Signing the Form 5500

[TPA Bob]

We were advised by the DOL that the Form 5500 had to be signed by the Plan Administrator (Plan Sponsor optional) in order to be accepted. In fact had to amend a 5500 for just that (filing signer signed as Plan Sponsor and not Plan Administrator). The 5500 instructions on page 6 seems to indicate this as well.

I have been reading the Form 5500 filing guide from Sungard and they indicate that the "DOL will not consider a filing that has only a plan administrator's electronic signature as a proper filing".

What has everyone been doing?

[Tom Poje]

well, the default for FT William is only Plan Admin (at least for the 5500SF) and we have had a number of these accepted. early in the year I was filling out both lines (I was showing my fine ignoramous knowledge) and filling out the regular 5500s early in the year, (instead of saving time and attachments by filling out the SF)

seems to me they accept either

[Bill Presson]

We were advised by the DOL that the Form 5500 had to be signed by the Plan Administrator (Plan Sponsor optional) in order to be accepted. In fact had to amend a 5500 for just that (filing signer signed as Plan Sponsor and not Plan Administrator). The 5500 instructions on page 6 seems to indicate this as well.

I have been reading the Form 5500 filing guide from Sungard and they indicate that the "DOL will not consider a filing that has only a plan administrator's electronic signature as a proper filing".

What has everyone been doing?

The Plan Administrator has to sign. Based on the info I've gotten from the DOL reps on panels, they don't care about a plan sponsor signature. If the guide says that, it's an error.

[TPA Bob]

Thanks.