status, or in line 4a for plans in at-risk status.) See section 1.430(h)(2)-1(f)(1) of the proposed Treasury Regulations. Enter rate to the nearest .01% (e.g., 5.26%).

Line 6. Target Normal Cost.   Report the present value of all benefits which have been accrued or have been earned (or that are expected to accrue or to be earned) under the plan during the plan year. Include any increase in benefits during the plan year that is a result of any actual or projected increase in compensation during the current plan year, even if that increase in benefits is with respect to benefits attributable to services performed in a preceding plan year.

  This amount must generally be calculated as of the valuation date and must be based on the same assumptions used to determine the funding target reported in line 3c(3), column (2), reflecting the special assumptions and the loading factor for at-risk plans, if applicable. If the plan is in at-risk status and has been for fewer than five consecutive years, report the target normal cost after reflecting the transition rule provided in ERISA section 303(i)(5) and Code section 430(i)(5).

Line 7. Balance at Beginning of Prior Plan Year After Applicable Adjustments.   Enter “N/A” in both columns.

Line 8. Portion Used To Satisfy Prior Year's Funding Requirement.   Enter “N/A” in both columns.

Line 9. Amount Remaining.   

Line 10. Interest on Line 9.   Enter “N/A” in both columns.

Line 11. Prior Year's Excess Contributions to be Added to Prefunding Balance.   Enter “N/A” in lines 11a–d.

Line 12. Reduction in Balances Due to Elections or Deemed Elections.   

  If the valuation date is not the beginning of the plan year, adjust the amount reported in line 12, column (a), to the beginning of the plan year using the effective interest rate for the current plan year. If the plan did not exist in the prior year and is not a successor plan, enter “N/A” in both columns.

Line 13. Balance at Beginning of Current Year.   

Line 14. Funding Target Attainment Percentage.   Enter the funding target attainment percentage (FTAP) determined in accordance with ERISA section 303(d)(2) and Code section 430(d)(2). The FTAP is the ratio (expressed as a percentage) which the actuarial value of plan assets (reduced by the funding standard carryover balance and prefunding balance) bears to the funding target determined without regard to the additional rules for plans in at-risk status.

  For plans that are not in at-risk status, this percentage is determined by subtracting the amount reported in line 13, column (a), from line 2b and dividing the result by the funding target reported in line 3d, column (2). If the plan's valuation date is not the first day of the plan year, adjust the amount reported in line 13, column (a), for interest between the beginning of the plan year and the valuation date before subtracting from the amount reported in line 2b. For plans that are in at-risk status, the numerator is the same, but the denominator is the funding target reported in line 4a.

Line 15. Adjusted Funding Target Attainment Percentage.   Enter the adjusted funding target attainment percentage (AFTAP) determined in accordance with Code section 436(j)(2) and ERISA section 206(g)(9)(B). The AFTAP is generally the same as the FTAP reported in line 14, except that both the assets and the funding target used to calculate the AFTAP are increased by the aggregate amount of purchases of annuities for employees other than highly compensated employees (as defined in Code section 414(q)) which were made by the plan during the preceding two plan years.

  See Code section 436(j)(3) and ERISA section 206(g)(9)(C) for rules regarding circumstances in which the actuarial value of plan assets is not reduced by the funding standard carryover balance and prefunding balance for certain fully-funded plans when determining the AFTAP. Note that this special rule applies only to the calculation of the AFTAP and not to the FTAP reported in line 14.

Section 402(a)(2) of PPA (as amended) states that for plans electing the 10-year funding amortization period, the funding target during that period is determined using an interest rate of 8.25% rather than the interest rates or segment rates calculated on the basis of the corporate bond yield curve. Report the AFTAP for these plans based on the funding target determined using the special 8.25% interest rate.

Line 16. Prior Year's Funding Percentage for Purposes of Determining Whether Carryover/Prefunding Balances May Be Used To Offset Current Year's Funding Requirement.   Under ERISA section 303(f)(3) and Code section 430(f)(3), the funding standard carryover balance and prefunding balance may not be applied toward minimum contribution requirements unless the ratio of plan assets for the preceding plan year to the funding target for the preceding plan year (as described in ERISA section 303(f)(3)(C) and Code section 430(f)(3)(C)) is 80% or more.

  Under Code section 430(f)(3)(C) and ERISA section 303(f)(3)(C), this ratio may be determined using estimation methods provided by the IRS. Section 1.430(f)-1(h)(5) of the proposed Treasury regulations provides that the ratio may be determined as the ratio of the actuarial value of assets to the current liability from line 1d(2)(a) of the 2007 Schedule B. For this purpose, the actuarial value of assets is the amount reported on line 1b(2) of the 2007 Schedule B, adjusted if necessary to be no less than 90% and no more than 110% of the fair market value of assets reported on line 1b(1) of the 2007 Schedule B. Do not reduce this amount by the credit balance or increase it by a funding deficiency.

Line 17. Ratio of Current Value of Assets to Funding Target if Below 70%.   This calculation is required under ERISA section 103(d)(11). If line 2b divided by the funding target reported in line 3d, column (2), is less than 70%, enter such percentage. Otherwise, leave this line blank.

Line 18. Contributions Made to the Plan.   Show all employer and employee contributions for the plan year. Include employer contributions made within 8½ months after the end of the plan year to the extent such contributions are designated for this plan year. Include amounts that will be allocated toward an unpaid minimum required contribution for a prior year.

  Show only contributions actually made to the plan by the date Schedule SB is signed. Do not adjust contributions to reflect interest.

  Certain employer contributions must be made in quarterly installments. See ERISA section 303(j) and Code section 430(j). Contributions made to meet the liquidity requirement of ERISA section 303(j)(4) and Code section 430(j)(4) should be reported. Include contributions made to avoid benefit restrictions under ERISA section 206(g) and Code section 436.

  Add the amounts in both columns 18(b) and 18(c) separately and enter each result in the corresponding column on the total line. All contributions except those made to avoid benefit restrictions under ERISA section 206(g) and Code section 436 must be credited toward minimum funding requirements for a particular plan year.

Line 19. Discounted Employer Contributions.    Employer contributions reported in line 18 that were made on a date other than the valuation date must be adjusted to reflect interest for the time period between the valuation date for the plan year to which the contribution is allocated and the date the contribution was made. In general, adjust each contribution using the effective interest rate for the plan year to which the contribution is allocated.

  Allocate the interest-adjusted employer contributions to lines 19a, 19b, and 19c to report the purpose for which they were made (as described below).

  Attach a schedule showing the dates and amounts of individual contributions, the year to which the contributions (or the portion of individual contributions) are applied, the applicable effective interest rate (including increased rate for late quarterly installments, where applicable), and the interest-adjusted contribution. It is not necessary to include interest-adjusted contributions allocated toward the minimum required contribution for the current year (reported in line 19c) in this schedule, unless any of those contributions represent late quarterly installments. However, if any of the contributions reported in line 19c represent late quarterly installments, include all contributions reported in line 19c on this schedule. Label the attachment “Schedule SB, line 19 – Discounted Employer Contributions.”

If the valuation date is after the beginning of the plan year and contributions for the current year were made during the plan year but before the valuation date, such contributions are increased with interest to the valuation date using the effective interest rate for the current plan year. These contributions and the interest calculated as described in the preceding sentence are excluded from the value of assets reported in lines 2a and 2b.

If the full amount of a required installment due after the 2008 valuation date is not paid by the due date for that installment, increase the effective interest rate used to discount the contribution by 5 percentage points for the period between the due date for the required installment and the date on which the payment is made. If all or a portion of the late required quarterly installment is due to a liquidity shortfall, the increased interest rate is used for a period of time corresponding to the period between the due date for the installment and the end of that quarter, regardless of when the contribution is actually paid.

Line 19a. Contributions Allocated Toward Unpaid Minimum Required Contribution from Prior Plan Years.   Code section 4971(c)(4)(B) provides that any payment to or under a plan for any plan year shall be allocated first to unpaid minimum required contributions for all preceding plan years on a first-in, first-out basis and then to the minimum required contribution for the current plan year. Report any contributions from line 18 that are allocated toward unpaid minimum required contributions from prior plan years, discounted for interest from the date the contribution was made to the valuation date for the plan year for which the contribution was originally required as described above. Increase the effective interest rate for the applicable plan year by 5 percentage points for any portion of the unpaid minimum required contribution that represents a late quarterly installment, for the period between the due date for the installment and the date of payment. Reflect the increased interest rate for any portion of the unpaid minimum required contribution that represents a late liquidity shortfall installment, for the period corresponding to the time between the date the installment was due and the end of the quarter during which it was due. The amount reported in line 19a cannot be larger than the amount reported in line 28.

Line 19b. Contributions Made To Avoid Benefit Restrictions.   Include in this category contributions made to avoid benefit restrictions under ERISA section 206(g) and Code section 436. Adjust each contribution for interest from the date the contribution was made to the valuation date as described above.

Line 19c. Contributions Allocated Toward Minimum Required Contribution for Current Year.   Include in this category contributions (including any contributions made in excess of the minimum required contribution) that are not included in line 19a or 19b. Adjust each contribution for interest from the date the contribution was made to the valuation date as described above.

Line 20a. Did the Plan Have a Funding Shortfall for the Prior Plan Year?   In accordance with ERISA section 303(j)(3) and Code section 430(j)(3), only plans that have a funding shortfall for the preceding plan year are subject to an accelerated quarterly contribution schedule. This includes plans that have a funding shortfall even if they are exempt from establishing a shortfall amortization base under the provisions of ERISA section 303(c)(5) and Code section 430(c)(5).

Line 20b.   If line 20a is “No” (i.e., if the plan did not have a funding shortfall in the prior plan year), the plan is not subject to the quarterly contribution rules, and this line should not be completed. If line 20a is “Yes,” check the “Yes” box on line 20b if required installments for the current plan year were made in a timely manner; otherwise, check “No.”

Line 20c.   If line 20a is “No,” or the plan had 100 or fewer participants on every day of the preceding plan year (as defined for line F), the plan is not subject to the liquidity requirement of ERISA section 303(j)(4) and Code section 430(j)(4) and this line should not be completed. Attach a certification by the enrolled actuary if the special rule for nonrecurring circumstances is used, and label the certification “Schedule SB, line 20c – Liquidity Requirement Certification.” (See ERISA section 303(j)(4)(E)(ii)(II) and Code section 430(j)(4)(E)(ii)(II).)

  If the plan is subject to the liquidity requirement and has a liquidity shortfall for any quarter of the plan year (see ERISA section 303(j)(4)(E) and Code section 430(j)(4)(E)), enter the amount of the liquidity shortfall for each such quarter. If the plan was subject to the liquidity requirement but did not have a liquidity shortfall, enter zero. File Form 5330, Return of Excise Taxes Related to Employee Benefit Plans, with the IRS to pay the 10% excise tax(es) if there is a failure to pay any liquidity shortfall by the required due date, unless a waiver of the 10% tax under Code section 4971(f) has been granted.

Line 21a.   Enter the three segment rates used to calculate the funding target as provided under ERISA section 303(h)(2)(C) and Code section 430(h)(2)(C) and as published by the IRS, unless the plan sponsor has elected to use the full yield curve. Enter rates after application of the transition rule provided under ERISA section 303(h)(2)(G) and Code section 430(h)(2)(G) unless the sponsor has elected to not have the transition rule apply. If the sponsor has elected to use the full yield curve, check the “N/A, full yield curve used” box.

Line 21b.   ERISA section 303(h)(2)(E) and Code section 430(h)(2)(E) provide that the segment rate(s) used to measure the funding target are those published by Treasury for the month that includes the valuation date (based on the average of the monthly corporate bond yield curves for the 24-month period ending with the month preceding that month). Alternatively, at the election of the plan sponsor, the segment rate(s) used to measure the funding target may be those published by Treasury for any of the four months that precede the month that includes the valuation date.

  Enter the applicable month to indicate which segment rates were used to determine the funding target. Enter “0” if the rates used to determine the funding target were published for the month that includes the valuation date. Enter “1” if the rates were published for the month immediately preceding the month that includes the valuation date, “2” for the second preceding month, and “3” or “4,” respectively, for the third or fourth preceding months. For example, if the valuation date is January 1 and the funding target was determined based on rates published for November, enter “2.”

Line 22. Weighted Average Retirement Age.   Enter the weighted average retirement age for active participants. If the plan is in at-risk status, enter the weighted average retirement age as if the plan were not in at-risk status. If each participant is assumed to retire at his/her normal retirement age, enter the age specified in the plan as normal retirement age. If the normal retirement age differs for individual participants, enter the age that is the weighted average normal retirement age; do not enter “NRA.” Otherwise, enter the assumed retirement age. If the valuation uses rates of retirement at various ages, enter the nearest whole age that is the weighted average retirement age.

  On an attachment to Schedule SB, list the rate of retirement at each age and describe the methodology used to compute the weighted average retirement age, including a description of the weight applied at each potential retirement age, and label the attachment “Schedule SB, line 22 – Description of Weighted Average Retirement Age.”

Line 23. Mortality Table.   Mortality tables described in Code section 430(h)(3), ERISA section 303(h)(3), and section 1.430(h)(3)-1 of the Treasury Regulations as published by the IRS must be used to determine the funding target and target normal cost for non-disabled participants and may be used to determine the funding target and target normal cost for disabled participants, unless Treasury has approved (or was deemed to have approved) the use of a substitute mortality table reflecting the plan's actual experience and projected trends in general mortality experience. Standard mortality tables must be either applied on a generational basis, or the tables must be updated to reflect the static tables published for the year in which the valuation date occurs. Substitute mortality tables must be applied in accordance with the terms of the IRS ruling letter.

  Separate standard mortality tables were published by the IRS for annuitants (rates applying for periods when a participant is assumed to receive a benefit under the plan) and nonannuitants (rates applying to periods before a participant is assumed to receive a benefit under the plan). If a plan has 500 or fewer participants as of the valuation date for the current plan year as reported in line 3d, column (1), the plan sponsor can elect to use the combined mortality tables published by the IRS, which reflect combined rates for both annuitants and nonannuitants.

  Check the applicable box(es) to indicate which mortality tables were used to determine the funding target and target normal cost. If prescribed tables were used for certain populations within the plan and substitute mortality tables for other populations, check all boxes that apply.

  Attach a statement of actuarial assumptions and funding methods used to calculate the Schedule SB entries and label the statement “Schedule SB, Part V – Statement of Actuarial Assumptions/Methods.” The statement must describe all non-prescribed actuarial assumptions (e.g., retirement, withdrawal rates) used to determine the funding target and target normal cost, including the assumption as to the frequency with which participants are assumed to elect each optional form of benefit (including lump sum distributions), whether mortality tables are applied on a static or generational basis, whether combined mortality tables are used instead of separate annuitant and nonannuitant mortality tables (for plans with 500 or fewer participants as of the valuation date), and (for target normal cost) expected increases in compensation. For applicable defined benefit plans under ERISA section 203(f)(3) and Code section 411(a)(13)(C) (e.g., cash balance plans) the statement must include the assumptions used to convert balances to annuities. In addition, the statement must describe the method for determining the actuarial value of assets and any other aspects of the funding method for determining the Schedule SB entries that are not prescribed by law.

  Also attach a summary of the principal eligibility and benefit provisions on which the valuation was based, including the status of the plan (e.g., frozen eligibility, service/pay, or benefits), optional forms of benefits, special plan provisions, including those that apply only to a subgroup of employees (e.g., those with imputed service), supplemental benefits, and identification of benefits not included in the valuation, a description of any significant events that occurred during the year, a summary of any changes in principal eligibility or benefit provisions since the last valuation, a description (or reasonably representative sample) of plan early retirement reduction factors and optional form conversion factors. Label the summary “Schedule SB, Part V – Summary of Plan Provisions.”

  Also, include any other information needed to disclose the actuarial position of the plan fully and fairly.

Line 24. Change in Non-Prescribed Actuarial Assumptions.    If a change has been made in the non-prescribed actuarial assumptions for the current plan year, check “Yes.” If the only assumption changes are statutorily required changes in the discount or mortality rates, or changes required for plans in at-risk status, check “No.” Include as an attachment a description of any change in non-prescribed actuarial assumptions and justifications for any such change. (See section 103(d) of ERISA.) Label the attachment “Schedule SB, line 24 – Change in Actuarial Assumptions.”

  Generally, if the “Yes” box is checked and the non-prescribed assumptions have been changed in a way that decreases the funding shortfall for the current plan year, approval for such a change may be required. However, approval is not required with respect to any actuarial assumptions that are adopted for the first plan year for which Code section 430 and ERISA section 303 apply to the plan, and that are not inconsistent with the requirements of Code section 430.

Line 25. Change in Funding Method.    If a change in the funding method has been made for the current plan year, check “Yes.” For this purpose, “funding method” refers to not only the overall method used by the plan, but also each specific method of computation used in applying the overall method. Accordingly, method changes include modifications such as a change in the method for calculating the actuarial value of assets or a change in the valuation date (not an exclusive list). Any changes in a plan's funding methods that are made for the first plan year for which Code section 430 applies to the plan and that are not inconsistent with the requirements of Code section 430 do not need IRS approval.

  Include, as an attachment, a description of the change. Label the attachment “Schedule SB, line 25 – Change in Method.”

Line 26. Schedule of Active Participant Data.   Check “Yes” only if (a) the plan is covered by Title IV of ERISA and (b) the plan has active participants.

  If line 26 is “Yes,” attach a schedule of the active plan participant data used in the valuation for this plan year. Use the format shown below and label the schedule “Schedule SB, line 26 – Schedule of Active Participant Data.”

  Expand this schedule by adding columns after the “5 to 9” column and before the “40 & up” column for active participants with total years of credited service in the following ranges: 10 to 14; 15 to 19; 20 to 24; 25 to 29; 30 to 34; and 35 to 39. For each column, enter the number of active participants with the specified number of years of credited service divided according to age group. For participants with partial years of credited service, round the total number of years of credited service to the next lower whole number. Years of credited service are the years credited under the plan's benefit formula.

  Plans reporting 1,000 or more active participants on line 3c(3), column 1, must also provide average compensation data. For each grouping, enter the average compensation of the active participants in that group. For this purpose, compensation is the compensation taken into account for each participant under the plan's benefit formula, limited to the amount defined under section 401(a)(17) of the Code. Do not enter the average compensation in any grouping that contains fewer than 20 participants.

  Cash balance plans (or any plans using characteristic code 1C on line 8a of Form 5500) reporting 1,000 or more active participants on line 3c(3), column 1, must also provide average cash balance account data, regardless of whether all active participants have cash balance accounts. For each age/service bin, enter the average cash balance account of the active participants in that bin. Do not enter the average cash balance account in any age/service bin that contains fewer than 20 active participants.

   General Rule. In general, data to be shown in each age/service bin includes: If the accrued benefit is the greater of a cash balance benefit or some other benefit, average in only the cash balance account. If the accrued benefit is the sum of a cash balance account benefit and some other benefit, average in only the cash balance account. For both the average compensation and the average cash balance account, do not enter an amount for age/service bins with fewer than 20 active participants.

  In lieu of the above, two alternatives are provided for showing compensation and cash balance accounts. Each alternative provides for two age/service scatters (one showing compensation and one showing cash balance accounts) as follows:

  Alternative A:

  Alternative B:

  In general, information should be determined as of the valuation date. Average cash balance accounts may be determined as of either:

  Average cash balance accounts that are offset by amounts from another plan may be reported either as amounts prior to taking into account the offset, or as amounts after taking into account the offset. Do not report the offset amount. For this or any other unusual or unique situation, the attachment should include an explanation of what is being provided.

  If the plan is a multiple-employer plan, complete one or more schedules of active-participant data in a manner consistent with the computations for the funding requirements reported in Part VIII. For example, if the funding requirements are computed as if each participating employer maintained a separate plan, attach a separate “Schedule SB, line 26 – Schedule of Active Participant Data” for each participating employer in the multiple-employer plan.

Line 27. Alternative Funding Rules.   If one of the alternative funding rules was used for this plan year, enter the appropriate code from the table below and follow the special instructions applicable to that code, including completion of any required attachments.

  

For plan years before Code section 430 and ERISA section 303 apply to the plan, complete only the following lines on Schedule SB:

Also, report other information for the current plan year using a 2007 Schedule B (Form 5500). Label this attachment “2008 Schedule SB, line 27 – Actuarial Information Based on Pre-PPA Funding Rules.” Complete all items, and attach the form and all applicable attachments to the Schedule SB. Note that under PPA, the third segment rate determined under Code section 430(h)(2)(C)(iii) and ERISA section 303(h)(2)(C)(iii) is substituted for the current liability interest rate under Code section 412(b)(5)(B) and ERISA section 302(b)(5)(B) (as in effect before PPA).

Complete entire Schedule SB and attachments as outlined in these instructions. In addition, report on an attachment the amount subject to the binding agreement with the PBGC, reported separately for the funding standard carryover balance and prefunding balance. Label the attachment “Schedule SB, line 27 – Balances Subject to Binding Agreement with PBGC.”

Complete the entire Schedule SB and attachments as outlined in these instructions. Under section 402(a)(2) of PPA (as amended), the funding target for plans funded using this alternative is determined using an interest rate of 8.25% for each of the 10 years during the amortization period instead of the interest rates otherwise required under Code section 430(h)(2) and ERISA section 303(h)(2). However, this special 8.25% interest rate does not apply for other purposes, including the calculation of target normal cost or the amortization of the funding shortfall.

Complete the following lines on Schedule SB and provide associated attachments:

For this purpose, disregard the special funding rules under section 402(e) of PPA except for the information reported on the following lines:

Also, attach a worksheet showing the information below, determined in accordance with section 402(e) of the PPA. Label this worksheet “Schedule SB, line 27 – Alternative 17-Year Funding Schedule for Airlines.”

Complete the entire Schedule SB, reflecting the modifications to the otherwise-required funding rules under section 115(b) of PPA, and disregarding the attachment required for plans reporting the use of the substitute mortality table in line 23.

Line 28. Unpaid Minimum Required Contributions for Prior Years.   Enter the amount of any accumulated funding deficiency from line 9p of the 2007 Schedule B. The accumulated funding deficiency is treated as a single contribution due on the last day of the 2007 plan year (without separately identifying any portion of the accumulated funding deficiency attributable to late quarterly installments or late liquidity shortfall installments), and the associated effective interest rate is deemed to be the valuation interest rate for the 2007 plan year.

Line 29. Employer Contributions Allocated Toward Unpaid Minimum Required Contributions from Prior Years.   Enter the total amount of discounted contributions made for the current plan year allocated toward unpaid minimum required contributions from prior years as reported in line 19a.

Line 30. Remaining Unpaid Minimum Required Contributions.   Enter the amount in line 28 minus the amount in line 29.

Line 31. Target Normal Cost, Adjusted if Applicable.   In general, enter the target normal cost as reported in line 6. However, if the minimum contribution is determined under Code section 430(a)(2) or ERISA section 303(a)(2) (relating to plans with excess assets), enter the amount of the minimum required contribution. For this purpose, excess assets are determined as the value of assets reported on line 2b reduced by the funding standard carryover balance reported in line 13, column (a), minus the funding target reported in line 3d, column (2) (but not less than zero). If the plan's valuation date is not the first day of the plan year, adjust the amount reported in line 13, column (a), for interest between the beginning of the plan year and the valuation date before subtracting from the value of assets reported in line 2b.

Line 32a. Shortfall Amortization Bases and Amortization Installments.    Outstanding balance —If the plan is exempt from the requirement to establish a shortfall amortization base in accordance with Code section 430(c)(5) and ERISA section 303(c)(5), enter zero. Otherwise, enter the shortfall amortization base for the plan year beginning in 2008.

  A plan is generally exempt from the requirement to establish a new shortfall amortization base for 2008 if the funding target reported in line 3d, column (2), is less than or equal to the value of assets reported in line 2b. The assets are not reduced by the amount of any funding standard carryover balance for this calculation. However, if the plan existed during 2007 and was not subject to Code section 412(l) for the last plan year beginning prior to 2008, only 92% of the funding target is taken into account for this calculation.

  The amount of the shortfall amortization base is based on the plan's funding shortfall. For this purpose, the plan's funding shortfall is equal to the amount of the funding target reported in line 3d, column (2), minus the adjusted value of assets, but not less than zero. The adjusted value of assets is generally the amount reported in line 2b, reduced by the funding standard carryover balance reported in line 13, column (a). If the plan's valuation date is not the first day of the plan year, adjust the amount reported in line 13, column (a), for interest between the beginning of the plan year and the valuation date before subtracting from the value of assets reported in line 2b. However, see Code section 430(f)(4)(B)(ii) for special rules in the case of a binding agreement with the PBGC providing that all or a portion of the funding standard carryover balance is not available to offset the minimum required contribution for the prior plan year.

   Shortfall amortization installment — Enter the level amortization payment that will amortize the initial shortfall amortization base over 7 annual payments, using the same segment interest rates or rates from the full yield curve used to calculate the target normal cost for the current plan year.

Line 32b. Waiver Amortization Bases and Amortization Installments.    Outstanding balance — If the plan's funding shortfall (determined under Code section 430(c)(4) and ERISA section 303(c)(4)) is zero, all waiver amortization bases and related installments are considered fully amortized. In this case, enter zero. Otherwise, enter the present value as of the valuation date of all remaining waiver amortization installments (including any installment for the 2008 plan year), using the same segment interest rates or rates from the full yield curve used to calculate the target normal cost for the 2008 plan year. Do not include any new waiver amortization base established for a waiver of minimum funding requirements for the current plan year.

   Waiver amortization installments — Enter the sum of any remaining waiver amortization installments that were established to amortize any waiver amortization bases for prior plan years, unless such bases have been or are deemed to be fully amortized. Do not include an amortization installment for any new waiver amortization base established for a waiver of minimum funding requirements for the current plan year.

  

If there are any shortfall or waiver amortization bases, include as an attachment a listing of all bases (other than a base established for a funding waiver for the current plan year) showing for each base:

If the base is negative (i.e., a “gain base”), show amounts in parentheses or with a negative sign in front of them. All amounts must be calculated as of the valuation date for the plan year. Label the schedule “Schedule SB, line 32 – Schedule of Amortization Bases.”

Line 33. Funding Waiver.   If a waiver of minimum funding requirements has been approved for the current plan year, enter the date of the ruling letter granting the approval and the waived amount (reported as of the valuation date) in the spaces provided. If a waiver is pending, do not complete this line. If a pending waiver is granted after Form 5500 is filed, file an amended Form 5500 with an amended Schedule SB.

Line 34. Total Funding Requirement Before Reflecting Carryover/Prefunding Balances.   Enter the sum of line 31 and the amortization installments reported in lines 32a and 32b, reduced by line 33. (Result cannot be less than zero.)

Line 35. Carryover Balance Used to Offset Funding Requirement.   If the percentage reported in line 16 is at least 80%, and the plan has a funding standard carryover balance (as reported in line 13, column (a)), the plan sponsor may elect to credit such balance against the minimum funding requirement. Enter the amount of any funding standard carryover balance to be used for this purpose in the applicable column and in the column headed “Total balance.” The amounts entered in line 35 cannot be larger than the amount in line 13, column (a) (unless the plan's valuation date is not the first day of the plan year, as discussed below), or the amount in line 34.

  If the plan's valuation date is not the first day of the plan year, adjust the funding standard carryover balance for interest between the beginning of the plan year and the valuation date.

Line 36. Additional Cash Requirement.   Enter the amount in line 34 minus the amount in line 35. (The result cannot be less than zero.) This represents the contribution needed to satisfy the minimum funding requirement for the current year, adjusted for interest to the valuation date.

Line 37. Contributions Allocated Toward Minimum Required Contribution for Current Year, Adjusted to Valuation Date.   Enter the amount reported in line 19c.

Line 38. Interest-Adjusted Excess Contributions for Current Year.   Report the interest-adjusted excess contributions. This amount is the maximum amount by which the employer may elect to increase the prefunding balance. Do not enter a negative number.

Line 39. Unpaid Minimum Required Contribution for Current Year.   If line 37 is less than line 36, enter the amount by which line 36 exceeds line 37. Otherwise, enter “$0.”

Line 40. Unpaid Minimum Required Contribution for All Years.   Enter the sum of the remaining unpaid minimum required contributions from line 30 and the unpaid minimum required contribution for the current year from line 39.

Use Schedule SSA to report information concerning separated participants with deferred vested benefit rights. Report participants who:

Also use Schedule SSA to correct information previously reported concerning participants with deferred vested benefits.

The information on this schedule is given to the Social Security Administration to provide to participants when they file for Social Security benefits.

The Social Security Administration is revising its processing of participant plan data to avoid inaccurate information in the pension notice.

The plan administrator is responsible for filing Schedule SSA. Plans that cover only owners and their spouses do not have to file this schedule.

Check the Schedule SSA box on the Form 5500 (Part II, line 10a(4)) if a Schedule SSA is attached to the Form 5500.

In general, for a plan to which only one employer contributes, a participant must be reported on Schedule SSA if:

The separated participant must be reported no later than on the Schedule SSA filed for the plan year following the plan year in which separation occurred. However, you can report the separation in the plan year in which it occurs, if you want to report earlier. Do not report a participant more than once unless you wish to revise or update a prior Schedule SSA (see instructions for line 4, box (a), under codes B, C, or D).

In general, for a plan to which more than one employer contributes, a participant must be reported on Schedule SSA if:

The participant must be reported no later than on the Schedule SSA filed for the plan year in which the participant completed the second of the two consecutive 1-year breaks in service. The participant may be reported earlier (i.e., on the Schedule SSA filed for the plan year in which he or she separated from service or completed the first 1-year break in service).

A participant is not required to be reported on Schedule SSA if, before the date the Schedule SSA is required to be filed (including any extension of time for filing), the participant:

If payment of the deferred vested retirement benefit ceases before ALL of the benefit to which the participant is entitled is paid to the participant, information relating to the deferred vested retirement benefit to which the participant remains entitled shall be filed on the Schedule SSA filed for the year following the last plan year within which a portion of the benefit is paid to the participant.

If the deferred vested benefit of a separated employee is different from that previously reported, you may use code B (see below) to report that employee's total vested benefit.

Use Schedule SSA to report revisions to pension information for a participant you reported on a previous Schedule SSA. This will ensure that SSA's records are correct. This is important since SSA provides Schedule SSA information that it has on file to participants when they file for Social Security benefits. If this information is not up-to-date, the participant may contact the plan administrator to resolve the difference.

You do not need to report changes in the value of the employees' accounts, since that is likely to change. However, you may report these changes if you want.

When a separated participant with deferred vested benefits is transferred from the plan he or she was originally reported under to a new plan,

File as an attachment to Form 5500.

A penalty may be assessed if Schedule SSA (Form 5500) is not timely filed or critical information is not furnished.