81_FR_85417 81 FR 85190 - Update to Minimum Present Value Requirements for Defined Benefit Plan Distributions

81 FR 85190 - Update to Minimum Present Value Requirements for Defined Benefit Plan Distributions

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Internal Revenue Service

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 227 (November 25, 2016)

Page Range85190-85196
FR Document2016-27907

This document contains proposed regulations providing guidance relating to the minimum present value requirements applicable to certain defined benefit pension plans. These proposed regulations would provide guidance on changes made by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and would provide other modifications to these rules as well. These regulations would affect participants, beneficiaries, sponsors, and administrators of defined benefit pension plans. This document also provides a notice of a public hearing on these proposed regulations.

Federal Register, Volume 81 Issue 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 227 (Friday, November 25, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 85190-85196]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27907]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Internal Revenue Service

26 CFR Part 1

[REG-107424-12]
RIN 1545-BK95


Update to Minimum Present Value Requirements for Defined Benefit 
Plan Distributions

AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Treasury.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: This document contains proposed regulations providing guidance 
relating to the minimum present value requirements applicable to 
certain defined benefit pension plans. These proposed regulations would 
provide guidance on changes made by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 
and would provide other modifications to these rules as well. These 
regulations would affect participants, beneficiaries, sponsors, and 
administrators of defined benefit pension plans. This document also 
provides a notice of a public hearing on these proposed regulations.

DATES: Written or electronic comments must be received by February 23, 
2017. Outlines of topics to be discussed at the public hearing 
scheduled for March 7, 2017, must be received by February 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: Send submissions to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-107424-12), Room 
5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O. Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station, 
Washington, DC 20044. Submissions may be hand-delivered Monday through 
Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG-
107424-12), Courier's Desk, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 Constitution 
Avenue NW., Washington, DC, or sent electronically, via the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov (IRS REG-107424-12). 
The public hearing will be held in the IRS Auditorium, Internal Revenue 
Building, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Concerning the regulations, Neil S. 
Sandhu or Linda S.F. Marshall at (202) 317-6700; concerning submissions 
of comments, the hearing, and/or being placed on the building access 
list to attend the hearing, Oluwafunmilayo (Funmi) Taylor at (202) 317-
6901 (not toll-free numbers).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    Section 401(a)(11) of the Internal Revenue Code (Code) provides 
that, in order for a defined benefit plan to qualify under section 
401(a), except as provided under section 417, in the case of a vested 
participant who does not die before the annuity starting date, the 
accrued benefit payable to such participant must be provided in the 
form of a qualified joint and survivor annuity. In the case of a vested 
participant who dies before the annuity starting date and who has a 
surviving spouse, a defined benefit plan must provide a qualified 
preretirement survivor annuity to the surviving spouse of such 
participant, except as provided under section 417.
    Section 411(d)(6)(B) provides that a plan amendment that has the 
effect of eliminating or reducing an early retirement benefit or a 
retirement-type subsidy, or eliminating an optional form of benefit, 
with respect to benefits attributable to service before the amendment 
is treated as impermissibly reducing accrued benefits. However, the 
last sentence of section 411(d)(6)(B) provides that the Secretary may 
by regulations provide that section 411(d)(6)(B) does not apply to a 
plan amendment that eliminates an optional form of benefit (other than 
a plan amendment that has the effect of eliminating or reducing an 
early retirement benefit or a retirement-type subsidy).
    Section 417(e)(1) provides that a plan may provide that the present 
value of a qualified joint and survivor annuity or a qualified 
preretirement survivor annuity will be immediately distributed if that 
present value does not exceed the amount that can be distributed 
without the participant's consent under section 411(a)(11). Section 
417(e)(2) provides that, if the present value of the qualified joint 
and survivor annuity or the qualified preretirement survivor annuity 
exceeds the amount that can be distributed without the participant's 
consent under section 411(a)(11), then a plan may immediately 
distribute the present value of a qualified joint and survivor annuity 
or the qualified preretirement survivor annuity only if the participant 
and the spouse of the participant (or where the participant has died, 
the surviving spouse) consent in writing to the distribution.
    Section 417(e)(3)(A) provides that the present value shall not be 
less than the present value calculated by using the applicable 
mortality table and the applicable interest rate.\1\
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    \1\ Under section 411(a)(11)(B), the same applicable mortality 
table and applicable interest rate are used for purposes of 
determining whether the present value of a participant's 
nonforfeitable accrued benefit exceeds the maximum amount that can 
be immediately distributed without the participant's consent.
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    Section 417(e)(3)(B) of the Code, as amended by section 302 of the 
Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA '06), Public Law 109-280, 120 Stat. 
780 (2006), provides that the term ``applicable mortality table'' means 
a mortality table, modified as appropriate by the Secretary, based on 
the mortality table specified for the plan year under section 
430(h)(3)(A) (without regard to section 430(h)(3)(C) or (3)(D)).
    Section 417(e)(3)(C) of the Code, as amended by section 302 of PPA 
`06, provides that the term ``applicable interest rate'' means the 
adjusted first, second, and third segment rates applied under rules 
similar to the rules of section 430(h)(2)(C) of the Code for the month 
before the date of the distribution or such other time as the Secretary 
may prescribe by regulations. However, for purposes of section 
417(e)(3), these rates are to be determined without regard to the 
segment rate stabilization rules of section 430(h)(2)(C)(iv). In 
addition, under section 417(e)(3)(D), these rates are to be determined 
using the average yields for a month, rather than the 24-month average 
used under section 430(h)(2)(D).
    Section 411(a)(13) of the Code, as added by section 701(b) of PPA 
`06, provides that an ``applicable defined benefit plan,'' as defined 
by section 411(a)(13)(C), is not treated as failing to meet the 
requirements of section 417(e)

[[Page 85191]]

with respect to accrued benefits derived from employer contributions 
solely because the present value of a participant's accrued benefit (or 
any portion thereof) may be, under the terms of the plan, equal to the 
amount expressed as the hypothetical account balance or as an 
accumulated percentage of such participant's final average 
compensation.
    Section 1107(a)(2) of PPA '06 provides that a pension plan does not 
fail to meet the requirements of section 411(d)(6) by reason of a plan 
amendment to which section 1107 applies, except as provided by the 
Secretary of the Treasury. Section 1107 of PPA '06 applies to plan 
amendments made pursuant to the provisions of PPA '06 or regulations 
issued thereunder that are adopted no later than a specified date, 
generally the last day of the first plan year beginning on or after 
January 1, 2009.
    Final regulations under section 417 relating to the qualified joint 
and survivor and qualified preretirement survivor annuity requirements 
have not been amended to reflect PPA '06. The regulations, which were 
issued on August 22, 1988, were amended on April 3, 1998, to reflect 
changes enacted by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act, Public Law 103-465 
(GATT).
    Section 1.417(e)-1(d)(1) provides that a defined benefit plan 
generally must provide that the present value of any accrued benefit 
and the amount of any distribution, including a single sum, must not be 
less than the amount calculated using the specified applicable interest 
rate and the specified applicable mortality table. The present value of 
any optional form of benefit cannot be less than the present value of 
the accrued benefit determined in accordance with the preceding 
sentence.
    Section 1.417(e)-1(d)(6) provides an exception from the minimum 
present value requirements of section 417(e) and Sec.  1.417(e)-1(d). 
This exception applies to the amount of a distribution paid in the form 
of an annual benefit that either does not decrease during the life of 
the participant (or, in the case of a qualified preretirement survivor 
annuity, the life of the participant's spouse), or that decreases 
during the life of the participant merely because of the death of the 
survivor annuitant (but only if the reduction is to a level not below 
50 percent of the annual benefit payable before the death of such 
survivor annuitant) or the cessation or reduction of Social Security 
supplements or qualified disability benefits.
    Notice 2007-81, 2007-2 CB 899 (see 26 CFR 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)), 
provides guidance on the applicable interest rate. Rev. Rul. 2007-67, 
2007-2 CB 1047 (see 26 CFR 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)), provides guidance on 
the applicable mortality table \2\ and the timing rules that apply to 
the determination of the applicable interest rate and the applicable 
mortality table.
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    \2\ Notice 2008-85, 2008-2 CB 905, Notice 2013-49, 2013-32 IRB 
127, Notice 2015-53, 2015-33 IRB 190, and Notice 2016-50, 2016-38 
IRB 371, set forth the section 417(e)(3) applicable mortality tables 
for 2009 through 2017.
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    The Worker, Retiree, and Employer Recovery Act of 2008, Public Law 
109-280 (120 Stat. 780), amended section 415(b)(2)(E)(v) to provide 
that the applicable mortality table under section 417(e)(3)(B) applies 
for purposes of adjusting a benefit or limitation pursuant to section 
415(b)(2)(B), (C), or (D).
    Sections 205(g), 203(e), and 204(g) of the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) contain rules that are parallel to 
Code sections 417(e), 411(a)(11), and 411(d)(6), respectively. Under 
section 101 of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1978 (43 FR 47713), the 
Secretary of the Treasury has interpretive jurisdiction over the 
subject matter addressed in these regulations for purposes of ERISA, as 
well as the Code. Thus, these regulations apply for purposes of the 
Code and the corresponding provisions of ERISA.
    In West v. AK Steel Corporation Retirement Accumulation Pension 
Plan, 484 F.3d 395 (6th Cir. 2007), the court held that a preretirement 
mortality discount could not be used in the computation of the present 
value of a participant's single-sum distribution under a cash balance 
plan if the death benefit under the plan was equal in value to the 
participant's accrued benefit under the plan. The court found that, if 
a participant's beneficiary is entitled to the participant's entire 
accrued benefit upon the participant's death before attainment of 
normal retirement age, the use of a mortality discount for the period 
before normal retirement age would result in a partial forfeiture of 
benefits in violation of the ERISA vesting rules that correspond to the 
rules of section 411(a). See also Berger v. Xerox Corporation 
Retirement Income Guarantee Plan, 338 F.3d 755 (7th Cir. 2003); Crosby 
v. Bowater, Inc. Ret. Plan, 212 FRD. 350 (W.D. Mich. 2002), rev'd on 
other grounds, 382 F.3d 587 (6th Cir. 2004) (accrued benefits include 
not only retirement benefits themselves, but also death benefits which 
are directly related to the value of the retirement benefits). In 
Stewart v. AT&T Inc., 354 Fed. Appx. 111 (5th Cir. 2009), however, the 
court held that a preretirement mortality discount was appropriately 
applied to determine a single-sum distribution under a traditional 
defined benefit plan. The court distinguished AK Steel and Berger on 
the basis that the plans at issue in those cases did not provide for a 
forfeiture of the accrued benefit on the death of the participant 
before retirement, whereas the plan at issue in Stewart provided for 
such a forfeiture.
    Final regulations (TD 9783) under section 417(e) that permit 
defined benefit plans to simplify the treatment of certain optional 
forms of benefit that are paid partly in the form of an annuity and 
partly in a more accelerated form were published by the Treasury 
Department and the IRS in the Federal Register on September 9, 2016 (81 
FR 62359).

Explanation of Provisions

Overview

    These proposed regulations would amend the current final 
regulations under section 417(e) regarding the minimum present value 
requirements of section 417(e)(3) in several areas. Specifically, the 
proposed regulations would update the regulations for changes made by 
PPA '06 and to eliminate certain obsolete provisions. The proposed 
regulations also contain a few other clarifying changes.

Updates To Reflect Statutory and Regulatory Changes

    The proposed regulations would update the existing regulatory 
provisions to reflect the statutory changes made by PPA '06, including 
the new interest rates and mortality tables set forth in section 
417(e)(3) and the exception from the valuation rules for certain 
applicable defined benefit plans set forth in section 411(a)(13). The 
proposed regulations clarify that the interest rates that are published 
by the Commissioner pursuant to the provisions as modified by PPA '06 
are to be used without further adjustment. In addition, the proposed 
regulations would eliminate obsolete provisions of the regulations 
relating to the transition from pre-1995 law to the interest rates and 
mortality assumptions provided by GATT. Furthermore, the proposed 
regulations make conforming changes to reflect the final regulations 
under section 417(e) that permit defined benefit plans to simplify the 
treatment of certain optional forms of benefit that are paid partly in 
the form of an annuity and partly in a more accelerated form.

[[Page 85192]]

Other Clarifying Changes

A. Treatment of Preretirement Mortality
    The proposed regulations would include rules relating to the 
treatment of preretirement mortality discounts in determining the 
minimum present value of accrued benefits under the regulations to 
address the issue raised by AK Steel and Berger of whether a plan that 
provides a death benefit equal in value to the accrued benefit may 
apply a preretirement mortality discount for the probability of death 
when determining the amount of a single-sum distribution.
    Section 411(a) generally prohibits forfeitures of accrued benefits. 
Under section 411(a)(1), an employee's rights in his accrued benefit 
derived from employee contributions must be nonforfeitable, and under 
section 411(a)(2), an employee's rights in his accrued benefit derived 
from employer contributions must become nonforfeitable in accordance 
with a vesting schedule that is specified in the statute. Section 
411(a)(3)(A) provides that a right to an accrued benefit derived from 
employer contributions is not treated as forfeitable solely because the 
plan provides that it is not payable if the participant dies (except in 
the case of a survivor annuity which is payable as provided in section 
401(a)(11)).
    Section 411(a)(7)(A)(i) defines a participant's accrued benefit 
under a defined benefit plan as the employee's accrued benefit 
determined under the plan and, except as provided in section 411(c)(3), 
expressed in the form of an annual benefit commencing at normal 
retirement age. Section 1.411(a)-7(a)(1) defines a participant's 
accrued benefit under a defined benefit plan as the annual benefit 
commencing at normal retirement age if the plan provides an accrued 
benefit in that form. If a defined benefit plan does not provide an 
accrued benefit in the form of an annual benefit commencing at normal 
retirement age, Sec.  1.411(a)-7(a)(1)(ii) defines the accrued benefit 
as an annual benefit commencing at normal retirement age which is the 
actuarial equivalent of the accrued benefit determined under the plan. 
The regulation further clarifies that the term ``accrued benefits'' 
refers only to pension or retirement benefits. Consequently, accrued 
benefits do not include ancillary benefits not directly related to 
retirement benefits, such as incidental death benefits.
    Section 411(d)(6)(A) prohibits a plan amendment that decreases a 
participant's accrued benefit. Section 411(d)(6)(B) provides that a 
plan amendment that has the effect of eliminating or reducing an early 
retirement benefit or retirement-type subsidy or eliminating an 
optional form of benefit with respect to benefits attributable to 
service before the amendment is treated as reducing accrued benefits 
for this purpose. Section 1.411(d)-3(g)(2)(v) provides that a death 
benefit under a defined benefit plan other than a death benefit that is 
part of an optional form of benefit is an ancillary benefit. Section 
1.411(d)-3(g)(6)(ii)(B) describes death benefits payable after the 
annuity starting date that are considered part of an optional form of 
benefit. Pursuant to Sec.  1.411(d)-3(g)(14) and (15), section 
411(d)(6) protected benefits do not include a death benefit under a 
defined benefit plan that is an ancillary benefit and not part of an 
optional form of benefit.
    A death benefit under a defined benefit plan that is payable when 
the participant dies before attaining normal retirement age and before 
benefits commence is not part of the participant's accrued benefit 
within the meaning of section 411(a)(7). Accordingly, the anti-
forfeiture rules of section 411(a) do not apply to such a death 
benefit. This is the case even if the amount of the death benefit is 
the same as the amount the participant would have received had the 
participant separated from service and elected to receive a 
distribution immediately before death. Moreover, such a death benefit 
is an ancillary benefit within the meaning of Sec.  1.411(d)-
3(g)(2)(v)--rather than a section 411(d)(6) protected benefit--and 
therefore can be eliminated by plan amendment (provided that a 
qualified preretirement survivor annuity for a surviving spouse is 
preserved, pursuant to section 401(a)(11)).
    The minimum present value requirements of section 417(e)(3) do not 
take into account the value of ancillary benefits that are not part of 
the participant's accrued benefit under the plan. Consistent with this, 
Sec.  1.417(e)-1(d)(1)(i) does not require ancillary death benefits to 
be taken into account in the required minimum present value 
calculation. Because questions have arisen regarding this rule, the 
proposed regulations would clarify that the probability of death under 
the applicable mortality table is generally taken into account for 
purposes of determining the present value under section 417(e)(3), 
without regard to the death benefits provided under the plan other than 
a death benefit that is part of the normal form of benefit or part of 
another optional form of benefit (as described in Sec.  1.411(d)-
3(g)(6)(ii)(B)) for which present value is determined.
    However, a different rule applies with respect to whether the 
probability of death under the applicable mortality table is taken into 
account for purposes of determining the present value with respect to 
the accrued benefit derived from contributions made by an employee. 
This is because an employee's rights in the accrued benefit derived 
from the employee's own contributions are nonforfeitable under section 
411(a)(1), and the exception for death under section 411(a)(3)(A) to 
the nonforfeitability of accrued benefits does not apply to the accrued 
benefit derived from employee contributions. As a result, for purposes 
of determining the present value under section 417(e)(3) with respect 
to the accrued benefit derived from contributions made by an employee 
(that is computed in accordance with the requirements of section 
411(c)(3)), the probability of death during the assumed deferral 
period, if any, is not taken into account. For purposes of the 
preceding sentence, the assumed deferral period is the period between 
the date of the present value determination and the assumed 
commencement date for the annuity attributable to contributions made by 
an employee.
    The proposed regulations include an example to illustrate the 
application of the minimum present value requirements of section 
417(e)(3) in the case of a single-sum distribution of a participant's 
entire accrued benefit that consists both of an accrued benefit derived 
from employee contributions and an employer-provided accrued benefit. 
Consistent with the rules in these proposed regulations, the example 
illustrates that a single-sum distribution of the participant's entire 
accrued benefit in such a case must equal the sum of the minimum 
present value of the accrued benefit derived from employee 
contributions, determined under section 417(e)(3) (applying the special 
rules set forth in the preceding paragraph), and the minimum present 
value of the employer-provided accrued benefit, determined under 
section 417(e)(3). Note that Rev. Rul. 89-60, 1989-1 CB 113 (1989) 
suggests that it is sufficient for a single-sum distribution in such a 
case to merely equal the greater of the minimum present value of the 
accrued benefit derived from employee contributions and the minimum 
present value of the participant's entire accrued benefit. To the 
extent the guidance under Rev. Rul. 89-60 is inconsistent with the 
final regulations that adopt these proposed regulations, the 
regulations would

[[Page 85193]]

supersede the guidance in Rev. Rul. 89-60.
B. Social Security Level Income Options
    Questions have arisen regarding whether the minimum present value 
requirements of section 417(e)(3) apply to a social security level 
income option. As noted above, Sec.  1.417(e)-1(d)(6) provides that the 
minimum present value requirements of section 417(e)(3) do not apply to 
the amount of a distribution paid in the form of an annual benefit that 
does not decrease during the life of the participant, or that decreases 
during the life of the participant merely because of the death of the 
survivor annuitant or the cessation or reduction of social security 
supplements or qualified disability benefits.
    A social security supplement is defined in Sec.  1.411(a)-7(c)(4) 
as a benefit for plan participants that commences before and terminates 
before the age when participants are entitled to old-age insurance 
benefits, unreduced on account of age, under title II of the Social 
Security Act, and does not exceed such old-age insurance benefit. A 
social security supplement (other than a QSUPP as defined in Sec.  
1.401(a)(4)-12) is an ancillary benefit that is not a section 411(d)(6) 
protected benefit.
    A social security level income option is an optional form of 
benefit (protected under section 411(d)(6)) under which a participant's 
accrued benefit is paid in the form of an annuity with larger payments 
in earlier years, before an assumed social security commencement age, 
to provide the participant with approximately level retirement income 
when the assumed social security payments are taken into account. It is 
appropriate to subject a social security level income option to the 
rules of section 417(e)(3) because, when a participant's accrued 
benefit is paid as a social security level income option, a portion of 
the participant's accrued benefit (which may be substantial) is 
accelerated and paid over a short period of time until social security 
retirement age. Because the periodic payments under a social security 
level income option decrease during the lifetime of the participant and 
the decrease is not the result of the cessation of an ancillary social 
security supplement, Sec.  1.417(e)-1(d)(6) does not provide an 
exception from the minimum present value requirements of section 
417(e)(3) for such a distribution. These proposed regulations contain 
an example that illustrates this point.
C. Application of Required Assumptions to the Accrued Benefit
    The proposed regulations would clarify the scope of the rule of 
Sec.  1.417(e)-1(d)(1) under which the present value of any optional 
form of benefit cannot be less than the present value of the normal 
retirement benefit (with both values determined using the applicable 
interest rate and the applicable mortality table). The proposed 
regulations would require that the present value of any optional form 
of benefit cannot be less than the present value of the accrued benefit 
payable at normal retirement age, and would provide an exception for an 
optional form of benefit payable after normal retirement age to the 
extent that a suspension of benefits applies pursuant to section 
411(a)(3)(B).

Effective/Applicability Dates

    The changes under the proposed regulations are proposed to apply to 
distributions with annuity starting dates in plan years beginning on or 
after the date regulations that finalize these proposed regulations are 
published in the Federal Register. Prior to this applicability date, 
taxpayers must continue to apply existing regulations relating to 
section 417(e), modified to reflect the relevant statutory provisions 
during the applicable period (and guidance of general applicability 
relating to those statutory provisions, such as Rev. Rul. 2007-67).

Special Analyses

    Certain IRS regulations, including this one, are exempt from the 
requirements of Executive Order 12866, as supplemented and reaffirmed 
by Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a regulatory assessment is not 
required. It also has been determined that section 553(b) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply to 
these regulations, and because the proposed regulation does not impose 
a collection of information on small entities, the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply. Pursuant to 
section 7805(f) of the Code, this notice of proposed rulemaking has 
been submitted to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration for comment on its impact on small business.

Comments and Public Hearing

    Before these proposed regulations are adopted as final regulations, 
consideration will be given to any written (a signed original and eight 
(8) copies) or electronic comments that are submitted timely to the 
IRS. The Treasury Department and the IRS request comments on all 
aspects of these proposed regulations. In addition, the Treasury 
Department and the IRS specifically request comments on whether, in the 
case of a plan that provides a subsidized annuity payable upon early 
retirement and determines a single-sum distribution as the present 
value of the early retirement annuity, the present-value determination 
should be required to be calculated using the applicable interest rate 
and the applicable mortality table applied to the early retirement 
annuity (or whether the requirement to have a minimum present value 
that is equal to the present value of the annuity payable at normal 
retirement age determined in accordance with section 417(e)(3) provides 
the level of protection for the participant that is required by section 
417(e)(3)). See Rybarczyk v. TRW, 235 F.3d 975 (6th Cir. 2000).
    All comments will be available at www.regulations.gov or upon 
request. A public hearing has been scheduled for March 7, 2017, 
beginning at 10 a.m. in the Auditorium, Internal Revenue Service, 1111 
Constitution Avenue NW., Washington, DC. Due to building security 
procedures, visitors must enter at the Constitution Avenue entrance. In 
addition, all visitors must present photo identification to enter the 
building. Because of access restrictions, visitors will not be admitted 
beyond the immediate entrance area more than 30 minutes before the 
hearing starts. For information about having your name placed on the 
building access list to attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this preamble.
    The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3) apply to the hearing. Persons who 
wish to present oral comments at the hearing must submit written or 
electronic comments by February 23, 2017, and an outline of topics to 
be discussed and the amount of time to be devoted to each topic (a 
signed original and eight (8) copies) by February 23, 2017. A period of 
10 minutes will be allotted to each person for making comments. An 
agenda showing the scheduling of the speakers will be prepared after 
the deadline for receiving outlines has passed. Copies of the agenda 
will be available free of charge at the hearing.

Drafting Information

    The principal authors of these regulations are Neil S. Sandhu and 
Linda S.F. Marshall, Office of Division Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel 
(Tax Exempt and Government Entities). However, other personnel from the 
IRS and the Treasury Department

[[Page 85194]]

participated in the development of these regulations.

List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1

    Income taxes, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

Proposed Amendments to the Regulations

    Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 1--INCOME TAXES

0
Par. 1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read in part as 
follows:

    Authority:  26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *

0
Par. 2. Section 1.417(e)-1 is amended by:

0
1. Revising paragraphs (d)(1)(i), (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4), and (d)(6).
0
2. Adding paragraph (d)(8)(vi).
0
3. Revising paragraph (d)(9).
0
4. Removing paragraph (d)(10).
    The addition and revisions read as follows:


Sec.  1.417(e)-1  Restrictions and valuations of distributions from 
plans subject to sections 401(a)(11) and 417.

* * * * *
    (d) Present value requirement--(1) General rule--(i) Defined 
benefit plans--(A) In general. A defined benefit plan must provide that 
the present value of any accrued benefit and the amount (subject to 
sections 411(c)(3) and 415) of any distribution, including a single 
sum, must not be less than the amount calculated using the applicable 
mortality table described in paragraph (d)(2) of this section and the 
applicable interest rate described in paragraph (d)(3) of this section, 
as determined for the month described in paragraph (d)(4) of this 
section. The present value of any optional form of benefit, determined 
in accordance with the preceding sentence, cannot be less than the 
present value of the accrued benefit payable at normal retirement age, 
except to the extent that, for an optional form of benefit payable 
after normal retirement age, the requirements for suspension of 
benefits under section 411(a)(3)(B) are satisfied. The same rules used 
for the plan under this paragraph (d) must also be used to compute the 
present value of the benefit for purposes of determining whether 
consent for a distribution is required under paragraph (b) of this 
section.
    (B) Payment of a portion of a participant's benefit. The rules of 
this paragraph (d)(1) apply with respect to a payment of only a portion 
of the accrued benefit in the same manner as these rules would apply to 
a distribution of the entire accrued benefit. See paragraph (d)(7) of 
this section.
    (C) Special rules for applicable defined benefit plans. See section 
411(a)(13) and the regulations thereunder for an exception from the 
rules of section 417(e)(3) and this paragraph (d) that applies to 
certain distributions from certain applicable defined benefit plans.
* * * * *
    (2) Applicable mortality table--(i) In general. The applicable 
mortality table for a calendar year is the mortality table that is 
prescribed by the Commissioner in guidance published in the Internal 
Revenue Bulletin. See Sec.  601.601(d)(2) of this chapter. This 
mortality table is to be based on the table specified under section 
430(h)(3)(A), but without regard to section 430(h)(3)(C) or (D).
    (ii) Mortality discounts--(A) In general. Except as provided under 
paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) of this section, the probability of death under 
the applicable mortality table is taken into account for purposes of 
determining the present value under this paragraph (d) without regard 
to the death benefits provided under the plan (other than a death 
benefit that is part of the normal form of benefit or part of another 
optional form of benefit, as described in Sec.  1.411(d)-
3(g)(6)(ii)(B), for which present value is determined).
    (B) Special rule for employee-provided benefit. For purposes of 
determining the present value under this paragraph (d) with respect to 
the accrued benefit derived from employee contributions (that is 
determined in accordance with the requirements of section 411(c)(3)), 
the probability of death during the assumed deferral period, if any, is 
not taken into account. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the 
assumed deferral period is the period between the date of the present 
value determination and the assumed commencement date for the annuity 
attributable to contributions made by an employee.
    (3) Applicable interest rate--(i) In general. The applicable 
interest rate for a month is determined using the first, second, and 
third segment rates for that month under section 430(h)(2)(C), as 
modified pursuant to section 417(e)(3)(D) (and without regard to the 
segment rate stabilization rules of section 430(h)(2)(C)(iv)). The 
applicable interest rate is specified by the Commissioner in revenue 
rulings, notices, or other guidance published in the Internal Revenue 
Bulletin, and is applied under rules similar to the rules under Sec.  
1.430(h)(2)-1(b). Thus, for example, in determining the present value 
of a straight life annuity, the first segment is applied with respect 
to payments expected to be made during the 5-year period beginning on 
the annuity starting date, the second segment rate is applied with 
respect to payments expected to be made during the 15-year period 
following the end of that 5-year period, and the third segment rate is 
applied with respect to payments expected to be made after the end of 
that 15-year period. The interest rates that are published by the 
Commissioner are to be used for this purpose without further 
adjustment.
    (ii) Examples. The following examples illustrate the rules of 
paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section.

    Example 1.  (i) Plan A is a non-contributory single-employer 
defined benefit plan with a calendar-year plan year, a one-year 
stability period coinciding with the calendar year, and a two-month 
lookback used for determining the applicable interest rate. The 
normal retirement age is 65, and all participant elections are made 
with proper spousal consent. Plan A provides for optional single sum 
payments equal to the present value of the participant's accrued 
benefit. Plan A provides that the applicable interest rates are the 
segment rates as specified by the Commissioner for the second full 
calendar month preceding the calendar year that contains the annuity 
starting date. The applicable mortality table is the table specified 
by the Commissioner for the calendar year that contains the annuity 
starting date.
    (ii) Participant P retires in May 2017 at age 60 and elects 
(with spousal consent) to receive a single-sum payment. P has an 
accrued benefit of $2,000 per month payable as a life annuity 
beginning at the plan's normal retirement age of 65. The applicable 
mortality rates for 2017 apply. The applicable interest rates 
published by the Commissioner for November 2016 are 1.57%, 3.45%, 
and 4.39% for the first, second, and third segment rates, 
respectively. The deferred annuity factor calculated based on these 
interest rates and the applicable mortality table for 2017 is 10.931 
for a participant age 60. To satisfy the requirements of section 
417(e)(3) and this paragraph (d), the single-sum payment received by 
P cannot be less than $262,344 (that is, $2,000 x 12 x 10.931).
    Example 2.  (i) The facts are the same as for Example 1 of this 
paragraph (d)(3)(ii), except that Plan A provides for mandatory 
employee contributions. Participant Q retires in May 2017 at age 60 
and elects (with spousal consent) to receive a single-sum payment of 
Q's entire accrued benefit. Q has an accrued benefit of $2,000 per 
month payable as a life annuity beginning at Plan A's normal 
retirement age of 65, consisting of an accrued benefit derived from 
employee contributions determined in accordance with section 
411(c)(2) (Q's employee-provided accrued benefit) of $500 per month 
and an accrued benefit derived from employer contributions (Q's 
employer-provided accrued benefit) of $1,500 per month.

[[Page 85195]]

    (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) of this section, the 
single-sum payment used to settle Q's employee-provided accrued 
benefit cannot be less than the present value of that portion of Q's 
accrued benefit determined using the applicable interest and 
mortality rates described in paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and (d)(2)(ii) of 
this section, determined without taking the probability of death 
during the assumed deferral period into account. The deferred 
annuity factor calculated based on the interest and mortality rates 
specified in Example 1 of this paragraph (d)(3)(ii) (taking the 
probability of death only after age 65 into account) is 11.266 for a 
participant age 60. To satisfy the requirement of section 417(e)(3) 
and this paragraph (d), the single-sum payment received by Q with 
respect to the employee-provided portion of the accrued benefit 
cannot be less than the minimum present value of $67,596 (that is, 
$500 x 12 x 11.266).
    (iii) The single-sum payment used to settle Q's employer-
provided accrued benefit cannot be less than the present value of 
that portion of Q's accrued benefit determined using the applicable 
interest and mortality rates. However, for this purpose, Plan A is 
permitted to take the probability of death during the assumed 
deferral period into account. The single-sum payment received by Q 
with respect to the employer-provided portion of the accrued benefit 
cannot be less than $196,758 (that is, $1,500 x 12 x 10.931).
    (iv) The total single-sum payment received by Q cannot be less 
than the sum of the minimum present value of Q's employee- and 
employer-provided accrued benefits, or $264,354 ($67,596 + 
$196,758).

    (4) Time for determining interest rate and mortality table--(i) 
Interest rate general rule. Except as provided in paragraph (d)(4)(v) 
or (vi) of this section, the applicable interest rate to be used for a 
distribution is the applicable interest rate determined under paragraph 
(d)(3) of this section for the applicable lookback month. The 
applicable lookback month for a distribution is the lookback month (as 
described in paragraph (d)(4)(iv) of this section) for the stability 
period (as described in paragraph (d)(4)(iii) of this section) that 
contains the annuity starting date for the distribution. The time and 
method for determining the applicable interest rate for each 
participant's distribution must be determined in a consistent manner 
that is applied uniformly to all participants in the plan.
    (ii) Mortality table general rule. The applicable mortality table 
to be used for a distribution is the mortality table that is published 
for the calendar year during which the stability period containing the 
annuity starting date begins.
    (iii) Stability period. A plan must specify the period for which 
the applicable interest rate remains constant (the stability period). 
This stability period may be one calendar month, one plan quarter, one 
calendar quarter, one plan year, or one calendar year. This same 
stability period also applies to the applicable mortality table.
    (iv) Lookback month. A plan must specify the lookback month that is 
used to determine the applicable interest rate with respect to a 
stability period. The lookback month may be the first, second, third, 
fourth, or fifth full calendar month preceding the first day of the 
stability period.
    (v) Permitted average interest rate. A plan may apply the rules of 
paragraph (d)(4)(i) of this section by substituting a permitted average 
applicable interest rate with respect to the plan's stability period 
for the applicable interest rate determined under paragraph (d)(3) of 
this section for the applicable lookback month for the stability 
period. For this purpose, a permitted average applicable interest rate 
with respect to a stability period is the applicable interest rate that 
is computed by averaging the applicable interest rates determined under 
paragraph (d)(3) of this section for two or more consecutive months 
from among the first, second, third, fourth, and fifth calendar months 
preceding the first day of the stability period. For this paragraph 
(d)(4)(v) to apply, a plan must specify the manner in which the 
permitted average interest rate is computed.
    (vi) Additional determination dates. The Commissioner may 
prescribe, in guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin, 
other times that a plan may provide for determining the applicable 
interest rate.
    (vii) Example. The following example illustrates the rules of this 
paragraph (d)(4):

    Example.  (i) The facts are the same as Example 1 of paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii) of this section, except that Plan A provides that the 
applicable interest rates are the rates for the third full calendar 
month preceding the beginning of the plan quarter that contains the 
annuity starting date. Plan A also provides that the applicable 
mortality table is the table specified by the Commissioner for the 
calendar year that contains the beginning of the stability period.
    (ii) The segment interest rates that apply for annuity starting 
dates during the period beginning April 1, 2017 and ending June 30, 
2017 are the segment rates for January 2017. This plan design 
permits the applicable interest rate to be fixed for each plan 
quarter and for the applicable interest rate for all distributions 
made during each plan quarter to be determined before the beginning 
of the plan quarter.

* * * * *
    (6) Exceptions--(i) In general. This paragraph (d) (other than the 
provisions relating to section 411(d)(6) requirements in paragraph 
(d)(9) of this section) does not apply to the amount of a distribution 
paid in the form of an annual benefit that--
    (A) Does not decrease during the life of the participant, or, in 
the case of a QPSA, the life of the participant's spouse; or
    (B) Decreases during the life of the participant merely because 
of--
    (1) The death of the survivor annuitant (but only if the reduction 
is to a level not below 50 percent of the annual benefit payable before 
the death of the survivor annuitant): or
    (2) The cessation or reduction of a social security supplement or 
qualified disability benefit (as defined in section 411(a)(9)).
    (ii) Example. The following example illustrates the rules of this 
paragraph (d)(6).

    Example.  (i) The facts are the same as Example 1 of paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii) of this section. Plan A also provides an optional 
distribution in the form of a Social Security level income option. 
Under this provision, the participant's benefit is adjusted so that 
a larger amount is payable until age 65, at which time it is reduced 
to provide a level income in combination with the participant's 
estimated social security benefit beginning at age 65. Participant 
R's reduced early retirement benefit payable as a straight life 
annuity benefit commencing at age 60 is $1,300 per month (which is 
less than the actuarially equivalent benefit that would have been 
determined using the applicable interest and mortality rates under 
section 417(e)(3)) and R's estimated social security benefit is 
$1,000 per month beginning at age 65.
    (ii) Because the benefit payable under the social security level 
income option decreases at age 65 and the decrease is not on account 
of the death of the participant or a beneficiary or the cessation or 
reduction of social security supplements or qualified disability 
benefits, the benefits payable under the social security level 
income option are subject to the minimum present value requirements 
of section 417(e)(3). As illustrated in Example 1 of paragraph 
(d)(3)(ii) of this section, the minimum present value of Participant 
R's benefits under section 417(e)(3) is $262,344, which is based on 
the present value of R's accrued benefit, not R's benefit that would 
be payable as a straight life annuity at the annuity starting date.
    (iii) The deferred annuity factor for a participant age 60 with 
lifetime benefits commencing at age 65, based on the November 2016 
segment rates and the applicable mortality table for 2017, is 
10.931. The corresponding temporary annuity factor to age 65 is 
4.752. The minimum benefits payable to Participant R in the form of 
a social security level income option (with a decrease of $1,000--
equal to the participant's estimated social security benefit--
occurring at age 65) are $2,090.99 per month until age 65 and 
$1,090.99 per month thereafter. Any

[[Page 85196]]

amounts less than this would have a present value smaller than the 
required amount of $262,344, and thus would fail to satisfy the 
minimum present value requirement of section 417(e)(3).

* * * * *
    (8) * * *
    (vi) Applicability date for provisions reflecting PPA '06 updates 
and other rules. Paragraphs (d)(1) through (4) of this section apply to 
distributions with annuity starting dates in plan years beginning on or 
after the date regulations that finalize these proposed regulations are 
published in the Federal Register. Prior to this applicability date, 
taxpayers must continue to apply the provisions of Sec.  1.417(e)-1(d) 
as contained in 26 CFR part 1 as in effect immediately before 
publication of those final regulations, except to the extent superseded 
by statutory changes and guidance of general applicability relating to 
those statutory changes.
    (9) Relationship with section 411(d)(6)--(i) In general. A plan 
amendment that changes the interest rate or the mortality assumptions 
used for the purposes described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section 
(including a plan amendment that changes the time for determining those 
assumptions) is generally subject to section 411(d)(6). However, for 
certain exceptions to the rule in the preceding sentence, see paragraph 
(d)(7)(iv) of this section, Sec.  1.411(d)-4, Q&A-2(b)(2)(v) (with 
respect to plan amendments relating to involuntary distributions), and 
section 1107(a)(2) of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, Public Law 
109-280, 120 Stat. 780 (2006) (PPA '06) (with respect to certain plan 
amendments that were made pursuant to a change to the Internal Revenue 
Code by PPA '06 or regulations issued thereunder).
    (ii) Section 411(d)(6) relief for change in time for determining 
interest rate and mortality table. Notwithstanding the general rule of 
paragraph (d)(9)(i) of this section, if a plan amendment changes the 
time for determining the applicable interest rate (and, if the 
amendment changes the stability period described in paragraph 
(d)(4)(iii) of this section, the time for determining the applicable 
mortality table), including an indirect change as a result of a change 
in plan year, the amendment will not be treated as reducing accrued 
benefits in violation of section 411(d)(6) merely on account of this 
change if the conditions of this paragraph (d)(9)(ii) are satisfied. If 
the plan amendment is effective on or after the date the amendment is 
adopted, any distribution for which the annuity starting date occurs in 
the one-year period commencing at the time the amendment is effective 
must be determined using the interest rate and mortality table provided 
under the plan determined at either the date for determining the 
interest rate and mortality table before the amendment or the date for 
determining the interest rate and mortality table after the amendment, 
whichever results in the larger distribution. If the plan amendment is 
adopted retroactively (that is, the amendment is effective prior to the 
adoption date), the plan must use the interest rate and mortality table 
determination dates resulting in the larger distribution for 
distributions with annuity starting dates occurring during the period 
beginning with the effective date and ending one year after the 
adoption date.
* * * * *

John Dalrymple,
Deputy Commissioner for Services and Enforcement.
[FR Doc. 2016-27907 Filed 11-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4830-01-P



                                               85190                         Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                                                                                  LIST OF COMMENTERS (DOCKET NO. RM16–6–000)—Continued
                                               Tacoma Power ....................................................            Tacoma Power.
                                               TVA .....................................................................    Tennessee Valley Authority.
                                               Tri-State Generation ...........................................             Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association.
                                               Union of Concerned Scientists ...........................                    Union of Concerned Scientists.
                                               WIRAB ................................................................       Western Interconnection Regional Advisory Body.



                                               [FR Doc. 2016–28321 Filed 11–23–16; 8:45 am]                                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:                    qualified preretirement survivor annuity
                                               BILLING CODE 6717–01–P                                                      Concerning the regulations, Neil S.                 exceeds the amount that can be
                                                                                                                           Sandhu or Linda S.F. Marshall at (202)              distributed without the participant’s
                                                                                                                           317–6700; concerning submissions of                 consent under section 411(a)(11), then a
                                               DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY                                                  comments, the hearing, and/or being                 plan may immediately distribute the
                                                                                                                           placed on the building access list to               present value of a qualified joint and
                                               Internal Revenue Service                                                    attend the hearing, Oluwafunmilayo                  survivor annuity or the qualified
                                                                                                                           (Funmi) Taylor at (202) 317–6901 (not               preretirement survivor annuity only if
                                               26 CFR Part 1                                                               toll-free numbers).                                 the participant and the spouse of the
                                               [REG–107424–12]                                                             SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:                          participant (or where the participant has
                                                                                                                                                                               died, the surviving spouse) consent in
                                               RIN 1545–BK95                                                               Background
                                                                                                                                                                               writing to the distribution.
                                                                                                                              Section 401(a)(11) of the Internal                 Section 417(e)(3)(A) provides that the
                                               Update to Minimum Present Value                                             Revenue Code (Code) provides that, in               present value shall not be less than the
                                               Requirements for Defined Benefit Plan                                       order for a defined benefit plan to                 present value calculated by using the
                                               Distributions                                                               qualify under section 401(a), except as             applicable mortality table and the
                                                                                                                           provided under section 417, in the case             applicable interest rate.1
                                               AGENCY: Internal Revenue Service (IRS),
                                                                                                                           of a vested participant who does not die              Section 417(e)(3)(B) of the Code, as
                                               Treasury.
                                                                                                                           before the annuity starting date, the               amended by section 302 of the Pension
                                               ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking                                       accrued benefit payable to such                     Protection Act of 2006 (PPA ’06), Public
                                               and notice of public hearing.                                               participant must be provided in the                 Law 109–280, 120 Stat. 780 (2006),
                                               SUMMARY:   This document contains                                           form of a qualified joint and survivor              provides that the term ‘‘applicable
                                               proposed regulations providing                                              annuity. In the case of a vested                    mortality table’’ means a mortality table,
                                               guidance relating to the minimum                                            participant who dies before the annuity             modified as appropriate by the
                                               present value requirements applicable                                       starting date and who has a surviving               Secretary, based on the mortality table
                                               to certain defined benefit pension plans.                                   spouse, a defined benefit plan must                 specified for the plan year under section
                                               These proposed regulations would                                            provide a qualified preretirement                   430(h)(3)(A) (without regard to section
                                               provide guidance on changes made by                                         survivor annuity to the surviving spouse            430(h)(3)(C) or (3)(D)).
                                               the Pension Protection Act of 2006 and                                      of such participant, except as provided               Section 417(e)(3)(C) of the Code, as
                                               would provide other modifications to                                        under section 417.                                  amended by section 302 of PPA ‘06,
                                                                                                                              Section 411(d)(6)(B) provides that a             provides that the term ‘‘applicable
                                               these rules as well. These regulations
                                                                                                                           plan amendment that has the effect of               interest rate’’ means the adjusted first,
                                               would affect participants, beneficiaries,
                                                                                                                           eliminating or reducing an early                    second, and third segment rates applied
                                               sponsors, and administrators of defined
                                                                                                                           retirement benefit or a retirement-type             under rules similar to the rules of
                                               benefit pension plans. This document
                                                                                                                           subsidy, or eliminating an optional form            section 430(h)(2)(C) of the Code for the
                                               also provides a notice of a public
                                                                                                                           of benefit, with respect to benefits                month before the date of the distribution
                                               hearing on these proposed regulations.
                                                                                                                           attributable to service before the                  or such other time as the Secretary may
                                               DATES: Written or electronic comments                                       amendment is treated as impermissibly               prescribe by regulations. However, for
                                               must be received by February 23, 2017.                                      reducing accrued benefits. However, the             purposes of section 417(e)(3), these rates
                                               Outlines of topics to be discussed at the                                   last sentence of section 411(d)(6)(B)               are to be determined without regard to
                                               public hearing scheduled for March 7,                                       provides that the Secretary may by                  the segment rate stabilization rules of
                                               2017, must be received by February 23,                                      regulations provide that section                    section 430(h)(2)(C)(iv). In addition,
                                               2017.                                                                       411(d)(6)(B) does not apply to a plan               under section 417(e)(3)(D), these rates
                                               ADDRESSES: Send submissions to:                                             amendment that eliminates an optional               are to be determined using the average
                                               CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–107424–12), Room                                          form of benefit (other than a plan                  yields for a month, rather than the 24-
                                               5203, Internal Revenue Service, P.O.                                        amendment that has the effect of                    month average used under section
                                               Box 7604, Ben Franklin Station,                                             eliminating or reducing an early                    430(h)(2)(D).
                                               Washington, DC 20044. Submissions                                           retirement benefit or a retirement-type               Section 411(a)(13) of the Code, as
                                               may be hand-delivered Monday through                                        subsidy).                                           added by section 701(b) of PPA ‘06,
                                               Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. and                                         Section 417(e)(1) provides that a plan           provides that an ‘‘applicable defined
                                               4 p.m. to: CC:PA:LPD:PR (REG–107424–                                        may provide that the present value of a             benefit plan,’’ as defined by section
                                               12), Courier’s Desk, Internal Revenue                                       qualified joint and survivor annuity or             411(a)(13)(C), is not treated as failing to
                                               Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW.,                                      a qualified preretirement survivor
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                                                                                                                                                               meet the requirements of section 417(e)
                                               Washington, DC, or sent electronically,                                     annuity will be immediately distributed
                                               via the Federal eRulemaking Portal at                                       if that present value does not exceed the             1 Under section 411(a)(11)(B), the same applicable

                                               http://www.regulations.gov (IRS REG–                                        amount that can be distributed without              mortality table and applicable interest rate are used
                                               107424–12). The public hearing will be                                      the participant’s consent under section             for purposes of determining whether the present
                                                                                                                                                                               value of a participant’s nonforfeitable accrued
                                               held in the IRS Auditorium, Internal                                        411(a)(11). Section 417(e)(2) provides              benefit exceeds the maximum amount that can be
                                               Revenue Building, 1111 Constitution                                         that, if the present value of the qualified         immediately distributed without the participant’s
                                               Avenue NW., Washington, DC.                                                 joint and survivor annuity or the                   consent.



                                          VerDate Sep<11>2014         14:01 Nov 23, 2016         Jkt 241001      PO 00000      Frm 00027   Fmt 4702   Sfmt 4702   E:\FR\FM\25NOP1.SGM   25NOP1


                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                          85191

                                               with respect to accrued benefits derived                Rev. Rul. 2007–67, 2007–2 CB 1047 (see                preretirement mortality discount was
                                               from employer contributions solely                      26 CFR 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)), provides                appropriately applied to determine a
                                               because the present value of a                          guidance on the applicable mortality                  single-sum distribution under a
                                               participant’s accrued benefit (or any                   table 2 and the timing rules that apply to            traditional defined benefit plan. The
                                               portion thereof) may be, under the terms                the determination of the applicable                   court distinguished AK Steel and Berger
                                               of the plan, equal to the amount                        interest rate and the applicable                      on the basis that the plans at issue in
                                               expressed as the hypothetical account                   mortality table.                                      those cases did not provide for a
                                               balance or as an accumulated                              The Worker, Retiree, and Employer                   forfeiture of the accrued benefit on the
                                               percentage of such participant’s final                  Recovery Act of 2008, Public Law 109–                 death of the participant before
                                               average compensation.                                   280 (120 Stat. 780), amended section                  retirement, whereas the plan at issue in
                                                  Section 1107(a)(2) of PPA ’06                        415(b)(2)(E)(v) to provide that the
                                                                                                                                                             Stewart provided for such a forfeiture.
                                               provides that a pension plan does not                   applicable mortality table under section
                                               fail to meet the requirements of section                417(e)(3)(B) applies for purposes of                     Final regulations (TD 9783) under
                                               411(d)(6) by reason of a plan                           adjusting a benefit or limitation                     section 417(e) that permit defined
                                               amendment to which section 1107                         pursuant to section 415(b)(2)(B), (C), or             benefit plans to simplify the treatment
                                               applies, except as provided by the                      (D).                                                  of certain optional forms of benefit that
                                               Secretary of the Treasury. Section 1107                   Sections 205(g), 203(e), and 204(g) of              are paid partly in the form of an annuity
                                               of PPA ’06 applies to plan amendments                   the Employee Retirement Income                        and partly in a more accelerated form
                                               made pursuant to the provisions of PPA                  Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) contain                  were published by the Treasury
                                               ’06 or regulations issued thereunder that               rules that are parallel to Code sections              Department and the IRS in the Federal
                                               are adopted no later than a specified                   417(e), 411(a)(11), and 411(d)(6),                    Register on September 9, 2016 (81 FR
                                               date, generally the last day of the first               respectively. Under section 101 of                    62359).
                                               plan year beginning on or after January                 Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1978 (43
                                               1, 2009.                                                FR 47713), the Secretary of the Treasury              Explanation of Provisions
                                                  Final regulations under section 417                  has interpretive jurisdiction over the                Overview
                                               relating to the qualified joint and                     subject matter addressed in these
                                               survivor and qualified preretirement                    regulations for purposes of ERISA, as                    These proposed regulations would
                                               survivor annuity requirements have not                  well as the Code. Thus, these                         amend the current final regulations
                                               been amended to reflect PPA ’06. The                    regulations apply for purposes of the                 under section 417(e) regarding the
                                               regulations, which were issued on                       Code and the corresponding provisions                 minimum present value requirements of
                                               August 22, 1988, were amended on                        of ERISA.                                             section 417(e)(3) in several areas.
                                               April 3, 1998, to reflect changes enacted                 In West v. AK Steel Corporation
                                                                                                                                                             Specifically, the proposed regulations
                                               by the Uruguay Round Agreements Act,                    Retirement Accumulation Pension Plan,
                                                                                                                                                             would update the regulations for
                                               Public Law 103–465 (GATT).                              484 F.3d 395 (6th Cir. 2007), the court
                                                                                                                                                             changes made by PPA ’06 and to
                                                  Section 1.417(e)–1(d)(1) provides that               held that a preretirement mortality
                                               a defined benefit plan generally must                   discount could not be used in the                     eliminate certain obsolete provisions.
                                               provide that the present value of any                   computation of the present value of a                 The proposed regulations also contain a
                                               accrued benefit and the amount of any                   participant’s single-sum distribution                 few other clarifying changes.
                                               distribution, including a single sum,                   under a cash balance plan if the death                Updates To Reflect Statutory and
                                               must not be less than the amount                        benefit under the plan was equal in                   Regulatory Changes
                                               calculated using the specified                          value to the participant’s accrued
                                               applicable interest rate and the specified              benefit under the plan. The court found                  The proposed regulations would
                                               applicable mortality table. The present                 that, if a participant’s beneficiary is               update the existing regulatory
                                               value of any optional form of benefit                   entitled to the participant’s entire                  provisions to reflect the statutory
                                               cannot be less than the present value of                accrued benefit upon the participant’s                changes made by PPA ’06, including the
                                               the accrued benefit determined in                       death before attainment of normal                     new interest rates and mortality tables
                                               accordance with the preceding sentence.                 retirement age, the use of a mortality                set forth in section 417(e)(3) and the
                                                  Section 1.417(e)–1(d)(6) provides an                 discount for the period before normal                 exception from the valuation rules for
                                               exception from the minimum present                      retirement age would result in a partial              certain applicable defined benefit plans
                                               value requirements of section 417(e) and                forfeiture of benefits in violation of the            set forth in section 411(a)(13). The
                                               § 1.417(e)–1(d). This exception applies                 ERISA vesting rules that correspond to                proposed regulations clarify that the
                                               to the amount of a distribution paid in                 the rules of section 411(a). See also                 interest rates that are published by the
                                               the form of an annual benefit that either               Berger v. Xerox Corporation Retirement
                                                                                                                                                             Commissioner pursuant to the
                                               does not decrease during the life of the                Income Guarantee Plan, 338 F.3d 755
                                                                                                                                                             provisions as modified by PPA ’06 are
                                               participant (or, in the case of a qualified             (7th Cir. 2003); Crosby v. Bowater, Inc.
                                                                                                       Ret. Plan, 212 FRD. 350 (W.D. Mich.                   to be used without further adjustment.
                                               preretirement survivor annuity, the life
                                                                                                       2002), rev’d on other grounds, 382 F.3d               In addition, the proposed regulations
                                               of the participant’s spouse), or that
                                               decreases during the life of the                        587 (6th Cir. 2004) (accrued benefits                 would eliminate obsolete provisions of
                                               participant merely because of the death                 include not only retirement benefits                  the regulations relating to the transition
                                               of the survivor annuitant (but only if the              themselves, but also death benefits                   from pre-1995 law to the interest rates
                                               reduction is to a level not below 50                    which are directly related to the value               and mortality assumptions provided by
                                                                                                       of the retirement benefits). In Stewart v.            GATT. Furthermore, the proposed
ehiers on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with PROPOSALS




                                               percent of the annual benefit payable
                                               before the death of such survivor                       AT&T Inc., 354 Fed. Appx. 111 (5th Cir.               regulations make conforming changes to
                                               annuitant) or the cessation or reduction                2009), however, the court held that a                 reflect the final regulations under
                                               of Social Security supplements or                                                                             section 417(e) that permit defined
                                               qualified disability benefits.                            2 Notice 2008–85, 2008–2 CB 905, Notice 2013–       benefit plans to simplify the treatment
                                                  Notice 2007–81, 2007–2 CB 899 (see                   49, 2013–32 IRB 127, Notice 2015–53, 2015–33 IRB      of certain optional forms of benefit that
                                                                                                       190, and Notice 2016–50, 2016–38 IRB 371, set
                                               26 CFR 601.601(d)(2)(ii)(b)), provides                  forth the section 417(e)(3) applicable mortality      are paid partly in the form of an annuity
                                               guidance on the applicable interest rate.               tables for 2009 through 2017.                         and partly in a more accelerated form.


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                                               85192                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                               Other Clarifying Changes                                eliminating or reducing an early                         However, a different rule applies with
                                                                                                       retirement benefit or retirement-type                 respect to whether the probability of
                                               A. Treatment of Preretirement Mortality
                                                                                                       subsidy or eliminating an optional form               death under the applicable mortality
                                                  The proposed regulations would                       of benefit with respect to benefits                   table is taken into account for purposes
                                               include rules relating to the treatment of              attributable to service before the                    of determining the present value with
                                               preretirement mortality discounts in                    amendment is treated as reducing                      respect to the accrued benefit derived
                                               determining the minimum present value                   accrued benefits for this purpose.                    from contributions made by an
                                               of accrued benefits under the                           Section 1.411(d)–3(g)(2)(v) provides that             employee. This is because an
                                               regulations to address the issue raised                 a death benefit under a defined benefit               employee’s rights in the accrued benefit
                                               by AK Steel and Berger of whether a                     plan other than a death benefit that is               derived from the employee’s own
                                               plan that provides a death benefit equal                part of an optional form of benefit is an             contributions are nonforfeitable under
                                               in value to the accrued benefit may                     ancillary benefit. Section 1.411(d)–                  section 411(a)(1), and the exception for
                                               apply a preretirement mortality                         3(g)(6)(ii)(B) describes death benefits               death under section 411(a)(3)(A) to the
                                               discount for the probability of death                   payable after the annuity starting date
                                               when determining the amount of a                                                                              nonforfeitability of accrued benefits
                                                                                                       that are considered part of an optional               does not apply to the accrued benefit
                                               single-sum distribution.                                form of benefit. Pursuant to § 1.411(d)–
                                                  Section 411(a) generally prohibits                                                                         derived from employee contributions.
                                                                                                       3(g)(14) and (15), section 411(d)(6)
                                               forfeitures of accrued benefits. Under                                                                        As a result, for purposes of determining
                                                                                                       protected benefits do not include a
                                               section 411(a)(1), an employee’s rights                                                                       the present value under section
                                                                                                       death benefit under a defined benefit
                                               in his accrued benefit derived from                                                                           417(e)(3) with respect to the accrued
                                                                                                       plan that is an ancillary benefit and not
                                               employee contributions must be                          part of an optional form of benefit.                  benefit derived from contributions made
                                               nonforfeitable, and under section                          A death benefit under a defined                    by an employee (that is computed in
                                               411(a)(2), an employee’s rights in his                  benefit plan that is payable when the                 accordance with the requirements of
                                               accrued benefit derived from employer                   participant dies before attaining normal              section 411(c)(3)), the probability of
                                               contributions must become                               retirement age and before benefits                    death during the assumed deferral
                                               nonforfeitable in accordance with a                     commence is not part of the                           period, if any, is not taken into account.
                                               vesting schedule that is specified in the               participant’s accrued benefit within the              For purposes of the preceding sentence,
                                               statute. Section 411(a)(3)(A) provides                  meaning of section 411(a)(7).                         the assumed deferral period is the
                                               that a right to an accrued benefit derived              Accordingly, the anti-forfeiture rules of             period between the date of the present
                                               from employer contributions is not                      section 411(a) do not apply to such a                 value determination and the assumed
                                               treated as forfeitable solely because the               death benefit. This is the case even if               commencement date for the annuity
                                               plan provides that it is not payable if the             the amount of the death benefit is the                attributable to contributions made by an
                                               participant dies (except in the case of a               same as the amount the participant                    employee.
                                               survivor annuity which is payable as                    would have received had the participant                  The proposed regulations include an
                                               provided in section 401(a)(11)).                        separated from service and elected to                 example to illustrate the application of
                                                  Section 411(a)(7)(A)(i) defines a                    receive a distribution immediately                    the minimum present value
                                               participant’s accrued benefit under a                   before death. Moreover, such a death
                                               defined benefit plan as the employee’s                                                                        requirements of section 417(e)(3) in the
                                                                                                       benefit is an ancillary benefit within the            case of a single-sum distribution of a
                                               accrued benefit determined under the                    meaning of § 1.411(d)–3(g)(2)(v)—rather
                                               plan and, except as provided in section                                                                       participant’s entire accrued benefit that
                                                                                                       than a section 411(d)(6) protected                    consists both of an accrued benefit
                                               411(c)(3), expressed in the form of an                  benefit—and therefore can be
                                               annual benefit commencing at normal                                                                           derived from employee contributions
                                                                                                       eliminated by plan amendment                          and an employer-provided accrued
                                               retirement age. Section 1.411(a)–7(a)(1)                (provided that a qualified preretirement
                                               defines a participant’s accrued benefit                                                                       benefit. Consistent with the rules in
                                                                                                       survivor annuity for a surviving spouse               these proposed regulations, the example
                                               under a defined benefit plan as the                     is preserved, pursuant to section
                                               annual benefit commencing at normal                                                                           illustrates that a single-sum distribution
                                                                                                       401(a)(11)).
                                               retirement age if the plan provides an                     The minimum present value                          of the participant’s entire accrued
                                               accrued benefit in that form. If a defined              requirements of section 417(e)(3) do not              benefit in such a case must equal the
                                               benefit plan does not provide an                        take into account the value of ancillary              sum of the minimum present value of
                                               accrued benefit in the form of an annual                benefits that are not part of the                     the accrued benefit derived from
                                               benefit commencing at normal                            participant’s accrued benefit under the               employee contributions, determined
                                               retirement age, § 1.411(a)–7(a)(1)(ii)                  plan. Consistent with this, § 1.417(e)–               under section 417(e)(3) (applying the
                                               defines the accrued benefit as an annual                1(d)(1)(i) does not require ancillary                 special rules set forth in the preceding
                                               benefit commencing at normal                            death benefits to be taken into account               paragraph), and the minimum present
                                               retirement age which is the actuarial                   in the required minimum present value                 value of the employer-provided accrued
                                               equivalent of the accrued benefit                       calculation. Because questions have                   benefit, determined under section
                                               determined under the plan. The                          arisen regarding this rule, the proposed              417(e)(3). Note that Rev. Rul. 89–60,
                                               regulation further clarifies that the term              regulations would clarify that the                    1989–1 CB 113 (1989) suggests that it is
                                               ‘‘accrued benefits’’ refers only to                     probability of death under the                        sufficient for a single-sum distribution
                                               pension or retirement benefits.                         applicable mortality table is generally               in such a case to merely equal the
                                               Consequently, accrued benefits do not                   taken into account for purposes of                    greater of the minimum present value of
                                                                                                                                                             the accrued benefit derived from
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                                               include ancillary benefits not directly                 determining the present value under
                                               related to retirement benefits, such as                 section 417(e)(3), without regard to the              employee contributions and the
                                               incidental death benefits.                              death benefits provided under the plan                minimum present value of the
                                                  Section 411(d)(6)(A) prohibits a plan                other than a death benefit that is part of            participant’s entire accrued benefit. To
                                               amendment that decreases a                              the normal form of benefit or part of                 the extent the guidance under Rev. Rul.
                                               participant’s accrued benefit. Section                  another optional form of benefit (as                  89–60 is inconsistent with the final
                                               411(d)(6)(B) provides that a plan                       described in § 1.411(d)–3(g)(6)(ii)(B)) for           regulations that adopt these proposed
                                               amendment that has the effect of                        which present value is determined.                    regulations, the regulations would


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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                         85193

                                               supersede the guidance in Rev. Rul. 89–                 C. Application of Required Assumptions                request comments on all aspects of these
                                               60.                                                     to the Accrued Benefit                                proposed regulations. In addition, the
                                                                                                          The proposed regulations would                     Treasury Department and the IRS
                                               B. Social Security Level Income Options                                                                       specifically request comments on
                                                                                                       clarify the scope of the rule of
                                                  Questions have arisen regarding                      § 1.417(e)–1(d)(1) under which the                    whether, in the case of a plan that
                                               whether the minimum present value                       present value of any optional form of                 provides a subsidized annuity payable
                                               requirements of section 417(e)(3) apply                 benefit cannot be less than the present               upon early retirement and determines a
                                               to a social security level income option.               value of the normal retirement benefit                single-sum distribution as the present
                                               As noted above, § 1.417(e)–1(d)(6)                      (with both values determined using the                value of the early retirement annuity,
                                               provides that the minimum present                       applicable interest rate and the                      the present-value determination should
                                               value requirements of section 417(e)(3)                 applicable mortality table). The                      be required to be calculated using the
                                               do not apply to the amount of a                         proposed regulations would require that               applicable interest rate and the
                                               distribution paid in the form of an                     the present value of any optional form                applicable mortality table applied to the
                                               annual benefit that does not decrease                   of benefit cannot be less than the                    early retirement annuity (or whether the
                                               during the life of the participant, or that             present value of the accrued benefit                  requirement to have a minimum present
                                               decreases during the life of the                        payable at normal retirement age, and                 value that is equal to the present value
                                               participant merely because of the death                 would provide an exception for an                     of the annuity payable at normal
                                               of the survivor annuitant or the                        optional form of benefit payable after                retirement age determined in
                                                                                                       normal retirement age to the extent that              accordance with section 417(e)(3)
                                               cessation or reduction of social security
                                                                                                       a suspension of benefits applies                      provides the level of protection for the
                                               supplements or qualified disability
                                                                                                       pursuant to section 411(a)(3)(B).                     participant that is required by section
                                               benefits.
                                                                                                                                                             417(e)(3)). See Rybarczyk v. TRW, 235
                                                  A social security supplement is                      Effective/Applicability Dates                         F.3d 975 (6th Cir. 2000).
                                               defined in § 1.411(a)–7(c)(4) as a benefit                The changes under the proposed                         All comments will be available at
                                               for plan participants that commences                    regulations are proposed to apply to                  www.regulations.gov or upon request. A
                                               before and terminates before the age                    distributions with annuity starting dates             public hearing has been scheduled for
                                               when participants are entitled to old-age               in plan years beginning on or after the               March 7, 2017, beginning at 10 a.m. in
                                               insurance benefits, unreduced on                        date regulations that finalize these                  the Auditorium, Internal Revenue
                                               account of age, under title II of the                   proposed regulations are published in                 Service, 1111 Constitution Avenue NW.,
                                               Social Security Act, and does not                       the Federal Register. Prior to this                   Washington, DC. Due to building
                                               exceed such old-age insurance benefit.                  applicability date, taxpayers must                    security procedures, visitors must enter
                                               A social security supplement (other                     continue to apply existing regulations                at the Constitution Avenue entrance. In
                                               than a QSUPP as defined in                              relating to section 417(e), modified to               addition, all visitors must present photo
                                               § 1.401(a)(4)–12) is an ancillary benefit               reflect the relevant statutory provisions             identification to enter the building.
                                               that is not a section 411(d)(6) protected               during the applicable period (and                     Because of access restrictions, visitors
                                               benefit.                                                guidance of general applicability                     will not be admitted beyond the
                                                  A social security level income option                relating to those statutory provisions,               immediate entrance area more than 30
                                               is an optional form of benefit (protected               such as Rev. Rul. 2007–67).                           minutes before the hearing starts. For
                                               under section 411(d)(6)) under which a                  Special Analyses                                      information about having your name
                                               participant’s accrued benefit is paid in                                                                      placed on the building access list to
                                                                                                         Certain IRS regulations, including this
                                               the form of an annuity with larger                                                                            attend the hearing, see the FOR FURTHER
                                                                                                       one, are exempt from the requirements
                                               payments in earlier years, before an                                                                          INFORMATION CONTACT section of this
                                                                                                       of Executive Order 12866, as
                                               assumed social security commencement                                                                          preamble.
                                                                                                       supplemented and reaffirmed by
                                               age, to provide the participant with                    Executive Order 13563. Therefore, a                      The rules of 26 CFR 601.601(a)(3)
                                               approximately level retirement income                   regulatory assessment is not required. It             apply to the hearing. Persons who wish
                                               when the assumed social security                        also has been determined that section                 to present oral comments at the hearing
                                               payments are taken into account. It is                  553(b) of the Administrative Procedure                must submit written or electronic
                                               appropriate to subject a social security                Act (5 U.S.C. chapter 5) does not apply               comments by February 23, 2017, and an
                                               level income option to the rules of                     to these regulations, and because the                 outline of topics to be discussed and the
                                               section 417(e)(3) because, when a                       proposed regulation does not impose a                 amount of time to be devoted to each
                                               participant’s accrued benefit is paid as                collection of information on small                    topic (a signed original and eight (8)
                                               a social security level income option, a                entities, the Regulatory Flexibility Act              copies) by February 23, 2017. A period
                                               portion of the participant’s accrued                    (5 U.S.C. chapter 6) does not apply.                  of 10 minutes will be allotted to each
                                               benefit (which may be substantial) is                   Pursuant to section 7805(f) of the Code,              person for making comments. An
                                               accelerated and paid over a short period                this notice of proposed rulemaking has                agenda showing the scheduling of the
                                               of time until social security retirement                been submitted to the Chief Counsel for               speakers will be prepared after the
                                               age. Because the periodic payments                      Advocacy of the Small Business                        deadline for receiving outlines has
                                               under a social security level income                    Administration for comment on its                     passed. Copies of the agenda will be
                                               option decrease during the lifetime of                  impact on small business.                             available free of charge at the hearing.
                                               the participant and the decrease is not
                                                                                                       Comments and Public Hearing                           Drafting Information
                                               the result of the cessation of an ancillary
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                                               social security supplement, § 1.417(e)–                   Before these proposed regulations are                 The principal authors of these
                                               1(d)(6) does not provide an exception                   adopted as final regulations,                         regulations are Neil S. Sandhu and
                                               from the minimum present value                          consideration will be given to any                    Linda S.F. Marshall, Office of Division
                                               requirements of section 417(e)(3) for                   written (a signed original and eight (8)              Counsel/Associate Chief Counsel (Tax
                                               such a distribution. These proposed                     copies) or electronic comments that are               Exempt and Government Entities).
                                               regulations contain an example that                     submitted timely to the IRS. The                      However, other personnel from the IRS
                                               illustrates this point.                                 Treasury Department and the IRS                       and the Treasury Department


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                                               85194                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                               participated in the development of these                benefit. See paragraph (d)(7) of this                 value of a straight life annuity, the first
                                               regulations.                                            section.                                              segment is applied with respect to
                                                                                                         (C) Special rules for applicable                    payments expected to be made during
                                               List of Subjects in 26 CFR Part 1
                                                                                                       defined benefit plans. See section                    the 5-year period beginning on the
                                                 Income taxes, Reporting and                           411(a)(13) and the regulations                        annuity starting date, the second
                                               recordkeeping requirements.                             thereunder for an exception from the                  segment rate is applied with respect to
                                               Proposed Amendments to the                              rules of section 417(e)(3) and this                   payments expected to be made during
                                               Regulations                                             paragraph (d) that applies to certain                 the 15-year period following the end of
                                                                                                       distributions from certain applicable                 that 5-year period, and the third
                                                 Accordingly, 26 CFR part 1 is                         defined benefit plans.                                segment rate is applied with respect to
                                               proposed to be amended as follows:                      *       *    *     *     *                            payments expected to be made after the
                                                                                                         (2) Applicable mortality table—(i) In               end of that 15-year period. The interest
                                               PART 1—INCOME TAXES                                                                                           rates that are published by the
                                                                                                       general. The applicable mortality table
                                                                                                       for a calendar year is the mortality table            Commissioner are to be used for this
                                               ■ Par. 1. The authority citation for part
                                                                                                       that is prescribed by the Commissioner                purpose without further adjustment.
                                               1 continues to read in part as follows:
                                                                                                       in guidance published in the Internal                   (ii) Examples. The following
                                                   Authority: 26 U.S.C. 7805 * * *
                                                                                                       Revenue Bulletin. See § 601.601(d)(2) of              examples illustrate the rules of
                                               ■ Par. 2. Section 1.417(e)–1 is amended                 this chapter. This mortality table is to be           paragraphs (d)(2) and (3) of this section.
                                               by:                                                     based on the table specified under                       Example 1. (i) Plan A is a non-
                                               ■ 1. Revising paragraphs (d)(1)(i), (d)(2),             section 430(h)(3)(A), but without regard              contributory single-employer defined benefit
                                               (d)(3), (d)(4), and (d)(6).                             to section 430(h)(3)(C) or (D).                       plan with a calendar-year plan year, a one-
                                               ■ 2. Adding paragraph (d)(8)(vi).                          (ii) Mortality discounts—(A) In                    year stability period coinciding with the
                                               ■ 3. Revising paragraph (d)(9).                         general. Except as provided under                     calendar year, and a two-month lookback
                                                                                                       paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) of this section,              used for determining the applicable interest
                                               ■ 4. Removing paragraph (d)(10).
                                                                                                       the probability of death under the                    rate. The normal retirement age is 65, and all
                                                 The addition and revisions read as                                                                          participant elections are made with proper
                                               follows:                                                applicable mortality table is taken into
                                                                                                       account for purposes of determining the               spousal consent. Plan A provides for optional
                                                                                                                                                             single sum payments equal to the present
                                               § 1.417(e)–1 Restrictions and valuations of             present value under this paragraph (d)                value of the participant’s accrued benefit.
                                               distributions from plans subject to sections            without regard to the death benefits                  Plan A provides that the applicable interest
                                               401(a)(11) and 417.                                     provided under the plan (other than a                 rates are the segment rates as specified by the
                                               *      *     *     *     *                              death benefit that is part of the normal              Commissioner for the second full calendar
                                                  (d) Present value requirement—(1)                    form of benefit or part of another                    month preceding the calendar year that
                                               General rule—(i) Defined benefit                        optional form of benefit, as described in             contains the annuity starting date. The
                                               plans—(A) In general. A defined benefit                 § 1.411(d)–3(g)(6)(ii)(B), for which                  applicable mortality table is the table
                                               plan must provide that the present value                present value is determined).                         specified by the Commissioner for the
                                               of any accrued benefit and the amount                      (B) Special rule for employee-                     calendar year that contains the annuity
                                                                                                                                                             starting date.
                                               (subject to sections 411(c)(3) and 415) of              provided benefit. For purposes of                        (ii) Participant P retires in May 2017 at age
                                               any distribution, including a single sum,               determining the present value under                   60 and elects (with spousal consent) to
                                               must not be less than the amount                        this paragraph (d) with respect to the                receive a single-sum payment. P has an
                                               calculated using the applicable                         accrued benefit derived from employee                 accrued benefit of $2,000 per month payable
                                               mortality table described in paragraph                  contributions (that is determined in                  as a life annuity beginning at the plan’s
                                               (d)(2) of this section and the applicable               accordance with the requirements of                   normal retirement age of 65. The applicable
                                               interest rate described in paragraph                    section 411(c)(3)), the probability of                mortality rates for 2017 apply. The applicable
                                               (d)(3) of this section, as determined for               death during the assumed deferral                     interest rates published by the Commissioner
                                               the month described in paragraph (d)(4)                 period, if any, is not taken into account.            for November 2016 are 1.57%, 3.45%, and
                                                                                                                                                             4.39% for the first, second, and third segment
                                               of this section. The present value of any               For purposes of the preceding sentence,               rates, respectively. The deferred annuity
                                               optional form of benefit, determined in                 the assumed deferral period is the                    factor calculated based on these interest rates
                                               accordance with the preceding sentence,                 period between the date of the present                and the applicable mortality table for 2017 is
                                               cannot be less than the present value of                value determination and the assumed                   10.931 for a participant age 60. To satisfy the
                                               the accrued benefit payable at normal                   commencement date for the annuity                     requirements of section 417(e)(3) and this
                                               retirement age, except to the extent that,              attributable to contributions made by an              paragraph (d), the single-sum payment
                                               for an optional form of benefit payable                 employee.                                             received by P cannot be less than $262,344
                                               after normal retirement age, the                           (3) Applicable interest rate—(i) In                (that is, $2,000 × 12 × 10.931).
                                               requirements for suspension of benefits                 general. The applicable interest rate for                Example 2. (i) The facts are the same as
                                                                                                                                                             for Example 1 of this paragraph (d)(3)(ii),
                                               under section 411(a)(3)(B) are satisfied.               a month is determined using the first,                except that Plan A provides for mandatory
                                               The same rules used for the plan under                  second, and third segment rates for that              employee contributions. Participant Q retires
                                               this paragraph (d) must also be used to                 month under section 430(h)(2)(C), as                  in May 2017 at age 60 and elects (with
                                               compute the present value of the benefit                modified pursuant to section                          spousal consent) to receive a single-sum
                                               for purposes of determining whether                     417(e)(3)(D) (and without regard to the               payment of Q’s entire accrued benefit. Q has
                                               consent for a distribution is required                  segment rate stabilization rules of                   an accrued benefit of $2,000 per month
                                               under paragraph (b) of this section.                    section 430(h)(2)(C)(iv)). The applicable             payable as a life annuity beginning at Plan
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                                                  (B) Payment of a portion of a                        interest rate is specified by the                     A’s normal retirement age of 65, consisting of
                                               participant’s benefit. The rules of this                Commissioner in revenue rulings,                      an accrued benefit derived from employee
                                                                                                                                                             contributions determined in accordance with
                                               paragraph (d)(1) apply with respect to a                notices, or other guidance published in               section 411(c)(2) (Q’s employee-provided
                                               payment of only a portion of the                        the Internal Revenue Bulletin, and is                 accrued benefit) of $500 per month and an
                                               accrued benefit in the same manner as                   applied under rules similar to the rules              accrued benefit derived from employer
                                               these rules would apply to a                            under § 1.430(h)(2)–1(b). Thus, for                   contributions (Q’s employer-provided
                                               distribution of the entire accrued                      example, in determining the present                   accrued benefit) of $1,500 per month.



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                                                                     Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules                                              85195

                                                 (ii) Pursuant to paragraph (d)(2)(ii)(B) of           period may be one calendar month, one                 requirements in paragraph (d)(9) of this
                                               this section, the single-sum payment used to            plan quarter, one calendar quarter, one               section) does not apply to the amount of
                                               settle Q’s employee-provided accrued benefit            plan year, or one calendar year. This                 a distribution paid in the form of an
                                               cannot be less than the present value of that
                                                                                                       same stability period also applies to the             annual benefit that—
                                               portion of Q’s accrued benefit determined
                                               using the applicable interest and mortality             applicable mortality table.                              (A) Does not decrease during the life
                                               rates described in paragraphs (d)(3)(i) and                (iv) Lookback month. A plan must                   of the participant, or, in the case of a
                                               (d)(2)(ii) of this section, determined without          specify the lookback month that is used               QPSA, the life of the participant’s
                                               taking the probability of death during the              to determine the applicable interest rate             spouse; or
                                               assumed deferral period into account. The               with respect to a stability period. The                  (B) Decreases during the life of the
                                               deferred annuity factor calculated based on             lookback month may be the first,                      participant merely because of—
                                               the interest and mortality rates specified in           second, third, fourth, or fifth full                     (1) The death of the survivor
                                               Example 1 of this paragraph (d)(3)(ii) (taking          calendar month preceding the first day                annuitant (but only if the reduction is to
                                               the probability of death only after age 65 into         of the stability period.                              a level not below 50 percent of the
                                               account) is 11.266 for a participant age 60. To            (v) Permitted average interest rate. A
                                               satisfy the requirement of section 417(e)(3)                                                                  annual benefit payable before the death
                                               and this paragraph (d), the single-sum
                                                                                                       plan may apply the rules of paragraph                 of the survivor annuitant): or
                                               payment received by Q with respect to the               (d)(4)(i) of this section by substituting a              (2) The cessation or reduction of a
                                               employee-provided portion of the accrued                permitted average applicable interest                 social security supplement or qualified
                                               benefit cannot be less than the minimum                 rate with respect to the plan’s stability             disability benefit (as defined in section
                                               present value of $67,596 (that is, $500 × 12            period for the applicable interest rate               411(a)(9)).
                                               × 11.266).                                              determined under paragraph (d)(3) of                     (ii) Example. The following example
                                                 (iii) The single-sum payment used to settle           this section for the applicable lookback              illustrates the rules of this paragraph
                                               Q’s employer-provided accrued benefit                   month for the stability period. For this              (d)(6).
                                               cannot be less than the present value of that           purpose, a permitted average applicable
                                               portion of Q’s accrued benefit determined                                                                        Example. (i) The facts are the same as
                                               using the applicable interest and mortality
                                                                                                       interest rate with respect to a stability             Example 1 of paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this
                                               rates. However, for this purpose, Plan A is             period is the applicable interest rate that           section. Plan A also provides an optional
                                               permitted to take the probability of death              is computed by averaging the applicable               distribution in the form of a Social Security
                                               during the assumed deferral period into                 interest rates determined under                       level income option. Under this provision,
                                               account. The single-sum payment received                paragraph (d)(3) of this section for two              the participant’s benefit is adjusted so that a
                                               by Q with respect to the employer-provided              or more consecutive months from                       larger amount is payable until age 65, at
                                               portion of the accrued benefit cannot be less           among the first, second, third, fourth,               which time it is reduced to provide a level
                                               than $196,758 (that is, $1,500 × 12 × 10.931).          and fifth calendar months preceding the               income in combination with the participant’s
                                                 (iv) The total single-sum payment received                                                                  estimated social security benefit beginning at
                                                                                                       first day of the stability period. For this           age 65. Participant R’s reduced early
                                               by Q cannot be less than the sum of the
                                               minimum present value of Q’s employee- and
                                                                                                       paragraph (d)(4)(v) to apply, a plan must             retirement benefit payable as a straight life
                                               employer-provided accrued benefits, or                  specify the manner in which the                       annuity benefit commencing at age 60 is
                                               $264,354 ($67,596 + $196,758).                          permitted average interest rate is                    $1,300 per month (which is less than the
                                                                                                       computed.                                             actuarially equivalent benefit that would
                                                  (4) Time for determining interest rate                  (vi) Additional determination dates.               have been determined using the applicable
                                               and mortality table—(i) Interest rate                   The Commissioner may prescribe, in                    interest and mortality rates under section
                                               general rule. Except as provided in                     guidance published in the Internal                    417(e)(3)) and R’s estimated social security
                                               paragraph (d)(4)(v) or (vi) of this section,            Revenue Bulletin, other times that a                  benefit is $1,000 per month beginning at age
                                               the applicable interest rate to be used                 plan may provide for determining the
                                                                                                                                                             65.
                                               for a distribution is the applicable                                                                             (ii) Because the benefit payable under the
                                                                                                       applicable interest rate.                             social security level income option decreases
                                               interest rate determined under                             (vii) Example. The following example
                                               paragraph (d)(3) of this section for the                                                                      at age 65 and the decrease is not on account
                                                                                                       illustrates the rules of this paragraph               of the death of the participant or a
                                               applicable lookback month. The                          (d)(4):                                               beneficiary or the cessation or reduction of
                                               applicable lookback month for a                                                                               social security supplements or qualified
                                               distribution is the lookback month (as                    Example. (i) The facts are the same as
                                                                                                       Example 1 of paragraph (d)(3)(ii) of this             disability benefits, the benefits payable under
                                               described in paragraph (d)(4)(iv) of this               section, except that Plan A provides that the         the social security level income option are
                                               section) for the stability period (as                   applicable interest rates are the rates for the       subject to the minimum present value
                                               described in paragraph (d)(4)(iii) of this              third full calendar month preceding the               requirements of section 417(e)(3). As
                                               section) that contains the annuity                      beginning of the plan quarter that contains           illustrated in Example 1 of paragraph
                                               starting date for the distribution. The                 the annuity starting date. Plan A also                (d)(3)(ii) of this section, the minimum
                                               time and method for determining the                     provides that the applicable mortality table is       present value of Participant R’s benefits
                                                                                                       the table specified by the Commissioner for           under section 417(e)(3) is $262,344, which is
                                               applicable interest rate for each                                                                             based on the present value of R’s accrued
                                                                                                       the calendar year that contains the beginning
                                               participant’s distribution must be                      of the stability period.                              benefit, not R’s benefit that would be payable
                                               determined in a consistent manner that                    (ii) The segment interest rates that apply          as a straight life annuity at the annuity
                                               is applied uniformly to all participants                for annuity starting dates during the period          starting date.
                                               in the plan.                                            beginning April 1, 2017 and ending June 30,              (iii) The deferred annuity factor for a
                                                  (ii) Mortality table general rule. The               2017 are the segment rates for January 2017.          participant age 60 with lifetime benefits
                                               applicable mortality table to be used for               This plan design permits the applicable               commencing at age 65, based on the
                                               a distribution is the mortality table that              interest rate to be fixed for each plan quarter       November 2016 segment rates and the
                                                                                                       and for the applicable interest rate for all          applicable mortality table for 2017, is 10.931.
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                                               is published for the calendar year
                                               during which the stability period                       distributions made during each plan quarter           The corresponding temporary annuity factor
                                                                                                       to be determined before the beginning of the          to age 65 is 4.752. The minimum benefits
                                               containing the annuity starting date                    plan quarter.                                         payable to Participant R in the form of a
                                               begins.                                                                                                       social security level income option (with a
                                                  (iii) Stability period. A plan must                  *     *     *     *    *                              decrease of $1,000—equal to the participant’s
                                               specify the period for which the                          (6) Exceptions—(i) In general. This                 estimated social security benefit—occurring
                                               applicable interest rate remains constant               paragraph (d) (other than the provisions              at age 65) are $2,090.99 per month until age
                                               (the stability period). This stability                  relating to section 411(d)(6)                         65 and $1,090.99 per month thereafter. Any



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                                               85196                 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 227 / Friday, November 25, 2016 / Proposed Rules

                                               amounts less than this would have a present             determined using the interest rate and                Mailbox #24, Alexandria, VA 22350–
                                               value smaller than the required amount of               mortality table provided under the plan               1700.
                                               $262,344, and thus would fail to satisfy the            determined at either the date for
                                               minimum present value requirement of                                                                             Instructions: All submissions received
                                               section 417(e)(3).
                                                                                                       determining the interest rate and                     must include the agency name and
                                                                                                       mortality table before the amendment or               docket number or RIN for this Federal
                                               *       *    *     *     *                              the date for determining the interest rate            Register document. The general policy
                                                  (8) * * *                                            and mortality table after the                         for comments and other submissions
                                                  (vi) Applicability date for provisions               amendment, whichever results in the                   from members of the public is to make
                                               reflecting PPA ’06 updates and other                    larger distribution. If the plan                      these submissions available for public
                                               rules. Paragraphs (d)(1) through (4) of                 amendment is adopted retroactively                    viewing on the Internet at http://
                                               this section apply to distributions with                (that is, the amendment is effective prior            www.regulations.gov as they are
                                               annuity starting dates in plan years                    to the adoption date), the plan must use              received without change, including any
                                               beginning on or after the date                          the interest rate and mortality table                 personal identifiers or contact
                                               regulations that finalize these proposed                determination dates resulting in the                  information.
                                               regulations are published in the Federal                larger distribution for distributions with
                                               Register. Prior to this applicability date,             annuity starting dates occurring during               FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:     Lisa
                                               taxpayers must continue to apply the                    the period beginning with the effective               Miller, (703) 808–1060.
                                               provisions of § 1.417(e)–1(d) as                        date and ending one year after the                    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                               contained in 26 CFR part 1 as in effect                 adoption date.
                                               immediately before publication of those                                                                       Background
                                                                                                       *     *      *    *      *
                                               final regulations, except to the extent                                                                          Pursuant to DoD Directive 5105.23,
                                               superseded by statutory changes and                     John Dalrymple,
                                                                                                                                                             ‘‘National Reconnaissance Office
                                               guidance of general applicability                       Deputy Commissioner for Services and                  (NRO),’’ effective October 29, 2015
                                               relating to those statutory changes.                    Enforcement.
                                                                                                                                                             (available at http://www.dtic.mil/whs/
                                                  (9) Relationship with section                        [FR Doc. 2016–27907 Filed 11–23–16; 8:45 am]
                                               411(d)(6)—(i) In general. A plan                                                                              directives/corres/pdf/510523p.pdf), the
                                                                                                       BILLING CODE 4830–01–P                                NRO was designated as a Defense
                                               amendment that changes the interest
                                               rate or the mortality assumptions used                                                                        Agency. This proposed regulation aligns
                                               for the purposes described in paragraph                                                                       with comparable regulations for other
                                                                                                       DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE                                 defense agencies. This rulemaking
                                               (d)(1) of this section (including a plan
                                               amendment that changes the time for                                                                           discusses procedures for NRO personnel
                                                                                                       Office of the Secretary                               to follow when asked to provide official
                                               determining those assumptions) is
                                               generally subject to section 411(d)(6).                                                                       testimony in a legal proceeding. It also
                                                                                                       32 CFR Part 267                                       informs members of the public of the
                                               However, for certain exceptions to the
                                               rule in the preceding sentence, see                     [Docket ID: DOD–2016–OS–0079]                         procedures for official NRO documents,
                                               paragraph (d)(7)(iv) of this section,                                                                         files, records or information or official
                                                                                                       RIN 0790–AJ51
                                               § 1.411(d)–4, Q&A–2(b)(2)(v) (with                                                                            testimony which could include:
                                               respect to plan amendments relating to                  Production of Official Records or                        (1) Any material contained in the files
                                               involuntary distributions), and section                 Disclosure of Official Information in                 of the NRO;
                                               1107(a)(2) of the Pension Protection Act                Proceedings Before Federal, State or                     (2) Any information relating to, or
                                               of 2006, Public Law 109–280, 120 Stat.                  Local Governmental Entities of                        based upon, material contained in the
                                               780 (2006) (PPA ’06) (with respect to                   Competent Jurisdiction                                files of the NRO, including but not
                                               certain plan amendments that were                                                                             limited to summaries of such
                                               made pursuant to a change to the                        AGENCY:  National Reconnaissance                      information or material, or opinions
                                               Internal Revenue Code by PPA ’06 or                     Office, Department of Defense.                        based on such information or material;
                                               regulations issued thereunder).                         ACTION: Proposed rule.                                or
                                                  (ii) Section 411(d)(6) relief for change                                                                      (3) Any information acquired by any
                                               in time for determining interest rate and               SUMMARY:    This proposed rule sets forth
                                                                                                       procedures for the National                           person while such person was
                                               mortality table. Notwithstanding the                                                                          performing official duties while detailed
                                               general rule of paragraph (d)(9)(i) of this             Reconnaissance Office (NRO) personnel
                                                                                                       to follow for the release of official                 to the NRO, assigned to the NRO, or due
                                               section, if a plan amendment changes                                                                          to that person’s official status or
                                               the time for determining the applicable                 information by NRO personnel in legal
                                                                                                       proceedings, through testimony,                       association with the NRO. These
                                               interest rate (and, if the amendment                                                                          procedures also apply to subpoenas
                                               changes the stability period described in               production of documents, or otherwise.
                                                                                                                                                             duces tecum for any document within
                                               paragraph (d)(4)(iii) of this section, the              DATES: Comments must be received by
                                                                                                                                                             the NRO’s possession and to requests for
                                               time for determining the applicable                     January 24, 2017.
                                                                                                                                                             official certification of copies of any
                                               mortality table), including an indirect                 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments,                   documents.
                                               change as a result of a change in plan                  identified by docket number and/or
                                                                                                                                                                These procedures discussed in this
                                               year, the amendment will not be treated                 Regulatory Information Number (RIN)
                                                                                                                                                             proposed rule apply to information
                                               as reducing accrued benefits in violation               and title, by any of the following
                                                                                                                                                             requests associated with:
                                               of section 411(d)(6) merely on account                  methods:
                                               of this change if the conditions of this                  • Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://                   (1) State court proceedings, to include
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                                               paragraph (d)(9)(ii) are satisfied. If the              www.regulations.gov.                                  grand jury proceedings.
                                               plan amendment is effective on or after                   Follow the instructions for submitting                 (2) Federal civil proceedings where
                                               the date the amendment is adopted, any                  comments.                                             the United States, NRO, or any other
                                               distribution for which the annuity                        • Mail: Department of Defense, Office               Federal Agency is not a party to the
                                               starting date occurs in the one-year                    of the Deputy Chief Management                        case; and
                                               period commencing at the time the                       Officer, Directorate for Oversight and                   (3) State and local legislative and
                                               amendment is effective must be                          Compliance, 4800 Mark Center Drive,                   administrative proceedings.


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Document Created: 2016-11-23 23:18:19
Document Modified: 2016-11-23 23:18:19
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionProposed Rules
ActionNotice of proposed rulemaking and notice of public hearing.
DatesWritten or electronic comments must be received by February 23, 2017. Outlines of topics to be discussed at the public hearing scheduled for March 7, 2017, must be received by February 23, 2017.
ContactConcerning the regulations, Neil S. Sandhu or Linda S.F. Marshall at (202) 317-6700; concerning submissions of comments, the hearing, and/or being placed on the building access list to attend the hearing, Oluwafunmilayo (Funmi) Taylor at (202) 317- 6901 (not toll-free numbers).
FR Citation81 FR 85190 
RIN Number1545-BK95
CFR AssociatedIncome Taxes and Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements

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