The Annual Return/Report 5500 Series Forms and Instructionsopens in a new tab to be used by employee benefits plans consist of one form, plus four schedules for pensions and six schedules for financials. Form 5500 and its accompanying schedules must be filed with the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) on or before the last day of the seventh month following the close of the plan year. This is generally July 31 for calendar-year plans.
Penalties for noncompliance are stiff and are adjusted annually for inflation. For 2019 penalty amounts, see U.S. DOL EBSA Fact Sheet.
There is a delinquent filer voluntary compliance programopens in a new tab designed to encourage voluntary compliance with the annual reporting requirements. The program gives delinquent plan administrators a way to avoid potentially higher civil penalty assessments by satisfying the program’s requirements and voluntarily paying a reduced penalty amount.
An organization run by AI is not a futuristic concept. Such technology is already a part of many workplaces and will continue to shape the labor market and HR. Here's how employers and employees can successfully manage generative AI and other AI-powered systems.