Plan Mergers and Restatements - a question of timing

[Guest LKHartnett]

As always, questions lead to questions.

We're wading through the process of merging MPPs with PSPs, and I have a question about timing, particularly since we are beginning the process so late in the year . . .

I assume it is too late in 2002 to draft an amendment to reduce the MPP contribution formula to zero. For the most part, participants in all plans will have satisfied requirements for receiving a contribution under the current MP formula for the 2002 plan year by now.

In the meantime, if we are choosing to amend for GUST through the *PSP only* after the two plans are merged, we've got to have that done by 12/31/2002.

Is it okay to merge the MPP and the PSP on paper prior to 12/31/2002 even though in fact the MPP is in existence for the duration of 2002, and the plans wouldn't really physically merge until some time during 2003?

Because of the timing circumstance, is it more appropriate to restate each plan separately for GUST, and then merge?